PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dern MacKenzie (ranked 2542 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Whitley (ranked 3768 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

MacKenzie
vs
Whitley

170 cm
27
150 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

162 cm
28
147 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dern MacKenzie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rick Whitley!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Micheangelo Fripello and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Whitley shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and MacKenzie counters with a series of strikes. Whitley will be more careful next time no doubt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Whitley.
Whitley fails with the takedown
and MacKenzie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dern MacKenzie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Whitley.
Whitley fails with the takedown

and MacKenzie moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short right from MacKenzie.

MacKenzie escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MacKenzie feints and then cracks Whitley's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Whitley down.
MacKenzie lands a jab to the nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Whitley misses with a takedown attempt
and MacKenzie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

MacKenzie forces Whitley back against the cage and clinches.
Whitley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as MacKenzie walks away with a smile on his face. Whitley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
MacKenzie thumps Whitley with a low kick.

MacKenzie clinches up against the cage.
Whitley jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as MacKenzie walks away with a smile on his face. Whitley gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Whitley fails with the takedown

and MacKenzie moves into the clinch.
MacKenzie lands a body punch.

MacKenzie breaks the clinch.

MacKenzie closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacKenzie working the ground and pound.
Whitley is working to avoid the ground and pound but MacKenzie connects with a decent elbow.

Whitley is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacKenzie trying to control the action but Whitley is working from the bottom.
Whitley is still in real trouble! Can MacKenzie finish him?

MacKenzie is trying to get an arm triangle but Whitley is defending well.
Whitley seems to have recovered his senses.

MacKenzie has hold of Whitley's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Whitley tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - MacKenzie cranks the arm and Whitley screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Whitley, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Dern MacKenzie!