PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Damion McGinley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Cardinal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGinley kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Got yourself a ...... Cardinal is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by In Mourning - In The Failing Hour. This should be fireworks!

McGinley
vs
Cardinal

175 cm
23
169 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

175 cm
29
155 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Damion McGinley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joey Cardinal!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Albert Achterberg and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McGinley.
Cardinal has a takedown stuffed.
McGinley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGinley stuffs the takedown.
Cardinal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McGinley avoids it really well and circles away.
Damion McGinley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Cardinal has a takedown stuffed.
Cardinal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McGinley but McGinley pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McGinley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McGinley tries to land a front kick but Cardinal steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McGinley lands a jab to the head.
Jab, jab by Cardinal - just one landing.
McGinley fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cardinal has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cardinal fails to land the takedown.
Cardinal looks gassed!

McGinley closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGinley lands a shot to the body.
McGinley lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Joey Cardinal has been cut.
McGinley lands a body punch.
McGinley throws a knee to the head but misses.
McGinley is struggling to control the position.
McGinley lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McGinley tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cardinal avoids it.
McGinley lands with a short shot to the head.
McGinley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cardinal's elbow.
McGinley throws a punch but it's blocked by Cardinal.
Cardinal goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGinley prevents it.
Nice body punch from McGinley.
McGinley can't find room to land a body shot as Cardinal controls the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGinley trying to land knees to the body.
McGinley lands a hook to the side of the head.
McGinley lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
McGinley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from McGinley.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGinley lands a right hand.
Cardinal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
McGinley has Cardinal pressed against the cage, preventing Cardinal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cardinal goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGinley prevents it.
McGinley misses with a short punch on the inside.
McGinley misses with a punch on the inside.
McGinley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McGinley throws an elbow that misses.
McGinley with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Cardinal manages to break the clinch.
Damion McGinley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cardinal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McGinley lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd cheers as McGinley lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cardinal doesn't seem phased though.
McGinley dodges the punch combination from Cardinal.

McGinley closes the distance and clinches.
McGinley has a couple of punches blocked by Cardinal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGinley gets through Cardinal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McGinley using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McGinley creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McGinley lands with a left to the head.
McGinley lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Nice body punch from McGinley.
McGinley lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McGinley lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Cardinal is trying to break the clinch but McGinley has him pressed against the cage.
McGinley lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for McGinley.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGinley lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A knee to the head by McGinley.
McGinley gets through Cardinal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McGinley lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
McGinley misses with a knee to the head.
McGinley lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McGinley digs a right hand underneath Cardinal's ribcage. Cardinal let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McGinley lands a right hand.
Cardinal wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGinley working aggressively here.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McGinley.
McGinley tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cardinal avoids it.
McGinley is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Cardinal is defending well for now.
McGinley working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McGinley lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
McGinley working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McGinley lands a hook that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
McGinley misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cardinal is working for takedown but McGinley is calmly controlling the position for now.
McGinley digs a right hand underneath Cardinal's ribcage. Cardinal let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McGinley lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cardinal backwards.
Cardinal trying to stall but McGinley improves his position.
A short right from McGinley on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McGinley working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McGinley throws a head punch that misses.
McGinley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cardinal's elbow.
Cardinal managing to block the knees to the body from McGinley.
McGinley misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damion McGinley dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McGinley scores with a jab to the body.
McGinley throws the kick towards the body but Cardinal avoids it.
Cardinal shoots in and drives through. McGinley sprawls well.
An inside leg kick lands from McGinley.
Cardinal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McGinley moves in looking to clinch but Cardinal pushes him off.
McGinley moves into range and connects with a jab.
McGinley fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cardinal on the side of the head.
Cardinal tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McGinley scores with a kick to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cardinal takes a body punch but keeps moving.
McGinley is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cardinal can do to turn this around?
McGinley moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cardinal doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGinley scores with a decent looking hook.
McGinley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cardinal paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cardinal avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGinley tries to clinch but Cardinal moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A slapping leg kick lands for McGinley.

McGinley rushes Cardinal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McGinley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cardinal is trying to push McGinley away but McGinley has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McGinley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McGinley working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cardinal blocks a body shot from McGinley.
McGinley lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McGinley misses with a punch to the body.
McGinley cracks Cardinal with a nice body shot.
A hook to the body from McGinley.
Cardinal takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cardinal is trying to push McGinley away but McGinley has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McGinley lands an uppercut.
McGinley throws a knee to the head but misses.
McGinley with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McGinley tries a body shot but Cardinal blocks it.
McGinley misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGinley working aggressively here.
Cardinal lands a left hand.
Cardinal tries to break free but McGinley pushes him back against the cage.
Cardinal wants to get back to striking at distance but McGinley won't allow it.
Damion McGinley has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McGinley misses with a body punch.
McGinley tries a body shot but Cardinal blocks it.
McGinley has a couple of punches blocked by Cardinal.
Cardinal is trying desperately to land a takedown but McGinley is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Cardinal.
McGinley fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McGinley tries a body shot but Cardinal blocks it.
Cardinal blocking some punches.

Cardinal breaks from the clinch.
Cardinal fails with the takedown.
Damion McGinley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
McGinley tries to land a front kick but Cardinal steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cardinal closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGinley circles away.

McGinley gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal takes a shot to the head.
McGinley pushes Cardinal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cardinal's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McGinley looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McGinley tries a body shot but Cardinal blocks it.
McGinley lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cardinal or not.
A right hand to the body from McGinley.
McGinley landing knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from McGinley.
McGinley tries to throw a body punch but Cardinal avoids it by throwing McGinley back against the cage.
McGinley is working Cardinal over against the cage.
Cardinal avoids a wild elbow strike from McGinley.
McGinley scores with a shoulder strike.
McGinley misses with a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cardinal tries to stall but McGinley uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McGinley is pressed up against the cage. Cardinal has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McGinley down to the mat. McGinley avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
McGinley moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
McGinley delivers a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGinley throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Damion McGinley is winning the standup battle so far.
McGinley swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cardinal.
Cardinal tries for a takedown but McGinley sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McGinley wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

McGinley moves into the clinch.
A short right from McGinley.
McGinley misses with a hook from the clinch.
McGinley tries to work over Cardinal's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A hook to the body from McGinley.
McGinley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cardinal managing to block the knees to the body from McGinley.
McGinley stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cardinal blocks a body shot from McGinley.
McGinley lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cardinal drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McGinley gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McGinley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damion McGinley dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Cardinal drives through with a takedown into McGinley's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Cardinal throwing strikes but missing.
Cardinal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cardinal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cardinal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McGinley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cardinal.

Cardinal postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! McGinley is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cardinal, into his guard.
Cardinal wants to sweep here but McGinley controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGinley is looking to stand up but Cardinal won't let him.
McGinley postures up.
McGinley wants to control from the top but Cardinal keeps moving.

Cardinal looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McGinley pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cardinal is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal looking for a sweep. Not yet Cardinal, not yet.
McGinley tries to stand but Cardinal is controlling from the bottom.
Cardinal keeping moving, preventing McGinley from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Damion McGinley wasn't doing enough on the ground.
McGinley stuffs the takedown.
McGinley dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McGinley fails to land with a series of punches.
McGinley fails with an attempt to clinch.
McGinley keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cardinal blocks the body kick.

McGinley drives through and clinches with Cardinal against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGinley digs a right hand into Cardinal's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cardinal's gas tank.
A body shot lands from McGinley.
McGinley prevents the takedown attempt.
Damion McGinley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
McGinley lands a shoulder strike.
Cardinal blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cardinal misses with the head strike.
McGinley unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A knee to the head by McGinley.
McGinley landing some nice looking knees to the body.
McGinley works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
McGinley tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cardinal is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McGinley creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cardinal prevents a body shot from McGinley.
Cardinal drops down looking for an ankle pick but McGinley pulls his leg out and moves away.
McGinley buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGinley tries to clinch up.
McGinley fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cardinal is out of range.

McGinley tries to sprawl but Cardinal drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Cardinal throwing shots but McGinley is blocking nicely.
Cardinal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cardinal wants to pass the guard but McGinley is defending well.

Cardinal is looking for a kimura here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cardinal seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Damion McGinley.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McGinley, 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damion McGinley!