PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Erran Morad (ranked 1886 p4p, 197 weight class) and Baeddan MacAuliffe (ranked 2269 p4p, 221 weight class). MacAuliffe has chosen Notorious by Duran Duran 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.

Morad
vs
MacAuliffe

178 cm
27
157 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

175 cm
38
159 lbs
20 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erran Morad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Baeddan MacAuliffe!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morad throws out a leg kick but MacAuliffe moves out of range and Morad only half commits.

MacAuliffe drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Morad bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Morad moves out of range of the strikes.
MacAuliffe moves out of range of the strikes.
Morad throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Baeddan MacAuliffe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacAuliffe digs a good body shot into Morad's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
MacAuliffe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morad is looking to counter punch.
MacAuliffe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Morad.
Morad moves out of range of the strikes.

Morad gets a clinch.
MacAuliffe is looking for a takedown.
Morad tried to land a shot to the body but connects with MacAuliffe's elbow.
MacAuliffe blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morad throws a punch but it's blocked by MacAuliffe.
Morad lands a body shot in the clinch.
Morad throws a punch but it's blocked by MacAuliffe.

Morad breaks the clinch.
MacAuliffe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
MacAuliffe moves away from the strike by Morad.
Morad lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Morad has MacAuliffe up against the cage in a clinch.
Morad effectively controlling the action here.
Morad misses with a short punch on the inside.
MacAuliffe prevents a body shot from Morad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Morad misses with some punches.
MacAuliffe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Morad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
MacAuliffe walks into a straight right hand from Morad.
Morad swings for the body but MacAuliffe moves out of range.
The crowd cheers as Morad lands an impressive looking overhand right. MacAuliffe doesn't seem phased though.
A jab from Morad misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morad fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
MacAuliffe throws a series of punches but Morad avoids them all with ease.
MacAuliffe looks to land a right hand but Morad moved out of range.
MacAuliffe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
MacAuliffe shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
MacAuliffe takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Morad catches MacAuliffe with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacAuliffe closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Morad makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Morad avoids the head kick by MacAuliffe.
A combination from MacAuliffe does no damage.
Morad fires out a quick counter leg kick but MacAuliffe just manages to avoid it.
Morad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MacAuliffe moves away.
Morad tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but MacAuliffe was well out of range. Poor timing from Morad.
Morad connects with the punch.
Morad takes a swing at MacAuliffe's ribcage but misses.
MacAuliffe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Morad counters with a stiff right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacAuliffe tries a head kick but it misses.
MacAuliffe doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Morad counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Erran Morad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baeddan MacAuliffe.
MacAuliffe takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Morad cracks MacAuliffe with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
MacAuliffe misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morad dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Morad showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MacAuliffe.
Sloppy strikes from MacAuliffe. Those never looked like landing.
Morad is looking to counter the offense by MacAuliffe and move into the clinch.
Morad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
MacAuliffe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
MacAuliffe throws a nice looking combination but Morad bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Morad!
MacAuliffe takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Morad gets a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morad scores with a hook to the body.
MacAuliffe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Morad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erran Morad dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Morad drives through and clinches with MacAuliffe against the cage.
Morad throws a punch but it's blocked by MacAuliffe.
Nice body punch from Morad.
Morad swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Morad can't find room to land a body shot as MacAuliffe controls the action.
Morad is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Morad displaying some good clinch control by pressing MacAuliffe up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MacAuliffe.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morad misses with a punch to the body.
Morad throws a punch but it's blocked by MacAuliffe.
Morad can't find room to land a body shot as MacAuliffe controls the action.
Morad throws a punch but it's blocked by MacAuliffe.
MacAuliffe goes for a takedown attempt but Morad pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
MacAuliffe fails with the takedown.
MacAuliffe throws a right and a left that Morad avoids nicely.
It looked like Morad wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Morad misses the jab.
Morad dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Morad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Morad thuds his right hand into MacAuliffe's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Some wild striking there from MacAuliffe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe shoots for a double leg takedown but Morad sprawls well. He's pushed MacAuliffe's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Erran Morad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baeddan MacAuliffe.
A head kick misses from MacAuliffe.
A swing and a miss from Morad.
A looping hook to the body misses from Morad. MacAuliffe does a little dance to reset his feet.
MacAuliffe needs to keep his hands up - Morad had a free shot at his head there.
MacAuliffe throws a hook but Morad blocks it.
Morad throws a body shot but no joy.

Morad gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morad lands a nice shot to the body.
Morad softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
MacAuliffe blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Morad.

MacAuliffe gets control of Morad's arms and successfully pulls guard. MacAuliffe will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

MacAuliffe is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Morad defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morad slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
MacAuliffe is looking to regain half guard here but Morad keeps moving and retains side control.
MacAuliffe gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Morad wants to control but MacAuliffe is keeping him busy.
MacAuliffe throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
MacAuliffe is not content to let Morad control the position.
MacAuliffe tries to get to full guard but Morad has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacAuliffe slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Morad won't allow MacAuliffe to sweep him here.
Morad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. MacAuliffe is keeping the position for now.
Morad wants to get up but he can't break MacAuliffe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
MacAuliffe wants to sweep but no luck.
Morad stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. MacAuliffe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
MacAuliffe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Morad forces his way into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erran Morad dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Morad lands a nice hook to MacAuliffe's body. MacAuliffe takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Morad sizes up MacAuliffe with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Morad throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Erran Morad is winning the standup battle so far.
Sloppy strikes from MacAuliffe. Those never looked like landing.
Morad misses with a hook.
MacAuliffe misses with the combination.
MacAuliffe throws a right and a left that both miss.
Morad misses with a straight left.
Morad digs a good body shot into MacAuliffe's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacAuliffe with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A big left from Morad misses.
MacAuliffe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Morad slaps away a takedown attempt from MacAuliffe, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from MacAuliffe misses.
Morad is looking to counter punch.
Baeddan MacAuliffe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd cheers as Morad lands an impressive looking overhand right. MacAuliffe doesn't seem phased though.
A punch combination from MacAuliffe misses.
MacAuliffe misses with a lunging right hand
and Morad counters with a slapping leg kick.
MacAuliffe doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Erran Morad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
MacAuliffe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Morad circles away quickly and effectively.
MacAuliffe misses with a series of wild punches.
Morad swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
MacAuliffe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
MacAuliffe misses with a head kick.
MacAuliffe keeps the fight on the outside.
The fighters circling - Morad throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
MacAuliffe uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Morad.
Some wild striking there from Morad.
A decent looking cross lands there for Morad.
Baeddan MacAuliffe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morad sizes up MacAuliffe with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Morad connects with a crisp jab.
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!
MacAuliffe has a takedown stuffed.
No joy there for MacAuliffe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Morad throws a series of punches but MacAuliffe avoids them all with ease.
Morad with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Morad fails to land with a series of punches.
MacAuliffe goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
MacAuliffe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MacAuliffe takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
MacAuliffe has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Morad finds it's way round the side to connect with MacAuliffe's head.
Morad fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Morad lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morad jabs at MacAuliffe's body.
Morad cracks a nice hook into MacAuliffe's ribs.
MacAuliffe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
MacAuliffe throws a lazy head kick
and Morad connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
MacAuliffe fails to land with a series of punches.
Morad jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Morad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that MacAuliffe can do to turn this around?
Morad thuds a left hand into MacAuliffe's body.
Erran Morad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
MacAuliffe takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
MacAuliffe ducks right into an uppercut from Morad.
Morad swings for the body but MacAuliffe moves out of range.
The fighters circling - MacAuliffe throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Morad throws a shot to the body.
Morad dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Morad slips a jab and a cross from MacAuliffe.
Morad fires out a quick counter leg kick but MacAuliffe just manages to avoid it.
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!
MacAuliffe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Morad counters with a straight right hand.
A shot to the liver by Morad. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morad bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of MacAuliffe's head.
MacAuliffe fails with the takedown
and Morad counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Erran Morad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Baeddan MacAuliffe.
MacAuliffe throws a nice looking combination but Morad bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Morad throws a right and a left that both miss.
Morad digs a good hook to MacAuliffe's body.
MacAuliffe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Morad lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A solid body kick from Morad.
Sloppy strikes from MacAuliffe. Those never looked like landing.
MacAuliffe swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Morad counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Morad moves into the clinch.
Morad cracks MacAuliffe with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erran Morad showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Morad has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erran Morad!
A very excited looking Erran Morad 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.