PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Branson OToole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shael Connen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). OToole's entrance music is Danny Boy. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

OToole
vs
Connen

182 cm
28
190 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
201 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Backyard Fighting

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Branson OToole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Shael Connen!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Connen shoots in and gets a takedown into OToole's guard.
Connen landing with the ground and pound.
Connen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Connen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Connen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Connen throws an elbow that misses. OToole uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Connen's guard. Nice move by OToole!
OToole stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Connen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
OToole has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Connen is controlling OToole's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Connen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shael Connen.
Connen shoots in and drives through. OToole sprawls well.
Connen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. OToole tries to avoid it but Connen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag OToole to the ground. OToole escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
OToole fails in his attempt to clinch.
Connen slips under a jab.
No luck for Connen with that takedown attempt.
Branson OToole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shael Connen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from OToole misses the target.
Connen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with OToole but OToole pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Connen fails with a takedown attempt.
OToole fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Connen on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
OToole tries to clinch up.

Connen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Connen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed OToole's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connen trying to advance position but OToole counters by regaining guard.
Connen throwing strikes but missing.
OToole is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Backyard training field that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Connen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
OToole is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Connen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Connen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Connen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and OToole dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connen is trying to hold OToole in close to prevent damage but OToole has managed to pass into half guard.
Connen keeping hold of OToole's head, controlling as best he can.
OToole content to control rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Connen tries to roll over but OToole keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shael Connen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jab by OToole.
OToole misses with a wild combination.
OToole throws a right and a left that Connen avoids nicely.
Connen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but OToole swivels and escapes.
OToole throws a hook to the side of Connen's head but Connen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Connen misses with a looping left.
Connen closes the distance and clinches up with OToole, looking for a takedown. Connen pushes OToole against the cage but OToole circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Connen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connen with the ground and pound but OToole regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
OToole wants to improve his position but Connen is controlling well.
Connen throwing shots but OToole is blocking nicely.
Shael Connen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Connen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
OToole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Connen.
Connen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed OToole's head.
Connen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
OToole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Connen.
Connen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Connen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
My spies in SWF GYM inform me that Connen has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Connen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
OToole holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Connen is looking for a kimura here.
Connen is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connen throwing strikes but missing.
OToole working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Connen.
Connen trying to control but OToole is working from the bottom.
Connen throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Connen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as OToole works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Connen trying to control but OToole is working from the bottom.
Connen throws a strike but OToole rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Connen has OToole pulled in close to control his posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shael Connen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Connen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
OToole digs a good hook to Connen's body.
Connen tries to score a power double leg takedown but OToole sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Connen somewhat.
Connen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Branson OToole is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Connen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
OToole preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Connen wants to control from the top but OToole keeps moving.
OToole avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
OToole not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Connen is looking to work some ground and pound but OToole has wrist control.
OToole managing to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Connen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connen throws a big elbow that misses.
Connen passes OToole's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
OToole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Connen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
OToole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Connen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed OToole's head.
OToole trying to control from the bottom.
Connen wants to lay and pray for a moment but OToole keeps working.
OToole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Connen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing OToole to regain full guard.
Connen wants to control from the top but OToole keeps moving.
OToole looking to control.
Connen throws an elbow that misses. OToole uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Connen's guard. Nice move by OToole!
Connen pulls OToole in close to prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Shael Connen.
Connen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and OToole counters with a left and a right that stings Connen.
Branson OToole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Branson OToole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shael Connen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OToole fails with an attempt to clinch.
Connen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
OToole misses with a double jab.
OToole looks to land a right hand but Connen moved out of range.
Connen tries for a takedown but OToole sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
OToole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Connen tries for a takedown but OToole sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Connen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Shael Connen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OToole throws a body punch but Connen moves out of range.

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 Branson OToole.
I think Connen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shael Connen!
Shael Connen really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Merciless Gladiators logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.