PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Rawls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Douglas MacArthur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rawls
vs
MacArthur

178 cm
19
208 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

183 cm
19
210 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Nordic Battle Gear

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rawls!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Douglas MacArthur!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacArthur keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rawls tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but MacArthur swivels and escapes.
John Rawls seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rawls tries for a takedown but MacArthur sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Rawls. That's going to take a lot out of him.

MacArthur closes the distance and clinches.
Rawls fails to pull the fight into his guard.
MacArthur fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
MacArthur looking to throw knees to the head but Rawls is blocking nicely.
MacArthur throws a punch but it's blocked by Rawls.
MacArthur with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
MacArthur lands a shoulder strike.
Rawls blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rawls as MacArthur tries to tie him up.
MacArthur tries a body shot but Rawls blocks it.
Rawls fails to pull the fight into his guard.
MacArthur throws a punch but it's blocked by Rawls.
MacArthur is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rawls is keeping busy.

Rawls jumps guard and drags MacArthur to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Rawls looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
MacArthur scoring with punches to the head and body.

Rawls is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Rawls has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but MacArthur can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
MacArthur trying to control the position from guard on top but Rawls is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rawls tries to bench press MacArthur off him but MacArthur keeps the position.
MacArthur tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The referee asks MacArthur politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. MacArthur prefers to stall for the moment though.
Rawls is trying to get back to half guard.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Rawls tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rawls manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rawls is breathing heavily.
MacArthur trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
MacArthur is looking to improve his position.
MacArthur trying to hold on to Rawls's head to control him but Rawls postures up.
MacArthur wants to improve his position but Rawls is controlling well.
MacArthur has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rawls is working away from the top position though.
MacArthur is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rawls shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rawls fails to land the takedown.
Rawls shoots for a double leg takedown but MacArthur sprawls well. He's pushed Rawls's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rawls shoots in looking for a takedown. MacArthur tries to sprawl out of it but Rawls keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. MacArthur manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawls swats away the attempt to clinch by MacArthur.
Rawls shoots in but no luck this time.
MacArthur throws a jab when Rawls was well out of range.
Rawls circles away from the clinch attempt.
MacArthur tries to clinch but Rawls moves out of range.
MacArthur tries to clinch up but Rawls circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - MacArthur looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
MacArthur is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
MacArthur wants to clinch.
MacArthur tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rawls swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
MacArthur tries to clinch up but Rawls circles away and keeps his distance.

Rawls fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. MacArthur sprawls well initially but Rawls persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
MacArthur is looking to improve his position.
Rawls trying to advance position but MacArthur counters by regaining guard.
Rawls won't allow MacArthur to sweep him here.
MacArthur is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Rawls drops back looking for a leg! MacArthur is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and MacArthur manages to kick Rawls off! Rawls jumps back into MacArthur's guard.
Rawls preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacArthur is pulling down on Rawls's head. It's preventing any offense from Rawls, at least for the moment.
MacArthur controls Rawls momentarily but Rawls frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Douglas MacArthur will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

MacArthur fails in his attempt to clinch.
MacArthur is looking to clinch but Rawls is avoiding it.
Rawls closes the distance and clinches up with MacArthur, looking for a takedown. Rawls pushes MacArthur against the cage but MacArthur circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
MacArthur stuffs the takedown.
MacArthur tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rawls paws at him with a jab and circles away.

MacArthur gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Rawls thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
MacArthur manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
MacArthur trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rawls working to try and regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rawls is looking to escape.
MacArthur controlling his opponent.
Rawls tries to get back to half guard but can't.
MacArthur tries to control but Rawls wriggling away.
Rawls is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
MacArthur sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
MacArthur trying to control but he's not successful this time.
MacArthur might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rawls kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Despite being in the dominant position, Douglas MacArthur just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rawls fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Rawls. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rawls closes the distance and clinches up with MacArthur, looking for a takedown. Rawls pushes MacArthur against the cage but MacArthur circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Rawls shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
MacArthur has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
MacArthur looking for a sweep. Not yet MacArthur, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as MacArthur holds on and takes a little breather.
Rawls stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. MacArthur swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rawls postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as MacArthur holds on and takes a little breather.
MacArthur wants to sweep here but Rawls controlling him for the moment.

Rawls drops back looking for a leg! MacArthur is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and MacArthur manages to kick Rawls off! Rawls jumps back into MacArthur's guard.
MacArthur lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rawls!
Rawls working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
MacArthur controlling his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacArthur can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rawls is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Douglas MacArthur will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

No luck for Rawls with that takedown attempt.
MacArthur tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
MacArthur fails in his attempt to clinch.
MacArthur doesn't manage to clinch there - Rawls circles away.
MacArthur tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Horrible takedown by Rawls or perhaps it was just good defense by MacArthur which made him look bad.
MacArthur stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Rawls. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

MacArthur gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rawls tries to pull guard but MacArthur holds him up against the cage and eventually Rawls drops back down to his feet.
MacArthur's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
MacArthur pushes off an throws an elbow but Rawls leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rawls fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rawls tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. MacArthur just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacArthur misses with an elbow strike.
MacArthur swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from MacArthur fails to land.
MacArthur lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
MacArthur has a couple of punches blocked by Rawls.
MacArthur with an attempt at a knee that misses.
MacArthur looking to stall.
MacArthur prevents a takedown attempt there.
MacArthur pushes Rawls back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rawls fails to pull guard.
MacArthur using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rawls has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rawls tries to score a body lock takedown but MacArthur shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
MacArthur throws an elbow but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for MacArthur.
Rawls wants a takedown but no success here.
MacArthur swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rawls blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
MacArthur is looking to control Rawls's arms but Rawls gets an underhook and turns him. Now MacArthur has his back to the cage.

Rawls jumps into guard, dragging MacArthur to the mat.
MacArthur wants to pass the guard but Rawls is keeping the position.
MacArthur controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rawls has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rawls is not going to allow MacArthur to sit and survive in this position.

Rawls tightening his grip on MacArthur, looking for the choke.
MacArthur holding both Rawls 's hands and preventing any damage.
Rawls has the hooks in. MacArthur is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacArthur is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Rawls gets his way!
Rawls doesn't have the hooks in and MacArthur manages to turn into his guard.

Rawls had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. MacArthur is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Rawls Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take MacArthur's back instead.
MacArthur just trying to survive but Rawls is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
MacArthur rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
MacArthur is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rawls's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rawls's back!
MacArthur wants to control but Rawls is keeping busy.
You can see the frustration on Rawls's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
MacArthur slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Rawls tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
MacArthur trying to control but Rawls is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawls is desperately trying to improve his position but MacArthur has a good base and remains in mount.
MacArthur trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Rawls is trying desperately to improve position.
Rawls is working hard here to advance position.
MacArthur tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
MacArthur trying to control but Rawls is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rawls regains half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Douglas MacArthur.
I've got MacArthur winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Douglas MacArthur!