PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Steffan Bonnar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Beaumont McHale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Steffan Bonnar has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Bonnar
vs
McHale

190 cm
33
218 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

182 cm
34
215 lbs
36 - 14 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steffan Bonnar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Beaumont McHale!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bonnar fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bonnar lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McHale circles away quickly and effectively.
Bonnar 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.
Bonnar with a jab.
Bonnar has his takedown stuffed

and McHale counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bonnar wants to improve his position but McHale is controlling well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McHale looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bonnar with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bonnar wants to control but McHale passes into side.
Bonnar is not content to let McHale control the position.
McHale fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonnar strikes from the bottom but McHale takes advantage and advances to full mount!
McHale lands a couple of good shots and Bonnar has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
McHale lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bonnar rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
McHale throwing shots but Bonnar is blocking nicely.
McHale missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bonnar wants to control but McHale is keeping busy.
McHale not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bonnar with the active half guard here but McHale passes nicely into side control.
McHale throwing strikes but Bonnar manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McHale can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McHale is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Bonnar stands up and beckons McHale to his feet.
Steffan Bonnar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McHale swinging wildly here.
Bonnar tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McHale manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bonnar scores with a body shot.
Jab from Bonnar.
Bonnar swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and McHale counters with a shoot takedown. Bonnar fights it but they end up in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McHale showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bonnar wants to get back to his feet but McHale is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McHale throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bonnar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McHale scoring with some ground and pound.
McHale throws an elbow that misses. Bonnar uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McHale's guard. Nice move by Bonnar!
McHale is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McHale looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
McHale wants to sweep here but Bonnar controlling him for the moment.
McHale keeping moving, preventing Bonnar from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McHale tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bonnar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
McHale manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
McHale is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Bonnar can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bonnar is squirming around, avoiding McHale's attempts to control the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bonnar gets back to half guard.
McHale throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bonnar trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Beaumont McHale dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bonnar looks to land a combination but McHale avoids it well.
McHale pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bonnar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bonnar swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bonnar closes the distance looking to clinch
and McHale counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bonnar tries to clinch there but McHale circles away.
Steffan Bonnar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bonnar pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McHale lands with a good body shot.
Bonnar tries to clinch but McHale is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonnar slaps away a takedown attempt from McHale, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bonnar misses with a body shot.
Bonnar showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McHale.
Bonnar is looking to clinch.
Bonnar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McHale was well out of range. Poor timing from Bonnar.
Bonnar will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bonnar scores with a hook to the body. McHale takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Good leg kick by Bonnar there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Bonnar has McHale up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonnar wants to break free but McHale has control.
Bonnar has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A bit of stalling here from Bonnar.
Bonnar is trying to break the clinch but McHale is controlling him.
Bonnar wants to break the clinch but can't.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McHale.
McHale keeps control of Bonnar as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bonnar is trying to maintain a safe position but McHale gets an underhook and turns Bonnar into the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bonnar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McHale looking for a takedown.

Bonnar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bonnar misses with a combination

and McHale counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bonnar is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McHale is controlling him.
McHale postures up.
McHale is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bonnar keeping moving, preventing McHale from controlling successfully.
McHale lands a couple of digs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McHale throws an elbow that misses. Bonnar uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McHale's guard. Nice move by Bonnar!
Bonnar is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McHale lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bonnar!
McHale can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Bonnar is looking to escape.
McHale scoring with strikes but Bonnar is staying in there.
McHale landing shots from mount.
McHale landing punches.
McHale looking to finish Bonnar with some ground and pound. This is bad for Bonnar!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McHale scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Bonnar tries to get back to half guard but can't.
McHale with shots to the head and body - Bonnar looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Beaumont McHale showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bonnar moves into the clinch successfully.
Bonnar looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bonnar has had enough of the clinch but McHale keeps him there for the moment.
Bonnar wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McHale has him pressed against the cage.
Bonnar can't break the clinch.

Bonnar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bonnar misses with a jab to the body

and McHale counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bonnar's guard now.
Bonnar pulls McHale in close to his closed guard and prevents McHale from doing any damage or advancing position.

Bonnar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McHale must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McHale prevents Bonnar from getting back to his feet.
Bonnar seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bonnar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bonnar has his feet on McHale's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bonnar will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bonnar throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bonnar misses with a series of wild punches.
Bonnar throws a head kick that misses.
McHale misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McHale shoots in looking for a takedown. Bonnar tries to sprawl out of it but McHale keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bonnar manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bonnar tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McHale is able to avoid easily.
Steffan Bonnar is winning the standup battle so far.
McHale throws a series of punches but Bonnar moves out of range.

McHale shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
McHale not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McHale seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McHale thows a huge punch but Bonnar dodges it nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bonnar trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McHale not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McHale stops Bonnar from getting back to his feet.
McHale is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McHale wants to pass the guard but Bonnar is defending well.
McHale throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bonnar is looking for a sweep. McHale is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bonnar trying to control but McHale postures up.
Bonnar slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McHale works over Bonnar with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McHale makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McHale lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McHale cracks Bonnar with a solid left hand.
Bonnar lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for McHale!
Bonnar landing strikes from the mount.
McHale is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
McHale controls the position.
McHale regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McHale is looking for a sweep. Bonnar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Beaumont McHale just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bonnar misses with a hook.
Bonnar shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McHale as he avoids it easily.
Bonnar throws a sloppy head kick and McHale moves out of range easily.

McHale gets a double leg takedown into Bonnar's guard.
McHale throwing strikes from guard but Bonnar blocks nicely.
McHale throws a big elbow that misses.
McHale keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bonnar's head.
Bonnar has momentary wrist control but McHale slips an elbow through the middle.
Bonnar looking for a sweep. Not yet Bonnar, not yet.

Bonnar pushes McHale off and gets back to his feet.
Bonnar pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McHale misses with the combination.
Bonnar tries to clinch up.
Bonnar stuffs the takedown.
Bonnar closes the distance looking to clinch
and McHale counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Bonnar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bonnar will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning McHale up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonnar wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McHale has him pressed against the cage.
McHale has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bonnar after a bit of a struggle.
McHale is working for takedown but Bonnar is calmly controlling the position for now.
Steffan Bonnar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Beaumont McHale.
Bonnar is trying to break the clinch but McHale is controlling him.

Bonnar breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bonnar tries to clinch
and McHale counters with a nice uppercut.
McHale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bonnar looks to land a combination. McHale sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McHale throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bonnar connects with a single shot there.
Bonnar fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bonnar shoots in looking for a takedown. McHale tries to sprawl out of it but Bonnar keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McHale manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bonnar throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bonnar scores with a one two! McHale had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A combination from McHale does no damage.
Bonnar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McHale.
Bonnar tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McHale manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonnar connects with a looping right hand.
A punch combination from McHale misses.
McHale goes for a double leg but Bonnar avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bonnar continues to drive forward.

Bonnar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A good leg kick by Bonnar.
Bonnar tries to clinch but McHale moves out of range.
Bonnar is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bonnar fails to land the takedown.
Bonnar swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bonnar throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steffan Bonnar had his way with Beaumont McHale in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bonnar misses with a straight right.
Bonnar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McHale.
McHale throws a series of punches but Bonnar moves out of range.
Bonnar looks to clinch
and McHale counters with a right hand to the body.
Bonnar wants to clinch up but McHale keeps it at a distance.
Bonnar throws a series of punches but McHale avoids them all with ease.
Bonnar slips a jab and a cross from McHale.
Bonnar tries to clinch there but McHale circles away.
Bonnar misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bonnar throws a solid leg kick but McHale takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Bonnar.
Donk. Bonnar catches McHale right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonnar is looking to clinch but McHale is avoiding it.
Bonnar throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McHale.
Bonnar stuffs the takedown attempt from McHale. McHale gets slowly back to his feet.
McHale is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

McHale drives through with a takedown into guard.
McHale lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Bonnar is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McHale defends well.
McHale trying to control but Bonnar is working from the bottom.
McHale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McHale throws a big elbow that misses.
Bonnar throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
McHale wants to control from the top but Bonnar keeps moving.
McHale with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McHale is working Bonnar over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
McHale postures up and lands a big shot to Bonnar's brow.

Bonnar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McHale missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McHale controlling from the top position.
Bonnar is looking to stand up but McHale isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McHale is pushing down on Bonnar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Bonnar is fighting to maintain full guard but McHale has managed to sneak the leg through.
McHale throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bonnar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McHale is controlling the pace.
Bonnar blocking the ground and pound attempt from McHale.
Bonnar blocking the ground and pound attempt from McHale.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bonnar manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Bonnar moves into range and clinches up with McHale.
McHale has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bonnar avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bonnar tries to circle away but McHale has him pinned against the cage.
McHale takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Beaumont McHale has been cut.
Bonnar tries to break the clinch but McHale is controlling the position.
Bonnar lands a right hand.

McHale is fighting off a takedown attempt but Bonnar is just too persistent for him and manages to trip McHale to the mat. McHale regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bonnar trying to control but McHale is working from the bottom.
Bonnar wants to stand but McHale is controlling his posture from full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Beaumont McHale.
I think McHale 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 47:49
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 47:49
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:48

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