PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilson McGruder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Damascus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Damascus has chosen seek n strike - soulfly as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McGruder
vs
Damascus

191 cm
22
230 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

197 cm
21
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Pure Strength, 142+ for 40$

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Wilson McGruder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Damascus!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Lou da Vinci and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Damascus keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McGruder takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Damascus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McGruder paws at him with a jab and circles away.

McGruder decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McGruder scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
McGruder working Damascus over with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Damascus makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
No luck for McGruder with that takedown attempt.
McGruder is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Damascus.
Damascus scores with a one two! McGruder had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
McGruder tries to score a power double leg takedown but Damascus sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGruder somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilson McGruder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGruder is breathing heavily.
McGruder throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Damascus slips a straight right by McGruder.
Damascus wants to clinch up but McGruder keeps it at a distance.
A left lands for Damascus.
Damascus misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damascus lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Damascus looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Damascus keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Damascus moves into the clinch.

Damascus has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McGruder uses from the top position.
McGruder being controlled here momentarily.
McGruder throws a strike but Damascus rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McGruder on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McGruder tries to get out of the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Damascus is looking to stand up but McGruder won't let him.
Damascus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Damascus connects with a couple of short punches.
Damascus wants to control from the top but McGruder keeps moving.
McGruder wants to stand and escape but Damascus is having none of it.
McGruder knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Damascus on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Damascus scoring with some ground and pound.

Damascus gets to his feet. McGruder looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Damascus throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGruder takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Damascus doesn't manage to clinch there - McGruder circles away.
Damascus misses with the combination.
A punch combination from McGruder misses.
Some wild striking there from McGruder.

Damascus moves into the clinch.
Damascus prevents the takedown attempt.
Damascus scores with a shoulder strike.

Damascus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Damascus swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McGruder avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGruder misses with a takedown attempt - Damascus sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McGruder showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Damascus.
McGruder tries to score a power double leg takedown but Damascus sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGruder somewhat.

Damascus forces McGruder back against the cage and clinches.
Damascus connects with a knee to the head.
McGruder wants a takedown but no success here.

Damascus manages to pull guard.
McGruder is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McGruder scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Damascus has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McGruder works over Damascus with some ground and pound from guard.
McGruder throwing strikes from guard but Damascus blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGruder thows a big elbow that misses.
Damascus wants to stand but McGruder is controlling the position.
McGruder lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McGruder landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGruder in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McGruder cracks Damascus with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Damascus dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McGruder shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Damascus defends it nicely.
Damascus connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Wilson McGruder is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Damascus fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McGruder, pushing him back against the cage.

Damascus has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but McGruder regains guard immediately.
McGruder throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Damascus decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
McGruder misses with a straight left.

Damascus closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Damascus breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Damascus misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McGruder swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Damascus swinging wilding here.
McGruder throws a nice looking combination but Damascus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGruder misses with a two punch combination.
Damascus tries to bum rush McGruder with a series of wild strikes but McGruder uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGruder shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Damascus defends it nicely.
McGruder dives in and grabs Damascus's left leg, looking for a takedown. Damascus pushes down on McGruder's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilson McGruder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Damascus throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McGruder.
McGruder lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Damascus falls off balance throwing a combination

and McGruder counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McGruder.
McGruder throws a big right hand that misses.
McGruder throwing strikes from guard but Damascus blocks nicely.
McGruder throws a strike but Damascus rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Damascus passes into half guard.
McGruder throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
McGruder landing strikes from the bottom.

Damascus stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Damascus moves out of range of the strikes.
McGruder looks to land a combination but Damascus avoids it well.
McGruder falls off balance throwing a combination
and Damascus counters with a nice leg kick.
McGruder loads up on a big right hand but Damascus slips the punch.
Damascus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wilson McGruder seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Damascus moves into range and clinches up with McGruder.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGruder tries to score a body lock takedown but Damascus shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Damascus breaks the clinch.
Damascus displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McGruder.
Damascus throws a one two combo.

Damascus has closed the distance and engaged McGruder in a clinch.
McGruder goes for a takedown in the clinch but Damascus prevents it.
Damascus lands a knee to the head.
McGruder has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Damascus avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McGruder changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Damascus fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Damascus looks to land a combination. McGruder sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
McGruder misses with the combination.

Damascus pushes McGruder up against the cage in a clinch.
McGruder prevents the takedown attempt.
Damascus lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Damascus gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McGruder.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Damascus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGruder dives in and grabs Damascus's left leg, looking for a takedown. Damascus pushes down on McGruder's head and hops out.
Damascus lands a two punch combo.
Damascus keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Damascus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McGruder!
Damascus throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGruder fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice uppercut there from Damascus.
Damascus looks to land a combination but McGruder avoids it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGruder misses with a double jab.
A punch combination from McGruder misses.
Damascus lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
McGruder misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Damascus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Horrible takedown by McGruder or perhaps it was just good defense by Damascus which made him look bad.
Damascus moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Damascus tries to clinch there but McGruder circles away.
Damascus darts in trying to clinch
and McGruder counters with a stiff right hand.
McGruder keeps the fight on the outside.
Damascus connects with a high kick.

McGruder scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
McGruder working the head and body with strikes.
McGruder tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Damascus is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked McGruder off and has taken his back!
Damascus has McGruder flattened out and is raining down punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Damascus has McGruder flattened out and is raining down punches.
McGruder can't escape the position.
Damascus is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Damascus gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Damascus gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Damascus apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Damascus uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McGruder.

McGruder closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Damascus did well to prevent McGruder getting side control.
Damascus trying to control here.
Damascus avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McGruder.
McGruder thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Damascus to regain full guard.
McGruder postures up.
Damascus working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McGruder.
Damascus is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGruder postures up and lands a big shot to Damascus's brow.
McGruder postures up in Damascus's guard and throws a big left but Damascus blocks it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Damascus showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGruder.
Damascus falls off balance throwing a combination
and McGruder counters with a one-two to the body.
McGruder showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Damascus.
McGruder takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A chopping leg kick lands by Damascus.
Damascus doesn't manage to clinch there - McGruder circles away.
Damascus throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McGruder.
Damascus showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGruder.
Danga de danga de dang - Damascus scores with a four punch combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Damascus is looking to slow McGruder down with leg kicks.
McGruder lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McGruder is defended easily by Damascus.
Damascus throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and McGruder counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from McGruder misses the target.
Alex Damascus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A left and a right from Damascus both land. Nice combination.
Damascus thuds a left hand into McGruder's body.
McGruder shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilson McGruder. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Damascus throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McGruder.
Damascus tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGruder swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Damascus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Damascus is looking to clinch.
Damascus tries to clinch up.
Damascus tries to clinch up.
McGruder throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

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.
McGruder misses with a takedown attempt - Damascus sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Damascus is looking to clinch.
McGruder is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Damascus lands with a right hand.
McGruder tries for a takedown but Damascus circles away easily
and Damascus counters with a thumping low kick.
Damascus moves in looking to clinch but McGruder pushes him off.
Damascus throws out a loose jab but McGruder uses good head movement to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from McGruder.
Wilson McGruder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGruder takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
McGruder lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Damascus circles away quickly and effectively.
McGruder throws a nice looking combination but Damascus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Damascus misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Damascus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McGruder swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Damascus counters with a nice leg kick.
Damascus moves in looking to clinch but McGruder pushes him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Wilson McGruder.
I think Damascus has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Damascus!