PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steven McKinney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nich DiMag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McKinney
vs
DiMag

155 cm
20
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Steven McKinney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nich DiMag!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for DiMag with that takedown attempt.
McKinney throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent DiMag stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
DiMag fails with a takedown attempt.
A left and a right from McKinney both land. Nice combination.
DiMag tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McKinney swivels and escapes.
Steven McKinney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nich DiMag.

McKinney rushes DiMag and presses him up against the cage.

DiMag works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

McKinney pushes DiMag off and scrambles back to his feet.
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!
DiMag takes a shot right to the bread basket.
DiMag shoots for a takedown but McKinney saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
DiMag looks winded!
McKinney lands a right hook to the body.
DiMag on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McKinney fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches DiMag on the side of the head.
McKinney lands with a good body shot.
McKinney lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A combination from McKinney does no damage.
McKinney stuffs the takedown.
DiMag takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McKinney ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McKinney shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. DiMag eats them both and turns towards McKinney to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
McKinney lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKinney digs a good hook to DiMag's body.
McKinney fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. DiMag looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A left and a right from McKinney both land. Nice combination.
McKinney lands a nice shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McKinney scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

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

McKinney escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McKinney misses with a few strikes there.
McKinney scores with a jab to the body.
McKinney is looking to wear down DiMag with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

McKinney instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McKinney escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McKinney digs a good hook to DiMag's body.
McKinney could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
McKinney punishes DiMag's body with a nice straight punch.
Good standup being displayed there by McKinney as he connects with a hook.
McKinney throws a right hand that DiMag ducks under and follows up with a left that DiMag also avoids with ease.
McKinney looks to land a combination but DiMag avoids it well.
DiMag is a very stocky fighter. Infact he's such a weird shape that he's almost like some sort of comedy character - it's hard to believe he's real.
McKinney throws a right and a left that both miss.
DiMag wants to clinch.
DiMag fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McKinney clinches with his opponent.
DiMag is working for takedown but McKinney is calmly controlling the position for now.
DiMag has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McKinney is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

McKinney breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Steven McKinney is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McKinney lands with a good body shot.
McKinney works DiMag's body with a nice hook.
DiMag tries to close the distance and clinch up but McKinney swats him away and circles back towards the center.
DiMag misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
McKinney fails to land with a series of punches.
No luck for DiMag with that takedown attempt.
McKinney stalks DiMag and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into DiMag's face. DiMag staggers backwards, shaken.
DiMag dives in and grabs McKinney's left leg, looking for a takedown. McKinney pushes down on DiMag's head and hops out.
McKinney displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
McKinney stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McKinney wants it to stay on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by McKinney.
McKinney ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
DiMag avoids the body shot from McKinney.
McKinney fails with an attempt to clinch.
DiMag fails with a takedown attempt.
McKinney misses with a two punch combination.
Horrible takedown attempt by DiMag or perhaps it was just good defense by McKinney, which made it look bad.

McKinney forces DiMag back against the cage and clinches.
DiMag can't get the takedown.

McKinney breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McKinney throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
DiMag tries to score a power double leg takedown but McKinney sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten DiMag somewhat.
DiMag darts in looking for a takedown but McKinney gets double underhooks and turns DiMag into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McKinney breaks the clinch.
McKinney stuns DiMag with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McKinney digs a good body shot into DiMag's ribs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

DiMag changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. McKinney looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
McKinney is trying to get back to half guard.

DiMag is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McKinney is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
DiMag is trying to get an arm triangle but McKinney is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

DiMag is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McKinney knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven McKinney dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

DiMag throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McKinney's waist but McKinney gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing DiMag off to one side.
Steven McKinney is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
DiMag darts in looking for a takedown but McKinney gets double underhooks and turns DiMag into the cage.
DiMag tries for a takedown. No joy.
Steven McKinney has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nich DiMag.
DiMag tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McKinney smiles and moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by DiMag or perhaps it was just good defense by McKinney, which made it look bad.
McKinney scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

McKinney clinches with his opponent.

McKinney breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKinney throws a series of punches but DiMag avoids them all with ease.
DiMag is breathing heavily.
McKinney lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
McKinney throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
McKinney lands a straight punch to the body, keeping DiMag at a distance.
DiMag with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McKinney to score with a decent uppercut.
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!
McKinney lands a two punch combo.
McKinney is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that DiMag can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKinney dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
DiMag takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
McKinney comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McKinney throws a series of punches but DiMag moves out of range.
McKinney cracks a nice hook into DiMag's ribs.
McKinney dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
DiMag shoots in looking for a takedown. McKinney tries to sprawl out of it but DiMag keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McKinney manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McKinney uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before DiMag has time to react.
McKinney lands with a good body shot.

McKinney has closed the distance and engaged DiMag in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DiMag has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McKinney after a bit of a struggle.

McKinney manages to break the clinch.
McKinney displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from DiMag.
McKinney stalks DiMag and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into DiMag's face. DiMag staggers backwards, shaken.
Steven McKinney is winning the standup battle so far.
DiMag looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McKinney is fending him off so far but DiMag persists. Nope, McKinney circles away and we're back to standing.
A left and a right from McKinney both land. Nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McKinney gets a clinch.
DiMag looking for a takedown.

McKinney pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

McKinney moves into the clinch successfully.
DiMag changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McKinney fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McKinney scores with a body shot.
DiMag tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McKinney swivels and escapes.
DiMag takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McKinney lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as DiMag backs up against the cage.
DiMag fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McKinney avoids it really well and circles away.
DiMag fails with a takedown attempt.
A shot to the liver by McKinney. Beautiful body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKinney throws a body shot but no joy.
DiMag fails with a takedown attempt.
McKinney throws a combination but it was largely blocked by DiMag.
Nice takedown defense from McKinney. No joy for DiMag on that attempt.
DiMag shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McKinney sprawls well. McKinney wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. DiMag gets slowly back to his feet.
McKinney scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
McKinney misses with a two punch combination.
DiMag changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McKinney tries to avoid it but DiMag manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McKinney to the ground. McKinney escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
DiMag tries to clinch up.
McKinney scores with a jab to the body.

DiMag tries to keep at a distance but McKinney has taken the fight into the clinch.
DiMag tries to pull guard but McKinney forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A body shot lands from McKinney.
DiMag is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McKinney is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McKinney breaks from the clinch.
DiMag fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
DiMag is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McKinney.
This has been an exciting period of action!
DiMag has a takedown stuffed.
McKinney cracks a nice hook into DiMag's ribs.
DiMag throws a shot from downtown. McKinney moves away and avoids it.
McKinney lands a right hook to the body.
DiMag tries to clinch but McKinney is having none of it.
Nice takedown defense from McKinney. No joy for DiMag on that attempt.
McKinney is working the combinations to good effect here.
McKinney jabs DiMag to the body, keeping him at a distance.
DiMag takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
DiMag looking for a takedown.
McKinney blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven McKinney dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McKinney rushes DiMag and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

DiMag gets control of McKinney's arms and successfully pulls guard. DiMag will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
McKinney wants to get up but he can't break DiMag's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

McKinney stands up from DiMag's guard - McKinney perhaps looking for a knockout.
DiMag closes the distance and clinches up with McKinney, looking for a takedown. DiMag pushes McKinney against the cage but McKinney circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McKinney tries to bum rush DiMag with a series of wild strikes but DiMag uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
DiMag shoots in for a takedown but McKinney shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McKinney displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

McKinney has taken the fight to the clinch.

McKinney breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McKinney lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
DiMag moves forwards but McKinney connects with a nice, crisp jab.
McKinney displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

DiMag shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McKinney's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
DiMag stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McKinney swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DiMag wants to control from the top but McKinney keeps moving.
DiMag throws an elbow that misses. McKinney uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in DiMag's guard. Nice move by McKinney!

DiMag is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! McKinney has his hands clasped together but DiMag extends and breaks McKinney's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by DiMag.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nich DiMag!
Nich DiMag seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.