PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Hagen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gareth McCall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCall has chosen Bobby Darin - Mack The Knife as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Hagen
vs
McCall

178 cm
35
201 lbs
25 - 7 - 0

185 cm
27
195 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Hagen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gareth McCall!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hagen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McCall.
McCall throws a good cross that connects.
McCall scoring well with a low kick there.
McCall jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A jab from McCall finds it's way through Hagen's defenses.
McCall lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
McCall doesn't manage to clinch there - Hagen circles away.
McCall has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Hagen is landing a low percentage of strikes.
McCall attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hagen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hagen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McCall tries to score with a low kick but Hagen moves his leg out of the way.
Hagen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Hagen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Hagen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hagen is looking to work some ground and pound but McCall has wrist control.
Hagen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McCall is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hagen looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hagen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hagen preventing the sweep.
Hagen wants to pass the guard but McCall is keeping the position.
Hagen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hagen forces his way into half guard.
Hagen stops McCall from getting back to his feet.
Hagen wants to pass the guard but McCall is defending well.
McCall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Hagen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hagen trying to advance position but McCall counters by regaining guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagen pushing down on McCall's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McCall looks like he's trying to stand up.

Hagen is trying to work for a kimura but McCall is defending well.

Hagen is looking for a kimura but McCall is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hagen to get the leverage.

Hagen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Hagen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McCall is just riding it out for now. Hagen eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hagen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for McCall!

Hagen swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and McCall is now in Hagen's guard. A big mistake from Hagen there, giving up the dominant position!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCall is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gareth McCall will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

McCall feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hagens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hagen dives in and grabs McCall's left leg, looking for a takedown. McCall pushes down on Hagen's head and hops out.
Hagen throws a sloppy head kick
and McCall counters with a straight right hand.

McCall moves into the clinch.
Still in the clinch, McCall scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hagen wants to take the fight to the mat but McCall manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
McCall tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hagen's elbow.

Hagen has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McCall regains guard immediately.
McCall pulls Hagen in close to prevent any damage.
Hagen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCall is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hagen stands and throws McCall's legs to the side, diving into side control.
McCall regains half guard, as Hagen was trying to land strikes.

Hagen wants to work for an arm triangle but McCall is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tom Hagen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hagen wants to work for an arm triangle but McCall is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hagen is pressing down on McCall's thigh, looking to free his foot. McCall is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCall preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
McCall wants to control but Hagen is keeping busy.
Hagen works his way into side control.

Hagen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hagen fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hagen goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, McCall has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hagen but great work by McCall.
Hagen is looking to reverse the position.
Hagen is trying to escape the position but McCall is controlling the position.
Hagen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but McCall wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
McCall is looking to take a break and control but Hagen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hagen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Hagen gets back to full guard.
McCall slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hagen looking for a sweep. Not yet Hagen, not yet.
McCall must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCall controls from within his opponent's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Gareth McCall.
McCall takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hagen fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hagen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hagen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McCall tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hagen is in McCall's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tom Hagen will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McCall is looking to clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hagen checks a leg kick.
Hagen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hagen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCall avoids it really well and circles away.
McCall ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hagen moves away.
Hagen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
An inside leg kick from McCall misses.
McCall tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McCall tries to clinch

and Hagen counters with a nice double leg into side control. McCall won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall prevents Hagen from improving position.
Hagen with the ground and pound but McCall regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
McCall is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Hagen is trying to work for a kimura but McCall is defending well.

Hagen is working for a submission of some sort.
Hagen drops an elbow to the side of McCall's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hagen is trying to work for a kimura but McCall is defending well.

Hagen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Hagen is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed McCall to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Hagen looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hagen wants to pass the guard but McCall is keeping the position.
Hagen slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCall trying to control but Hagen postures up.
McCall gets back to full guard.
Hagen tries to free his leg and advance position but McCall is retaining full guard.

Hagen drops back, looking for a kneebar! McCall looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McCall looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McCall!
McCall trying to control the position but Hagen is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hagen tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Hagen clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McCall swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McCall rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Hagen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hagen.

Hagen drops back, looking for a kneebar! McCall looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McCall looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McCall!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Hagen is looking to reverse the position.
Hagen throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Hagen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but McCall wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCall taking a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCall wants to control but Hagen is keeping him busy.
Hagen looks to move to half guard but instead McCall has passed into mount! Damn!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hagen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
McCall throws some wild stikes that Hagen manages to avoid easily.
Hagen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hagen works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hagen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McCall trying to control but Hagen is working from the bottom.

Hagen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McCall defends it easily.
McCall trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hagen's guard.
McCall's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hagen wants to sweep here but McCall controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hagen being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Gareth McCall wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hagen shoots in for a takedown but McCall shows good takedown defense.
McCall tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McCall jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McCall looks to clinch

so Hagen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
McCall keeping full guard, as Hagen tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hagen passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Hagen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, McCall rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hagen's guard! Nice work there by McCall!
Hagen wants to sweep but no luck.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hagen keeping moving, preventing McCall from controlling successfully.
Hagen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCall wants to control from the top but Hagen keeps moving.

Hagen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McCall doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McCall manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Hagen had his way with Gareth McCall in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

McCall throws a lazy right hand but Hagen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hagen has a takedown stuffed.
Hagen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hagen slips a straight right by McCall.
Hagen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hagen tries for a takedown but McCall sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A jab from McCall misses.
McCall doesn't manage to clinch there - Hagen circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hagen with a poor takedown
and McCall counters with a flying knee. Nice.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hagen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCall throws a good cross that connects.
McCall cracks Hagen with a right hand to the side of the head.
McCall misses with a wild body shot.
Hagen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCall throws out the jab.
McCall lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hagen shoots in but no luck this time.
McCall has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
McCall pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gareth McCall seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hagen defending well as McCall loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCall looks to land a right hand but Hagen moved out of range.
McCall moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McCall swings for the body but Hagen moves out of range.
McCall digs a good hook to Hagen's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circle momentarily. McCall darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
McCall moves in looking to clinch but Hagen pushes him off.
Tom Hagen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCall.
McCall is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hagen.
McCall connects with a looping right hand.
Gareth McCall has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hagen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCall dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

McCall gets a clinch.
McCall lands a nice uppercut.
Hagen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hagen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hagen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McCall swings wildly with an uppercut but Hagen uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCall throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Hagen blocking some punches.
Hagen looking for a takedown.
Hagen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McCall is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
McCall landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
With the fighters up against the cage, McCall throws an elbow but misses.
Hagen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McCall is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCall tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCall digs a right hand underneath Hagen's ribcage. Hagen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hagen jumps guard but McCall stands there with Hagen around his waist. Hagen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McCall's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
McCall lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Hagen takes an elbow to the forehead.
McCall misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hagen.
McCall throws a head punch that misses.
McCall lands a damaging elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
With the fighters up against the cage, McCall throws an elbow but misses.
McCall is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hagen wants to take the fight to the mat but McCall manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hagen.
McCall lands a left hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gareth McCall comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hagen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 49:47
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47
Judge William Gold scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Hagen!
Tom Hagen retains his middleweight title!
Tom Hagen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.