PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josip Zeljkovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clayton McKinney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josip Zeljkovic has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Zeljkovic
vs
McKinney

180 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josip Zeljkovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Clayton McKinney!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McKinney closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

McKinney is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zeljkovic defends it well.
Zeljkovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McKinney on the ground.

McKinney is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zeljkovic defends it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McKinney is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Zeljkovic is just riding it out for now. McKinney eventually gives up the hold.
Zeljkovic trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McKinney 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.

McKinney is trying to work for a kimura but Zeljkovic is defending well.

McKinney is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zeljkovic doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McKinney.

That's two 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.

McKinney seems to be working for a kimura but Zeljkovic defends the submission attempt.
McKinney looks gassed!

McKinney is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zeljkovic defends it well.

McKinney wants to work for an arm triangle but Zeljkovic is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zeljkovic regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeljkovic wants to get back to his feet but McKinney is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Zeljkovic on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zeljkovic tries to get out of the position.
Zeljkovic has control of McKinney's left arm, preventing McKinney from doing any damage.
McKinney wants to pass the guard but Zeljkovic is keeping the position.
Zeljkovic is trying to keep McKinney in close.
Zeljkovic will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Zeljkovic is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Zeljkovic striking off his back but it's not causing McKinney any problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

McKinney drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McKinney jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McKinney shoots in but Zeljkovic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Zeljkovic tests McKinney's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Zeljkovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No luck for McKinney with that takedown attempt.
Zeljkovic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McKinney.
Zeljkovic keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Josip Zeljkovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clayton McKinney.
A right-left combo lands from Zeljkovic.

It looks like Clayton McKinney has been cut.
Josip Zeljkovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zeljkovic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McKinney walks into a stiff left hand from Zeljkovic.

McKinney is rocked!

McKinney shoots in and bounces Zeljkovic off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

McKinney is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Zeljkovic is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Zeljkovic has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Zeljkovic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Clayton McKinney's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zeljkovic lands a head shot.
Zeljkovic throws a right hand that McKinney ducks under and follows up with a left that McKinney also avoids with ease.
McKinney fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zeljkovic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Zeljkovic ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

McKinney shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zeljkovic is trying to defend but McKinney finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Zeljkovic wants to get back to full guard.
McKinney is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKinney prevents Zeljkovic from standing back up.
Zeljkovic tries to get to full guard but McKinney has control of the leg.
Zeljkovic trying to control here.

McKinney is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zeljkovic defends it well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zeljkovic manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

McKinney drops back looking for a leg! Zeljkovic is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zeljkovic manages to kick McKinney off! McKinney jumps back into Zeljkovic's guard.
McKinney slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeljkovic wants to control but McKinney postures up.
McKinney gets to mount! Zeljkovic was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Zeljkovic really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

McKinney is working for a guillotine from mount but Zeljkovic frees his head quite easily.

McKinney is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Zeljkovic is surviving well by controlling McKinney's body position as best he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McKinney is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Zeljkovic has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Zeljkovic!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeljkovic is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zeljkovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zeljkovic content to stall in guard here.

McKinney had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zeljkovic defends it easily.
Zeljkovic trying to control but McKinney is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Josip Zeljkovic will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Clayton McKinney's cut.
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!

Zeljkovic slaps away a takedown attempt from McKinney, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Zeljkovic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Zeljkovic throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McKinney.
McKinney tries for a takedown but Zeljkovic sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No joy there for Zeljkovic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zeljkovic leaves McKinney with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Josip Zeljkovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clayton McKinney.
Zeljkovic fails to land with a series of punches.
McKinney closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zeljkovic circles away.
McKinney looks for a takedown but Zeljkovic sprawls well.
Zeljkovic lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Zeljkovic.
Nice uppercut lands for Zeljkovic. That snapped McKinney's head back.
Zeljkovic uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McKinney is still on wobbly legs! Can Zeljkovic finish him?
McKinney takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zeljkovic throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McKinney seems to have recovered his senses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zeljkovic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McKinney takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKinney avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nice body punch from Zeljkovic.
Zeljkovic attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zeljkovic connects with a crisp jab.

Zeljkovic lands a left and a right that send McKinney crashing to the mat, dazed. Zeljkovic thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Zeljkovic lands a nice looking body shot.
McKinney takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Zeljkovic throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Zeljkovic misses with a jab, cross combination.
McKinney closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zeljkovic circles away.
Zeljkovic scores with a jab. McKinney acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zeljkovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zeljkovic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A head kick misses from Zeljkovic.
McKinney shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Zeljkovic defends it nicely.
McKinney takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeljkovic cracks a nice hook into McKinney's ribs.
Zeljkovic throws a series of punches but McKinney avoids them all with ease.
McKinney avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

McKinney looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McKinney is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zeljkovic doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McKinney.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeljkovic is trying to maintain the position but McKinney is very close to passing his half guard.

McKinney is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zeljkovic sees it coming and defends easily.
Zeljkovic keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

McKinney is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Zeljkovic doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McKinney.
Clayton McKinney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.

McKinney is looking for a kimura but Zeljkovic is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McKinney to get the leverage.

McKinney is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Zeljkovic defends it well.

McKinney is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zeljkovic sees it coming and defends easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zeljkovic is looking to improve his position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josip Zeljkovic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zeljkovic, 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josip Zeljkovic!