PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Small Richard (ranked 335 p4p, 3962 weight class) and George McLaughlin (ranked 31 p4p, 0 weight class). George McLaughlin will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Richard
vs
McLaughlin

160 cm
27
146
10 - 1 - 0

170 cm
27
157
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Small Richard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, George McLaughlin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, David Hoff and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McLaughlin instigates a clinch.

McLaughlin pulls guard successfully.
Richard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Richard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richard trying to control the position from guard on top but McLaughlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
McLaughlin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Richard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
George McLaughlin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Richard looks to land a left hand but McLaughlin moved out of range nicely.
Richard looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Richard shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McLaughlin but McLaughlin pushes him off and we're back to square one.

McLaughlin clinches with his opponent.
McLaughlin is trying to pull guard but Richard has him pressed against the cage.
McLaughlin fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McLaughlin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. McLaughlin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Richard wants to pass the guard but McLaughlin is keeping the position.
Richard throws a strike but McLaughlin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Richard controls McLaughlin momentarily but McLaughlin frees himself.
McLaughlin wants to control from the top but Richard keeps moving.

Richard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McLaughlin defends well.
McLaughlin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard is trying to control the position but McLaughlin postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Richard holds on and takes a little breather.
Richard is trying to keep McLaughlin in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
McLaughlin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Richard trying to control the position here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

McLaughlin closes the distance and clinches.
McLaughlin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Small Richard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George McLaughlin.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Richard fails to pull the fight into his guard.
McLaughlin is trying to pull guard but Richard has him pressed against the cage.

McLaughlin manages to pull guard.
Richard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

George McLaughlin dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McLaughlin doesn't manage to clinch there - Richard circles away.
Richard avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McLaughlin moves away from the strike by Richard.
McLaughlin staying out of range there.
A little jabbing left from McLaughlin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
McLaughlin tries to clinch but Richard moves out of range.
McLaughlin darts in trying to clinch

and Richard counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
McLaughlin trying to control from the bottom.
Richard content to control rather than advance.
McLaughlin is trying to control but can't.
McLaughlin felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richard frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaughlin tries to hold on but Richard pushes him away.
Richard controlling the position easily from mount.
McLaughlin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
McLaughlin wants to hold on but Richard pushes him away.
McLaughlin is trying to escape the mount.

That's two 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.
Richard looking to finish McLaughlin with some ground and pound. This is bad for McLaughlin!
Richard takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
McLaughlin gets back to half guard.
McLaughlin is looking to improve his position.
McLaughlin wants to sweep but Richard has passed to side control!
McLaughlin is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaughlin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Richard controlling the position well.
Richard is trying to get back to full guard.
Richard trying to control from the bottom.
Small Richard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Richard is holding on to half guard well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richard is trying to control but McLaughlin passes into side control!
Richard can't do much from the bottom here.
McLaughlin is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Richard's shoulder. That is not cool.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McLaughlin trying to control the action but Richard is working from the bottom.
McLaughlin working away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Small Richard dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Richard closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McLaughlin to the mat! McLaughlin manages to get full guard.
McLaughlin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Richard looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Richard trying to control but McLaughlin is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McLaughlin looking to control but Richard passes into half guard.
Richard controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richard thows a huge punch but McLaughlin dodges it nicely.
Richard lands with a punch from half guard.
McLaughlin trying to control here.
Richard is looking to advance position but McLaughlin won't allow it.
McLaughlin wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McLaughlin trying to hold on to Richard's head to control him but Richard postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
George McLaughlin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richard circles away from the clinch attempt.
McLaughlin moves out of range of the strikes.
Richard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Richard keeps the fight on the outside.
Richard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McLaughlin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big right from Richard misses.

McLaughlin closes the distance and pushes Richard back into the cage.
McLaughlin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

McLaughlin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. McLaughlin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Richard tries to free his leg and advance position but McLaughlin is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richard slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
McLaughlin wants to sweep but no luck.
Richard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Richard showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McLaughlin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Richard is one step ahead there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
No luck for Richard with that takedown attempt.
Richard throws a looping overhand right but McLaughlin ducks down to avoid it.
Richard swats away the attempt to clinch by McLaughlin.
Richard appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Richard keeps the fight on the outside.

McLaughlin takes the fight into the clinch.

McLaughlin jumps guard and drags Richard to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Richard's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McLaughlin looking for a sweep. Not yet McLaughlin, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Small Richard showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Richard has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Small Richard!
Judge David Hoff scores the fight for Small Richard!
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight for Small Richard!

Small Richard wins by unanimous decision!
Small Richard thanked the fans post fight for their support.