PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joey McKee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rico Ramano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ramano has chosen Hair of the Dog/Nazereth as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McKee
vs
Ramano

185 cm
22
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
185 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight 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 Montreal, Joey McKee!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rico Ramano!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ramano fails to land with a series of punches.
Ramano pivots, looking for a leg kick but McKee is out of range and Ramano settles back down.

Ramano decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McKee wants to improve his position but Ramano is controlling well.
McKee gets back to full guard.
Ramano controlling from the top position.

McKee has his foot on Ramano's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ramano works his way back into a safe position though.
Ramano tries to free his leg and advance position but McKee is retaining full guard.
Ramano working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

McKee working for a triangle but Ramano defends it easily.

McKee is looking for a triangle but Ramano pushes his legs off easily.

McKee throws his legs up looking for a submission but Ramano uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramano controlling the position from side mount.
McKee is looking for a sweep.

Ramano decides to stand back up.
Ramano looks to land a combination but McKee avoids it well.
Ramano looks gassed!
Ramano fails to land with a series of punches.
McKee moves out of range of the strikes.
McKee throws a head kick but Ramano moves out of range.
McKee dodges the punch combination from Ramano.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ramano tries to close the distance and clinch up but McKee swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McKee looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ramano misses with a body shot.
McKee throws a sloppy head kick and Ramano moves out of range easily.
McKee pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McKee moves away from the strike by Ramano.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ramano.
McKee tries a head kick but it misses.

McKee looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

McKee is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ramano is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McKee 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.
McKee prevents Ramano from standing back up.
McKee is keen to just control but Ramano is a slippery customer.
Ramano tries to kick McKee off but McKee keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ramano wants to control but McKee is keeping busy.

McKee is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four 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.
McKee uses his free foot to push down on Ramano's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ramano.
Ramano is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

McKee has control of Ramano's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ramano regains control of the situation pretty easily.
McKee wants to take Ramano's back here but Ramano is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Ramano sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

McKee is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
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 Joey McKee will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McKee defending well as Ramano loads up on a big left hand.
McKee throws a sloppy head kick and Ramano moves out of range easily.
Ramano looks to land a combination but McKee avoids it well.
Ramano is looking to slow McKee down with leg kicks.
A head kick misses from McKee.
Ramano just misses with a punch to the body.
McKee shoots in for a double leg but Ramano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ramano throws a lazy right hand but McKee sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKee shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ramano as he avoids it easily.
Ramano swings for the body but McKee moves out of range.
Joey McKee is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ramano throws a sloppy head kick
and McKee counters with a good, hard body kick but Ramano shrugs it off.
McKee avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rico Ramano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ramano is breathing heavily.
Ramano throws out a loose jab but McKee uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from McKee.
Ramano lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McKee at a distance.
McKee throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ramano cracks McKee with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ramano looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

McKee closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ramano to the mat! Ramano manages to get full guard.
McKee wants to pass the guard but Ramano is keeping the position.

McKee is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ramano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramano keeping moving, preventing McKee from controlling successfully.
McKee throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ramano works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ramano is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McKee wants to pass the guard but Ramano is keeping the position.
McKee pushes down on Ramano's leg and manages to get into half guard.
McKee tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ramano knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ramano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from McKee.
Ramano doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McKee counters with a single leg into guard. Ramano didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramano is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McKee is controlling him.
McKee postures up.

McKee drops back looking for a leg! Ramano is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ramano manages to kick McKee off! McKee jumps back into Ramano's guard.
McKee pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ramano is keeping the position for now.
Joey McKee overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ramano wants to sweep here but McKee controlling him for the moment.
McKee forces his way into half guard.
McKee trying to pass the guard but Ramano defending well.

That's four 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.
Ramano is in trouble now - McKee has advanced to mount!

McKee is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Ramano has managed to escape the submission attempt.
McKee looking to finish with strikes here!
Ramano has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
McKee is trying to stick to Ramano's back but Ramano is turning into McKee. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in McKee's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Ramano.
Ramano trying to control but McKee is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey McKee dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McKee blocks a head kick by Ramano.
McKee tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ramano swivels and escapes.
Ramano shoots for a takedown but McKee saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Ramano. No joy for McKee on that attempt.
Ramano misses with a combination

and McKee counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McKee is trying to control. Ramano wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

McKee is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ramano is just riding it out for now. McKee eventually gives up the hold.
Ramano is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramano tries to kick McKee off but McKee keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
McKee works his way into side control.

McKee tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

McKee is trying to get an arm triangle but Ramano is defending well.
McKee tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
McKee tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKee scores with punches from side control.

McKee goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ramano has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for McKee but great work by Ramano.
You can see the frustration on McKee's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Ramano decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Ramano gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so McKee counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ramano keeping moving, preventing McKee from controlling successfully.

McKee drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ramano dives on top into guard.

McKee throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramano sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ramano trying to control but McKee is working from the bottom.

McKee escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ramano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ramano trying to control but McKee is working from the bottom.
McKee will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McKee throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McKee utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McKee is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Ramano decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
McKee shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey McKee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McKee ducks right into an uppercut from Ramano.
Ramano swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and McKee counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Ramano is defending against the submission attempts here by McKee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey McKee clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ramano fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McKee looks for a takedown but Ramano sprawls well.
Horrible takedown by McKee or perhaps it was just good defense by Ramano which made him look bad.
McKee takes a jab right on the kisser.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McKee.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey McKee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slow jab from Ramano misses its intended target.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ramano throws a body punch but McKee moves out of range.
A jab lands there for Ramano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramano misses with a two punch combination.
McKee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ramano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ramano throws a head kick but McKee moves out of range.
Ramano misses with a body shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ramano.
McKee fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from McKee.
McKee looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McKee fails to land the takedown.

That's two 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.
McKee blocks a head kick by Ramano.
Nice sprawl there from Ramano as McKee shoots in.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ramano.
Ramano scores with a hook to the body. McKee takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ramano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ramano avoids the head kick by McKee.
Nice sprawl there from Ramano as McKee shoots in.
McKee takes one to the chin there.
McKee shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ramano but Ramano pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McKee sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ramano goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by McKee or perhaps it was just good defense by Ramano which made him look bad.
Ramano misses with the combination.
Ramano lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McKee shoots in for a takedown but Ramano shows good takedown defense.
McKee takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ramano is looking to land body kicks.
McKee throws a sloppy head kick and Ramano moves out of range easily.
McKee uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ramano.
McKee shoots for a double leg takedown but Ramano sprawls well. He's pushed McKee's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McKee uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ramano.
Ramano with a lazy takedown attempt

and McKee counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKee trying to control the position from guard on top but Ramano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McKee accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McKee throwing strikes from guard but Ramano blocks nicely.
Ramano striking off his back but it's not causing McKee any problems.
Ramano throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Ramano working a defensive guard but McKee passes into half guard.
McKee landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

McKee is trying to work for a kimura but Ramano is defending well.
McKee sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ramano defending well though.
Ramano is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Rico Ramano will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! McKee's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Ramano throws a nice looking combination but McKee bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

McKee decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McKee trying to control from half guard but Ramano is working away.
Ramano is trying to stand up here but McKee is controlling him well.
Ramano trying to control here.

McKee is working for a submission of some sort.
Ramano trying to hold on to McKee's head to control him but McKee postures up.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ramano punching from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKee is looking to take a break and control but Ramano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ramano gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

McKee drops back looking for a leg! Ramano is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ramano manages to kick McKee off! McKee jumps back into Ramano's guard.
Ramano trying to control the position.
Ramano wants to sweep here but McKee controlling him for the moment.
McKee working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ramano's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramano is trying to keep McKee in close.
Ramano keeping moving, preventing McKee from controlling successfully.
McKee trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ramano throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ramano swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McKee looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ramano throws a combination that misses

and McKee counters with a takedown into side control.
McKee misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ramano struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McKee tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McKee has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
McKee prevents Ramano from escaping the position.

McKee tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
McKee working the head and body with strikes.

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

Ramano throws McKee to one side and escapes!
Rico Ramano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McKee fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ramano sprawls well initially but McKee persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ramano tries to kick McKee off but McKee keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Joey McKee is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

McKee is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
McKee wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ramano keeps working.

Ramano looking for submissions off his back.
Ramano is staying active underneath McKee, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ramano flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey McKee showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McKee has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 William Peck scores the fight 49:46
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey McKee!
Joey McKee retains his middleweight title!