PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Midnight Rider (ranked 1522 p4p, 204 weight class) and Robert McKenna (ranked 2426 p4p, 298 weight class). McKenna is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Freedom. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rider
vs
McKenna

190 cm
34
214 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

194 cm
28
212 lbs
12 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Midnight Rider!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert McKenna!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McKenna scores with a takedown into Rider's guard.

Rider has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. McKenna has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
McKenna drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rider pulls his leg out and moves away.
No luck for McKenna with that takedown attempt.
A little feinted left hand from Rider on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rider misses with an uppercut. McKenna saw that one coming.
Rider throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Robert McKenna has been cut.
Rider paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice defenses there by McKenna.
Rider misses with an uppercut

and McKenna decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rider's guard.

McKenna avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McKenna pushing down on Rider's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
My spies in Big Bear Fight Factory inform me that McKenna has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rider looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
McKenna is keen to just control but Rider is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenna is looking to advance position but Rider won't allow it.
Rider is trying to get back to full guard.
Rider won't allow McKenna to pass to mount.
McKenna trying to control the action but Rider is working from the bottom.
McKenna trying to pass the guard but Rider defending well.
McKenna stops Rider from getting back to his feet.

Rider is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McKenna pulls his head out easily.
McKenna stops Rider from getting back to his feet.

Rider looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

McKenna is working for a kimura but Rider is defending it quite comfortably.
McKenna controlling the action here.
Rider is not content to let McKenna control the position.
McKenna not doing much here.
McKenna wants to take a breather but Rider is having none of it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rider is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McKenna pulls his head out easily.
McKenna is looking to advance position but Rider won't allow it.

Rider looking for submissions off his back.

McKenna seems to be looking for submissions.

Rider looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rider is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rider is not content to let McKenna control 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.

Rider looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rider looking for submissions off his back.
McKenna passes to side control.
McKenna controlling the position.
Rider is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McKenna trying to control the position but Rider is working away.
Rider tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Midnight Rider will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Robert McKenna's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McKenna fails in his attempt to clinch.
McKenna takes one to the side of the head.
Good shot there by Rider.
Robert McKenna is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McKenna wants to clinch.
McKenna takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rider throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McKenna on the side of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - McKenna looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McKenna moves into the clinch successfully.
Rider swings away with an uppercut that misses.

McKenna has clasped his hands together around Rider's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rider is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenna wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rider keeps working.
Rider is working to avoid the ground and pound but McKenna connects with a decent elbow.
McKenna trying to control the action but Rider is working from the bottom.
McKenna might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rider haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
McKenna scores with a couple of short elbows.
Rider is looking to reverse the position.
Rider is not content to let McKenna control the position.
Rider tries to bench press McKenna off him but McKenna keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rider is trying to work for a sweep but McKenna has mounted him!
Rider is bucking up trying to escape but McKenna cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
McKenna wants to control the pace but Rider is squirming around nicely.
McKenna pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

It looks like Midnight Rider has been cut.
Rider is wriggling around trying to escape.
Robert McKenna has got the better of the ground game so far.
McKenna landing strikes from the mount and Rider is in trouble!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rider is desperately trying to improve his position but McKenna has a good base and remains in mount.
McKenna controlling the pace for now.
McKenna wants to control the pace but Rider is squirming around nicely.
Rider wants to try and get back to his feet.
McKenna working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenna can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rider is looking to escape.
Rider is trying desperately to improve position.
McKenna punishing his opponent with strikes.

Midnight Rider's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
McKenna tries to control but Rider wriggling away.
McKenna has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rider's face.

Rider is rocked!

Jeez, Midnight Rider's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Midnight Rider's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Robert McKenna!
Robert McKenna very nearly forgot to thank Riner Clothing Everything for 50$ only amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.
Midnight Rider was interviewed post fight and said 'Oh well, twist one'.