PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Neal Erickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean McConnor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Erickson
vs
McConnor

225 cm
20
270 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

190 cm
28
255 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Sun-Tzu

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 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Neal Erickson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sean McConnor!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Erickson shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Erickson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Erickson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McConnor on the ground.

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

McConnor looking for submissions off his back.
McConnor is trying to get back to full guard.
McConnor gets back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McConnor throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McConnor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Erickson manages to get himself to full guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
McConnor working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McConnor trying to control the position from guard on top but Erickson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McConnor scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
I've been told that McConnor has been drilling his wrestling of late, which has already helped him take this fight to the mat. Let's see how much of an impact it has on the outcome of the ground game.
McConnor scoring with some ground and pound.
Erickson looking to control.
Erickson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Erickson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Erickson tries to get out of the position.
McConnor lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McConnor tries to free his leg and advance position but Erickson is retaining full guard.

Erickson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McConnor content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McConnor with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McConnor lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McConnor is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Erickson controls McConnor momentarily but McConnor frees himself.
Erickson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Erickson has momentary wrist control but McConnor slips an elbow through the middle.

Erickson is rocked!
McConnor loads up on a big left hand. Erickson felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - McConnor looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Erickson can't hide his disappointment, as McConnor celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sean McConnor!
An out of breath Sean McConnor thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.