PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Liam McDonagh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ze Portugal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

McDonagh
vs
Portugal

179 cm
18
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

172 cm
23
158 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Instinct

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Liam McDonagh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ze Portugal!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Chad Campbell and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonagh takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McDonagh fails with the takedown.
Portugal rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDonagh moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Portugal connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McDonagh momentarily.
McDonagh fails with the takedown.
Despite the aggression on Portugal's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Portugal scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Portugal's coach down at Roosters Coop was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Portugal's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Portugal digs a good hook to McDonagh's body.
Portugal lands an overhand right.
Portugal throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A cross from Portugal lands.
McDonagh on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Portugal throws a series of punches but McDonagh moves out of range.
McDonagh doesn't manage to clinch there - Portugal circles away.
Portugal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Portugal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Portugal jabs at McDonagh's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portugal swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portugal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McDonagh counters with a series of strikes. Portugal will be more careful next time no doubt.
Portugal fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. McDonagh looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Portugal lands a jab to the head.
Portugal lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McDonagh circles away quickly and effectively.
Portugal scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Portugal keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam McDonagh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Portugal lands with a shot to the body.
Portugal blocks a head kick by McDonagh.
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!
McDonagh fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McDonagh moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Portugal scores with a jab. McDonagh acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Portugal rushes McDonagh and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Portugal.
Portugal lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down McDonagh.
McDonagh is breathing heavily.

Portugal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McDonagh gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McDonagh closes the distance and clinches up with Portugal, looking for a takedown. McDonagh pushes Portugal against the cage but Portugal circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Portugal is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! McDonagh had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
McDonagh fails with a takedown attempt.
Portugal cracks McDonagh with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McDonagh looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Portugal closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A short uppercut from Portugal.
I was talking to McDonagh's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A short right from Portugal on the inside.

Portugal manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonagh is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Portugal.

Portugal fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McDonagh, pushing him back against the cage.

Portugal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Portugal closes the distance and lands a one-two.

McDonagh is rocked!
Portugal steps in with a hook that catches McDonagh right on the chin and knocks him to the floor! Portugal follows him down with more strikes and that's all she wrote! McDonagh looks absolutely devastated.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ze Portugal!