PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Herbert Mullin (ranked 1673 p4p, 2920 weight class) and Ger McDonnell (ranked 214 p4p, 324 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mullin
vs
McDonnell

185 cm
36
165
19 - 15 - 1

171 cm
25
160
5 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

IC&E Nutrition
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Herbert Mullin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Ger McDonnell!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mullin dodges the punch combination from McDonnell.
We've been informed that McDonnell has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
McDonnell moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mullin seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Mullin scores with a head kick.

It looks like Ger McDonnell has been cut.

McDonnell tries to sprawl but Mullin drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mullin is looking to advance position but McDonnell won't allow it.

Mullin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Mullin is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McDonnell can do anything to dispel that myth.
McDonnell is looking for a sweep. Mullin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mullin takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mullin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McDonnell is just riding it out for now. Mullin eventually gives up the hold.
McDonnell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mullin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McDonnell trying to hold on to Mullin's head to control him but Mullin postures up.
Mullin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Mullin is keen to just control but McDonnell is a slippery customer.

Mullin is looking for a kimura but McDonnell is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Mullin to get the leverage.
Mullin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McDonnell defending well though.
McDonnell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mullin.

Mullin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but McDonnell sees it coming and defends easily.

Mullin is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell tries to get to full guard but Mullin has control of the leg.
Mullin is keen to just control but McDonnell is a slippery customer.
McDonnell won't allow Mullin to pass to mount.
McDonnell is looking to improve his position.

Mullin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mullin wants to take a breather but McDonnell is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mullin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mullin throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing McDonnell to regain full guard.
Mullin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Mullin trying to control but McDonnell is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McDonnell misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mullin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mullin closes this distance looking for a takedown but McDonnell circles away.
McDonnell throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Mullin tries to clinch there but McDonnell circles away.
McDonnell takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Mullin drives through and clinches with McDonnell against the cage.
Mullin is looking for a takedown.
Mullin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Herbert Mullin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mullin has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed McDonnell clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Mullin is persistently looking for the submission but McDonnell is defending it well.

McDonnell defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Mullin's arms.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDonnell can't escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herbert Mullin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ger McDonnell's cut.
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.

McDonnell looks to land a left hand but Mullin moved out of range nicely.
Mullin half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Mullin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mullin trying to control the position from guard on top but McDonnell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mullin looking to sit in guard and control but McDonnell gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

McDonnell content to stall in guard here.

Mullin isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. McDonnell stacks Mullin on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by McDonnell!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mullin is trying to work for a sweep but McDonnell has mounted him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mullin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Mullin preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Mullin is pressing down on McDonnell's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Mullin isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. McDonnell stacks Mullin on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by McDonnell!
Mullin tries to buck McDonnell off but McDonnell is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonnell trying to control the action but Mullin is working from the bottom.
McDonnell working away.
Mullin is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Herbert Mullin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mullin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mullin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mullin seems keen to control McDonnell's posture.
McDonnell passes into half guard.
Mullin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Mullin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mullin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Mullin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McDonnell is aware though and is defending well.

Mullin looking for submissions from the bottom but instead McDonnell passes into side control.
Mullin is trying to escape the position but McDonnell is controlling the position.
Mullin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mullin won't allow McDonnell to pass to mount.

Mullin looking for submissions off his back.
Mullin tries to roll over but McDonnell keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ger McDonnell will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ger McDonnell's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mullin is looking to clinch.
McDonnell throws out a counter right but Mullin avoids it with no problem.
Mullin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDonnell pinned against the cage. McDonnell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McDonnell throws a jab but it's blocked by Mullin.
Mullin fails with an attempt to clinch.
McDonnell throws a jab when Mullin was well out of range.
McDonnell misses with a looping right.
Mullin closes the distance looking to clinch
and McDonnell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab lands there for McDonnell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonnell is looking to chop away at Mullin's legs.
McDonnell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mullin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McDonnell as he jumps to the side.
McDonnell throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from McDonnell.

Mullin has closed the distance and engaged McDonnell in a clinch.
McDonnell throws a punch but it's blocked by Mullin.
McDonnell scores with a shot to the side of Mullin's head.
Mullin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Herbert Mullin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mullin prevents a body shot from McDonnell.
Mullin wants a takedown but no success here.
Mullin goes for a takedown attempt but McDonnell pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mullin tries to clinch but McDonnell moves out of range.
McDonnell leaves Mullin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDonnell bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mullin's head.
McDonnell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Herbert Mullin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDonnell stuffs the takedown.
Mullin doesn't manage to clinch there - McDonnell circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from McDonnell does it's job there.

Mullin takes the fight into the clinch.

Mullin gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, McDonnell regains guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonnell keeping full guard, as Mullin tries to pass.
McDonnell looking for a sweep. Not yet McDonnell, not yet.
McDonnell preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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

Mullin trying to control the position.

McDonnell got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mullin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McDonnell has managed to get both his arms back between Mullin's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mullin working for submissions but it's allowed McDonnell to get to half guard.
McDonnell trying to control from half guard but Mullin is working away.
Mullin is trying to maintain the position but McDonnell is very close to passing his half guard.
Mullin wants to improve his position but McDonnell is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mullin trying to hold on to McDonnell's head to control him but McDonnell postures up.
Mullin keeping control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mullin looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and McDonnell pushes past his half guard into mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ger McDonnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDonnell 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 Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ger McDonnell!
A very excited looking Ger McDonnell made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.