PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ronnie McDonald (ranked 4143 p4p, 412 weight class) and Suren Nazarethyan (ranked 5205 p4p, 479 weight class). McDonald comes into the arena with Get Busy Living blaring out of the sound system. Nazarethyan has chosen Amerika as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McDonald
vs
Nazarethyan

165 cm
38
155 lbs
18 - 29 - 0

155 cm
47
150 lbs
47 - 46 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Determined

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 18 - 29 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronnie McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 46 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Suren Nazarethyan!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Steve Smith and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nazarethyan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McDonald throws out the jab.
And Nazarethyan responds with a good body kick, but McDonald manages to step out the way in time.
Nazarethyan looks to score with a jab to the body but McDonald is just out of range.
McDonald is looking to counter the offense by Nazarethyan and move into the clinch.
Nazarethyan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
McDonald shoots for a double leg takedown but Nazarethyan sprawls well. He's pushed McDonald's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nazarethyan throws the left hand but McDonald avoids the punch easily.
McDonald misses with a takedown
and Nazarethyan makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. McDonald really felt that one!
McDonald scores with a sloppy right hand. Nazarethyan should have avoided that one.
Nazarethyan swings away with a body shot that misses
and Nazarethyan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nazarethyan throws a low kick but it's checked well by McDonald.
McDonald has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Death Valley Training Facility in the buildup to the fight.
McDonald connects with a looping right hand.
Nazarethyan slaps away a takedown attempt from McDonald, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ronnie McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some bone on bone action there as McDonald checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McDonald plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nazarethyan getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nazarethyan tries a low kick but McDonald avoids it.
McDonald tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nazarethyan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McDonald misses with a head kick.
McDonald tests Nazarethyan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nazarethyan swings for the body but McDonald moves out of range.
Nazarethyan throws a body kick that misses.
Nazarethyan just misses with a punch to the body.
Nazarethyan delivers a nice body kick.
Nice takedown defense from Nazarethyan. No joy for McDonald on that attempt.
Nazarethyan's jab looks to have found its range, popping McDonald under the eye.
McDonald scores with a jab to the head.
Nazarethyan lands a jab to McDonald's midsection.
McDonald shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McDonald looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nazarethyan is fending him off so far but McDonald persists. Nope, Nazarethyan circles away and we're back to standing.
Nazarethyan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McDonald is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nazarethyan paws at him with a jab and circles away.

McDonald closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
McDonald is looking to advance position but Nazarethyan won't allow it.
McDonald performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald working Nazarethyan over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McDonald in particular looking to stall.
McDonald landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McDonald thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nazarethyan's head.
McDonald thows a huge punch but Nazarethyan dodges it nicely.
McDonald thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nazarethyan's head.
Nazarethyan trying to control here.
McDonald wants to control but Nazarethyan is keeping him busy.

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.
Nazarethyan wants to improve his position but McDonald is controlling well.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
McDonald perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nazarethyan throws an overhand right that lands on McDonald's shoulder, as McDonald tries to avoid the shot.
Nazarethyan lands a nice looking kick to the body. McDonald takes a step back to recover.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch but Nazarethyan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McDonald throws a body punch but Nazarethyan moves out of range.
McDonald backing away here, and Nazarethyan unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
McDonald tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nazarethyan swivels and escapes.
Nazarethyan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McDonald scores with a nice head shot.
Nazarethyan lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Suren Nazarethyan will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nazarethyan looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McDonald misses with a straight left.
Nazarethyan looks to throw the jab but McDonald is out of range.
Nazarethyan wants to slow McDonald down by chopping away at his legs.
Nazarethyan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nazarethyan lands a nice looking body shot.
Nazarethyan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McDonald tries to clinch up but Nazarethyan circles away and keeps his distance.

Nazarethyan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McDonald to score an easy takedown into full guard.
McDonald looking to sit in guard and control but Nazarethyan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nazarethyan sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nazarethyan is fighting to break McDonald's control of his arms but McDonald is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
McDonald's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Nazarethyan works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McDonald is looking for a sweep. Nazarethyan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McDonald is holding on to half guard well.
McDonald tries to get to full guard but Nazarethyan has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald keeping control of the position.
Nazarethyan wants to lay and pray for a moment but McDonald keeps working.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
McDonald tries to roll over but Nazarethyan keeps him under control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nazarethyan throws a push kick but McDonald slaps the foot to one side.
Nazarethyan throws a lazy right hand but McDonald sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

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

McDonald darts in and clinches Nazarethyan up against the cage.

McDonald breaks the clinch.
Nazarethyan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A good leg kick by Nazarethyan.
Suren Nazarethyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nazarethyan scores with a push kick.
Nazarethyan throws the kick towards the body but McDonald avoids it.
McDonald blocks a jab.
Nazarethyan stuffs the takedown.
McDonald dives in for a single leg takedown but Nazarethyan sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nazarethyan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nazarethyan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McDonald moves away from the strike by Nazarethyan.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nazarethyan throws a hook to the side of McDonald's head but McDonald sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McDonald is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nazarethyan.
McDonald shoots in looking for a takedown. Nazarethyan tries to sprawl out of it but McDonald keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nazarethyan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suren Nazarethyan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nazarethyan misses with a body punch
and McDonald counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nazarethyan thuds his right hand into McDonald's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nazarethyan misses with a lunging right hand
and McDonald counters with a big head kick but Nazarethyan shrugs it off.
McDonald cracks Nazarethyan with an open hand slap.
McDonald fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDonald ducks under a wild hook from Nazarethyan.
McDonald is looking to counter the offense by Nazarethyan and move into the clinch.
Nazarethyan walks into a jab.
Nazarethyan takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nazarethyan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Jab, jab by Nazarethyan - just one landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McDonald's corner calls for a 1-2. McDonald obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nazarethyan misses with a low kick as McDonald jumps back.
McDonald looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McDonald throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nazarethyan's waist but Nazarethyan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McDonald off to one side.
It seemed like Nazarethyan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nazarethyan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The fighters circling - Nazarethyan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Suren Nazarethyan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDonald takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nazarethyan, as that shot connected.
McDonald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McDonald lands a lovely overhand right.
Jab, jab by Nazarethyan - just one landing.
McDonald swinging wildly here.
Nazarethyan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McDonald blocks the body kick.
McDonald with a poor takedown
and Nazarethyan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ronnie McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nazarethyan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nazarethyan misses the jab.
Suren Nazarethyan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nazarethyan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nazarethyan wants it to stay on the feet.
Nazarethyan follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
McDonald scores with a head kick.
McDonald slips under a jab.
McDonald looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McDonald staying out of range there.

Nazarethyan gets tackled into the cage by McDonald. McDonald maintains the clinch.
McDonald wants a takedown.
McDonald drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nazarethyan pulls his leg out and moves away.
McDonald blocks a jab.

McDonald clinches up with Nazarethyan and pushes him back against the cage.

Nazarethyan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McDonald throws a head kick but Nazarethyan moves out of range.
McDonald throws a head kick but Nazarethyan moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nazarethyan. McDonald does a little dance to reset his feet.
McDonald checks a leg kick nicely.
McDonald drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nazarethyan sprawls and moves away.
Nazarethyan throws a push kick but McDonald slaps the foot to one side.
Nazarethyan just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromMcDonald.
McDonald misses with an uppercut. Nazarethyan saw that one coming.
McDonald misses with a leg kick
and Nazarethyan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nazarethyan thuds his right hand into McDonald's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nazarethyan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nazarethyan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
McDonald wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

McDonald darts in and clinches Nazarethyan up against the cage.
McDonald tries to pull guard but Nazarethyan holds him up against the cage and eventually McDonald drops back down to his feet.
Nazarethyan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McDonald's elbow.
Nazarethyan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nazarethyan lands with a left to the head.
McDonald blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald tries to score a body lock takedown but Nazarethyan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
McDonald avoids the elbow strike from Nazarethyan, against the cage.

McDonald has Nazarethyan pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. McDonald pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Nazarethyan tumbling to the mat - McDonald dives into Nazarethyan's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ronnie McDonald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nazarethyan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Nazarethyan keeps moving.
Ronnie McDonald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McDonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Suren Nazarethyan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nazarethyan winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Suren Nazarethyan!
A very excited looking Suren Nazarethyan made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.