PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shawn MacArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Axel Whitecoat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Whitecoat comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Seven Nation Army kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Axel Whitecoat will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

MacArthur
vs
Whitecoat

170 cm
26
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

178 cm
26
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Shawn MacArthur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Axel Whitecoat!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

MacArthur instigates a clinch.

MacArthur has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Whitecoat regains guard immediately.

MacArthur drops back looking for a leg! Whitecoat is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Whitecoat manages to kick MacArthur off! MacArthur jumps back into Whitecoat's guard.
Whitecoat trying to keep a closed guard but MacArthur is proving a slippery customer.

MacArthur 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.
MacArthur wants to control from the top but Whitecoat keeps moving.
Whitecoat wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
MacArthur thows a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitecoat manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The referee warns MacArthur that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
MacArthur is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
MacArthur suckers Whitecoat into throwing a sloppy strike and uses the momentum to reverse the position beautifully! MacArthur is now in Whitecoat's guard!
MacArthur postures up.
MacArthur is pushing down on Whitecoat's leg trying to pass to half guard. Whitecoat is fighting to maintain full guard but MacArthur has managed to sneak the leg through.

MacArthur is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Whitecoat is pressing down on MacArthur's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

MacArthur postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Whitecoat is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of MacArthur, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur has control of Whitecoat's left arm, preventing Whitecoat from doing any damage.
MacArthur wants to sweep but no luck.
Whitecoat is looking to work some ground and pound but MacArthur has wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Whitecoat's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
MacArthur trying to control the position.
Whitecoat trying to control but MacArthur is working from the bottom.
Whitecoat won't allow MacArthur to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
MacArthur manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Whitecoat manages to get himself to full guard.
MacArthur being controlled here momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

MacArthur stands and steps away. Whitecoat gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Whitecoat throws a right and a left that MacArthur avoids nicely.

MacArthur 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.
Whitecoat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Whitecoat manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. MacArthur manages to get himself to full guard.
Whitecoat looks gassed!
MacArthur managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Whitecoat trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
MacArthur seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
MacArthur working a defensive guard here.

We're going to have a standup here because Shawn MacArthur wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Whitecoat tries to clinch

and MacArthur counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by MacArthur.
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!
Whitecoat keeping full guard, as MacArthur tries to pass.
MacArthur passes Whitecoat's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Whitecoat wants to clinch but MacArthur slips to the side

and MacArthur counters with a shoot takedown. Whitecoat fights it but they end up in guard.
Whitecoat wants to sweep here but MacArthur controlling him for the moment.
MacArthur trying to stand up but can't free himself from Whitecoat's guard.
Whitecoat wants to sweep but no luck.
Whitecoat is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
MacArthur is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Whitecoat is working an open guard so MacArthur takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

MacArthur feints and as Whitecoat raises his hands in defense, MacArthur changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
MacArthur throwing strikes from guard but Whitecoat blocks nicely.
Whitecoat is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur looking to pass the guard.
MacArthur throws a big right hand that misses.
Whitecoat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Whitecoat is pulling down on MacArthur's head to control his posture.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Axel Whitecoat was stalling too much, according to the referee.

MacArthur clinches up with Whitecoat and pushes him back against the cage.
Whitecoat looking for a takedown.

MacArthur has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Whitecoat regains guard immediately.
MacArthur looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur pushing down on Whitecoat's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
MacArthur is looking to take a break and control but Whitecoat is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

MacArthur wants to work for an arm triangle but Whitecoat is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
MacArthur sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Whitecoat defending well though.
MacArthur trying to pass the guard but Whitecoat defending well.
Whitecoat is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of MacArthur's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take MacArthur's back!
Whitecoat misses with punches from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Whitecoat doesn't have the hooks in and MacArthur manages to turn into his guard.

MacArthur 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.
Whitecoat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
MacArthur passes Whitecoat's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
MacArthur throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
MacArthur tries to pass the half guard into mount. Whitecoat knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
MacArthur moves into full mount! Whitecoat won't be happy about that!

MacArthur is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Whitecoat has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacArthur stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Whitecoat fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
MacArthur shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Whitecoat as he jumps to the side.

MacArthur gets a takedown into half guard.
Whitecoat keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MacArthur is just content to waste time from the top position. Whitecoat takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
MacArthur advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn MacArthur dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Whitecoat shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Whitecoat looking to finish with strikes here!
MacArthur tries to reverse the position but Whitecoat maintains control.

MacArthur defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Whitecoat.
Whitecoat avoids the attempt from MacArthur to control.
MacArthur regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MacArthur controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Whitecoat throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Whitecoat tries to stand and escape but MacArthur is controlling the position.
Whitecoat looks to land a strike but MacArthur avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
MacArthur is controlling Whitecoat's posture.
Whitecoat postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

MacArthur is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Whitecoat defends well.
MacArthur seems keen to control Whitecoat's posture.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Whitecoat is looking to work some ground and pound but MacArthur has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur trying to control the position here.

Shawn MacArthur has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Whitecoat tries to grapple but his opponent circles

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

MacArthur is working for a kimura but Whitecoat is defending it quite comfortably.
Whitecoat has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. MacArthur is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacArthur stalling.
Whitecoat keeping hold of MacArthur's head, controlling as best he can.
Whitecoat wants to improve his position but MacArthur is controlling well.
MacArthur is pressing down on Whitecoat's thigh, looking to free his foot. Whitecoat is holding on for now.
Axel Whitecoat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Axel Whitecoat hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Whitecoat fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but MacArthur is out of range.
Whitecoat misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

MacArthur throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Whitecoat was covering up waiting for the punch and MacArthur finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Whitecoat keeping full guard, as MacArthur tries to pass.
MacArthur stands and throws Whitecoat's legs to the side, diving into side control.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Shawn MacArthur showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MacArthur, 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn MacArthur!