PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dougal McCraken (ranked 1081 p4p, 148 weight class) and Shane MacGowan (ranked 1340 p4p, 178 weight class). McCraken comes to the cage accompanied by Bulgine. MacGowan has chosen The Pogues - Streams of Whiskey as his entrance music. 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.

McCraken
vs
MacGowan

184 cm
27
180 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

185 cm
28
180 lbs
19 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dougal McCraken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shane MacGowan!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCraken throws a wild body kick that MacGowan sees coming a mile off.
MacGowan avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've been told by McCraken's head coaches at Chakuriki LA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McCraken looks to throw the jab but MacGowan is out of range.
MacGowan is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
MacGowan misses with a left hand
and McCraken counters with a leg kick.
MacGowan throws the left hand but McCraken avoids the punch easily.
A slow jab from MacGowan misses its intended target.
MacGowan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCraken throws out a loose jab but MacGowan uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from MacGowan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
McCraken misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from MacGowan.
MacGowan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacGowan has a takedown stuffed.
MacGowan with a lazy takedown attempt
and McCraken counters with a straight right hand.
McCraken delivers a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGowan throws the left hand but McCraken avoids the punch easily.
MacGowan moves out of range as McCraken throws a body kick.

MacGowan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
McCraken can't do much from the bottom here.
McCraken is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
MacGowan misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
MacGowan gets to mount! McCraken was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
McCraken is in all sorts of trouble here.
McCraken wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by MacGowan.
BOOM! MacGowan connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacGowan working for a guillotine from mount but McCraken is in no mood to give up.
My spies in Fenrir MMA inform me that MacGowan has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
McCraken wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by MacGowan.
MacGowan can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as McCraken is looking to escape.
McCraken regains half guard.
MacGowan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
MacGowan lands strikes from half guard.
MacGowan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McCraken is trying to defend against the ground and pound but MacGowan scores with a couple of nice shots.
McCraken avoiding damage under a succession of punches from MacGowan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McCraken does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
MacGowan is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McCraken manages to get to full guard.
McCraken is pulling down on MacGowan's head to control his posture.
MacGowan throwing strikes but missing.
McCraken wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McCraken holds on and takes a little breather.
MacGowan wants to control from the top but McCraken keeps moving.

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.
MacGowan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McCraken bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in MacGowan's guard.

McCraken trying to control the position from guard on top but MacGowan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCraken is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
McCraken has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacGowan keeping moving, preventing McCraken from controlling successfully.
McCraken seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
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 Dougal McCraken will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCraken throws a poor cross that misses
and MacGowan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
MacGowan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCraken counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McCraken throws a push kick but MacGowan slaps the foot to one side.
McCraken scores with a nice strike.
MacGowan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McCraken looks to score with a jab to the body but MacGowan is just out of range.

McCraken clinches.
MacGowan scores a nice knee to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from McCraken.
McCraken blocking some punches.
McCraken misses with a body punch.
MacGowan scores with a shot to the side of McCraken's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCraken throws a head punch that misses.
MacGowan cracks McCraken with a nice body shot.
MacGowan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
MacGowan tries to land a knee to the head but McCraken blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGowan gets through McCraken's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McCraken is trying to force a seperation but MacGowan has the dominant position.
McCraken digs a right hand into MacGowan's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on MacGowan's gas tank.
MacGowan throws a head punch that misses.
McCraken on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McCraken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
MacGowan has a couple of punches blocked by McCraken.
McCraken tried to land a shot to the body but connects with MacGowan's elbow.
A frustrated look appears on McCraken's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McCraken swings wildly with an uppercut but MacGowan uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MacGowan.
MacGowan tries to throw a body punch but McCraken avoids it by throwing MacGowan back against the cage.
McCraken tries to break the clinch but MacGowan is controlling the position.
MacGowan misses with a punch on the inside.
MacGowan lands with a left to the head.
MacGowan keeps control of McCraken as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCraken is defending well for now.
McCraken lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McCraken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
MacGowan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McCraken wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but MacGowan has him pressed against the cage.
McCraken wants to break free but MacGowan has control.
McCraken swings away with an uppercut that misses.
MacGowan pushes McCraken back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for McCraken.
McCraken cracks MacGowan with a nice body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A frustrated look appears on McCraken's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McCraken misses with a punch to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from McCraken.
McCraken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

McCraken manages to break the clinch.
MacGowan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCraken slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken lands a nice looking body kick.
McCraken does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
MacGowan avoids the body shot from McCraken.
MacGowan is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McCraken with a body shot.
MacGowan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
MacGowan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCraken throws a hook but MacGowan blocks it.
Nice body punch from McCraken.
Dougal McCraken is winning the standup battle so far.
MacGowan throws a lazy uppercut
and McCraken counters with a good low kick that MacGowan was not able to check.
MacGowan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A head kick from MacGowan lands but McCraken takes it in his stride.
McCraken fakes high and swings low for a body shot but MacGowan manages to avoid it.
MacGowan is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McCraken with a body shot.
Dougal McCraken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCraken jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
MacGowan throws a lazy uppercut
and McCraken counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken scoring well with a low kick there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCraken moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McCraken lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and MacGowan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from MacGowan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
MacGowan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
MacGowan defending well as McCraken loads up on a big left hand.
MacGowan throws out a counter right but McCraken avoids it with no problem.
MacGowan moves out of range of the strikes.
McCraken buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
MacGowan scores with a nice strike.
MacGowan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Dougal McCraken is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
MacGowan throws a left and a right that both miss
and McCraken cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McCraken throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
MacGowan throws a jab when McCraken was well out of range.
As MacGowan backs away, McCraken returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
MacGowan misses with a right hand
and McCraken counters with a nice uppercut.
The fighters circling - McCraken throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
MacGowan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCraken throws out the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dougal McCraken dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

MacGowan blocks a leg kick.
MacGowan misses with a few strikes there.
McCraken takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McCraken takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McCraken throws a solid leg kick but MacGowan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McCraken.
McCraken misses with a hook. MacGowan ducked under it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from MacGowan! But no joy.
McCraken ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McCraken scores with a kick to the midsection.
McCraken throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
MacGowan throws out a loose jab but McCraken uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken throws the kick towards the body but MacGowan avoids it.
MacGowan scores with a nice right hand.
McCraken defending well as MacGowan loads up on a big left hand.
McCraken ducks under a wild hook from MacGowan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
McCraken pushes MacGowan away with a front kick.
McCraken ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
MacGowan misses with an uppercut
and McCraken counters with a nice uppercut.
MacGowan moves out of range of the body kick from McCraken.
McCraken attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
McCraken thows a left - swing and a miss!
McCraken misses with a looping right.
MacGowan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
McCraken throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and MacGowan counters with a stiff right hand.
McCraken tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
MacGowan throws a series of punches but McCraken avoids them all with ease.
An attempted straight right counter from McCraken misses the target.
McCraken looks to score with a jab to the body but MacGowan is just out of range.
Shane MacGowan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for McCraken.
McCraken keeps MacGowan at a distance using the push kick.
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!
McCraken scores with a punch to the head.
McCraken connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
MacGowan takes a kick to the side of the head.
A jab lands there for McCraken.
MacGowan checks a leg kick.
MacGowan shoots in looking for a takedown. McCraken tries to sprawl out of it but MacGowan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McCraken manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
MacGowan on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken swings for the body but MacGowan moves out of range.
McCraken misses with a lunging right hand
enabling MacGowan to counter with a crisp jab.
A chopping leg kick lands by McCraken.
McCraken bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps MacGowan's head backwards.
MacGowan jabs McCraken right on the nose. McCraken blinks but takes it well.
McCraken fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and MacGowan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
MacGowan cracks McCraken with a right hand to the side of the head.
MacGowan misses with a straight left.
MacGowan moves out of range as McCraken throws a body kick.
MacGowan takes a jab right on the kisser.
MacGowan throws a right hand that misses
letting McCraken counter with a right hand.
MacGowan might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
McCraken throws a nice outside leg kick.
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!
Decent striking displayed by McCraken there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan misses with a takedown
and McCraken counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McCraken.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from MacGowan! But no joy.
MacGowan lands a nice hook to McCraken's body. McCraken takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McCraken throws a head kick but MacGowan moves out of range.
McCraken scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
MacGowan avoids the head kick by McCraken.
McCraken tries to land a body kick
letting MacGowan counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from McCraken misses the target.
McCraken throws a shot to the body.
McCraken lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
McCraken feints and then cracks MacGowan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow MacGowan down.
Dougal McCraken is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jab from MacGowan.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dougal McCraken showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McCraken, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dougal McCraken!
After the fight, Dougal McCraken was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.