PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lucas McCain (ranked 477 p4p, 545 weight class) and Paavali Kontiainen (ranked 74 p4p, 85 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McCain
vs
Kontiainen

190 cm
27
205
12 - 6 - 1

192 cm
27
212
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

HELLBENT

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 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lucas McCain !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paavali Kontiainen!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kontiainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McCain . McCain obviously looking to wear him down.
McCain goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Paavali Kontiainen has been cut.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kontiainen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
McCain ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McCain throws a body shot but no joy.
Kontiainen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
McCain swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCain misses with the body kick
and Kontiainen counters with a flying knee. Nice.
McCain attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kontiainen let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A bone on bone clash there as Kontiainen blocks the leg kick.
McCain missing with a left hand there. Kontiainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McCain throws an overhand right that lands on Kontiainen's shoulder, as Kontiainen tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCain lands a nice hook to Kontiainen's body. Kontiainen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McCain has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Rivers Edge Gym in the buildup to the fight.
McCain scores with a nice right hand.

McCain closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCain working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from McCain fails to land.
McCain doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from McCain .
Kontiainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCain 's elbow.
Kontiainen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kontiainen misses with a punch on the inside.
McCain wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kontiainen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kontiainen cracks McCain with a nice body shot.
Kontiainen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, McCain scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kontiainen lands with a left to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for McCain .
McCain prevents Kontiainen from breaking the clinch.
Kontiainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McCain avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, McCain scores with a nice short uppercut.
McCain working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kontiainen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kontiainen misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

McCain breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kontiainen blocks a head kick by McCain .
McCain missing with a left hand there. Kontiainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kontiainen throws out a counter right but McCain avoids it with no problem.
McCain moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McCain misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Kontiainen to counter with a crisp jab.
McCain thumps Kontiainen with a low kick.
McCain lands a lovely overhand right.
Kontiainen blocks a head kick by McCain .
McCain steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kontiainen.
McCain misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kontiainen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McCain keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lucas McCain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A shot to the body from McCain misses
and Kontiainen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

McCain clinches up against the cage.
McCain tries to throw a body punch but Kontiainen avoids it by throwing McCain back against the cage.
McCain misses with a punch to the body.
McCain lands a shoulder strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCain creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by McCain .
Kontiainen lands a right hand.
A right hand to the body from Kontiainen.
Kontiainen wants a takedown but no success here.
McCain struggles to land a body shot inside as Kontiainen controls his hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kontiainen misses with a short punch on the inside.

McCain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McCain throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain lands a nice looking body kick.
Kontiainen misses with a looping left.

McCain clinches up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McCain .
McCain tries to throw a body punch but Kontiainen avoids it by throwing McCain back against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McCain .
McCain pushes Kontiainen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
McCain working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Kontiainen.
Still in the clinch, McCain scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kontiainen throws a punch but it's blocked by McCain .
McCain blocks a body shot from Kontiainen.
Kontiainen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McCain s head.
Kontiainen prevents a body shot from McCain .
Kontiainen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lucas McCain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paavali Kontiainen.
McCain lands a nice shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas McCain dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paavali Kontiainen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCain slips a straight right by Kontiainen.
McCain throws a jab but it's blocked by Kontiainen.
Kontiainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCain throws out the jab.
McCain lands a right hook to the body.
Kontiainen 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.
Kontiainen moves forwards but McCain connects with a nice, crisp jab.
McCain cracks Kontiainen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lucas McCain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCain thuds a left hand into Kontiainen's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kontiainen misses with a hook. McCain ducked under it nicely.
McCain is looking to clinch but Kontiainen is avoiding it.
Kontiainen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Good exchange - McCain coming out on top.
McCain comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain jabs Kontiainen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McCain cracks Kontiainen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McCain connects with an inside leg kick.
Kontiainen checks the leg kick nicely there.
A big right from McCain misses.
McCain fails in his attempt to clinch.
McCain fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheers as McCain lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kontiainen doesn't seem phased though.
McCain connects with a nice looking jab.
McCain tries to clinch
and Kontiainen counters with a nice body shot.
McCain misses with a looping right.
McCain throws a shot from downtown. Kontiainen moves away and avoids it.
Paavali Kontiainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCain moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McCain takes a swing at Kontiainen's ribcage but misses.
McCain moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKontiainen.
McCain connects with a leg kick.
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!
A lazy body kick from McCain
and McCain takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Kontiainen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

McCain explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
McCain throws a body shot but no joy.
McCain throws out a powerful jab.
McCain fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kontiainen.
McCain misses with an uppercut.
McCain misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCain thuds his shin into the meat of Kontiainen's side.
McCain digs a good hook to Kontiainen's body.
McCain tries to clinch there but Kontiainen circles away.
Kontiainen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McCain is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kontiainen can do to turn this around?
McCain lands a really nice looking cross but Kontiainen seems unphased.

McCain rushes Kontiainen and presses him up against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kontiainen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McCain working aggressively here.
McCain blocks an uppercut.
McCain softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kontiainen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kontiainen blocks a body shot from McCain .
Kontiainen has a couple of punches blocked by McCain .
McCain throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kontiainens head.
Kontiainen lands a left hand that snaps the head of McCain backwards.
McCain digs a right hand into Kontiainen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kontiainen's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kontiainens head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kontiainen is working for takedown but McCain is calmly controlling the position for now.
McCain misses with a punch to the body.
Kontiainen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McCain pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McCain works on Kontiainen's body with a couple of short punches.
Kontiainen is breathing heavily.
McCain scores with a nice hook to the head.
McCain lands a shoulder strike.
Kontiainen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kontiainen has a couple of punches blocked by McCain .
McCain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kontiainen lands with a short shot to the head.
McCain taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
McCain tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCain misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short body shot lands from McCain as the two fighters clinch.
McCain stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kontiainen fails to land.
Lucas McCain has scored more points in the clinch so far.

McCain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kontiainen looks to score with a jab to the body but McCain is just out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lucas McCain dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Paavali Kontiainen's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McCain throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kontiainen feints the counter takedown.
Kontiainen on the wrong end of a nice jab.

McCain rushes Kontiainen and presses him up against the cage.
Kontiainen is working for takedown but McCain is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McCain .
Kontiainen blocks an uppercut.
McCain is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Kontiainen lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kontiainen tries to pass to full mount but McCain defends it.
McCain blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kontiainen.
Kontiainen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing McCain to regain full guard.
Kontiainen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
McCain is looking to stand back up but Kontiainen counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by McCain .
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kontiainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McCain 's head.
Kontiainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCain looks like he's trying to stand up.
McCain regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kontiainen.
Kontiainen is looking to work some ground and pound but McCain has wrist control.
McCain wants to stand but Kontiainen is controlling the position.
Kontiainen throws a big right hand that misses.
Kontiainen landing with the ground and pound.
Kontiainen throws a big elbow that misses.
Kontiainen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kontiainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kontiainen throws an elbow that misses. McCain uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kontiainen's guard. Nice move by McCain !

Kontiainen wants to sweep here but McCain controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kontiainen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but McCain has passed into side control.
Kontiainen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

McCain decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kontiainen to his feet.
Lucas McCain is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kontiainen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nice jab there from McCain .
McCain dips to his left and cracks Kontiainen with an uppercut!
Kontiainen misses the jab.
McCain throws a head kick that misses.
McCain throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kontiainen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

McCain clinches up with Kontiainen and pushes him back against the cage.
McCain lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McCain lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kontiainen backwards.
McCain misses with some punches.
McCain is stalling here.
Kontiainen working aggressively here.
McCain misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCain goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCain lands with a light punch inside.
McCain can't find room to land a body shot as Kontiainen controls the action.
McCain lands a right hand.
McCain prevents Kontiainen from breaking the clinch.
Kontiainen lands a right hand that snaps the head of McCain backwards.
Kontiainen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kontiainen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McCain tries a body shot but Kontiainen blocks it.
Kontiainen lands an uppercut.
Kontiainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from McCain .

And that's the end of the fight!
Lucas McCain showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McCain 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lucas McCain !
A very excited looking Lucas McCain 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.