PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jordan McKenzie (ranked 24265 p4p, 5001 weight class) and Clyde Piper (ranked 662 p4p, 560 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McKenzie
vs
Piper

180 cm
26
175
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
21
175
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite 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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jordan McKenzie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Clyde Piper!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McKenzie tries for a takedown but Piper sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McKenzie misses with the combination.

Piper drives through with a takedown into McKenzie's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
McKenzie keeping moving, preventing Piper from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Piper 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.
McKenzie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Piper is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKenzie controlling Piper's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Piper content to stall in guard here.

McKenzie had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Piper defends it easily.
McKenzie controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Piper throws a strike but McKenzie rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

McKenzie postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
McKenzie postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McKenzie trying to control the position from guard on top but Piper is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Piper had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McKenzie defends it easily.
Piper is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Piper tries to land a sweep but no joy.

McKenzie decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Piper, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Piper shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McKenzie is trying to defend but Piper finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Piper is taking a breather. McKenzie 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.
Piper thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

McKenzie is defending against the submission attempts here by Piper.
Piper with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Piper is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, McKenzie manages to get to full guard.
Piper looking to sit in guard and control but McKenzie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Piper looking to hit a scissor sweep but McKenzie is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McKenzie stands up over Piper, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jordan McKenzie will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

McKenzie gets a double leg takedown into Piper's guard.
Piper is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Piper trying to keep a closed guard but McKenzie is proving a slippery customer.

McKenzie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McKenzie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Piper is trying to control the position from the bottom.

McKenzie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McKenzie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKenzie trying to control but Piper is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenzie is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Jordan McKenzie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Piper. Those never looked like landing.

McKenzie gets a clinch.
Piper prevents the takedown attempt.
McKenzie has Piper pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Piper manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nice body punch from Piper.
Piper is trying to break free.

Piper has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McKenzie regains guard immediately.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Piper trying to control the position from guard on top but McKenzie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Piper would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
McKenzie wants to sweep here but Piper controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Piper trying to stand up but can't free himself from McKenzie's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McKenzie has his foot on Piper's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Piper works his way back into a safe position though.
McKenzie controls Piper momentarily but Piper frees himself.
Piper must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Piper looking to sit in guard and control but McKenzie gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Piper is trying to control the position but McKenzie postures up.

McKenzie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McKenzie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
McKenzie scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Piper looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McKenzie is in close to Piper's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McKenzie chips away with some ground and pound.
McKenzie preventing the sweep.

McKenzie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McKenzie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
McKenzie postures up and lands a big shot to Piper's brow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Piper has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. McKenzie is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Piper.
Piper is breathing heavily.

McKenzie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jordan McKenzie dominated that second round.
That's time! McKenzie's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McKenzie fails with a takedown attempt.

McKenzie clinches up against the cage.

Piper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Piper looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for McKenzie!
Piper is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt McKenzie will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Piper stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Piper shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Piper showed some decent athleticism there.
McKenzie is trying to control but can't.
Piper looks to land a strike but McKenzie avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Piper trying to control but McKenzie is working from the bottom.
Piper showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Jordan McKenzie is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McKenzie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

McKenzie has Piper up against the cage in a clinch.
McKenzie goes for a takedown in the clinch but Piper prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Piper is trying to push McKenzie away but McKenzie has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Piper tries to work over McKenzie's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McKenzie looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jordan McKenzie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McKenzie drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Piper ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Piper no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
McKenzie is looking to work some ground and pound but Piper has wrist control.
Piper keeping moving, preventing McKenzie from controlling successfully.

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.

Piper looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McKenzie's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
McKenzie content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Piper keeping moving, preventing McKenzie from controlling successfully.
McKenzie sitting in guard here, content to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Piper tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Clyde Piper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Piper throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! McKenzie escapes and throws Piper's legs to the side, diving into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Clyde Piper comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McKenzie has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jordan McKenzie!
Jordan McKenzie bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.