PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Levan Kvirkvelia (ranked 1537 p4p, 208 weight class) and Rory McDonnell (ranked 1399 p4p, 187 weight class). McDonnell has chosen Bloc Party - Ares (Remix) as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kvirkvelia
vs
McDonnell

173 cm
27
175 lbs
12 - 10 - 1

183 cm
25
185 lbs
15 - 5 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition - Q160
424 Co.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Levan Kvirkvelia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Rory McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kvirkvelia closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McDonnell's guard.

McDonnell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kvirkvelia doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kvirkvelia manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McDonnell wants to sweep but no luck.
Kvirkvelia content to stall in guard here.
McDonnell looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kvirkvelia is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

McDonnell is looking for a triangle but Kvirkvelia pushes his legs off easily.
McDonnell keeping moving, preventing Kvirkvelia from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kvirkvelia trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kvirkvelia wants to control from the top but McDonnell keeps moving.
McDonnell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

McDonnell looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kvirkvelia wants to control from the top but McDonnell keeps moving.
Kvirkvelia controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McDonnell looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
McDonnell throws a leg kick

and Kvirkvelia counters with a shoot takedown. McDonnell fights it but they end up in guard.
Kvirkvelia is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDonnell working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kvirkvelia doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kvirkvelia manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kvirkvelia showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McDonnell not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kvirkvelia trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonnell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kvirkvelia seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kvirkvelia throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McDonnell on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kvirkvelia tries for a takedown but McDonnell circles away easily
and Kvirkvelia takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kvirkvelia bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kvirkvelia fails with a takedown attempt.
McDonnell is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kvirkvelia lands a nice shot that snaps McDonnell's head back.
Kvirkvelia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kvirkvelia looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Levan Kvirkvelia. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kvirkvelia connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
The crowd cheers as McDonnell lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kvirkvelia doesn't seem phased though.
McDonnell missing with a left hand there. Kvirkvelia was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McDonnell misses with a low kick.
Both fighters circling a little - McDonnell finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
McDonnell tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McDonnell throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
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!
Kvirkvelia misses with a low kick as McDonnell jumps back.
McDonnell looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kvirkvelia tries to clinch there but McDonnell circles away.
Kvirkvelia slips under a jab.
A little feinted left hand from Kvirkvelia on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kvirkvelia displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McDonnell throws out the jab.
McDonnell gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kvirkvelia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Levan Kvirkvelia dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McDonnell is looking to land body kicks.
Rory McDonnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kvirkvelia looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
McDonnell is pressing down on Kvirkvelia's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kvirkvelia sitting in guard, not really doing much.

McDonnell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kvirkvelia sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kvirkvelia's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Levan Kvirkvelia overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McDonnell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kvirkvelia wants to control from the top but McDonnell keeps moving.
Kvirkvelia pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDonnell is keeping the position for now.
Kvirkvelia controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kvirkvelia scores with a jab.
McDonnell tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell throws a low kick, looking for Kvirkvelia's leg but Kvirkvelia calmly moves out of range.
Kvirkvelia appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
McDonnell avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kvirkvelia rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McDonnell counters with a lovely shot to the body.
McDonnell scores with a push kick.
McDonnell tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kvirkvelia tries to clinch there but McDonnell circles away.
McDonnell lands with a kick to the temple. Kvirkvelia shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
McDonnell looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kvirkvelia throws a body punch but McDonnell moves out of range.
Kvirkvelia dives in and grabs McDonnell's left leg, looking for a takedown. McDonnell pushes down on Kvirkvelia's head and hops out.
Kvirkvelia is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
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 throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDonnell thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kvirkvelia if he has to take too many more of those.
McDonnell misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jab by Kvirkvelia.
Kvirkvelia slips a jab from McDonnell.
A jab from McDonnell does it's job there.
McDonnell throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kvirkvelia tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McDonnell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDonnell looks to land a body kick but Kvirkvelia moved away.
McDonnell connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kvirkvelia's hands.
A left lands for Kvirkvelia.
Kvirkvelia avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kvirkvelia moves out of range of the leg kick from McDonnell.
McDonnell avoids the body shot from Kvirkvelia.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell blocks a head kick by Kvirkvelia.
McDonnell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kvirkvelia looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kvirkvelia moves out of range of the strikes.
Kvirkvelia takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonnell throws a lazy body kick

and Kvirkvelia counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for McDonnell!
McDonnell is not content to let Kvirkvelia control the position.
McDonnell is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
McDonnell seems a little lost for a moment, as Kvirkvelia dominates the positioning.
McDonnell gets back to half 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!

A lazy body kick from McDonnell

and Kvirkvelia counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kvirkvelia.
Kvirkvelia misses with a body punch.
Kvirkvelia tries to work over McDonnell's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McDonnell gets underhooks to prevent Kvirkvelia's takedown attempt.
McDonnell tries to throw a body punch but Kvirkvelia avoids it by throwing McDonnell back against the cage.
A short uppercut from McDonnell.
McDonnell stalls.
Kvirkvelia lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
McDonnell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell keeps control of Kvirkvelia as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McDonnell scores with a shoulder strike.
Kvirkvelia tries to throw a body punch but McDonnell avoids it by throwing Kvirkvelia back against the cage.
McDonnell tries to work over Kvirkvelia's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kvirkvelia throws a punch but it's blocked by McDonnell.
A short left from Kvirkvelia.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonnell can't get the takedown.
McDonnell tries to work over Kvirkvelia's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Kvirkvelia.
Kvirkvelia blocks a body shot from McDonnell.
Kvirkvelia is looking for a takedown.
McDonnell blocks a body shot from Kvirkvelia.
Kvirkvelia goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kvirkvelia tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Levan Kvirkvelia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kvirkvelia works on McDonnell's body with a couple of short punches.
McDonnell throws a head punch that misses.
Kvirkvelia swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kvirkvelia is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McDonnell gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kvirkvelia goes for a takedown in the clinch but McDonnell prevents it.
McDonnell prevents a body shot from Kvirkvelia.

Kvirkvelia manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kvirkvelia lands a nice hook to McDonnell's body. McDonnell takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kvirkvelia pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McDonnell follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
McDonnell throws a body kick that misses

and Kvirkvelia counters with a nice double leg into side control. McDonnell won't be happy with that.
Kvirkvelia creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McDonnell sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A lull in the action here.
Kvirkvelia tries to advance to mount but McDonnell denies him.
McDonnell is looking for a sweep.
Kvirkvelia is looking to take a break and control but McDonnell is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McDonnell struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kvirkvelia controlling the position from side mount.
McDonnell gets back to half guard.
Kvirkvelia looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks McDonnell with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kvirkvelia working the head and body with strikes.
Kvirkvelia trying to pass the guard but McDonnell defending well.
Kvirkvelia is figuring out what he wants to do next.
McDonnell trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Kvirkvelia manages to pass to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kvirkvelia controlling the pace for now.
McDonnell regains half guard.
Kvirkvelia trying to mount his opponent but McDonnell defends it.
Kvirkvelia performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonnell is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Levan Kvirkvelia showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kvirkvelia has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Levan Kvirkvelia!
During a confident post fight interview, Levan Kvirkvelia thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.