PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Clawnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malcolm Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clawnes comes into the arena with My name is MUD blaring out of the sound system. Reynolds has chosen Ballad Of Serenity as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Clawnes
vs
Reynolds

190 cm
27
223 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

185 cm
28
218 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
Fury Nutrition Inc.

Spartan Nutrition

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 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thomas Clawnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Malcolm Reynolds!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reynolds scores with a crisp jab that stopped Clawnes in his tracks.

It looks like Thomas Clawnes has been cut.

Reynolds scores with a takedown into Clawnes's guard.
Reynolds is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Clawnes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Reynolds can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Clawnes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Reynolds slips nicely into half guard.
Clawnes wants to improve his position but Reynolds is controlling well.
Reynolds looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Clawnes manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Reynolds wants to control from the top but Clawnes keeps moving.
Reynolds preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clawnes is working hard here to advance position.

Clawnes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Reynolds doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Reynolds manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reynolds trying to control but Clawnes is working from the bottom.
Reynolds stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Clawnes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Clawnes seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Clawnes can't keep his opponent in guard - Reynolds advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Clawnes gets back to full guard.
Reynolds postures up and lands a big shot to Clawnes's brow.
Reynolds looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds wants to control from the top but Clawnes keeps moving.

Clawnes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Reynolds can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Clawnes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Reynolds defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Clawnes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Clawnes 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.
Reynolds wants to control from the top but Clawnes keeps moving.
Reynolds trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Reynolds makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds trying to control the position from guard on top but Clawnes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Clawnes is on top in guard.

Clawnes forces his way into half guard.
Reynolds is trying to get back to full guard.
Clawnes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Clawnes is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Reynolds to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Reynolds is trying to control the position but Clawnes postures up.
Clawnes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reynolds works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Reynolds working for a triangle but Clawnes defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clawnes throwing strikes from guard but Reynolds blocks nicely.

Reynolds is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Clawnes defends well.
Reynolds is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Clawnes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reynolds looking for a sweep. Not yet Reynolds, not yet.
Clawnes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Clawnes won't allow Reynolds to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Reynolds dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Thomas Clawnes's cut.
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.

Clawnes tries to sprawl but Reynolds drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Reynolds scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Clawnes regains full guard. Nicely done.
Reynolds showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Reynolds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Clawnes is keeping the position for now.

Clawnes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Reynolds gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Reynolds forces his way into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reynolds working Clawnes over with strikes.
Reynolds is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Reynolds seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Clawnes does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reynolds keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Clawnes manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Reynolds lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Reynolds is pushing down on Clawnes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Clawnes is fighting to maintain full guard but Reynolds has managed to sneak the leg through.
Clawnes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Reynolds looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Clawnes tries to roll over but Reynolds keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Reynolds there.

Clawnes looking for submissions off his back.
Reynolds looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Reynolds lands strikes from half guard.
Reynolds wants to take a breather but Clawnes is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clawnes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Reynolds trying to control from half guard but Clawnes is working away.
Clawnes is looking for a sweep. Reynolds is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Reynolds is working for a submission of some sort.
Reynolds is trying to control the action in half guard but Clawnes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Reynolds sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Clawnes defending well though.
Reynolds seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Reynolds stands up from half guard.
Clawnes takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Clawnes is looking to slow Reynolds down with leg kicks.

Reynolds shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Reynolds was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Clawnes manages to work his way to half guard, despite Reynolds's best efforts.
Reynolds is trying to control the action in half guard but Clawnes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Reynolds working the head and body with strikes.
Clawnes is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Clawnes manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Clawnes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Reynolds defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Clawnes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Reynolds is one step ahead there.
Reynolds advances to half guard.
Clawnes is in trouble now - Reynolds has advanced to mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clawnes is squirming around, avoiding Reynolds's attempts to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Clawnes in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Reynolds has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Clawnes really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Reynolds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Thomas Clawnes's cut.
That's time! Clawnes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Clawnes takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Clawnes throws a leg kick but Reynolds sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Reynolds avoids the head kick by Clawnes.
Thomas Clawnes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A leg kick checked by Clawnes.
Reynolds moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Reynolds throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Clawnes's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Reynolds connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Clawnes scrambles back to his feet.
Reynolds throws a head kick that misses.
Clawnes looks to land a right hand but Reynolds moved out of range.
Reynolds tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Reynolds slips a jab and a cross from Clawnes.
And Reynolds tries to counter it with a takedown but Clawnes pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clawnes scores with a leg kick.
Reynolds misses with an uppercut. Clawnes saw that one coming.
Reynolds checks the leg kick nicely there.
Reynolds misses the shot to the body.
Clawnes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clawnes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Reynolds can pounce on him.
Reynolds throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Clawnes avoids the head kick by Reynolds.
Malcolm Reynolds seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice leg kick lands there from Reynolds.
Clawnes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A punch combination from Reynolds misses.
Reynolds cracks the inside of Clawnes's front leg.
Reynolds staying out of range there.
Reynolds avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Reynolds with the counter takedown but Clawnes avoids it easily.
Clawnes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Clawnes scoring well with a low kick there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clawnes scores with a one two! Reynolds had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Thomas Clawnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Clawnes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Clawnes throws a hook but Reynolds avoids it easily.
Thomas Clawnes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Clawnes.
Clawnes tries to clinch up but Reynolds circles away and keeps his distance.
Thomas Clawnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Clawnes moves into the clinch successfully.
Clawnes creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Reynolds has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Clawnes is trying to keep an underhook but Reynolds manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Reynolds wants to free his trapped foot but Clawnes is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Reynolds moves into full mount! Clawnes won't be happy about that!
Clawnes gets back to half guard.
Reynolds passes the guard and advances to mount!
Clawnes manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Reynolds is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Clawnes defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Reynolds uses his free foot to push down on Clawnes's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Clawnes.
Clawnes is in all sorts of trouble here.

Reynolds is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Clawnes can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Clawnes is in all sorts of trouble here.
Clawnes is bucking up trying to escape but Reynolds cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Reynolds trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Clawnes throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clawnes keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Clawnes takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Reynolds lands a big elbow.
Clawnes is in a horrible position here. Reynolds smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Reynolds is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Clawnes to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Clawnes shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reynolds prevents Clawnes from getting the reversal.
Reynolds connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Malcolm Reynolds is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Reynolds trying to control but Clawnes is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malcolm Reynolds comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Reynolds 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Malcolm Reynolds!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Malcolm Reynolds!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Malcolm Reynolds!

Malcolm Reynolds wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Malcolm Reynolds thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.