PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcos De Souza (ranked 1272 p4p, 1963 weight class) and James Mckean (ranked 171 p4p, 253 weight class). Marcos De Souza has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

De Souza
vs
Mckean

186 cm
25
190
4 - 0 - 0

191 cm
25
210
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

EL ZOIDO FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marcos De Souza!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Mckean!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Souza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mckean pinned against the cage. Mckean gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mckean feints the counter takedown.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mckean sprawls well. Mckean wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. De Souza gets slowly back to his feet.
Mckean slaps away a takedown attempt from De Souza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And Mckean tries to counter it with a takedown but De Souza pushes his down on his head and steps out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcos De Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Souza closes the distance and clinches up with Mckean, looking for a takedown. De Souza pushes Mckean against the cage but Mckean circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mckean but Mckean pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And Mckean tries to counter it with a takedown but De Souza pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Horrible takedown attempt by De Souza or perhaps it was just good defense by Mckean, which made it look bad.
Mckean feints the counter takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Mckean. No joy for De Souza on that attempt.
Mckean changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Souza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mckean pinned against the cage. Mckean gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mckean with the counter takedown but De Souza avoids it easily.
De Souza shoots in looking for a takedown. Mckean tries to sprawl out of it but De Souza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mckean manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Marcos De Souza seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
De Souza closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mckean circles away.
De Souza fails with the takedown.
Mckean tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mckean looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
De Souza with a lazy takedown attempt

and Mckean decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in De Souza's guard.
Mckean stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. De Souza swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mckean wants to control from the top but De Souza keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mckean is pushing down on De Souza's leg trying to pass to half guard. De Souza is fighting to maintain full guard but Mckean has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mckean prevents De Souza from improving his position.
De Souza won't allow Mckean to pass to mount.
Mckean uses his free foot to push down on De Souza's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for De Souza.
Mckean throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
De Souza is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Souza is working hard here to advance position.
Mckean tries to control but De Souza wriggling away.
Mckean prevents De Souza from getting the reversal.
De Souza tries to lock up and control but Mckean gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
De Souza manages to regain half guard. Good work.
De Souza is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mckean is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and De Souza reverses the position - he's now on top in Mckean's guard.
Mckean keeping full guard, as De Souza tries to pass.
Mckean pulls De Souza in close to prevent any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
De Souza wants to control from the top but Mckean keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Mckean dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

De Souza closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mckean's guard.
De Souza advances position into side control!
De Souza staying calm.
De Souza trying to control the position but Mckean is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza tries to move into full mount but can't pass Mckean's legs.
Mckean can't do much from the bottom here.
De Souza in the domination position with Mckean hanging on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mckean stops De Souza from passing to mount.
De Souza wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mckean keeps working.
De Souza tries to advance to mount but can't.
De Souza is looking to take a break and control but Mckean is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mckean is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

De Souza thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two 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.

De Souza wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Mckean, who protects the arm well.

De Souza is trying to get an arm triangle but Mckean is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
De Souza trying to control the position but Mckean is working away.
Mckean prevents De Souza from moving into mount.
De Souza definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Souza has knee on belly momentarily but Mckean bucks him off and regains half guard.
De Souza tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mckean knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mckean tries to get to full guard but De Souza has control of the leg.
De Souza is keen to just control but Mckean is a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mckean makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mckean.
Marcos De Souza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
De Souza tries to free his leg and advance position but Mckean is retaining full guard.
De Souza throwing strikes but missing.
Mckean managing to control the position.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
De Souza fails with the takedown.
Mckean stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mckean wants it to stay on the feet.
Mckean changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mckean slaps away a takedown attempt from De Souza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mckean is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcos De Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Souza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mckean swivels and escapes.

Mckean tries to sprawl but De Souza drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
De Souza tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mckean knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mckean trying to control here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

De Souza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mckean sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcos De Souza dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

De Souza misses with a takedown

so Mckean counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
De Souza looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mckean is one step ahead there.
De Souza working a defensive guard here.
De Souza tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mckean forces his way into half guard.
Mckean works his way into side control.
De Souza is not content to let Mckean control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mckean is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, De Souza has escaped the position, nice work there.
Mckean has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mckean working away.
Mckean tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
De Souza is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mckean working away.
Mckean works to advance to full mount. De Souza defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
De Souza really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mckean takes De Souza's back.
De Souza is keeping busy.
De Souza manages to reverse the position and now he's in Mckean's guard. Nice work there by De Souza.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mckean not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
De Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Mckean is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mckean is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Mckean looking for a guillotine here but De Souza defends easily.
Mckean is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
De Souza pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mckean is keeping the position for now.

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.
Mckean keeping moving, preventing De Souza from controlling successfully.
De Souza forces his way into half guard.
De Souza missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
De Souza is pressing down on Mckean's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mckean is holding on for now.
De Souza trying to control from half guard but Mckean is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

De Souza is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Mckean sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Mckean really dominated that 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.

Mckean stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mckean wants it to stay on the feet.
De Souza dives in and grabs Mckean's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mckean pushes down on De Souza's head and hops out.
Mckean stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mckean wants it to stay on the feet.
Mckean with the counter takedown but De Souza avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcos De Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown attempt by De Souza or perhaps it was just good defense by Mckean, which made it look bad.
De Souza misses with a takedown

and Mckean counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mckean looking to pass the guard.
Mckean is pushing down on De Souza's leg trying to pass to half guard. De Souza is fighting to maintain full guard but Mckean has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza is staying active underneath Mckean, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Mckean looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
De Souza wants to control but Mckean is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mckean is pressing down on De Souza's thigh, looking to free his foot. De Souza is holding on for now.

De Souza actively working from the bottom here.
Mckean tries to pass the half guard into mount. De Souza knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mckean is trying to control the action in half guard but De Souza is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
De Souza wants to get back to full guard.

De Souza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mckean pulls his head out easily.
De Souza tries to get to full guard but Mckean has control of the leg.
De Souza wants to control but Mckean is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Mckean wants to pass the guard but De Souza is defending well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
De Souza darts in looking for a takedown but Mckean gets double underhooks and turns De Souza into the cage.
And Mckean tries to counter it with a takedown but De Souza pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from De Souza.
Mckean feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Souza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mckean tries to avoid it but De Souza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mckean to the ground. Mckean escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
De Souza fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
De Souza fails to land the takedown.
Mckean drops down looking to force a counter takedown but De Souza defends it well.
No luck for De Souza with that takedown attempt.
Mckean with the counter takedown but De Souza avoids it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from De Souza.
Mckean drops down looking to force a counter takedown but De Souza defends it well.
De Souza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mckean defends it nicely.
De Souza shoots in looking for a takedown. Mckean tries to sprawl out of it but De Souza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mckean manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And Mckean tries to counter it with a takedown but De Souza pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Mckean. No joy for De Souza on that attempt.
De Souza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mckean defends well and De Souza ends up having to push Mckean into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Mckean tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
De Souza looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mckean drops down looking to force a counter takedown but De Souza defends it well.
De Souza tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mckean sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten De Souza somewhat.
Mckean tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Marcos De Souza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
De Souza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mckean pinned against the cage. Mckean gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Mckean dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from De Souza.
De Souza goes for a double leg but Mckean avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Mckean continues to drive forward.
Mckean changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
De Souza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mckean defends it nicely.
Mckean with the counter takedown but De Souza avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcos De Souza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mckean leaves De Souza with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
De Souza misses with a takedown attempt

and Mckean counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mckean.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Souza keeping full guard, as Mckean tries to pass.
Mckean passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mckean wants to pass to mount but De Souza is defending the position.
De Souza is trying to control but can't.
De Souza moves into full guard.
Mckean tries to free his leg and advance position but De Souza is retaining full guard.

De Souza is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Mckean tries to free his leg and advance position but De Souza is retaining full guard.

De Souza is looking for a triangle but Mckean pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
De Souza looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
De Souza is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

De Souza trying to mount his opponent but Mckean defends it.

De Souza is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mckean trying to control here.
Mckean moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
De Souza trying to control the position from guard on top but Mckean is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mckean keeping full guard, as De Souza tries to pass.
De Souza trying to control but Mckean is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mckean keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

De Souza drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mckean looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mckean is on top in guard.

De Souza controls Mckean momentarily but Mckean frees himself.
De Souza looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mckean forces his way into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
De Souza manages to get to full guard.
Marcos De Souza has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mckean trying to control but De Souza is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Mckean comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mckean 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 45:49
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 45:49
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Mckean!
James Mckean is the new light heavyweight champion!