PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Donald Pierce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Finnegan McConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Pierce
vs
McConnell

202 cm
19
161 lbs
0 - 5 - 1

180 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Donald Pierce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Finnegan McConnell!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McConnell closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Pierce being controlled for a moment.
McConnell in side control, throwing shots but Pierce defends.
McConnell wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pierce keeps working.
McConnell is trying to ground and pound but Pierce uses the momentary lack of control by McConnell to regain half guard.
McConnell throwing shots but Pierce is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pierce blocking the ground and pound attempt from McConnell.
Pierce is concentrating on defense, preventing McConnell from advancing position.
Pierce blocking the ground and pound attempt from McConnell.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McConnell seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Pierce is trying to maintain the position but McConnell is very close to passing his half guard.
McConnell with the ground and pound but Pierce uses the opportunity to regain guard.
McConnell must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McConnell trying to control but Pierce is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McConnell in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pierce avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McConnell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Pierce is adopting a defensive guard.

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

McConnell gets a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McConnell prevents Pierce from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McConnell is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
McConnell not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McConnell is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
McConnell missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierce regains full guard. Nicely done.
McConnell throws an elbow that misses. Pierce uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McConnell's guard. Nice move by Pierce!

Pierce makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Pierce loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Pierce drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pierce jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The fighters are working up against the cage. McConnell manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Pierce really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
McConnell tries to circle away but Pierce has him pinned against the cage.
Pierce keeps control of McConnell as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McConnell can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on McConnell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McConnell dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pierce is trying to pull guard but McConnell turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finnegan McConnell dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McConnell fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Pierce sprawls well initially but McConnell persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
McConnell not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McConnell looks to land a strike but Pierce avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Pierce trying to strike off his back.
McConnell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McConnell trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pierce's guard.
Finnegan McConnell has got the better of the ground game so far.
McConnell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McConnell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pierce utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierce is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McConnell postures up in Pierce's guard and throws a big left but Pierce blocks it.
McConnell looking to sit in guard and control but Pierce gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierce is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Pierce in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Pierce stands up and waves to McConnell to follow him.

McConnell gets caught flat footed, as Pierce shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
McConnell avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pierce would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
McConnell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pierce. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pierce is looking to work some ground and pound but McConnell has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pierce postures up in McConnell's guard and throws a big left but McConnell blocks it.
Pierce throws a big right hand that misses.
Pierce missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pierce missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pierce throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McConnell works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McConnell can do anything to dispel that myth.
Pierce with a flurry of punches that miss.
Pierce working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pierce gets caught flat footed, as McConnell shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Pierce is pulling down on McConnell's head to control his posture.
McConnell stays in close to Pierce's body and controls the position.
McConnell cracks Pierce with a solid left hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pierce is on top in guard.

Pierce landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pierce won't allow McConnell to get back to his feet.
Pierce scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Pierce missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pierce throwing strikes from guard but McConnell blocks nicely.
Pierce is working McConnell over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Pierce throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pierce drops back looking for a leg! McConnell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McConnell manages to kick Pierce off! Pierce jumps back into McConnell's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald Pierce dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

McConnell gets a takedown into half guard.
McConnell misses with a head shot. Pierce uses the momentum to regain guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McConnell throws an elbow that misses. Pierce uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McConnell's guard. Nice move by Pierce!

Pierce throwing strikes from guard but McConnell blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierce postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pierce distracts McConnell with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Pierce throws a big right hand that misses.

McConnell has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Pierce has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Pierce tries to score a body lock takedown but McConnell shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Pierce jumps guard.
McConnell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pierce works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McConnell is looking to work some ground and pound but Pierce has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pierce controlling McConnell's posture.
McConnell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McConnell loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McConnell controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
McConnell throws an elbow that misses. Pierce uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McConnell's guard. Nice move by Pierce!

Pierce postures up in McConnell's guard and throws a big left but McConnell blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McConnell wants to stand but Pierce is controlling the position.

McConnell pushes Pierce off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McConnell shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pierce napping and manages to drive through into side control!
McConnell wants to control but Pierce is keeping him busy.
McConnell throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Pierce is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
McConnell lands a decent elbow from side control.
Pierce is holding McConnell down, trying to stall.
McConnell creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McConnell working the head with strikes.
Pierce manages to work his way to half guard, despite McConnell's best efforts.
McConnell controlling the action here.
McConnell with the ground and pound but Pierce uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McConnell postures up and lands a big shot to Pierce's brow.
McConnell looking to sit in guard and control but Pierce gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Pierce in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Finnegan McConnell.
Well McConnell 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Finnegan McConnell!