PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eddie McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Hyabusa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McDonald comes to the cage accompanied by March of Cambreadth. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

McDonald
vs
Hyabusa

185 cm
24
185 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

193 cm
23
192 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eddie McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryu Hyabusa!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hyabusa misses with a few strikes there.
Hyabusa shoots in but no luck this time.
Hyabusa shoots for a takedown but McDonald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hyabusa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McDonald stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Eddie McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hyabusa feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

McDonald looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hyabusa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Hyabusa trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McDonald controlling the position.

McDonald working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hyabusa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hyabusa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McDonald trying to strike off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McDonald is looking for a triangle but Hyabusa pushes his legs off easily.
Hyabusa won't allow McDonald to sweep him here.

McDonald manages to escape and get back to his feet.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch but Hyabusa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

McDonald decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hyabusa slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hyabusa keeping full guard, as McDonald tries to pass.
McDonald has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hyabusa is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hyabusa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Hyabusa is keeping the position.
Hyabusa keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
Hyabusa wants to sweep but no luck.
Hyabusa trying to keep a closed guard but McDonald is proving a slippery customer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hyabusa keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hyabusa lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
McDonald misses with a takedown attempt - Hyabusa sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - McDonald looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hyabusa throws a series of punches but McDonald avoids them all with ease.
McDonald tries to clinch there but Hyabusa circles away.
McDonald lands a high kick!

It looks like Ryu Hyabusa has been cut.
Hyabusa has a takedown stuffed.
Eddie McDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryu Hyabusa.
McDonald has a takedown stuffed.
Hyabusa catches McDonald with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hyabusa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice sprawl there from McDonald as Hyabusa shoots in.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald doesn't manage to clinch there - Hyabusa circles away.
Hyabusa takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hyabusa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hyabusa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonald misses with a combination
and McDonald takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

McDonald gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hyabusa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hyabusa is trying to maintain a safe position but McDonald gets an underhook and turns Hyabusa into the cage.
Hyabusa avoids the elbow strike from McDonald, against the cage.
Hyabusa is trying to break the clinch but McDonald has him pressed against the cage.
McDonald keeps control of Hyabusa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A knee to the head by McDonald.
McDonald lands a nice knee to the body.
Hyabusa looks gassed!

McDonald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

McDonald closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hyabusa to the mat! Hyabusa manages to get full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

McDonald thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hyabusa trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie McDonald dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryu Hyabusa's cut.
That's time! McDonald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hyabusa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

McDonald has Hyabusa up against the cage in a clinch.

McDonald breaks from the clinch.
Hyabusa throws a body punch but McDonald moves out of range.
Eddie McDonald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt.

Hyabusa closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
McDonald is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on McDonald's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
McDonald struggling a bit here.
McDonald tries to bench press Hyabusa off him but Hyabusa keeps the position.
McDonald is working hard here to advance position.
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.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fighters circling - McDonald throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McDonald has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Hyabusa misses with a combination
and McDonald counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Hyabusa is lucky that one didn't land flush.
No luck for Hyabusa with that takedown attempt.
Hyabusa is breathing heavily.
Hyabusa closes the distance and clinches up with McDonald, looking for a takedown. Hyabusa pushes McDonald against the cage but McDonald circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A punch combination from Hyabusa misses.
McDonald tries to clinch but Hyabusa moves away
and Hyabusa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie McDonald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald misses with a low kick as Hyabusa jumps back.
Hyabusa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

McDonald closes the distance and pushes Hyabusa back into the cage.
McDonald keeps control of Hyabusa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McDonald misses with a knee to the head.
Hyabusa tries to break the clinch but McDonald is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hyabusa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McDonald is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McDonald lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
McDonald with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McDonald lands an elbow just above Hyabusa 's eye.
McDonald lands an elbow inside that Hyabusa shrugs off.
Hyabusa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McDonald.
McDonald shoots in for a double leg but Hyabusa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

McDonald moves into range and clinches up with Hyabusa.
McDonald leaning against his opponent.

McDonald breaks the clinch.
Hyabusa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
McDonald tries a head kick but it misses.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hyabusa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hyabusa throws a right and a left that both miss.
McDonald tries to clinch there but Hyabusa circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Hyabusa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McDonald gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
McDonald passes Hyabusa's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hyabusa trying to control but McDonald postures up.

McDonald is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
McDonald frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie McDonald dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ryu Hyabusa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hyabusa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonald wants to clinch.
A clash of legs there as Hyabusa blocks the low kick.
Hyabusa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hyabusa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonald throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hyabusa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McDonald closes the distance but Hyabusa moves to the side
and Hyabusa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McDonald instigates a clinch.

McDonald breaks from the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McDonald.
Hyabusa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hyabusa wants to control but McDonald postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hyabusa keeps working.
McDonald with the ground and pound but Hyabusa regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

McDonald is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

McDonald is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Hyabusa has managed to free his arm - good 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.
Hyabusa is refusing to be controlled, as McDonald sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonald wants to stand up but Hyabusa is controlling the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McDonald tries to clinch up but Hyabusa circles away and keeps his distance.
Hyabusa closes this distance looking for a takedown but McDonald circles away.

Hyabusa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McDonald sprawls well initially but Hyabusa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Eddie McDonald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McDonald is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McDonald looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McDonald makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McDonald.
McDonald throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ryu Hyabusa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hyabusa is looking to work some ground and pound but McDonald has wrist control.
McDonald is looking to stand up but Hyabusa isn't so interested in that idea.
McDonald is trying to control the position but Hyabusa postures up.

That's four 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hyabusa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonald misses the jab.
Hyabusa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McDonald.
McDonald misses with a head kick.
McDonald tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hyabusa throws a head kick that misses
and McDonald counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Hyabusa moves out of range of the body kick.
McDonald throws a sloppy head kick and Hyabusa moves out of range easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hyabusa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hyabusa.

McDonald closes the distance and pushes Hyabusa back into the cage.
Hyabusa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Eddie McDonald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hyabusa wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

McDonald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie McDonald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McDonald 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie McDonald!