PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ao Ki (ranked 3402 p4p, 385 weight class) and Ronnie McDonald (ranked 4092 p4p, 327 weight class). McDonald has chosen Get Busy Living as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Ao Ki has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Ao Ki seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ki
vs
McDonald

181 cm
28
164 lbs
19 - 14 - 0

165 cm
37
155 lbs
16 - 25 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

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 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ao Ki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronnie McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald rushes Ki and presses him up against the cage.

Ki manages to pull guard.
McDonald stands up over Ki, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McDonald 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.
Ki seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

McDonald got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ki has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McDonald has managed to get both his arms back between Ki's legs - danger averted.

Ki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McDonald defends well.
My spies in Death Valley Training Facility inform me that McDonald has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
McDonald landing some decent shots from guard.
McDonald has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ki wants to sweep here but McDonald controlling him for the moment.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Ki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McDonald is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ki will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McDonald postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
McDonald is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
McDonald working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ki's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ki can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McDonald controls the pace.
McDonald lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McDonald scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
McDonald controlling from the top position.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McDonald doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McDonald manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McDonald slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Let's hope that McDonald has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
McDonald works over Ki with some ground and pound from guard.
McDonald loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ki swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Ki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McDonald wants to control from the top but Ki keeps moving.

Ki is looking for a triangle but McDonald pushes his legs off easily.

Ki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McDonald landing with the ground and pound.
Ki looking to hit a scissor sweep but McDonald is one step ahead there.

That's four 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.
Ki keeping moving, preventing McDonald from controlling successfully.
McDonald with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Ki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McDonald can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
McDonald is in close to Ki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McDonald is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDonald wants to pass the guard but Ki is keeping the position.
McDonald is in close to Ki's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ki keeping full guard, as McDonald tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie McDonald dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McDonald gets a clinch.

McDonald drags the fight down to the ground.
McDonald tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McDonald keeping moving, preventing Ki from controlling successfully.
Ki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McDonald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald being controlled here, momentarily.
McDonald lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald landing with the ground and pound.

Ki looking for a guillotine here but McDonald defends easily.
McDonald content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Ki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McDonald pushes down on Ki's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Ki actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ki trying to hold on to McDonald's head to control him but McDonald postures up.

Ki looking for submissions off his back.
McDonald working the head and body with strikes.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McDonald connects with a nice short shot to Ki's temple.
McDonald scoring with strikes to the body and head.
McDonald is looking to take a break and control but Ki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McDonald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McDonald lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McDonald lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
McDonald seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald scoring with strikes to the body and head.
McDonald lands with a punch from half guard.
Ronnie McDonald has got the better of the ground game so far.

McDonald is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time McDonald.
Ki is trying to get back to full guard.

McDonald is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ki has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

McDonald is looking for a kimura but Ki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for McDonald to get the leverage.
McDonald wants to control but Ki is keeping him busy.
McDonald scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ki is controlling McDonald's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Ki actively working from the bottom here.
Ki works his way to full guard. Good work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McDonald looking to pass the guard.
McDonald is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McDonald is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie McDonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

McDonald closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
McDonald is trying to control the action in half guard but Ki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ki tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.

McDonald is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ki is just riding it out for now. McDonald eventually gives up the hold.
McDonald seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Ki is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but McDonald pulls his head out easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from McDonald there.
McDonald slips a nice elbow through Ki's hands, connecting with Ki's forehead.
Ki is looking for a sweep. McDonald is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ki taking some punishment here, with McDonald in his half guard.

Ki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if McDonald is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Ki actively working from the bottom here.
McDonald working the head and body with strikes.

Ki is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Oh Ki is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ki is not content to let McDonald control the position.

Ki looking for submissions off his back.
Ki seems to have got his legs back now.

McDonald is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ki defends it well.
McDonald lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Ki actively working from the bottom here.
Ki wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald stalling.
McDonald winds up and cracks Ki with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
McDonald working the head and body with strikes.

McDonald is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ground and pound from McDonald.
McDonald looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ki with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
McDonald is trying to control the action in half guard but Ki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McDonald takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Ronnie McDonald is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ki is trying to maintain the position but McDonald is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McDonald is working for a submission of some sort.
McDonald is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ki has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McDonald is working away from the top position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ki taking some punishment here, with McDonald in his half guard.
McDonald sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ao Ki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McDonald is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ronnie McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McDonald 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronnie McDonald!
A very excited looking Ronnie McDonald made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.