PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mandlenkosi Thulani (ranked 1465 p4p, 610 weight class) and Kevin McGuire (ranked 86 p4p, 36 weight class). Thulani comes into the arena with Zara - Sojaboy blaring out of the sound system. McGuire is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thulani
vs
McGuire

206 cm
30
282
15 - 13 - 0

200 cm
36
265
28 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Conviction
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mandlenkosi Thulani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kevin McGuire!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGuire throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thulani sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thulani misses with a straight left.
McGuire throws a body punch but Thulani moves out of range.
Thulani misses with an uppercut
and McGuire counters with a low kick, right behind Thulani 's knee.
McGuire misses with a looping left.
Thulani takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Thulani lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Thulani thows a left - swing and a miss!

McGuire closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Thulani wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McGuire has him pressed against the cage.
McGuire blocks a body shot from Thulani.
Thulani has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McGuire breaks the clinch.
Thulani ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McGuire moves away.
McGuire thows a left - swing and a miss!
McGuire keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thulani misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thulani throws a shot to the body.
Thulani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McGuire moves away from the strike by Thulani.
McGuire takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thulani scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McGuire dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Thulani looks to throw the jab but McGuire is out of range.
McGuire takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
McGuire misses with a low kick.
Thulani moves away from the strike by McGuire.
McGuire throws a leg kick that is checked
and McGuire takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thulani waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McGuire.
McGuire moves away from the strike by Thulani.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from McGuire misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGuire scores with a leg kick.
McGuire takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The fighters circling - McGuire throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thulani throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McGuire on the side of the head.
McGuire fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Thulani on the side of the head.

It looks like Mandlenkosi Thulani has been cut.
Thulani takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thulani lands a nice shot that snaps McGuire's head back.

McGuire moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Thulani goes down! Can McGuire finish him!?

Thulani is rocked!
McGuire throwing strikes but missing.
Thulani keeping moving, preventing McGuire from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McGuire accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire wants to pass the guard but Thulani is keeping the position.
McGuire missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Thulani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McGuire wants to control from the top but Thulani keeps moving.
McGuire must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McGuire working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Thulani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Crunch! McGuire slams his shin into Thulani's torso.
Thulani is breathing heavily.
McGuire chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A solid leg kick lands there for McGuire.
McGuire dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Thulani. That did some damage!
Thulani misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McGuire! But no joy.
McGuire throws a poor cross that misses
and Thulani counters with a one-two to the body.

McGuire gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McGuire.

Thulani manages to break the clinch.
McGuire bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Thulani lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McGuire is looking to clinch.
McGuire misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thulani.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin McGuire dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mandlenkosi Thulani's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McGuire takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thulani. McGuire does a little dance to reset his feet.
McGuire is looking for the big counter here.
Thulani throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McGuire sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from McGuire on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thulani punishes McGuire's body with a nice straight punch.
Thulani just misses with a punch to the body.
Mandlenkosi Thulani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGuire ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thulani moves out of range as McGuire throws a body kick.
McGuire uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thulani.
McGuire scores with a hook to the body. Thulani takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McGuire connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Thulani momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Thulani showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGuire.
A good leg kick by McGuire.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thulani misses with a looping left.
Thulani throws a jab but it's blocked by McGuire.
Thulani pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McGuire steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
A big right from Thulani misses.

McGuire steps into range and cracks Thulani with a monster punch that buckles his knees! Thulani flops backwards and McGuire dives into his guard looking to finish!
Oh Thulani is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
McGuire trying to control but Thulani is working from the bottom.
Thulani seems to have got his legs back now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thulani is on top in guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGuire keeping moving, preventing Thulani from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire trying to control the position.
McGuire has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Thulani throws a strike but McGuire rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Thulani 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.
McGuire trying to control but Thulani is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thulani looking for a sweep. Not yet Thulani, not yet.
McGuire with a flurry of punches that miss.
McGuire tries to free his leg and advance position but Thulani is retaining full guard.
Thulani is pulling down on McGuire's head. It's preventing any offense from McGuire, at least for the moment.
Thulani lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

McGuire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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.

McGuire working for a triangle but Thulani defends it easily.
Thulani preventing the sweep.
Thulani being controlled here momentarily.
Thulani postures up.

McGuire is looking for a triangle but Thulani pushes his legs off easily.
McGuire looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kevin McGuire showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mandlenkosi Thulani's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Thulani throws a body punch but McGuire moves out of range.
McGuire wants to counter with a clinch but Thulani pushes him away.
Thulani connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Thulani throws a lazy right hand but McGuire sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Thulani misses with a wild body shot.
Thulani throws a shot from downtown. McGuire moves away and avoids it.
Thulani misses with an uppercut. McGuire saw that one coming.
McGuire swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McGuire lands a nice hook to Thulani's body. Thulani takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Thulani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thulani connects with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thulani moves out of range as McGuire throws a body kick.
Thulani closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kevin McGuire seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Thulani throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thulani backing away here, and McGuire unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Thulani throws a hook but McGuire blocks it.
McGuire with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Thulani just misses with a punch to the body.
McGuire replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Thulani blocks it well.

McGuire moves into the clinch.
McGuire is working Thulani over against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thulani wants to get back to striking at distance but McGuire won't allow it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
McGuire keeps control of Thulani as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McGuire goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from McGuire.
McGuire tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thulani's elbow.
McGuire lands a body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from McGuire.
McGuire lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Thulani.
McGuire lands a nice shot to the body.
Mandlenkosi Thulani has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from McGuire.
Good body shot from McGuire.
McGuire throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
McGuire lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as McGuire takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
McGuire pushes Thulani back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short right from McGuire.
McGuire lands a body shot.
Thulani's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
McGuire scores with a shot to the side of Thulani's head.
McGuire misses with a punch to the body.

McGuire escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A nice leg kick lands there from McGuire.
McGuire misses with an uppercut. Thulani saw that one coming.
It looked like Thulani wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Thulani avoids a kick to the body.
It looked like Thulani wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Thulani on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McGuire. McGuire obviously looking to wear him down.
McGuire misses with a body shot
and Thulani counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire misses with the combination.
McGuire throws a lazy right hand but Thulani sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Thulani on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McGuire waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Thulani.
Thulani was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thulani misses the jab.
McGuire appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from McGuire.

McGuire clinches up with Thulani and pushes him back against the cage.
Thulani blocks a body shot from McGuire.
McGuire tries a body shot but Thulani blocks it.
Thulani swings wildly with an uppercut but McGuire uses good head movement to avoid it.
A right hand to the body from McGuire.
McGuire tries to throw a body punch but Thulani avoids it by throwing McGuire back against the cage.

Thulani escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McGuire scoring well with a low kick there.
A jab from McGuire misses.
McGuire throws a low kick but it's checked well by Thulani.

McGuire moves into range and clinches up with Thulani.
McGuire gets through Thulani's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGuire lands a body shot in the clinch.

Thulani escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McGuire attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A good leg kick by McGuire.
McGuire throws a quick inside leg kick.
Thulani misses with an uppercut. McGuire saw that one coming.
McGuire throws a lazy right hand but Thulani sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McGuire just misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kevin McGuire comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McGuire 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kevin McGuire!
Kevin McGuire decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.