PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert McKenna (ranked 1601 p4p, 208 weight class) and Bartholomäus Wolff (ranked 799 p4p, 109 weight class). McKenna comes to the cage accompanied by Freedom. Bartholomäus Wolff has the eye of the tiger tonight.

McKenna
vs
Wolff

194 cm
26
212 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

202 cm
26
225 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert McKenna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bartholomäus Wolff!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wolff throws a leg kick but McKenna sees it coming and moves out of range.
Wolff looks to score with a jab to the body but McKenna is just out of range.
McKenna throws a big counter combination but Wolff scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Wolff bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

McKenna forces Wolff back against the cage and clinches.
Wolff lands with a left to the head.

McKenna lands a takedown into guard.
McKenna tries to free his leg and advance position but Wolff is retaining full guard.
McKenna 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.
Wolff tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McKenna wants to pass the guard but Wolff is keeping the position.
McKenna postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McKenna throwing strikes from guard but Wolff blocks nicely.
Wolff pulls McKenna in close to his closed guard and prevents McKenna from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenna pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wolff is keeping the position for now.
Wolff keeping moving, preventing McKenna from controlling successfully.
McKenna trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wolff avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McKenna trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McKenna working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wolff keeping moving, preventing McKenna from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

McKenna gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wolff lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Wolff on the inside.
McKenna blocks an uppercut.
Wolff lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McKenna.
Wolff scores with a shoulder strike.
Wolff misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wolff tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McKenna is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Wolff pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McKenna has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wolff avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wolff lands a nice uppercut.
Wolff stops a takedown attempt from McKenna.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert McKenna. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McKenna has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wolff avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wolff fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

McKenna breaks the clinch.
Wolff misses with a few strikes there.
Wolff has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as McKenna is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Bartholomäus Wolff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McKenna tries to clinch up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Wolff, right into the meat.
Wolff moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
McKenna takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
McKenna tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenna throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wolff.
McKenna is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wolff throws a body shot but no joy.
McKenna shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wolff fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McKenna.
McKenna moves out of range as Wolff throws a body kick.
Wolff lands with a straight right. McKenna didn't see that one coming.
Wolff lands a really nice looking cross but McKenna seems unphased.
McKenna takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Wolff misses with a straight left.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
McKenna shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wolff defends it nicely.
Wolff lands a leg kick that knocks McKenna off balance momentarily.
McKenna shoots in for a takedown but Wolff shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wolff will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wolff scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Wolff swats away the attempt to clinch by McKenna.
Wolff scores with a nice head shot.
Wolff finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Wolff feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McKennas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
McKenna tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McKenna shoots in looking for a takedown but Wolff manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McKenna's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McKenna doesn't manage to clinch there - Wolff circles away.
A head kick by McKenna misses
and Wolff makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. McKenna really felt that one!
Wolff stuns McKenna with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Wolff throws a leg kick which misses McKenna's front leg but catches the back leg as McKenna tries to avoid it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Wolff - that will leave a mark!
Wolff throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McKenna.
Wolff scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McKenna doesn't manage to clinch there - Wolff circles away.
That kick from Wolff tenderised McKenna's leg. McKenna is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bartholomäus Wolff dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wolff connects with an inside leg kick.

McKenna clinches with his opponent.
McKenna stalling.
Wolff can't find room to land a body shot as McKenna controls the action.
A short right from Wolff on the inside.
McKenna working aggressively here.
McKenna blocks an uppercut.
McKenna changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wolff fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bartholomäus Wolff seems to be getting the better of the standup.

McKenna moves into the clinch.
Wolff misses with a hook from the clinch.

Wolff is fighting off a takedown attempt but McKenna is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Wolff to the mat. Wolff regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
McKenna trying to control but Wolff is working from the bottom.
Wolff keeping full guard, as McKenna tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wolff pulls McKenna in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wolff wants to sweep but no luck.
McKenna throwing strikes but missing.
McKenna is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
McKenna stands up over Wolff, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wolff is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wolff keeping moving, preventing McKenna from controlling successfully.
Wolff looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Wolff can't keep his opponent in guard - McKenna advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McKenna sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Wolff is trying to control but can't.
Wolff keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McKenna wants to pass to mount but Wolff is defending the position.
McKenna seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wolff does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McKenna working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Wolff's thigh. Wolff counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenna slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Wolff defending against the ground and pound.
McKenna trying to control the action but Wolff is working from the bottom.
Robert McKenna overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McKenna working the ground and pound but Wolff is defending the strikes.
McKenna tries to advance to mount but Wolff denies him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McKenna thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wolff is not content to let McKenna control the position.
McKenna has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McKenna working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Wolff can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert McKenna dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Good work by McKenna as he checks the leg kick.

McKenna has managed to clinch.
McKenna blocks a body shot from Wolff.
McKenna blocks a body shot from Wolff.
McKenna is looking to take this one to the mat.
McKenna is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Wolff is defending well.
McKenna blocking some punches.
McKenna tries for a takedown but Wolff manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert McKenna. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wolff.
McKenna working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Wolff misses with a punch on the inside.
Wolff has a couple of punches blocked by McKenna.
Wolff throws a head punch that misses.
McKenna prevents a body shot from Wolff.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wolff lands with a light punch inside.
Wolff lands a left hand that snaps the head of McKenna backwards.
McKenna has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wolff avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wolff lands an uppercut.
Wolff lands a body shot in the clinch.
Wolff has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McKenna takes a shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wolff fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenna tries to work over Wolff's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wolff blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wolff lands with a short head shot on the inside.
McKenna is looking to take this one to the mat.
McKenna blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wolff lands a right hand.
Wolff swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McKenna lands a shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Wolff.
Wolff tries to throw a body punch but McKenna avoids it by throwing Wolff back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Wolff as McKenna tries to tie him up.
Wolff throws a punch but it's blocked by McKenna.
Wolff managing to block the knees to the body from McKenna.

Wolff breaks from the clinch.
Wolff feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McKenna's calf.
Robert McKenna is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wolff avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wolff doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Wolff listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McKenna has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Wolff finds it's way round the side to connect with McKenna's head.
McKenna fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolff lands a really nice looking cross but McKenna seems unphased.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McKenna uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wolff.
Wolff jabs McKenna to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wolff cracks the inside of McKenna's front leg.
McKenna throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
McKenna tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wolff manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McKenna avoids a kick to the body.
McKenna misses with a takedown attempt - Wolff sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McKenna stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Wolff.
Wolff scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McKenna doesn't seem bothered though.
Wolff connects with a body shot.
McKenna tries to clinch up but Wolff circles away and keeps his distance.
Wolff lands with a thumping leg kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McKenna crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Wolff - the referee stops the clock and McKenna gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Wolff. McKenna manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A shot to the liver by Wolff. Beautiful body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Wolff.
McKenna shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wolff pinned against the cage. Wolff gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenna tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wolff throws a head kick that half lands.
Bartholomäus Wolff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wolff connects with a leg kick. McKenna looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
McKenna tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

McKenna drives through with a takedown into Wolff's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
McKenna trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Wolff holds on and takes a little breather.
Wolff has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McKenna trying to control but Wolff is working from the bottom.
McKenna landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenna slips nicely into half guard.
Wolff is holding on to half guard well.
Wolff works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wolff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McKenna looking to pass the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bartholomäus Wolff comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wolff has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bartholomäus Wolff!
Bartholomäus Wolff tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.