PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Punch McDermott (ranked 2729 p4p, 6258 weight class) and Frank Hartier (ranked 369 p4p, 636 weight class). McDermott comes to the cage accompanied by Drunk In Love. Hartier comes into a darkened arena with his song building. IAM - Un bon son brut pour les truands kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Frank Hartier has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McDermott
vs
Hartier

183 cm
25
171
3 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
177
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Punch McDermott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Frank Hartier!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hartier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McDermott.
McDermott closes the distance and clinches up with Hartier, looking for a takedown. McDermott pushes Hartier against the cage but Hartier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hartier throws a series of punches but McDermott moves out of range.
McDermott shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Punch McDermott. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A decent looking cross lands there for McDermott.
McDermott closes the distance and clinches up with Hartier, looking for a takedown. McDermott pushes Hartier against the cage but Hartier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

McDermott moves into range and clinches up with Hartier.

Hartier gets control of McDermott's arms and successfully pulls guard. Hartier will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
McDermott is working Hartier over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hartier is looking to stand back up but McDermott counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Hartier.
McDermott is taking a breather. Hartier says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
McDermott wants to control but Hartier is keeping him busy.
Hartier is trying to stand back up but McDermott is controlling him
McDermott thows a huge punch but Hartier dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartier pushes McDermott off looking to stand but McDermott dives back in and keeps control.
McDermott thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McDermott throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hartier tries to kick McDermott off but McDermott keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
McDermott not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McDermott throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We've been hearing that McDermott has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
McDermott wants to control but Hartier is keeping him busy.
McDermott missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hartier pushes McDermott off looking to stand but McDermott dives back in and keeps control.
McDermott thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hartier is not content to let McDermott control the position.
McDermott missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartier is trying to stand up here but McDermott is controlling him well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
McDermott dives in for a single leg takedown but Hartier sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
McDermott darts in looking for a takedown but Hartier gets double underhooks and turns McDermott into the cage.
Hartier is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Punch McDermott seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hartier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McDermott fails with a takedown attempt.

McDermott clinches with his opponent.
McDermott tries to pull guard but Hartier won't allow it.
McDermott is looking for a takedown.
McDermott is looking to take this one to the mat.
McDermott tries to pull guard but Hartier forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Hartier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hartier fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDermott tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hartier defends well and McDermott ends up having to push Hartier into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hartier wants to clinch.
McDermott throwing a counter right hand but Hartier manages to avoid it.
Hartier closes this distance looking for a takedown but McDermott circles away.
Hartier looks winded!

McDermott moves into the clinch.

Hartier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hartier takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Hartier gets tackled into the cage by McDermott. McDermott maintains the clinch.

Hartier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Donk. McDermott catches Hartier right on the button with a cross.
Hartier tries to clinch but McDermott moves out of range.
Hartier has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hartier there as he acknowledges the shot.
McDermott lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hartier is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDermott sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
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!
McDermott fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hartier looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McDermott throws a shot to the body.
McDermott throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hartier stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

McDermott rushes Hartier and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hartier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hartier takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hartier on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McDermott shoots in for a double leg but Hartier sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McDermott throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hartier's waist but Hartier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McDermott off to one side.
McDermott scores with a jab. Hartier acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McDermott throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hartier's waist but Hartier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McDermott off to one side.

Hartier tries to keep at a distance but McDermott has taken the fight into the clinch.

McDermott decides to pull guard.
Hartier working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

McDermott has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hartier off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Nice body punch from McDermott.
McDermott smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McDermott ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Punch McDermott dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hartier leaves McDermott with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hartier throws a leg kick but McDermott sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Hartier. No joy for McDermott on that attempt.

Hartier takes the fight into the clinch.
McDermott wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Punch McDermott. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDermott is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hartier is defending well.
Hartier fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Hartier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

McDermott closes the distance and pushes Hartier back into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDermott tries to pull guard but Hartier won't allow it.

Hartier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McDermott throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Frank Hartier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hartier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A quick step to the side and McDermott tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hartier has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
McDermott dives in and grabs Hartier's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hartier pushes down on McDermott's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartier looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McDermott tries for a takedown but Hartier sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McDermott has a takedown stuffed.
McDermott scores with a three punch combo!
McDermott goes for a double leg but Hartier avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hartier continues to drive forward.
Hartier goes for a double leg but McDermott avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McDermott continues to drive forward.
Hartier is breathing heavily.
McDermott fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McDermott lands an overhand right.
Hartier on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Punch McDermott is winning the standup battle so far.
Hartier misses with a head kick.
McDermott is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hartier can do to turn this around?
Hartier will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McDermott attempts a counter takedown but Hartier avoids it well and moves away.
McDermott cracks a nice hook into Hartier's ribs.
McDermott is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
McDermott scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
McDermott jabs Hartier to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McDermott misses with a takedown attempt - Hartier sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hartier walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McDermott's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and McDermott duly obliges.

McDermott darts in and clinches Hartier up against the cage.

Hartier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McDermott fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McDermott backing away here, and Hartier unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Hartier wants to clinch.
Hartier lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
McDermott shoots in and drives through. Hartier sprawls well.
McDermott ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDermott throws a combination. Hartier tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hartier defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McDermott.
A jab lands there for McDermott.

McDermott gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McDermott drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hartier gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McDermott wants a takedown but no success here.
McDermott lands with a short shot to the head.

Hartier breaks from the clinch.
Hartier looks for a takedown but McDermott sprawls well.
Hartier takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hartier tries to clinch there but McDermott circles away.

McDermott rushes Hartier and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartier gets underhooks to prevent McDermott's takedown attempt.

Hartier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDermott keeps the fight on the outside.
Hartier slaps away a takedown attempt from McDermott, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McDermott avoids a punch combination nicely.
McDermott shoots in but no luck this time.
McDermott is looking to wear down Hartier with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

McDermott gets a clinch.

Hartier breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hartier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hartier tries to clinch but McDermott moves out of range.
McDermott keeps the fight on the outside.
McDermott scores with a shot to the body.
Hartier takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hartier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A quick step to the side and McDermott tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Punch McDermott 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!

Hartier stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hartier wants it to stay on the feet.
Despite the aggression on Hartier's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
McDermott closes the distance and clinches up with Hartier, looking for a takedown. McDermott pushes Hartier against the cage but Hartier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hartier stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Punch McDermott. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDermott closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hartier circles away.
McDermott will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hartier has taken the fight to the clinch.

Hartier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hartier tries to close the distance and clinch but McDermott swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hartier wants to clinch but McDermott slips to the side
and McDermott counters with a nice body shot.
McDermott scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hartier tries a head kick but it misses.
Hartier tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hartier fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDermott is looking for a counter combo.
Hartier displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McDermott.
McDermott throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hartier's waist but Hartier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McDermott off to one side.
Hartier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hartier tries to clinch but McDermott is having none of it.
McDermott ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDermott shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hartier as he jumps to the side.
Hartier doesn't manage to clinch there - McDermott circles away.

McDermott clinches.
Hartier tries to pull guard but McDermott won't allow it.
McDermott is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hartier to keep the fight standing.
McDermott has Hartier pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hartier manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
McDermott is trying to pull guard but Hartier has him pressed against the cage.

McDermott pulls guard effortlessly.

Hartier stands up from McDermott's guard - Hartier perhaps looking for a knockout.
Hartier is trying hard to land a takedown here. McDermott sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

McDermott has taken the fight to the clinch.
Punch McDermott has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McDermott is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hartier to keep the fight standing.
Hartier is trying to pull guard but McDermott has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDermott has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hartier uses from the top position.
McDermott managing to control the position.
McDermott striking off his back but it's not causing Hartier any problems.
McDermott working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hartier.
McDermott is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hartier with a flurry of punches that miss.
Punch McDermott is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDermott lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

McDermott working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McDermott controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hartier wants to stand but McDermott is controlling the position.
McDermott throws a big elbow that misses.
McDermott throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hartier works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hartier preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartier wants to get back to his feet but McDermott is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McDermott is looking to work some ground and pound but Hartier has wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McDermott lands a jab.
Hartier throws a sloppy head kick and McDermott moves out of range easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hartier looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McDermott shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hartier sprawls well. Hartier wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McDermott gets slowly back to his feet.
Hartier takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McDermott decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McDermott is taking a breather. Hartier says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Frank Hartier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Punch McDermott showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McDermott has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Punch McDermott!
After winning the bout, Punch McDermott thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.