PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank McAfee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Showtime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Showtime has chosen Old Toms Hut as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McAfee
vs
Showtime

177 cm
24
194 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
29
185 lbs
5 - 19 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank McAfee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rick Showtime!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Showtime. No joy for McAfee on that attempt.

Showtime moves into the clinch.

Showtime pulls guard successfully.

McAfee decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Showtime, up you get!
McAfee dives in for a single leg takedown but Showtime sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Showtime throws an off balance right hand
enabling McAfee to counter with a crisp jab.
McAfee keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Showtime gets a double leg takedown into McAfee's guard.
Showtime must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Showtime drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Showtime jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Showtime trying to control the position from guard on top but McAfee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McAfee is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McAfee is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
My spies in Parko Ludus Top Team inform me that Showtime has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
McAfee is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Showtime trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Showtime wants to control from the top but McAfee keeps moving.
Showtime controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Showtime wants to control from the top but McAfee keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McAfee pulls Showtime in to control the position.

Showtime got a little sloppy there for a moment and McAfee has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Showtime has managed to get both his arms back between McAfee's legs - danger averted.
McAfee looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Showtime closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McAfee's guard.
McAfee working a defensive guard here.
Showtime stays in close to McAfee's body and controls the position.

McAfee pushes Showtime off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McAfee moves into the clinch successfully.
Showtime throws a head punch that misses.
McAfee blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Showtime gets control of McAfee's arms and successfully pulls guard. Showtime will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
McAfee trying to control the position from guard on top but Showtime is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McAfee with a flurry of punches that miss.
McAfee trying to control the position from guard on top but Showtime is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McAfee stands and steps away. Showtime gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McAfee shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

McAfee stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Showtime throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McAfee misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've been told by McAfee's head coaches at Bobby B's that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McAfee misses with a body shot.

Showtime closes the distance and pushes McAfee back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Showtime prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank McAfee. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Showtime is trying to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McAfee wants the takedown. Showtime is fighting it off but McAfee persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Showtime's guard against the cage.
Showtime manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McAfee manages to get himself to full guard.

McAfee trying to keep a closed guard but Showtime is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rick Showtime will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Showtime misses with a straight left.
Showtime misses with a jab, cross combination.
Showtime ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McAfee moves away.
McAfee dodges the punch combination from Showtime.

McAfee scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

McAfee working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
McAfee working the strikes but Showtime uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McAfee is keen to just control but Showtime is a slippery customer.
Showtime pushes McAfee off looking to stand but McAfee dives back in and keeps control.
McAfee looks to land a strike but Showtime avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
McAfee trying to control but Showtime is working from the bottom.
McAfee postures up.
McAfee passes Showtime's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Showtime is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Still in half guard, McAfee seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Showtime has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McAfee is working away from the top position though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Showtime drives through with a takedown into guard.
McAfee looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Showtime decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McAfee, up you get!
Showtime lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McAfee circles away quickly and effectively.
McAfee was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

McAfee is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Showtime's half guard.

Showtime kicks McAfee off and gets back to his feet.

McAfee rushes Showtime and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Showtime has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McAfee uses from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAfee wants to control from the top but Showtime keeps moving.
Showtime keeping full guard, as McAfee tries to pass.
Showtime looking for a sweep. Not yet Showtime, not yet.

McAfee gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

McAfee moves into the clinch.
Showtime being controlled against the cage.
McAfee prevents a body shot from Showtime.

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.

McAfee pulls guard successfully.
McAfee can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Showtime controls the pace.
McAfee is looking to stand up but Showtime isn't so interested in that idea.
Showtime stopping the sweep attempt from McAfee.
Showtime trying to control the position from guard on top but McAfee is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Showtime is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Showtime stays in close to McAfee's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Frank McAfee will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McAfee moves in looking to clinch but Showtime pushes him off.

Showtime has McAfee up against the cage in a clinch.
McAfee prevents a body shot from Showtime.
Showtime throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Showtime tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McAfee avoids it.

Showtime pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Showtime misses with a jab, cross combination.

Showtime gets caught napping as McAfee dives in and scores a takedown. Showtime manages to retain guard.
McAfee trying to control but Showtime is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Showtime trying to control the position here.
McAfee is standing up over Showtime. Showtime looks to escape but McAfee dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McAfee misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

McAfee has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Showtime lands a two punch combo.
McAfee slips a jab from Showtime.
McAfee shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Showtime as he jumps to the side.
Showtime lunges at McAfee with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McAfee's hand.
Rick Showtime seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McAfee has Showtime up against the cage in a clinch.

Showtime escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Showtime on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Showtime fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McAfee manages to avoid it.
Showtime feints a jab promting McAfee to slip. Showtime then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McAfee slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rick Showtime seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McAfee shoots in and gets a takedown into Showtime's guard.
Showtime takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Showtime is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McAfee is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAfee is pushing down on Showtime's leg trying to pass to half guard. Showtime is fighting to maintain full guard but McAfee has managed to sneak the leg through.
Showtime wants to get back to his feet.
McAfee throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Still in half guard, McAfee seems content to control.
Showtime is refusing to be controlled, as McAfee sits in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McAfee will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Showtime appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Showtime lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
McAfee uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Showtime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAfee shoots in looking for a takedown but Showtime manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McAfee's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank McAfee. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Showtime moves into the clinch.
Showtime misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McAfee.

McAfee jumps guard and drags Showtime to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
McAfee keeping moving, preventing Showtime from controlling successfully.

McAfee is looking for a triangle but Showtime pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McAfee escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Showtime gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Showtime decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McAfee, up you get!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Showtime comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Showtime 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Showtime!