PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Payden McGee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago DeJesus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGee comes to the cage accompanied by Voodoo. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McGee
vs
DeJesus

197 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
199 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Payden McGee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Thiago DeJesus!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGee tries to close the distance and clinch but DeJesus swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

DeJesus closes the distance and pushes McGee back into the cage.

DeJesus pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No luck for DeJesus with that takedown attempt.
McGee checks a leg kick.
DeJesus throws a wild body kick that McGee sees coming a mile off.
DeJesus throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGee looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

DeJesus gets caught flat footed, as McGee shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
McGee trying to control but DeJesus is working from the bottom.

McGee drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but DeJesus manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now McGee has DeJesus in his guard.
DeJesus sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like DeJesus might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
DeJesus trying to control but McGee is working from the bottom.
DeJesus looking to sit in guard and control but McGee gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
McGee tries to free his leg and advance position but DeJesus is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeJesus is looking to sweep but instead, McGee has passed into half guard.

McGee is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and DeJesus defends it well.
McGee tries to stand and escape but DeJesus actually recovers to full guard.
McGee is breathing heavily.
DeJesus is adopting a defensive guard.
McGee trying to control the position from guard on top but DeJesus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeJesus lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McGee!
DeJesus sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
DeJesus misses with a head shot.
DeJesus throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
DeJesus thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

DeJesus wants to finish this one by submission but McGee is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from DeJesus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeJesus thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
DeJesus tries to control but McGee wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGee is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
McGee tries to reverse the position but DeJesus maintains control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
DeJesus content just to control the position here.
McGee holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as DeJesus tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago DeJesus dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

DeJesus tries to bum rush McGee with a series of wild strikes but McGee uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
DeJesus shoots and misses
and McGee counters with a head kick.
McGee shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts DeJesus as he jumps to the side.
DeJesus misses with a head kick.
DeJesus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
DeJesus cracks the inside of McGee's front leg.

McGee gets tackled into the cage by DeJesus. DeJesus maintains the clinch.

DeJesus breaks from the clinch.
DeJesus pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

DeJesus has managed to clinch.

DeJesus breaks from the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
DeJesus throws a head kick but McGee moves out of range.
DeJesus tries to land a front kick but McGee steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeJesus doesn't manage to clinch there - McGee circles away.
McGee shoots for a takedown but DeJesus saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

DeJesus takes the fight into the clinch.
DeJesus has had enough of the clinch but McGee keeps him there for the moment.
DeJesus unloads a knee to the mid-section. McGee lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
DeJesus goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGee prevents it.
McGee keeps the fight in the clinch, despite DeJesus's efforts to push away.

DeJesus breaks the clinch.
McGee avoids a punch combination nicely.
A swing and a miss from McGee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeJesus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
DeJesus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Payden McGee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago DeJesus.
McGee throws a one two combo.

DeJesus gets in close and instigates a clinch.

DeJesus breaks from the clinch.
DeJesus throws a head kick but McGee moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - DeJesus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McGee throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGee circles away from the clinch attempt.
Thiago DeJesus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DeJesus fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DeJesus throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
DeJesus pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McGee tries to clinch but DeJesus moves out of range.
DeJesus works over McGee's head and body with a nice combination.
McGee pushes DeJesus away with a front kick.

DeJesus has closed the distance and engaged McGee in a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

DeJesus pulls guard effortlessly.
McGee has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
DeJesus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
McGee trying to control the position from guard on top but DeJesus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

DeJesus pushes McGee off and gets back to his feet.
McGee keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A head kick misses from McGee.
McGee circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
DeJesus shoots in for a takedown but McGee shows good takedown defense.
DeJesus throws a series of punches but McGee moves out of range.
DeJesus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago DeJesus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! McGee's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

McGee shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
No luck for DeJesus with that takedown attempt.
DeJesus throws a low kick, looking for McGee's leg but McGee calmly moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by McGee or perhaps it was just good defense by DeJesus which made him look bad.
McGee shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Payden McGee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DeJesus throws a head kick but McGee moves out of range.
Payden McGee is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGee leaves DeJesus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

DeJesus clinches with his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

DeJesus has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McGee uses from the top position.
McGee wants to control from the top but DeJesus keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeJesus manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McGee manages to get himself to full guard.

DeJesus 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.
DeJesus loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
DeJesus postures up in McGee's guard and throws a big left but McGee blocks it.
DeJesus missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
DeJesus sitting in guard here, content to control.
Thiago DeJesus is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McGee will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGee trying to strike off his back.
McGee is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
DeJesus controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Thiago DeJesus has got the better of the ground game so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Thiago DeJesus was stalling too much, according to the referee.
DeJesus shoots for a takedown but McGee saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McGee takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from DeJesus.
DeJesus tries for a takedown but McGee circles away easily

and McGee counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McGee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DeJesus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - DeJesus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McGee tries to clinch up but DeJesus circles away and keeps his distance.
No joy there for McGee, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
DeJesus throws a head kick that misses.

DeJesus moves into the clinch.

DeJesus's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McGee shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as DeJesus sprawls well. DeJesus wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McGee gets slowly back to his feet.
McGee throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around DeJesus's waist but DeJesus gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McGee off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DeJesus throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
DeJesus rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McGee moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McGee misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
DeJesus throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

DeJesus moves into range and clinches up with McGee.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

DeJesus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

DeJesus moves into the clinch.
DeJesus drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McGee gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Payden McGee has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
DeJesus tries to score a body lock takedown but McGee shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago DeJesus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well DeJesus has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago DeJesus!
Thiago DeJesus seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.