PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Otto McBean (ranked 166 p4p, 657 weight class) and James Clerk Maxwell (ranked 9 p4p, 45 weight class). James Clerk Maxwell will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

McBean
vs
Clerk Maxwell

150 cm
24
135
14 - 5 - 0

165 cm
24
136
13 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
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Bondi MMA 🏝️
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Otto McBean!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, James Clerk Maxwell!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McBean scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

McBean thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

McBean is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Clerk Maxwell knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

McBean goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Clerk Maxwell has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for McBean but great work by Clerk Maxwell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Clerk Maxwell staying calm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McBean is trying to control Clerk Maxwell's posture but Clerk Maxwell avoids it.
Clerk Maxwell looking to control but instead McBean has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Clerk Maxwell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McBean. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Clerk Maxwell controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McBean is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McBean tries to get to full guard but Clerk Maxwell has control of the leg.

McBean actively working from the bottom here.
Clerk Maxwell is taking a breather. McBean 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McBean looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McBean wants to improve his position but Clerk Maxwell is controlling well.
McBean works his way to full guard. Good work.

McBean throws his legs up looking for a submission but Clerk Maxwell uses it to pass to side control.
Clerk Maxwell tries to move to mount but McBean blocks the move with his legs.
McBean might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McBean gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

McBean looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

McBean is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Clerk Maxwell pulls his head out easily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McBean shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Clerk Maxwell but Clerk Maxwell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
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 Otto McBean will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McBean is trying hard to land a takedown here. Clerk Maxwell sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Clerk Maxwell swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Clerk Maxwell stuffs the takedown attempt from McBean. McBean gets slowly back to his feet.
Clerk Maxwell misses with a wild combination.
Clerk Maxwell misses the shot to the body.
McBean fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Otto McBean. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McBean fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Clerk Maxwell bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McBean takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McBean shoots in for a takedown but Clerk Maxwell shows good takedown defense.
A big right from Clerk Maxwell misses.
McBean looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McBean misses with a takedown
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McBean takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Otto McBean has been cut.
McBean misses with a takedown
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Clerk Maxwell stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Clerk Maxwell wants it to stay on the feet.
Clerk Maxwell is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McBean with a body shot.
Clerk Maxwell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McBean shoots in looking for a takedown but Clerk Maxwell manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McBean's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Clerk Maxwell swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McBean closes the distance and clinches up with Clerk Maxwell, looking for a takedown. McBean pushes Clerk Maxwell against the cage but Clerk Maxwell circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Clerk Maxwell is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McBean with a body shot.
James Clerk Maxwell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Clerk Maxwell throws a shot to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McBean.
Clerk Maxwell loads up on a big right hand but McBean slips the punch.
Clerk Maxwell lands with a nice combination. McBean backs away looking to recover.
Clerk Maxwell is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Clerk Maxwell swings and misses with a hook to the body.

McBean throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Clerk Maxwell tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McBean is in Clerk Maxwell's guard.
Clerk Maxwell controlling the position.

McBean drops back looking for a leg! Clerk Maxwell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Clerk Maxwell manages to kick McBean off! McBean jumps back into Clerk Maxwell's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McBean slips nicely into half guard.

McBean is trying to work for a kimura but Clerk Maxwell is defending well.
McBean content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Otto McBean overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

McBean is working for a submission of some sort.
McBean is thwarting Clerk Maxwell's attempts to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McBean wants to control but Clerk Maxwell is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James Clerk Maxwell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Otto McBean's cut.
That's time! McBean's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McBean shoots in but Clerk Maxwell avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Otto McBean seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McBean shoots in for a takedown but Clerk Maxwell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Clerk Maxwell throws an overhand right that lands on McBean's shoulder, as McBean tries to avoid the shot.
McBean shoots and misses
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Otto McBean. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McBean throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Clerk Maxwell's waist but Clerk Maxwell gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McBean off to one side.
Clerk Maxwell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McBean moves away.
Clerk Maxwell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McBean will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
McBean tries for a takedown but Clerk Maxwell circles away easily
and Clerk Maxwell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clerk Maxwell misses with a wild body shot.
Clerk Maxwell has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as McBean is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Clerk Maxwell throws a hook but McBean blocks it.
McBean shoots in for a double leg but Clerk Maxwell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice straight punches there by Clerk Maxwell. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Clerk Maxwell.
Clerk Maxwell missing with a left hand there. McBean was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As Clerk Maxwell tries to get set, McBean tries to push him back and clinch up but Clerk Maxwell manages to avoid the attempt.
McBean shoots in for a double leg but Clerk Maxwell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Clerk Maxwell is looking for the big counter here.
McBean goes for a double leg but Clerk Maxwell avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Clerk Maxwell continues to drive forward.
Nice elbow from Clerk Maxwell.
McBean fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Clerk Maxwell tries to work over McBean's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Clerk Maxwell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Clerk Maxwell leaves McBean with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McBean shoots for a double leg takedown but Clerk Maxwell sprawls well. He's pushed McBean's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Clerk Maxwell connects with a single shot there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McBean.
Clerk Maxwell looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Clerk Maxwell scores with a punch to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Clerk Maxwell lands a nice looking body shot.
Clerk Maxwell looks to score with a jab to the body but McBean is just out of range.
McBean misses with a right hand
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Clerk Maxwell scores with a nice head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by McBean or perhaps it was just good defense by Clerk Maxwell, which made it look bad.
Clerk Maxwell swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McBean tries for a takedown but Clerk Maxwell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Clerk Maxwell let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Clerk Maxwell scores with a shot to the body.
Clerk Maxwell cracks a nice hook into McBean's ribs.
Clerk Maxwell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McBean takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McBean gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Clerk Maxwell counters with a big right hand! Oh McBean is in trouble here! Clerk Maxwell follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). James Clerk Maxwell!
James Clerk Maxwell is the new bantamweight champion!
A relieved looking James Clerk Maxwell thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.