PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Spiros Saravakos (ranked 2027 p4p, 261 weight class) and Rory McDonnell (ranked 1137 p4p, 152 weight class). McDonnell has chosen Bloc Party - Ares (Remix) as his entrance music. This should be a great matchup!

Saravakos
vs
McDonnell

182 cm
25
191 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

183 cm
24
185 lbs
12 - 5 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Spiros Saravakos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Rory McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McDonnell thuds a left hand into Saravakos's body.
McDonnell throws a leg kick but Saravakos moved away.
Saravakos appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
McDonnell throws a series of punches but Saravakos moves out of range.
McDonnell swings widly with a right hand
and Saravakos counters with a leg kick.
A head kick misses from McDonnell.
McDonnell staying out of range there.
Saravakos tries to land a front kick but McDonnell steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McDonnell scores with a sloppy right hand. Saravakos should have avoided that one.
Saravakos misses with a wild body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Saravakos as McDonnell shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right-left combo lands from McDonnell.
Saravakos shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonnell throws a right hand that misses
and Saravakos counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saravakos walks into a straight right hand from McDonnell.
McDonnell lands with a straight right. Saravakos didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saravakos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDonnell throws a right hand that misses
and Saravakos counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Saravakos keeps McDonnell at a distance using the push kick.
McDonnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Saravakos stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Saravakos throws a leg kick
and McDonnell finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
McDonnell connects with a body shot that sends Saravakos's belly button to the back.
Saravakos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Saravakos throws a head kick that misses.
Saravakos walks forward, straight into a front kick from McDonnell.
Saravakos steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McDonnell.
Saravakos feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McDonnell's calf.
Nice jab there from Saravakos.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saravakos misses with a wild body shot.
Saravakos has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McDonnell.
Saravakos connects with a body shot that sends McDonnell's belly button to the back.
A combination from Saravakos does no damage.
And McDonnell tries to counter it with a takedown but Saravakos pushes his down on his head and steps out.
McDonnell misses with an attempted mid kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McDonnell.
Good standup being displayed there by McDonnell as he connects with a hook.
Spiros Saravakos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saravakos lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McDonnell at a distance.
A head kick misses from McDonnell.
Saravakos was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Saravakos gets cracked there but stands up to it.
McDonnell throws a looping overhand right but Saravakos ducks down to avoid it.
Saravakos checks a low kick from McDonnell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saravakos throws a head kick that misses.
McDonnell lands a head shot.
McDonnell lands an overhand right.
An inside leg kick lands from McDonnell.
Saravakos looks to score with a jab to the body but McDonnell is just out of range.
McDonnell lands a nice looking kick to the body. Saravakos takes a step back to recover.
Saravakos connects with an inside leg kick.
Saravakos blocks the body kick.
Saravakos throws a low kick, looking for McDonnell's leg but McDonnell calmly moves out of range.
McDonnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saravakos.
McDonnell unleashes a big counter combination but Saravakos bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Saravakos is looking to wear down McDonnell with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Saravakos moves out of range of the body kick.
Saravakos feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A slow jab from Saravakos misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Saravakos checks the leg kick.
McDonnell takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
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!
McDonnell shoots and misses
and Saravakos counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Saravakos swings for the body but McDonnell moves out of range.
Saravakos blocks a leg kick.
Saravakos swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Saravakos listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McDonnell throws a hook to the side of Saravakos's head but Saravakos sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McDonnell fails with a takedown attempt.
Saravakos looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Spiros Saravakos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory McDonnell.
McDonnell throws a poor cross that misses
letting Saravakos counter with a right hand.
Saravakos misses with a low kick.
And McDonnell responds with a good body kick, but Saravakos manages to step out the way in time.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McDonnell looks for the body kick but Saravakos saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rory McDonnell will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Saravakos misses with the combination.
Saravakos lands a nice hook to McDonnell's body. McDonnell takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Saravakos tries to land a leg kick but McDonnell saw it coming and moves away.
Saravakos throws a lazy right hand but McDonnell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McDonnell is looking to land body kicks.
Rory McDonnell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McDonnell pivots, looking for a leg kick but Saravakos is out of range and McDonnell settles back down.
Saravakos throws a nice looking combination but McDonnell bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McDonnell closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
McDonnell is taking a breather. Saravakos says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
McDonnell is trying to control the action in half guard but Saravakos is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saravakos controlling the position for now.
Saravakos is looking for a sweep. McDonnell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Saravakos works his way to full guard. Good work.
Saravakos is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McDonnell being controlled here momentarily.
McDonnell is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDonnell postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Saravakos wants to sweep but no luck.
Saravakos is trying to control the position but McDonnell postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

McDonnell rushes Saravakos and presses him up against the cage.
Saravakos lands a nice shot to the body.
McDonnell misses with a body punch.
McDonnell looking to slow down the pace here.
McDonnell misses with a punch to the body.
Saravakos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saravakos working aggressively here.
McDonnell will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Saravakos up against the cage.
McDonnell lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Saravakos is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McDonnell pulls him back up using the underhooks.

McDonnell breaks the clinch.
Saravakos avoids the body shot from McDonnell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell with a nice cross.
Saravakos has been working on his balance at White Eagle, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by McDonnell.
A good leg kick by Saravakos.
Saravakos throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McDonnell misses with a looping left.
Saravakos throwing a counter right hand but McDonnell manages to avoid it.
McDonnell listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McDonnell throws a push kick but Saravakos slaps the foot to one side.
Saravakos throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McDonnell stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
McDonnell throws a head kick that misses.
McDonnell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rory McDonnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saravakos throws a good cross that connects.
McDonnell scores with a kick to the body.
McDonnell tries to land a front kick but Saravakos steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell misses with a low kick.
McDonnell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Saravakos.
Saravakos misses with an uppercut. McDonnell saw that one coming.
Saravakos scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saravakos works McDonnell's body with a nice hook.
McDonnell turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

McDonnell shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. McDonnell showed some decent athleticism there.
Saravakos trying to control here.
Saravakos gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory McDonnell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Saravakos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McDonnell circles away quickly and effectively.
Saravakos takes one to the chin there.
Nice shot lands for McDonnell.
McDonnell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McDonnell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McDonnell misses with a double jab.
McDonnell fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Saravakos is out of range.
Saravakos moves out of range as McDonnell throws a body kick.
McDonnell misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell has a takedown stuffed.
Saravakos moves out of range as McDonnell strikes.
Saravakos comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell keeps Saravakos at a distance using the push kick.
McDonnell misses with a hook. Saravakos ducked under it nicely.
Saravakos looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McDonnell misses with a leg kick
and Saravakos counters with a leg kick.
Saravakos scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Saravakos throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and McDonnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Saravakos throws a wild body kick that McDonnell sees coming a mile off.
McDonnell throws a quick inside leg kick.
McDonnell misses with an uppercut.
Saravakos is looking to score with low kicks.
Saravakos misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell misses with an uppercut.
Saravakos appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Saravakos wants to slow McDonnell down by chopping away at his legs.
McDonnell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Saravakos.
McDonnell only half commits to the counter leg kick.
McDonnell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Saravakos displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McDonnell throws out the jab.
McDonnell tries a low kick but Saravakos avoids it.
McDonnell avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McDonnell avoids the body shot from Saravakos.
Saravakos digs a good body shot into McDonnell's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDonnell lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Saravakos. Those never looked like landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDonnell lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell scores with a decent looking hook.
Saravakos throws a low kick, looking for McDonnell's leg but McDonnell calmly moves out of range.
McDonnell fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McDonnell scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
McDonnell scores with a jab to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for McDonnell.

McDonnell shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonnell sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Saravakos's guard.
Saravakos is pressing down on McDonnell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Spiros Saravakos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDonnell not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
McDonnell trying to control but Saravakos is working from the bottom.
Rory McDonnell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saravakos trying to control the position.
McDonnell's corner is telling him to maintain position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saravakos throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
McDonnell's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
McDonnell wants to pass the guard but Saravakos is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McDonnell misses the shot to the body.
McDonnell shoots in for a takedown but Saravakos shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory McDonnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McDonnell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight for Rory McDonnell!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Rory McDonnell!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Rory McDonnell!

Rory McDonnell wins by unanimous decision!
Rory McDonnell really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that KOMBAT KLOTHING logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.