PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lucas McCain (ranked 1712 p4p, 217 weight class) and Erick Darko (ranked 1267 p4p, 160 weight class). McCain comes to the cage accompanied by My Heros Have Always Been Cowboys . Darko has chosen S.C.O.S.A - Flatbush Zombies as his entrance music. Erick Darko struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McCain
vs
Darko

187 cm
25
177 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

179 cm
26
187 lbs
15 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Urban Fighter

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lucas McCain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 1, fighting out of London, Erick Darko!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jonathan Paton and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
McCain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Darko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McCain staying out of range there.
Darko doesn't manage to clinch there - McCain circles away.
An inside leg kick from McCain misses.
Darko throws the left hand but McCain avoids the punch easily.
Darko lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McCain has been working on his boxing with his coaches at River's Edge Gym in the buildup to the fight.
McCain misses with a looping right.
McCain tries to clinch up but Darko circles away and keeps his distance.
McCain ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Darko.
McCain throwing a counter right hand but Darko manages to avoid it.
Darko looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Good shot there by Darko.
Darko throws a right hand that misses
and McCain cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Darko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McCain.
And Darko tries to counter it with a takedown but McCain pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Darko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. McCain was covering up waiting for the punch and Darko finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain seems keen to control Darko's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McCain keeping full guard, as Darko tries to pass.
McCain has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Darko stops McCain from standing up.
Darko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Darko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Darko trying to control but McCain is working from the bottom.
Darko postures up in McCain's guard and throws a big left but McCain blocks it.
Darko throws a big elbow that misses.
Darko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Darko stands up over McCain, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McCain bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Darko's guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCain's guard.

Darko stopping the sweep attempt from McCain.
McCain is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Darko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McCain is on top in guard.

Darko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McCain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McCain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McCain has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Darko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCain's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain is controlling Darko's posture.
Darko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McCain wants to get back to his feet but Darko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McCain controlling Darko's posture.
McCain is trying to control the position but Darko postures up.
Darko throws a big right hand that misses.
Darko prevents McCain from getting back to his feet.
Darko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Darko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McCain is trying to control the position but Darko postures up.
McCain pulls Darko in close to prevent any damage.
Darko trying to control but McCain is working from the bottom.
McCain utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
McCain is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lucas McCain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCain circles away from the clinch attempt.
McCain throws a wild body kick that Darko sees coming a mile off.
McCain looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice cross by McCain.
Darko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McCain fires out a quick counter leg kick but Darko just manages to avoid it.
No joy there for McCain, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Darko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Darko throws a poor cross that misses
and McCain counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Darko misses with a hook.

Darko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McCain is trying to defend but Darko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Darko dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McCain throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
McCain scores with a kick to the midsection.
Darko misses with an uppercut. McCain saw that one coming.

McCain closes the distance and pushes Darko back into the cage.
Darko misses with some punches.

Darko pulls guard effortlessly.

Darko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McCain defends it easily.
McCain wants to stand but Darko is controlling his posture from full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McCain stands up and waves to Darko to follow him.
McCain thows a left - swing and a miss!
Erick Darko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain misses with a looping left.
Darko scores with a shot to the body.
McCain connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McCain misses with an attempted mid kick.

McCain clinches up with Darko and pushes him back against the cage.
McCain has a couple of punches blocked by Darko.
Darko struggles to land a body shot inside as McCain controls his hands.
Darko working aggressively here.
McCain misses with a hook to the ribs.
Darko takes a shot to the head.
Darko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McCain blocking some punches.
McCain blocks a body shot from Darko.
McCain works on Darko's body with a couple of short punches.
Darko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCain can't find room to land a body shot as Darko controls the action.
Darko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Darko misses with some punches.
Darko blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from McCain.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Darko lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Darko.
McCain misses with a short punch on the inside.
McCain is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Darko is keeping busy.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCain.
McCain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Darko working aggressively here.
Darko has McCain pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. McCain manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
McCain looking to slow down the pace here.
McCain throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Darkos head.
Darko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Darko misses with a punch on the inside.
Darko throws a head punch that misses.
McCain misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darko blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCain creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McCain.

McCain manages to break the clinch.
McCain keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCain moves out of range as Darko strikes.
Darko throws a body shot but no joy.
Darko lunges at McCain with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McCain's hand.
Darko throws a right hand that misses
and McCain counters with a straight right hand.
Lucas McCain is winning the standup battle so far.
McCain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Darko.
McCain looks to score with a jab to the body but Darko is just out of range.
McCain lands with a good body shot.
McCain displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Darko throws out the jab.
McCain swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Darko moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain blocks a body shot from Darko.
Darko misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCain stalling in the clinch but Darko improves position.
McCain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Darko wants a takedown but no success here.
McCain lands with a short shot to the head.
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!
McCain just leaning against Darko, taking a breather.
A short left from McCain.
Darko blocks a body shot from McCain.
McCain blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McCain scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McCain lands a body punch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Darko misses with the head strike.
McCain scores with a hook to the body.
Darko has a couple of punches blocked by McCain.
McCain blocks an uppercut.
McCain lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McCain is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
McCain misses with a punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas McCain dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Darko avoids the head kick by McCain.
McCain uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darko.
Darko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
McCain moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Darko throws a combination that misses
and McCain counters with a solid body kick.
McCain lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McCain bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Darko looks to land a right hand but McCain moved out of range.
McCain dodges the punch combination from Darko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Darko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Darko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McCain as he avoids it easily.

McCain clinches up with Darko and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lucas McCain has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McCain manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Darko is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Darko gets through McCain's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McCain lands with a short shot to the head.
McCain lands a hook that snaps the head of Darko backwards.
McCain lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Darko backwards.

Darko is rocked!
Darko blocks a body shot from McCain.
Darko is still on wobbly legs! Can McCain finish him?
McCain avoiding damage.
Darko works on McCain's body with a couple of short punches.
Darko blocks a body shot from McCain.
Darko misses with some punches.
McCain working aggressively here.
Darko tries a body shot but McCain blocks it.
McCain working aggressively here.
A hook to the body from McCain.
McCain tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Darko's elbow.
Darko seems to have recovered his senses.
Darko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McCain lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Darko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Still in the clinch, McCain scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darko blocking some punches.
McCain misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCain is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Darko has McCain pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Darko pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending McCain tumbling to the mat - Darko dives into McCain's guard.

McCain is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
McCain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from McCain - that landed with a thud.
Darko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A nice left hand lands by McCain.
McCain tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCain is leaning against Darko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hand to the body from McCain.
McCain lands with a short shot to the head.
McCain lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A short right from McCain.

McCain breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
McCain turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McCain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Darko.
McCain slips under a jab.
McCain thinks about countering with a head kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for McCain.
McCain tries to land a front kick but Darko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McCain throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Darko tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Darko misses with an uppercut. McCain saw that one coming.
Darko cracks McCain with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Darko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McCain as he avoids it easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCain.
Darko tries to clinch but McCain is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darko cracks McCain with an open hand slap.
McCain slips under a jab.
McCain fails in his attempt to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Darko.
Darko fails with an attempt to clinch.
McCain on the wrong end of a nice jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCain keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Darko.
McCain is looking to counter the offense by Darko and move into the clinch.

McCain sends Darko crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! McCain is motioning to the referee to let Darko up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
McCain looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Darko tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Darko closes the distance looking to clinch
and McCain counters with a big right hand! Oh Darko is in trouble here! McCain follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lucas McCain!
Lucas McCain made sure to mention his sponsor, Urban Fighter in his post fight interview.