PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pawel Nastula (ranked 23498 p4p, 2832 weight class) and Trevor McDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Trevor McDonald enters the cage!

Nastula
vs
McDonald

185 cm
24
150
10 - 49 - 0

176 cm
42
147
11 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 49 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pawel Nastula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Trevor McDonald!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nastula, pushing him back against the cage.
McDonald looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
McDonald lands an uppercut.
Nastula has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McDonald avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McDonald scores with a shot to the side of Nastula's head.
Our sources have told us that Nastula has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Nastula is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McDonald pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McDonald is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pawel Nastula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right handed body shot lands from McDonald.
McDonald lands an uppercut.
McDonald is pressed up against the cage. Nastula has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McDonald down to the mat. McDonald avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
We've been informed that McDonald 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.
McDonald lands a nice hook to Nastula's body. Nastula takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McDonald keeps the fight on the outside.
McDonald throws a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McDonald leaves Nastula with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nastula doesn't manage to clinch there - McDonald circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nastula shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McDonald manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McDonald is looking to stand back up but Nastula counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by McDonald.

McDonald wants to get back to his feet.

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

Nastula seems to be working for a kimura but McDonald defends the submission attempt.

Nastula is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Nastula is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, McDonald has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nastula is looking for a kimura here.

Nastula wants to work for an arm triangle but McDonald is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
McDonald tries to kick Nastula off but Nastula keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McDonald can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nastula passes to full mount!

Nastula looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Nastula has control of McDonald's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and McDonald regains control of the situation pretty easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McDonald wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nastula is working for a guillotine from mount but McDonald frees his head quite easily.

Nastula looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Nastula working for a guillotine from mount but McDonald is in no mood to give up.

Nastula is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. McDonald can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nastula looking for a guillotine from mount but McDonald is having none of it.
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 Pawel Nastula will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McDonald throws a shot to the body.
McDonald throws the kick towards the body but Nastula avoids it.
McDonald fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nastula on the side of the head.
Nastula shoots in looking for a takedown. McDonald tries to sprawl out of it but Nastula keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McDonald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Trevor McDonald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nastula fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDonald moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Nastula tries to keep at a distance but McDonald has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nastula is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McDonald is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pawel Nastula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nastula goes for a takedown in the clinch but McDonald prevents it.
Nastula goes for a takedown in the clinch but McDonald prevents it.
Nastula is trying to break the clinch but McDonald is controlling him.
A left hand lands to the body for McDonald.
Nastula has McDonald pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. McDonald manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
McDonald scores with a hook to the body.
McDonald stops a takedown attempt from Nastula.
McDonald lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
McDonald lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McDonald.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nastula backwards.
McDonald lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A body shot lands from McDonald.
McDonald gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nastula.
McDonald lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McDonald lands with a light punch inside.
McDonald working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McDonald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McDonald lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nastula backwards.
Nastula wants to take the fight to the mat but McDonald manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
McDonald cracks Nastula with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald scores with a nice hook to the head.
A right handed body shot lands from McDonald.
A short body shot lands from McDonald as the two fighters clinch.
McDonald lands an uppercut.
McDonald pushes Nastula back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nastula is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables McDonald to keep the fight standing.
McDonald lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McDonald lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
McDonald lands with a right to the head.
McDonald presses Nastula against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
McDonald softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a shoulder strike.
A hook to the body from McDonald.
McDonald lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nastula.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right hook to the body lands for McDonald.
McDonald scores with an uppercut up the middle.
McDonald stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
McDonald lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nastula backwards.
McDonald lands a body punch in the clinch.
McDonald lands a body shot in the clinch.
McDonald scores with a hook to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for McDonald.
McDonald works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Trevor McDonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nastula takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

McDonald drives through and clinches with Nastula against the cage.
Nastula drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McDonald gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McDonald is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Nastula gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, McDonald regains guard.

McDonald is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Nastula really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from McDonald.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDonald tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McDonald misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nastula tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pawel Nastula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDonald presses Nastula against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
McDonald tries to work over Nastula's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McDonald lands a body shot in the clinch.
McDonald throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nastulas head.
McDonald lands a body punch.
Nastula takes a shot to the head.
Nastula jumps guard but McDonald stands there with Nastula around his waist. Nastula gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nastula can't get the takedown.
A quick uppercut on the inside from McDonald.
McDonald is working Nastula over against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a left hand.
A short right from McDonald.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McDonald.
Nastula has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McDonald avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McDonald digs a right hand underneath Nastula's ribcage. Nastula let out a lung full of air as it connected.
McDonald cracks Nastula with a nice body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McDonald softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McDonald stops a takedown attempt from Nastula.
A right hook to the body lands for McDonald.
McDonald working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McDonald lands with a left to the head.
Nastula is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nastula takes a shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by McDonald.
McDonald throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nastulas head.
Nastula wants a takedown but no success here.
Trevor McDonald seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McDonald lands with a right to the head.
A short left from McDonald.

Nastula is rocked!
Nastula wants a takedown.
Oh Nastula is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
McDonald lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from McDonald.
McDonald scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDonald lands a body punch.
Nastula seems to have got his legs back now.
McDonald working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nastula is looking to take this one to the mat.
McDonald lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McDonald lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short body shot lands from McDonald as the two fighters clinch.
A short uppercut from McDonald.
McDonald lands a shoulder strike.
A short uppercut from McDonald.
McDonald throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nastulas head.
McDonald lands with a light punch inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Trevor McDonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDonald 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 26:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Trevor McDonald!
As Trevor McDonald got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Honestly, I'm humble because I won but Kurt or Paul whoever is coming outta that championship match up you better be ready for a war!'.