PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Callum McCewen (ranked 2265 p4p, 2035 weight class) and Herio Lupsaka (ranked 306 p4p, 273 weight class). McCewen comes to the cage accompanied by Highway to Hell - AC/DC. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

McCewen
vs
Lupsaka

175 cm
20
163
5 - 0 - 0

185 cm
28
183
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Callum McCewen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Herio Lupsaka!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCewen lands a leg kick that knocks Lupsaka off balance momentarily.
Lupsaka takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lupsaka gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling McCewen to counter with a crisp jab.
McCewen is looking to land body kicks.
Lupsaka has a takedown stuffed.
McCewen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
McCewen throws a leg kick

and Lupsaka counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Lupsaka slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Lupsaka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McCewen working a defensive guard here.
McCewen wants to sweep but no luck.
Lupsaka throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCewen wants to get back to his feet but Lupsaka is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McCewen has momentary wrist control but Lupsaka slips an elbow through the middle.
Lupsaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lupsaka postures up and lands a big shot to McCewen's brow.
Lupsaka throwing strikes from guard but McCewen blocks nicely.
Lupsaka is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
McCewen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McCewen tries to get out of the position.
Lupsaka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two 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.
Lupsaka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lupsaka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McCewen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lupsaka drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and McCewen dives on top into guard.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lupsaka holds on and takes a little breather.
Lupsaka is continuing to stall.
McCewen preventing the sweep.
Lupsaka is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCewen sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lupsaka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McCewen defends well and Lupsaka ends up having to push McCewen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Callum McCewen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herio Lupsaka.
McCewen cracks Lupsaka with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Herio Lupsaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lupsaka shoots for a takedown but McCewen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McCewen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Lupsaka gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McCewen leaves Lupsaka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McCewen tries to sprawl but Lupsaka drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Lupsaka trying to control from half guard but McCewen is working away.
Lupsaka missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupsaka sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McCewen defending well though.
Ground and pound from Lupsaka.
Lupsaka lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCewen is trying to stand back up but Lupsaka is controlling him
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nice strikes from Lupsaka there.
McCewen won't allow Lupsaka to pass to mount.
Lupsaka thows a huge punch but McCewen dodges it nicely.
Lupsaka winds up and cracks McCewen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Lupsaka working McCewen over with strikes.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Lupsaka in particular looking to stall.
Lupsaka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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 Callum McCewen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lupsaka goes for a double leg but McCewen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McCewen continues to drive forward.
Nice sprawl there from McCewen as Lupsaka shoots in.
McCewen throws out a powerful jab.
Lupsaka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McCewen but McCewen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Callum McCewen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herio Lupsaka.
McCewen lands an overhand right.
Lupsaka misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A good leg kick by McCewen.
Lupsaka doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McCewen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McCewen.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting McCewen here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lupsaka tries for a takedown but McCewen manages to get underhooks.
McCewen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lupsakas head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, McCewen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Lupsaka jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McCewen walks away with a smile on his face. Lupsaka gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Callum McCewen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupsaka shoots in looking for a takedown. McCewen tries to sprawl out of it but Lupsaka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McCewen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lupsaka is breathing heavily.
Lupsaka on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lupsaka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McCewen is looking to counter the offense by Lupsaka and move into the clinch.
McCewen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
McCewen misses with a few strikes there.
McCewen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lupsaka shoots in but no luck this time.
It looked like McCewen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
McCewen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lupsaka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McCewen pinned against the cage. McCewen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McCewen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by McCewen. That's going to slow Lupsaka down.
McCewen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McCewen misses with a two punch combination.
Lupsaka changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lupsaka.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice takedown defense from McCewen. No joy for Lupsaka on that attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lupsaka shoots for a double leg takedown but McCewen sprawls well. He's pushed Lupsaka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

McCewen forces Lupsaka back against the cage and clinches.
McCewen misses with a knee strike.
A short right from McCewen on the inside.
Lupsaka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McCewen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
McCewen pushes Lupsaka back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McCewen lands a knee to the body.
Lupsaka looking for a takedown.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McCewen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McCewen obliges.
McCewen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Lupsaka takes a shot to the head.
Lupsaka takes a knee to the side of the body.
McCewen working Lupsaka over with knees to the body.
McCewen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A short right from McCewen on the inside.
McCewen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McCewen lands with a short shot to the head.
McCewen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCewen working Lupsaka over with knees to the body.
McCewen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
McCewen scores a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lupsaka tries to pull guard but McCewen holds him up against the cage and eventually Lupsaka drops back down to his feet.
McCewen taking a breather.
Lupsaka tries for a takedown but McCewen manages to get underhooks.
McCewen throws a knee to the head but misses.
McCewen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McCewen misses with a knee strike.
McCewen lands a nice knee to the body.
McCewen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McCewen.
McCewen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lupsaka's face.
Still in the clinch, McCewen scores with a nice short uppercut.
McCewen slowing the pace effectively.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Callum McCewen dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

McCewen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lupsaka 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.
McCewen stuffs the takedown.
McCewen is looking to chop away at Lupsaka's legs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lupsaka is defended easily by McCewen.
McCewen shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lupsaka eats them both and turns towards McCewen to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Lupsaka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Callum McCewen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herio Lupsaka.

McCewen gets caught napping as Lupsaka dives in and scores a takedown. McCewen manages to retain guard.
McCewen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lupsaka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McCewen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lupsaka.
McCewen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lupsaka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCewen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupsaka showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McCewen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lupsaka can do to turn this around?
Lupsaka throwing strikes from guard but McCewen blocks nicely.
McCewen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lupsaka is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lupsaka with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Lupsaka lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McCewen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lupsaka.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McCewen digs a good hook to Lupsaka's body.
McCewen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lupsaka doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCewen scoring well with a low kick there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lupsaka is defended easily by McCewen.
McCewen cracks Lupsaka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McCewen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McCewen lands a nice hook to Lupsaka's body. Lupsaka takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McCewen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lupsaka shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCewen counters with a straight right hand.
Jab, jab by McCewen - just one landing.
Lupsaka takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Lupsaka's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCewen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Lupsaka.
McCewen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

McCewen instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCewen lands a left hand.
McCewen throws a head punch that misses.
Lupsaka tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lupsaka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McCewen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McCewen just misses with a punch to the body.
McCewen lands a slapping body shot.
Nice uppercut lands for McCewen. That snapped Lupsaka's head back.
Callum McCewen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lupsaka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McCewen. McCewen obviously looking to wear him down.
A jab lands there for McCewen.
McCewen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lupsaka shoots in for a double leg but McCewen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jab, jab by McCewen - just one landing.
Lupsaka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McCewen pinned against the cage. McCewen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCewen scoring well with a low kick there.
McCewen doesn't manage to clinch there - Lupsaka circles away.
Lupsaka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but McCewen defends well and Lupsaka ends up having to push McCewen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

McCewen closes the distance and pushes Lupsaka back into the cage.
Lupsaka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Lupsaka is looking for a takedown.
Lupsaka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McCewen misses with a knee to the head.
McCewen scores a nice knee to the body.
McCewen stalling in the clinch.
McCewen landing knees to the body.
Herio Lupsaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCewen lands a hook that snaps the head of Lupsaka backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Callum McCewen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McCewen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:26
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Callum McCewen!
Callum McCewen decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.