PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jospeh Clay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Finnegan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chris Finnegan will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Clay
vs
Finnegan

183 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

193 cm
25
245 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jospeh Clay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chris Finnegan!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Finnegan rushes Clay and presses him up against the cage.

Finnegan tightens his grip and picks Clay up, before dumping him to the ground. Clay manages to land in guard.
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.
Clay utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Clay keeping moving, preventing Finnegan from controlling successfully.
Finnegan stops Clay from standing up.

Finnegan drops back looking for a leg! Clay is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Clay manages to kick Finnegan off! Finnegan jumps back into Clay's guard.
Clay could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Finnegan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finnegan sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Clay avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finnegan trying to control but Clay is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Clay swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Finnegan lands a nice looking body shot.
Finnegan thuds a left hand into Clay's body.

Clay gets caught napping as Finnegan dives in and scores a takedown. Clay manages to retain guard.
Finnegan wants to control from the top but Clay keeps moving.
Clay keeping full guard, as Finnegan tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Finnegan stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A head kick from Finnegan lands but Clay takes it in his stride.

Finnegan darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clay is looking to escape.
Finnegan is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Clay!
Clay sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clay manages to get to full guard.
Clay wants to get back to his feet but Finnegan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Clay throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Finnegan won't allow Clay to get back to his feet.

Finnegan drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Clay manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Finnegan has Clay in his guard.
Finnegan controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Clay accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Finnegan working for a triangle but Clay defends it easily.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Finnegan has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Clay has passed into side control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Finnegan clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Finnegan dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Finnegan misses with a body shot.

Finnegan closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Clay did well to prevent Finnegan getting side control.
Clay is trying to stand up here but Finnegan is controlling him well.
Clay is refusing to be controlled, as Finnegan sits in half guard.
Clay blocking the ground and pound attempt from Finnegan.
Clay is not content to let Finnegan control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clay pushes Finnegan off looking to stand but Finnegan dives back in and keeps control.
Finnegan throws a strike but Clay avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finnegan trying to control the position from guard on top but Clay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Finnegan.
Clay bucks up and tries to throw Finnegan off but instead Finnegan has got his back!

Clay is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.

Finnegan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Finnegan stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finnegan tries to clinch there but Clay circles away.
As Finnegan looks to move away, Clay throws a big counter combo bu Finnegan just gets out of the way.
Finnegan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Clay swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Finnegan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Finnegan fails with an attempt to clinch.

Finnegan gets a takedown into half guard.
Finnegan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Finnegan trying to control the action but Clay is working from the bottom.
Chris Finnegan has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finnegan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Clay pushes Finnegan off looking to stand but Finnegan dives back in and keeps control.
Finnegan perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Clay wants to improve his position but Finnegan is controlling well.
Clay avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Finnegan.
Clay wants to stand back up but Finnegan manages to pass into side control.
Clay struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Finnegan trying to control the position but Clay is working away.
An elbow from Finnegan crashes against the mat.
Clay is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Finnegan has just dragged him back down to the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Finnegan throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Clay tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Finnegan is in Clay's guard.
Finnegan sitting in guard here, content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Finnegan stops Clay from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chris Finnegan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Clay's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Finnegan throws a head kick that misses
and Clay counters with a series of strikes. Finnegan will be more careful next time no doubt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Clay is defended easily by Finnegan.

Finnegan scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Finnegan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clay is staying active underneath Finnegan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Finnegan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay is trying to stand up here but Finnegan is controlling him well.

Finnegan is looking for a kimura here.
Clay pushes Finnegan off looking to stand but Finnegan dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Clay manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Finnegan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Clay is looking to stand up but Finnegan isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Finnegan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Clay on his heels. He'll look to pass Clay's guard now, I'm sure.
Clay 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.
Clay is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Finnegan dives into side control.
Finnegan wants to control for a moment but Clay uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finnegan is controlling the pace.
Finnegan is trying to control the action in half guard but Clay is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Clay tries to get to full guard but Finnegan has control of the leg.
Clay is not content to let Finnegan control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Finnegan manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Clay on his heels. He'll look to pass Clay's guard now, I'm sure.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Finnegan. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Finnegan wants to stand but Clay has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Clay lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Finnegan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Finnegan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Clay would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Jospeh Clay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Chris Finnegan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Clay trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chris Finnegan.
Well Finnegan has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Finnegan!