PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dougal McCraken (ranked 253 p4p, 791 weight class) and Patrick River (ranked 39 p4p, 107 weight class). McCraken comes to the cage accompanied by Bulgine. River has chosen Pantera - Walk as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

McCraken
vs
River

184 cm
38
170
31 - 18 - 0

188 cm
31
171
17 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Brooklyn Apothecary
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 31 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dougal McCraken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 1, fighting out of New York, Patrick River!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping leg kick lands for River.
River comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McCraken smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McCraken has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Chakuriki LA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
River connects with an inside leg kick.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCraken moves away.
McCraken ducks under a wild hook from River.
McCraken quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
River is looking to clinch.
McCraken throws a looping overhand right but River ducks down to avoid it.
River misses with a hook. McCraken ducked under it nicely.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McCraken throws a leg kick but River sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
River throws an overhand right that lands on McCraken's shoulder, as McCraken tries to avoid the shot.
McCraken is looking to counter punch.
River tries to score with a low kick but McCraken moves his leg out of the way.
McCraken throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River throws a body punch but McCraken moves out of range.
McCraken swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
River misses with a low kick.
McCraken throws a looping overhand right but River ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from River finds it's way through McCraken's defenses.
A cross from River lands.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McCraken.
Patrick River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCraken slips under a jab from River.
River lands a leg kick that knocks McCraken off balance momentarily.
River misses with a hook
and McCraken counters with a stiff right hand.
River misses with an uppercut.
McCraken is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
River scores with a leg kick.
Dougal McCraken is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCraken moves out of range of the body kick.
Nice takedown defense from McCraken. No joy for River on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCraken takes a swing at River's ribcage but misses.
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!
Crunch! River slams his shin into McCraken's torso.
McCraken looks to land a body kick but River moved away.
River cracks McCraken with a right hand to the side of the head.
River pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from McCraken misses the target.
River throws a poor cross that misses
and McCraken counters with a stiff right hand.
A decent looking cross lands there for McCraken.
McCraken wants to slow River down by chopping away at his legs.
River thuds a left hand into McCraken's body.
River looks for the body kick but McCraken saw that one coming.
McCraken seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

River has taken the fight to the clinch.
McCraken misses with a body punch.
Stalling in the clinch from River.
McCraken swings wildly with an uppercut but River uses good head movement to avoid it.

McCraken breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken avoids the head kick by River.
McCraken looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
River throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McCraken swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
River jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
River throws a right hand that misses
and McCraken counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
McCraken takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McCraken scores with a jab to the body.
River misses with a low kick.
River with the inside leg kick.
McCraken looks for the body kick but River saw that one coming.
River misses with a hook to the body
and McCraken counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps River thinking.
McCraken scores with the left hand. River knows he should have avoided that one.
Some bone on bone action there as McCraken checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
River misses with a hook to the body
and McCraken connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
River scores with a nice strike.
River fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McCraken.
River is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCraken.
River throws a right hand that misses
and McCraken counters with a lovely straight right hand!
River misses with a leg kick.
McCraken is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
River lands a jab to McCraken's midsection.
Nice straight punches there by River. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of River.
A decent looking body kick lands there for River.
River rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling McCraken to counter with a crisp jab.
A cross from McCraken lands.
River misses with a right hand
letting McCraken counter with a right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River throws a leg kick
and McCraken counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Patrick River will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

River on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
River tries to clinch up.
River fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but McCraken avoids it really well and circles away.
McCraken jabs River right on the nose. River blinks but takes it well.
River scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McCraken doesn't seem bothered though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken walks into a left hand.
River with a nice calf kick.
River throws a right hand that misses
and McCraken counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
McCraken showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from McCraken misses.
River feints and then cracks McCraken's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McCraken down.
River throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McCraken throws a counter high kick but River was just alert enough to avoid it.

River has McCraken up against the cage in a clinch.

River jumps guard and drags McCraken to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

McCraken has gone for a leg lock! River slips out almost immediately though and dives into McCraken's guard.

River throws a big elbow that misses.
McCraken looking to control.

River thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River throwing strikes from guard but McCraken blocks nicely.
River wants to control from the top but McCraken keeps moving.
McCraken trying to keep a closed guard but River is proving a slippery customer.
River won't allow McCraken to sweep him here.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McCraken holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
River with a nice head shot there.
River trying to control but McCraken is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
McCraken scoring well with a low kick there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
McCraken avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McCraken scores with a nice right hand.
River throws a sloppy head kick and McCraken moves out of range easily.
River cracks McCraken with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
River throws a looping overhand right but McCraken ducks down to avoid it.
River fails with the takedown
and McCraken counters with a thumping low kick.
River is looking to slow McCraken down with leg kicks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
River misses with a body kick.
A low kick lands for River.

River has closed the distance and engaged McCraken in a clinch.
River has McCraken pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. McCraken manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Patrick River showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

River misses with an uppercut. McCraken saw that one coming.
River does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
River takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Patrick River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
River shoots in but no luck this time.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCraken scores with a leg kick.
River misses with a body shot.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCraken swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McCraken throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River misses with a shot to the body
and McCraken counters with an outside leg kick.
River wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McCraken checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
River moves out of range of the strikes.
River lands with a nice body punch.
River swings and misses with a shot to the body
and McCraken counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McCraken slaps away a takedown attempt from River, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice body punch from River.
A combination from McCraken does no damage.
River scores with a hook to the body. McCraken takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
River misses with a body shot.
A quick step to the side and McCraken tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
River moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Dougal McCraken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River wants to land a leg kick but McCraken is out of range.
River swings widly with a right hand
and McCraken counters with a nice uppercut.
McCraken is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
River moves out of range as McCraken strikes.
River lands a right hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCraken takes a swing at River's ribcage but misses.
McCraken throws a poor cross that misses
and River cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
River scores with the left hand. McCraken knows he should have avoided that one.
McCraken checks the leg kick nicely there.
It looked like McCraken wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
McCraken bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps River's head backwards.
McCraken slips a jab from River.
River throws a leg kick but McCraken moved away.
A quick step to the side and McCraken tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A slapping leg kick lands for McCraken.
River tries to clinch up.
McCraken appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River has taken the fight to the clinch.
River keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCraken's efforts to push away.
McCraken tries to land knees in the clinch but River avoids the damage to the body.
McCraken is looking to control River's arms but River gets an underhook and turns him. Now McCraken has his back to the cage.
River lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
River utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McCraken.
River is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dougal McCraken has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Patrick River.
River lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McCraken backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McCraken.
River blocking some punches.

McCraken breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
River needs to keep his hands up - McCraken had a free shot at his head there.

It looks like Patrick River has been cut.

McCraken tries to keep at a distance but River has taken the fight into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from McCraken.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCraken swings wildly with an uppercut but River uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCraken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from McCraken on the inside.
Patrick River seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
River lands a left hand that snaps the head of McCraken backwards.
McCraken tries to work over River's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McCraken managing to block the knees to the body from River.
McCraken gets through River's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from River - that landed with a thud.
River doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
River can't find room to land a body shot as McCraken controls the action.
McCraken tries a body shot but River blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCraken creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
McCraken tries to throw a body punch but River avoids it by throwing McCraken back against the cage.
McCraken cracks River with a nice body shot.
A head punch on the inside from McCraken fails to land.
River lands with a left to the head.
McCraken tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dougal McCraken.
Well River has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Patrick River!
An out of breath Patrick River thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.