PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between HL Mencken (ranked 358 p4p, 44 weight class) and Paul OConnell (ranked 1562 p4p, 178 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mencken
vs
OConnell

195 cm
33
261 lbs
22 - 8 - 0

209 cm
38
285 lbs
22 - 15 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, HL Mencken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Paul OConnell!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OConnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mencken moves away.
Mencken misses the shot to the body.
OConnell slips under a jab.
Mencken throws a right and a left that OConnell avoids nicely.
Mencken drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Mencken misses with a head kick.
Mencken scores with a jab. OConnell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mencken waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract OConnell.
OConnell looks like he wants to counter punch here.
OConnell avoids a kick to the body.
Mencken bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Paul OConnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
OConnell slips a straight right by Mencken.
OConnell moves out of range as Mencken throws a body kick.
OConnell takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
OConnell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mencken.
Mencken misses the shot to the body.
OConnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts OConnell, as that shot connected.
OConnell throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mencken's head.

It looks like HL Mencken has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by OConnell.
Mencken throws a push kick but OConnell slaps the foot to one side.
OConnell cracks Mencken with a good jab.
Mencken blocks a head kick by OConnell.
OConnell is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
OConnell slips under a jab.
Mencken throws a push kick but OConnell slaps the foot to one side.
OConnell moves out of range of the body kick from Mencken.
Both fighters circling a little - Mencken finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
OConnell is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
OConnell misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mencken misses with an uppercut.
OConnell looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
OConnell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mencken is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mencken delivers a nice body kick.
OConnell looks winded!
The fighters circling - Mencken throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mencken throws an uppercut from half a mile away. OConnell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mencken misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from OConnell.
We've been informed that OConnell has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
OConnell avoids the body shot from Mencken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mencken misses with a straight left.
A swing and a miss from OConnell.
Mencken misses with a jab to the body
and OConnell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mencken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mencken jabbing away but nothing is landing.
OConnell pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mencken slips under a jab from OConnell.
OConnell misses the jab.
OConnell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A countering left hand to the body from OConnell misses.
Mencken pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A jab from Mencken misses.
OConnell 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.
Mencken ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mencken avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Mencken misses its target.
OConnell ducks under a wild hook from Mencken.
Mencken throws a lazy head kick
letting OConnell counter with a right hand.
OConnell moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mencken takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mencken keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mencken slips under a jab from OConnell.
A slow jab from Mencken misses its intended target.
OConnell lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
OConnell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mencken needs to keep his hands up - OConnell had a free shot at his head there.
Mencken takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A jab from OConnell misses.
Mencken displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as OConnell throws out the jab.
Mencken thinks about countering with a body kick.
Mencken throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent OConnell stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mencken is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by OConnell.
Mencken looks for the body kick but OConnell saw that one coming.
Mencken sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Mencken cracks OConnell with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mencken ducks under a wild hook from OConnell.
A counter left hand to the body from Mencken misses its target.
Mencken slips under a jab from OConnell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mencken throws an overhand right that lands on OConnell's shoulder, as OConnell tries to avoid the shot.
Mencken waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract OConnell.
OConnell moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mencken digs a good hook to OConnell's body.
OConnell slips a straight right by Mencken.
OConnell throws a head kick that misses.
Mencken defending well as OConnell loads up on a big left hand.
OConnell scores with a sloppy right hand. Mencken should have avoided that one.
Mencken throws a combination. OConnell tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Paul OConnell has been cut.
A head kick misses from Mencken.
OConnell appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mencken takes a jab right on the kisser.
Mencken avoids the body shot from OConnell.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
OConnell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It looked like Mencken was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
OConnell scores with a nice head shot.
Mencken misses the jab.
Mencken ducks down and throws a hook to the body but OConnell moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that HL Mencken will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

OConnell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mencken.
OConnell misses with a looping right.
OConnell lands a nice shot to the body.
OConnell misses with a hook. Mencken ducked under it nicely.
OConnell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mencken.
Mencken throws a body punch but OConnell moves out of range.
Mencken lands with a hook. OConnell tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
OConnell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mencken. Mencken circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
OConnell throws a jab but it's blocked by Mencken.
Mencken throws a lazy right hand but OConnell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from OConnell! But no joy.
OConnell lands a head kick!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnell throws the left hand but Mencken avoids the punch easily.
Mencken comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
OConnell misses with a looping left.
Mencken misses the jab.
Mencken looks to land a right hand but OConnell moved out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OConnell throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnell scores with a decent looking hook.
OConnell throws a sloppy head kick and Mencken moves out of range easily.
Mencken jabs OConnell to the body, keeping him at a distance.
OConnell is breathing heavily.
Mencken slips a jab and a cross from OConnell.
OConnell throws a jab but it's blocked by Mencken.
OConnell avoids a kick to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Mencken misses the target.
OConnell defending well as Mencken loads up on a big left hand.
Mencken looks for the body kick but OConnell saw that one coming.
Mencken throws a body shot but no joy.
OConnell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mencken.
OConnell throws out a counter right but Mencken avoids it with no problem.
Mencken misses the jab.
Mencken ducks under a wild hook from OConnell.
Mencken connects with a crisp jab.
OConnell misses with a few strikes there.
OConnell lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Paul OConnell seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
OConnell misses with an uppercut.
Mencken takes one to the side of the head.
Mencken displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as OConnell throws out the jab.
OConnell misses the jab.
A big right from Mencken misses.
Mencken waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract OConnell.
Mencken fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice shot by Mencken.
Mencken connects with a crisp jab.
Mencken misses with a hook.
Mencken swings for the body but OConnell moves out of range.
Mencken throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent OConnell stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mencken is looking to land body kicks.
A jab from Mencken misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mencken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mencken misses with a looping left.
Mencken jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mencken throws a shot from downtown. OConnell moves away and avoids it.
OConnell lands a head shot.
A big right from OConnell misses.
Mencken throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mencken connects with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Mencken misses the target.
A jab from OConnell misses.
OConnell lands a jab.
Mencken tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but OConnell was well out of range. Poor timing from Mencken.
Mencken swings widly with a right hand
and OConnell counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mencken thinking.
Mencken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from OConnell.
Mencken pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mencken ducks under a wild hook from OConnell.
OConnell throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mencken throws a hook to the side of OConnell's head but OConnell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mencken looks to land a combination but OConnell avoids it well.
OConnell loads up on a big right hand but Mencken slips the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mencken lands with a nice combination. OConnell backs away looking to recover.
OConnell defending well as Mencken loads up on a big left hand.
OConnell shapes to counter with a head kick.
OConnell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mencken is looking to counter punch.
Mencken throws a shot from downtown. OConnell moves away and avoids it.
OConnell swings widly with a right hand
and Mencken counters with a left and a right that stings OConnell.
A head kick misses from OConnell.
Mencken turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
OConnell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mencken manages to avoid it.
Mencken ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
OConnell is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mencken.
Mencken misses with a body shot.
Mencken lands a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

HL Mencken dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

OConnell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mencken.
OConnell catches Mencken with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mencken avoids the head kick by OConnell.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mencken darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
OConnell ducks under a wild hook from Mencken.
OConnell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Mencken. Mencken circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
OConnell scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
OConnell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
OConnell misses with an uppercut. Mencken saw that one coming.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mencken.
OConnell throws a fast counter high kick but Mencken manages to duck under it in time.
Mencken misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from OConnell.
OConnell looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mencken is really struggling to find his range with his punches. OConnell's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnell misses with a low kick.
Mencken throws a body punch but OConnell moves out of range.
Mencken thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mencken staying out of range there.
OConnell throws a front kick that sends Mencken stumbling back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnell takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
OConnell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mencken throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
OConnell throws a hook to the side of Mencken's head but Mencken sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice cross by OConnell.
Mencken smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
OConnell takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
OConnell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mencken takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mencken throws a body shot but no joy.
Mencken looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mencken lunges at OConnell with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by OConnell's hand.
Mencken throws a hook but OConnell blocks it.
Mencken thuds a left hand into OConnell's body.
Mencken lands a jab to the head.

OConnell is rocked!
OConnell walks right into a perfectly timed right hook and goes down hard! He's out cold! The ref cradles OConnell limp body while Mencken jumps on to the cage and waves to the roaring crowd. Wow that was just a brutal knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). HL Mencken!