PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pull Plugger (ranked 3515 p4p, 3074 weight class) and Keir Toal (ranked 283 p4p, 251 weight class). Toal is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Irish Pub Song. Keir Toal struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Plugger
vs
Toal

150 cm
33
150
18 - 25 - 0

167 cm
37
159
6 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Great low kicks
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Good kicks
Fast

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 18 - 25 - 0, fighting out of London, Pull Plugger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Keir Toal!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Toal closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Plugger did well to prevent Toal getting side control.
Plugger wants to get back to full guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Toal working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Toal wants to take a breather but Plugger is having none of it.
Plugger tries to get to full guard but Toal has control of the leg.
Plugger is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at London MMA Club, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Toal scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Plugger is looking to control Toal's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Plugger avoid being mounted?
Nice strikes from Toal there.
Plugger has hold of Toal's hands but Toal slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Toal perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Plugger regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Toal.

Plugger had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Toal defends it easily.
Plugger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toal works over Plugger with some ground and pound from guard.
Toal is stalling in the full guard.
Plugger wants to sweep but no luck.
Plugger working a defensive guard here.
Plugger pulls Toal in close to his closed guard and prevents Toal from doing any damage or advancing position.
Plugger wants to control the position but Toal says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Plugger might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Plugger looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Plugger is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Plugger manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Toal controlling from the top position.
Toal keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Plugger's head.
Plugger keeping moving, preventing Toal from controlling successfully.
Plugger wants to improve his position but instead Toal has moved into half guard.
Plugger wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toal is nestled in close to Plugger, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Plugger is pressing down on Toal's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Toal trying to control the position from guard on top but Plugger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Plugger has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Toal trying to control the position from guard on top but Plugger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toal tries to free his leg and advance position but Plugger is retaining full guard.
Toal is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Toal must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Plugger escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Toal gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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.
Plugger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Toal is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Plugger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Toal doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Toal manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Toal looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Toal chips away with some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keir Toal dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Toal lands a nice shot that snaps Plugger's head back.
Plugger wants to land a leg kick but Toal is out of range.
Plugger is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Toal.
Toal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Plugger.
Toal punishes Plugger's body with a nice straight punch.

Toal has closed the distance and engaged Plugger in a clinch.
Toal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Plugger takes a shot to the head.
Plugger is trying to drag Toal to the mat but Toal just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Plugger tries to pull guard but Toal won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Toal has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Plugger clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Plugger tries to roll but Toal sticks to his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Plugger trying to control the action but Toal just sinks the hooks in.
Toal controlling the position well here. Plugger rolled but Toal kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Plugger looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Toal is hanging on to Plugger's back as he tries to escape.
Plugger rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Plugger looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Plugger is looking for a sweep. Toal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Toal trying to control from half guard but Plugger is working away.
Plugger tries to roll over but Toal keeps him under control.
Plugger connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Plugger wants to get back to full guard.
Toal is taking a breather. Plugger 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.
Plugger is trying to control but can't.
Plugger is staying active underneath Toal, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toal seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Toal's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Plugger is trying to get back to full guard.
Toal trying to control the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Plugger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Toal.
Plugger swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Toal finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Toal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Toal.
A jab from Plugger misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Plugger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Toal pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Plugger moves forwards but Toal connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A punch combination from Toal misses.
Plugger moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Toal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Plugger.
Toal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Toal throws a quick inside leg kick.
A low kick from Plugger misses

and Toal counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
Toal trying to control but Plugger is working from the bottom.
Plugger controls Toal momentarily but Toal frees himself.
Plugger pulls Toal in close to prevent any damage.
Toal slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keir Toal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Toal takes a swing at Plugger's ribcage but misses.
Plugger tries to land a leg kick but Toal saw it coming and moves away.
Toal tries to counter by closing the distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Toal enables Plugger to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Toal manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Plugger stopping the sweep attempt from Toal.
Plugger pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Toal is keeping the position for now.
Plugger trying to control the position from guard on top but Toal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Plugger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toal wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Toal keeping moving, preventing Plugger from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Toal throws a head kick that misses.
Toal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Plugger throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Plugger throws a series of punches but Toal moves out of range.
Toal throws a jab when Plugger was well out of range.
Toal with a nice cross.
Plugger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Toal moves away.
Toal appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Toal cracks Plugger with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Toal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Plugger.
Toal fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Toal is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Toal takes a swing at Plugger's ribcage but misses.
Plugger half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Plugger misses with a jab to the body

and Toal counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Toal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Plugger looking for a sweep. Not yet Plugger, not yet.

Plugger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Toal doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Toal manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Toal 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.

Plugger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Keir Toal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Plugger is trying to keep Toal in close.
Plugger trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Toal is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Plugger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Toal 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 referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Plugger looking for a guillotine here but Toal defends easily.
Toal slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Plugger is on top in guard.

Toal keeping moving, preventing Plugger from controlling successfully.
Toal is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Plugger wants to improve his position but Toal is controlling well.
Plugger moves into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Keir Toal.
Well Toal has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keir Toal!
A victorious Keir Toal thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.