PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leonardo De Salae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying MacDonald's choice of entrance music: Tarzan Boy - Baltimora. MacDonald has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

De Salae
vs
MacDonald

220 cm
21
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
275 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leonardo De Salae!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Matthew MacDonald!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Salae lands with a good body shot.
MacDonald looks winded!
Nice body punch from De Salae.
De Salae tries to score a power double leg takedown but MacDonald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten De Salae somewhat.
De Salae tries to clinch there but MacDonald circles away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from De Salae.
De Salae tries a head kick but it misses.
MacDonald tries a quick counter leg kick but De Salae is wise to it.
De Salae doesn't manage to clinch there - MacDonald circles away.
MacDonald is looking for the big counter here.
De Salae misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Salae tries to score a power double leg takedown but MacDonald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten De Salae somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leonardo De Salae. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Salae dives in for a single leg takedown but MacDonald sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Salae chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before MacDonald can pounce on him.
De Salae shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

De Salae shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. MacDonald is trying to defend but De Salae finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

De Salae is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, MacDonald has managed to free his arm - good work.

De Salae decides to return to a standing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Salae dives in and grabs MacDonald's left leg, looking for a takedown. MacDonald pushes down on De Salae's head and hops out.
MacDonald thinks about the counter body kick.

De Salae shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than De Salae was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
De Salae wants to control but MacDonald is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Salae is trying to move to mount but MacDonald reverses beautifully and ends up in De Salae's guard.
MacDonald trying to stand up but can't free himself from De Salae's guard.

MacDonald decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nice body kick there by MacDonald.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald lands a nice looking body kick.
That kick from MacDonald tenderised De Salae's leg. De Salae is trying to keep his angry face on.
MacDonald chopping away at his opponent's legs.
De Salae chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before MacDonald can pounce on him.
MacDonald lands a nice looking body kick.
De Salae tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
De Salae misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacDonald throws a half hearted mid kick.
De Salae is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matthew MacDonald will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

MacDonald lands with a kick to the temple. De Salae shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
De Salae misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
De Salae with a lazy takedown attempt
and MacDonald counters with a head kick.
De Salae shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as MacDonald sprawls well. MacDonald wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. De Salae gets slowly back to his feet.
MacDonald feints a counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leonardo De Salae. 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.
De Salae fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but MacDonald is out of range.
MacDonald replies with a solid counter kick to the body but De Salae blocks it well.
A nice combination there by De Salae.
De Salae keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
De Salae shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as MacDonald sprawls well. MacDonald wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. De Salae gets slowly back to his feet.
MacDonald flicks out a counter leg kick but De Salae steps away.
Matthew MacDonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
De Salae throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around MacDonald's waist but MacDonald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De Salae off to one side.
MacDonald appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
MacDonald lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Nice body kick from MacDonald.
MacDonald scores with a nice body kick.
Leonardo De Salae is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
De Salae misses with a wild combination.
De Salae really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
MacDonald throws a head kick that half lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Salae shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
MacDonald replies with a solid counter kick to the body but De Salae blocks it well.
A left and a right from De Salae both land. Nice combination.
MacDonald lets loose with a powerful body kick. De Salae will feel that in the morning.
MacDonald scores with a kick to the body.
MacDonald lands a head kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MacDonald with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
MacDonald throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
MacDonald bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
De Salae throws a leg kick
and MacDonald counters with a good low kick that De Salae was not able to check.
De Salae fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
De Salae throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A solid leg kick lands there for MacDonald.
De Salae throws a leg kick
and MacDonald counters with a solid body kick.
De Salae throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around MacDonald's waist but MacDonald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing De Salae off to one side.
MacDonald is trying to counter with his kicks.
MacDonald dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on De Salae. That did some damage!
De Salae shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says MacDonald as he avoids it easily.
MacDonald explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
De Salae attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
De Salae shoots and misses
and MacDonald counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. De Salae is lucky that one didn't land flush.
De Salae wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald lands a head kick!
MacDonald misses with a head kick.
MacDonald should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
De Salae tries to clinch up but MacDonald circles away and keeps his distance.
De Salae moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromMacDonald.
De Salae tries for a takedown but MacDonald sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
MacDonald follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
De Salae on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice sprawl there from MacDonald as De Salae shoots in.
MacDonald follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
De Salae takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matthew MacDonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

De Salae gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and MacDonald counters with a solid body kick.
De Salae shoots in for a double leg but MacDonald sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
De Salae goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
De Salae tries a low kick but MacDonald avoids it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from MacDonald.
MacDonald throws a push kick but De Salae slaps the foot to one side.
De Salae works MacDonald's body with a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacDonald walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MacDonald keeps the fight on the outside.
De Salae changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. MacDonald tries to avoid it but De Salae manages to keep hold of a leg and drag MacDonald to the ground. MacDonald escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leonardo De Salae. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald lands a front kick.
MacDonald keeps De Salae at a distance using the push kick.
MacDonald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
De Salae shoots in looking for a takedown but MacDonald manages to keep the fight standing, pushing De Salae's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
De Salae walks forward, straight into a front kick from MacDonald.
MacDonald throws a head kick but De Salae moves out of range.
MacDonald connects with a solid leg kick.
MacDonald delivers a nice body kick.
De Salae avoids the head kick by MacDonald.
De Salae tries to clinch there but MacDonald circles away.
MacDonald throws a head kick that misses.
MacDonald throws the kick towards the body but De Salae avoids it.
Matthew MacDonald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
De Salae shoots in but MacDonald avoids the takedown attempt easily.
De Salae on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A nice leg kick lands there from MacDonald.
Nice sprawl there from MacDonald as De Salae shoots in.
MacDonald throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by De Salae.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
MacDonald throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
De Salae tries to clinch but MacDonald moves out of range.
MacDonald lands with a slapping head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald throws a lazy head kick
and De Salae counters with a left and a right that stings MacDonald.
De Salae throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent MacDonald stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
De Salae is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
De Salae fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
De Salae misses with a takedown
and MacDonald counters with a slapping leg kick.
De Salae stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from MacDonald.
De Salae steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from MacDonald. That one must have hurt.
De Salae misses with a kick to the body.
De Salae lands with a good body shot.
MacDonald scores with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by MacDonald.
De Salae tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but MacDonald defends well and De Salae ends up having to push MacDonald into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
MacDonald throws a front kick that sends De Salae stumbling back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
De Salae avoids a kick to the body.
MacDonald delivers a nice body kick.
De Salae doesn't manage to clinch there - MacDonald circles away.
De Salae takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
MacDonald bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from De Salae is defended easily by MacDonald.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matthew MacDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got MacDonald 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matthew MacDonald!
A relieved looking Matthew MacDonald thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.