PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vernon Mcfarland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arvin Basted (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mcfarland
vs
Basted

204 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

210 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Vernon Mcfarland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arvin Basted!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Basted wants to clinch.
Mcfarland defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Basted.
Mcfarland shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Basted pinned against the cage. Basted gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Basted darts in looking for a takedown but Mcfarland gets double underhooks and turns Basted into the cage.
Basted is looking to break free of the clinch but Mcfarland has double underhooks.
Mcfarland is trying to pull guard but Basted has him pressed against the cage.
Mcfarland misses with a punch on the inside.
Mcfarland tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Basted just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Mcfarland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Basted pulls guard.
Basted has a closed guard, preventing Mcfarland from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Basted looking for a guillotine here but Mcfarland defends easily.

Mcfarland got a little sloppy there for a moment and Basted has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Mcfarland has managed to get both his arms back between Basted's legs - danger averted.
Basted trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Basted has a closed guard, preventing Mcfarland from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Basted working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mcfarland.
Mcfarland scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mcfarland has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Basted seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland throws a big right hand that misses.
Mcfarland throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mcfarland working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mcfarland has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Basted is proving hard to escape from.
Basted managing to control the position.

Mcfarland thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Basted tries to strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Basted working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mcfarland doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mcfarland manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Basted is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mcfarland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Basted preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Basted has a closed guard, preventing Mcfarland from standing up.

Mcfarland avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mcfarland tries to stand but Basted is controlling from the bottom.

Basted has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Mcfarland off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Basted has Mcfarland up against the cage in a clinch.
Basted tries to score a body lock takedown but Mcfarland shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mcfarland fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mcfarland tries to pull guard but Basted forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Basted has Mcfarland pushed against the cage.
Basted has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mcfarland is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mcfarland fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mcfarland taking a breather.
Mcfarland tries to pull guard but Basted holds him up against the cage and eventually Mcfarland drops back down to his feet.
Mcfarland tries to pull guard but Basted holds him up against the cage and eventually Mcfarland drops back down to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vernon Mcfarland will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Basted fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mcfarland avoids it really well and circles away.
Basted closes the distance and clinches up with Mcfarland, looking for a takedown. Basted pushes Mcfarland against the cage but Mcfarland circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mcfarland.
Basted tries to clinch
and Mcfarland finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Mcfarland darts in looking for a takedown but Basted gets double underhooks and turns Mcfarland into the cage.

Mcfarland escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Basted lands with a nice body punch.
Basted throws a low kick, looking for Mcfarland's leg but Mcfarland calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcfarland gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Basted wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Basted is trying to break free.
Mcfarland is trying to pull guard but Basted has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vernon Mcfarland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right handed body shot lands from Mcfarland.
Mcfarland jumps guard but Basted turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mcfarland is trying to pull guard but Basted has him pressed against the cage.
Mcfarland has Basted pressed against the cage, preventing Basted from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Basted can't get the takedown.
Mcfarland fails to pull guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mcfarland tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Basted smiles and moves away.

Basted takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland is trying to pull guard but Basted has him pressed against the cage.
Basted wants to break free but Mcfarland has control.
Basted jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mcfarland walks away with a smile on his face. Basted gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Basted feints a jab promting Mcfarland to slip. Basted then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Mcfarland slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Vernon Mcfarland has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Basted changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mcfarland tries to avoid it but Basted manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mcfarland to the ground. Mcfarland escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mcfarland darts in looking for a takedown but Basted gets double underhooks and turns Mcfarland into the cage.
Basted tries to circle away but Mcfarland has him pinned against the cage.
Mcfarland misses with a knee to the head.
Basted lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basted is trying to break the clinch but Mcfarland has him pressed against the cage.
Mcfarland is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Basted to keep the fight standing.
Mcfarland is trying to pull guard but Basted turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mcfarland jumps guard but Basted turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mcfarland misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Basted content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Mcfarland tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Basted smiles and moves away.
No luck for Basted with that takedown attempt.
Mcfarland defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Basted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mcfarland tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Basted was well out of range. Poor timing from Mcfarland.
Basted displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Basted fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mcfarland avoids it really well and circles away.
Mcfarland shoots in for a takedown but Basted shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mcfarland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvin Basted showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vernon Mcfarland's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Basted shoots in for a takedown but Mcfarland shows good takedown defense.
Mcfarland shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Basted defends it nicely.
Basted throws a head kick that misses.
Arvin Basted seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mcfarland decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Mcfarland is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Basted sees it coming and defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Basted is trying to maintain the position but Mcfarland is very close to passing his half guard.
Basted is pressing down on Mcfarland's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcfarland gets to his feet. Basted looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Basted stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Basted wants it to stay on the feet.
Basted tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mcfarland sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Basted somewhat.
Basted dips to his left and cracks Mcfarland with an uppercut!

Mcfarland drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Basted is trying to get back to half guard.
Basted sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Basted defending well though.
Basted is positioning himself well to prevent Mcfarland advancing to mount.

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

Basted kicks Mcfarland off and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Basted tries to clinch but Mcfarland is having none of it.
Basted shoots in for a double leg but Mcfarland sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vernon Mcfarland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arvin Basted.
Basted swats away the attempt to clinch by Mcfarland.

Mcfarland closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Basted is keeping busy.
Basted tries to pull guard but Mcfarland holds him up against the cage and eventually Basted drops back down to his feet.
Mcfarland jumps guard but Basted stands there with Mcfarland around his waist. Mcfarland gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Basted pulls Mcfarland into guard.
Basted working a defensive guard here.

Mcfarland drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mcfarland jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Basted tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland wanted to stand there but Basted had control of the position.

Mcfarland drops back looking for a leg! Basted is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Basted manages to kick Mcfarland off! Mcfarland jumps back into Basted's guard.
Basted is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Basted sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mcfarland defending well though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Basted thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

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 Vernon Mcfarland.
I think Mcfarland has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Vernon Mcfarland!