PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Master Cabidela Rahay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morris McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morris McDonald is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cabidela Rahay
vs
McDonald

176 cm
26
169 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

173 cm
35
169 lbs
24 - 17 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Master Lee's One Stop
Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Master Cabidela Rahay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Morris McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Richard Clark and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rahay scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rahay perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rahay seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McDonald does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

McDonald looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rahay seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
McDonald has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Wonton Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Master Cabidela Rahay has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
McDonald fails with the takedown.

Rahay closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rahay lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Rahay from controlling successfully.

McDonald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rahay looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rahay has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Rahay from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rahay got a little sloppy there for a moment and McDonald has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rahay has managed to get both his arms back between McDonald's legs - danger averted.
Rahay controlling from the top position.

We're going to have a standup here because Master Cabidela Rahay wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McDonald fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

McDonald looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rahay is trying to keep McDonald in close.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Rahay keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rahay shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Rahay was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
McDonald is trying to control Rahay's posture but Rahay avoids it.
Rahay wants to lay and pray for a moment but McDonald keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
McDonald keeps trying to improve his position.

Rahay working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rahay is looking to take a break and control but McDonald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rahay is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because McDonald is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
McDonald sneaks back into half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rahay trying to control from half guard but McDonald is working away.
Rahay wants to free his trapped foot but McDonald is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
McDonald is refusing to be controlled, as Rahay sits in half guard.

Rahay is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

McDonald looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McDonald is looking to improve his position.
Rahay wants to take a breather but McDonald is having none of it.
McDonald has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rahay is working away from the top position though.
We've been hearing good reports from Rahay's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
McDonald might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rahay haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Rahay trying to control from half guard but McDonald is working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

McDonald shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
McDonald is trying to control the action in half guard but Rahay is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

McDonald is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rahay doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McDonald.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McDonald in particular looking to stall.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rahay has his hands clasped together around McDonald's back. He's all about the action.
McDonald is looking to take a break and control but Rahay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

McDonald wants to work for an arm triangle but Rahay is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

McDonald is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rahay has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

McDonald is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rahay makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rahay.
McDonald sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rahay's guard.

McDonald maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Rahay could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but McDonald has cracked it and Rahay is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by McDonald!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Morris McDonald!