PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jason McNeil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McNeil
vs
Miller

172 cm
27
157 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

178 cm
27
153 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

MADE IN GERMANY
BLKOUT Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jason McNeil!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zack Miller!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McNeil throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Miller was covering up waiting for the punch and McNeil finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Miller wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and McNeil manages to pass to side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Well, if McNeil is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Miller is trying to stand up here but McNeil is controlling him well.

McNeil is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Miller has managed to free his arm - good work.
McNeil is pressing down on Miller's thigh, looking to free his foot. Miller is holding on for now.
McNeil passes into side control, despite Miller's attempt to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller is trying to buck McNeil off.
McNeil wants to take a breather but Miller manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for McNeil.
Miller is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McNeil is controlling him.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Horrible takedown by McNeil or perhaps it was just good defense by Miller which made him look bad.
Miller misses with a wild combination.

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.
Miller throws a good cross that connects.
Miller throws the left hand but McNeil avoids the punch easily.
McNeil throws a chopping leg kick but Miller manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zack Miller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McNeil shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Miller sprawls well. Miller wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McNeil gets slowly back to his feet.
Miller fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McNeil manages to avoid it.
McNeil tries to move into range but Miller moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Miller feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Miller stopping the sweep attempt from McNeil.

McNeil escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Miller gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Miller tries to stand but McNeil is controlling from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil trying to keep a closed guard but Miller is proving a slippery customer.
Miller wanted to stand there but McNeil had control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zack Miller will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McNeil with a poor takedown
and Miller makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jason McNeil is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Miller lands a jab to McNeil's midsection.

Miller shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McNeil is trying to defend but Miller finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

McNeil is defending against the submission attempts here by Miller.
McNeil moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miller decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Miller shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Miller was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
McNeil regains half guard.
Miller trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McNeil tries to get to full guard but Miller has control of the leg.
McNeil on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Miller scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Miller stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows McNeil to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miller moves into range and clinches up with McNeil.

Miller has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed McNeil clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Miller is trying to stick to McNeil's back but McNeil is turning into Miller. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Miller's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by McNeil.
McNeil prevents Miller from getting back to his feet.
Miller trying to keep a closed guard but McNeil is proving a slippery customer.
McNeil slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McNeil trying to control the position but Miller is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil throws an elbow but Miller slips to the side and avoids it well.
Miller is trying to control McNeil's posture but McNeil avoids it.
Miller pushes McNeil away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, McNeil gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
McNeil tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McNeil attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Miller dodges the punch combination from McNeil.
McNeil dodges the punch combination from Miller.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Miller 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!

Miller stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

McNeil gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McNeil struggles to land a body shot inside as Miller controls his hands.
A body shot lands from McNeil.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McNeil.

Miller escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Miller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McNeil was well out of range. Poor timing from Miller.
Miller falls off balance throwing a combination

and McNeil decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Miller's guard.
Miller wants to get back to his feet but McNeil is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McNeil pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Miller is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller working a defensive guard here.
Miller wants to stand and escape but McNeil is having none of it.
McNeil loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Miller wants to get back to his feet but McNeil is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Miller keeps moving.
Miller wants to stand up but McNeil is controlling him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
McNeil staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McNeil moves out of range of the body kick from Miller.
McNeil tries for a takedown but Miller circles away easily
and Miller counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Miller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McNeil was well out of range. Poor timing from Miller.
McNeil with a poor takedown
and Miller counters with a nice body shot.
Miller misses with a double jab
and McNeil counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McNeil shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Miller's guard.
McNeil trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.
McNeil prevents Miller from getting back to his feet.
Miller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McNeil stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Miller swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Miller pushes McNeil off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil gets cracked there but stands up to it.
McNeil gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Miller counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason McNeil. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Miller, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Miller falls off balance throwing a combination

and McNeil counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason McNeil clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Miller bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

McNeil shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Miller's guard.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Miller keeps moving.
McNeil preventing the sweep.
Miller wants to get back to his feet but McNeil is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Miller is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNeil trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Miller is keeping the position for now.
McNeil trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Miller darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Miller lunges at McNeil with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McNeil's hand.
McNeil misses with a takedown attempt
and Miller counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps McNeil thinking.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
McNeil misses with a takedown attempt

and Miller counters with a nice double leg into side control. McNeil won't be happy with that.

Miller stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller is looking to clinch.

Miller closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McNeil did well to prevent Miller getting side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miller wants to stand up but McNeil has a hold of him and won't allow it.

McNeil is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Miller pulls his head out easily.

Miller stands up and beckons McNeil to join him on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeil takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Danga de danga de dang - Miller scores with a four punch combination!
Miller fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McNeil on the side of the head.
McNeil with a poor takedown
and Miller counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason McNeil. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miller tries to close the distance and clinch but McNeil swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miller throws a chopping leg kick but McNeil manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
McNeil throws a lazy right hand but Miller sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Miller cracks McNeil with an open hand slap.

McNeil scores with a takedown into Miller's guard.
McNeil trying to control but Miller is working from the bottom.
Miller is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Miller controls McNeil momentarily but McNeil frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Miller dominated that fourth round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McNeil fails with the takedown
letting Miller counter with a right hand.
McNeil throws a predictable looking body shot
and Miller counters with a right hand to the body.
McNeil swats away the attempt to clinch by Miller.
McNeil takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Miller is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Miller fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McNeil manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miller lands a nice looking body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Miller bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McNeil with a poor takedown
and Miller counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Miller thuds his right hand into McNeil's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Miller throws a predictable looking body shot

and McNeil counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Miller makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Miller.
Miller wants to get back to his feet but McNeil is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Jason McNeil has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
McNeil trying to control the position from guard on top but Miller is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McNeil stops Miller from standing up.
McNeil postures up in Miller's guard and throws a big left but Miller blocks it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Miller lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McNeil with a lazy takedown attempt
and Miller connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jason McNeil. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller tries to bum rush McNeil with a series of wild strikes but McNeil uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Miller misses with a wild body shot.
Danga de danga de dang - Miller scores with a four punch combination!

Miller shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McNeil manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McNeil is trying to keep Miller in close.
Zack Miller is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil looking to hit a scissor sweep but Miller is one step ahead there.
Miller tries to stand but McNeil is controlling from the bottom.

McNeil has his foot on Miller's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Miller works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zack Miller comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Miller 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zack Miller! Zack Miller retains his featherweight title!