PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bernie McLeod (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McLachlan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think McLeod might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Flower of Scotland. McLachlan has chosen Funeral For a Friend - 'History' as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McLeod
vs
McLachlan

188 cm
25
182 lbs
10 - 5 - 2

178 cm
21
181 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Bernie McLeod!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John McLachlan!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McLachlan tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McLachlan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLeod was well out of range. Poor timing from McLachlan.
McLeod dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McLachlan. That did some damage!
McLeod throws a big shot that misses.
McLeod misses with a series of wild punches.
McLeod throws a left and a right that both miss
and McLachlan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McLeod fails to land with a series of punches.

McLeod gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McLachlan to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
McLeod is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McLachlan is controlling him.
McLachlan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McLeod swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLachlan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
McLeod avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McLachlan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McLeod keeping moving, preventing McLachlan from controlling successfully.
McLachlan sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John McLachlan.
Nice defenses there by McLeod.
McLeod feints a jab promting McLachlan to slip. McLeod then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McLachlan slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
McLeod lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McLeod.
McLeod steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McLachlan.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McLeod.
McLachlan scores with a nice strike.
Bernie McLeod is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McLeod swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McLeod tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McLachlan is able to avoid easily.
McLeod will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLeod slips a straight right by McLachlan.
McLeod throws a nice looking combination but McLachlan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McLeod slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McLeod lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as McLachlan backs up against the cage.
McLachlan moves away from the strike by McLeod.
McLachlan fails with the takedown.
McLeod looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McLeod throws a nice looking combination but McLachlan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McLachlan throws a shot from downtown. McLeod moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan looks for a takedown but McLeod sprawls well.
McLeod defending well as McLachlan loads up on a big left hand.
McLachlan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bernie McLeod has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McLachlan.
McLeod moves away from the strike by McLachlan.
McLachlan just misses with a punch to the body.
McLeod uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McLachlan.
McLachlan avoids a punch combination nicely.
McLachlan throws a hook but McLeod blocks it.
Bernie McLeod seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McLeod scoring well with a low kick there.
McLachlan slips a jab and a cross from McLeod.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernie McLeod dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McLachlan shoots in and gets a takedown into McLeod's guard.
McLachlan controls from within his opponent's guard.
McLachlan passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McLachlan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
McLachlan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McLeod does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McLeod keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLeod is not content to let McLachlan control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John McLachlan wasn't active enough on the ground.
McLachlan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McLeod sprawls well. McLeod wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McLachlan gets slowly back to his feet.
McLeod goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
McLeod looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from McLachlan misses.
McLachlan misses with a hook to the body
and McLachlan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McLachlan is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
McLachlan throws a body punch but McLeod moves out of range.
McLeod throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
McLeod misses with a hook.
McLachlan fails with the takedown.
McLeod lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McLeod throws a series of punches but McLachlan moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
McLachlan misses the shot to the body.
McLeod throws a nice looking combination but McLachlan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLeod cracks McLachlan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
McLeod works over McLachlan's head and body with a nice combination.
McLeod closes the distance and lands a one-two.
McLachlan misses with an uppercut
and McLeod counters with a one-two to the body.
McLeod throws a combination that misses
and McLachlan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McLeod keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bernie McLeod has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McLachlan.
McLachlan fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McLeod on the side of the head.
McLeod scores with a leg kick.
Bernie McLeod is winning the standup battle so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab, jab by McLeod - just one landing.
McLeod lands a jab to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLeod stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McLeod wants it to stay on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McLachlan.
McLeod throws a right hand that McLachlan ducks under and follows up with a left that McLachlan also avoids with ease.
McLeod misses the shot to the body.
Bernie McLeod is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch combination from McLeod misses.
McLachlan fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McLeod avoids it really well and circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McLeod, as that shot connected.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McLeod scores with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernie McLeod dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McLeod throws a left and a right that both miss
and McLeod takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sloppy strikes from McLeod. Those never looked like landing.
McLeod avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McLeod stalks McLachlan and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into McLachlan's face. McLachlan staggers backwards, shaken.
McLeod throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McLachlan.
McLeod works over McLachlan's head and body with a nice combination.
McLeod scoring well with a low kick there.
McLeod swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McLachlan counters with a straight right hand.
McLeod stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McLeod with a nice cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McLeod moves out of range as McLachlan strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLeod throws a nice looking combination but McLachlan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McLeod fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McLeod fails to land with a series of punches.
A combination from McLeod does no damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab lands there for McLeod.
McLeod slips a straight right by McLachlan.
McLeod throws a right and a left that both miss.
McLeod misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McLachlan misses with the combination.
McLeod misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLeod throws a right hand that McLachlan ducks under and follows up with a left that McLachlan also avoids with ease.
McLeod misses with a wild combination.
McLachlan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A decent looking cross lands there for McLachlan.
McLachlan slips under a jab from McLeod.
McLachlan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McLeod but McLeod pushes him off and we're back to square one.
McLeod misses with a jab, cross combination.
McLachlan takes a swing at McLeod's ribcage but misses.
McLachlan shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLeod lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
McLeod uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McLachlan.
McLeod swinging wildly here.
McLeod looks to land a combination but McLachlan avoids it well.
McLeod is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
McLeod throws a series of punches but McLachlan avoids them all with ease.
Sloppy strikes from McLeod. Those never looked like landing.
McLachlan throws the left hand but McLeod avoids the punch easily.
McLeod will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for McLeod, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan scores with a crisp jab that stopped McLeod in his tracks.
McLachlan sizes up McLeod with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
McLeod lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
McLachlan missing with a left hand there. McLeod was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McLeod rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McLachlan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McLeod throws a body punch but McLachlan moves out of range.
McLachlan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
McLachlan lands with an uppercut that bounces McLeod off the cage and back into range.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McLachlan throws a right and a left that both miss.
McLeod fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McLachlan avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bernie McLeod clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McLeod lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McLachlan circles away quickly and effectively.
McLachlan throws a series of punches but McLeod avoids them all with ease.
McLachlan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A combination from McLeod does no damage.
McLachlan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McLachlan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McLeod lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
McLeod throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McLeod scoring well with a low kick there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLeod throws a nice inside leg kick.
McLeod misses with a few strikes there.
McLeod waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McLachlan.
McLeod will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
McLachlan closes this distance looking for a takedown but McLeod circles away.
McLeod just misses with a punch to the body.
McLeod takes one to the chin there.
McLachlan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
McLachlan's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McLachlan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McLeod was well out of range. Poor timing from McLachlan.
McLachlan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan avoids a punch combination nicely.
McLeod throws a right hand that McLachlan ducks under and follows up with a left that McLachlan also avoids with ease.
McLeod is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McLachlan.
McLachlan throws a big shot that misses.
McLachlan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLeod bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McLeod lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McLeod.
McLachlan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLeod manages to avoid it.
McLeod ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A left and a right from McLeod both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan misses with a body shot.
McLachlan has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McLeod.
McLeod avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McLachlan is defended easily by McLeod.
Bernie McLeod has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McLachlan.
McLeod takes a swing at McLachlan's ribcage but misses.
McLeod misses with a double jab

and McLachlan counters with a nice double leg into guard.
McLachlan wants to control from the top but McLeod keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
McLachlan wants to control from the top but McLeod keeps moving.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John McLachlan wasn't active enough on the ground.
McLeod just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McLeod, as that shot connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sloppy strikes from McLeod. Those never looked like landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Bernie McLeod will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

McLachlan avoids the body shot from McLeod.
McLeod is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
McLeod throws a right and a left that both miss.
McLachlan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McLeod.
McLachlan looks to throw the jab but McLeod is out of range.
McLeod throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McLachlan.
A combination from McLeod does no damage.
McLachlan misses with a hook
and McLeod counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McLeod misses with a combination
and McLachlan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
McLachlan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLachlan walks into a stiff left hand from McLeod.
McLachlan throws out a loose jab but McLeod uses good head movement to avoid it.
McLachlan misses the shot to the body.
McLeod throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
McLachlan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
McLachlan looks to throw the jab but McLeod is out of range.
McLeod jabs McLachlan right on the nose. McLachlan blinks but takes it well.
McLachlan throws a looping overhand right but McLeod ducks down to avoid it.
McLachlan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McLeod sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McLachlan fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLeod lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
McLeod defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McLachlan.
McLachlan misses with a hook. McLeod ducked under it nicely.

McLeod gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McLeod is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
McLachlan is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLeod pulls McLachlan in close to prevent any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bernie McLeod.
Jab from McLeod.
A jab lands there for McLachlan.
McLeod cracks McLachlan with an open hand slap.
McLeod misses with a combination
and McLachlan counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLachlan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McLeod's waist but McLeod gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McLachlan off to one side.
Bernie McLeod has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McLachlan.
McLeod slips a jab from McLachlan.
John McLachlan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheers as McLeod lands an impressive looking overhand right. McLachlan doesn't seem phased though.
McLachlan throws a right hand that misses
and McLeod connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McLeod throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McLeod lands with a hook. McLachlan tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Some wild striking there from McLeod.
McLeod stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bernie McLeod is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McLeod connects with an inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bernie McLeod showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McLeod, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 50:45
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bernie McLeod!
Bernie McLeod is the new welterweight champion!
A victorious Bernie McLeod thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.