PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rory MacDonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Starbuck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

MacDonald
vs
Starbuck

185 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rory MacDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Starbuck!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacDonald is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
MacDonald lands a body shot.
MacDonald tries to clinch

and Starbuck counters with a single leg into guard. MacDonald didn't expect that.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
MacDonald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
MacDonald can't keep his opponent in guard - Starbuck advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Starbuck is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. MacDonald doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Starbuck.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Starbuck is working for a kimura but MacDonald is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starbuck is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
MacDonald is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Starbuck is controlling him.
MacDonald keeping full guard, as Starbuck tries to pass.
MacDonald trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
MacDonald looking to control.
Starbuck prevents MacDonald from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Starbuck advances to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacDonald trying to control from the bottom.
MacDonald has hold of Starbuck's hands but Starbuck slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Starbuck is trying to work for a kimura but MacDonald is defending well.

Starbuck seems to be looking for submissions.
Starbuck wants to pass the guard but MacDonald is defending well.
Starbuck passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for MacDonald!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Starbuck pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starbuck landing strikes, looking to finish!
Starbuck prevents MacDonald from getting the reversal.
Starbuck with the ground and pound from mount.

Starbuck is going oldschool here, as he tries to force MacDonald to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so MacDonald shrugs it off.
MacDonald tries to hold on but Starbuck pushes him away.

Starbuck looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
MacDonald stops Starbuck from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald holds on for dear life, controlling Starbuck's posture momentarily.
MacDonald sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
MacDonald is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Starbuck wants to free his trapped foot but MacDonald is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Starbuck is trying to work for a kimura but MacDonald is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Starbuck trying to control the action but MacDonald is working from the bottom.
MacDonald is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Starbuck dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Starbuck takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Starbuck looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
MacDonald tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Starbuck smiles and moves away.
MacDonald moves in looking to clinch but Starbuck pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starbuck avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
MacDonald tries to clinch up.
MacDonald lands a leg kick that knocks Starbuck off balance momentarily.
The fight stays on the outside here - MacDonald looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Starbuck avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
MacDonald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Starbuck paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacDonald closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
MacDonald tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Starbuck smiles and moves away.
MacDonald fails with an attempt to clinch.
MacDonald lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
MacDonald looks to land a combination but Starbuck avoids it well.
MacDonald doesn't manage to clinch there - Starbuck circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald fails with an attempt to clinch.
MacDonald leaves Starbuck with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
MacDonald throws a combination. Starbuck tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
MacDonald connects with an inside leg kick.
Starbuck fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
MacDonald will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacDonald clinches up with Starbuck and pushes him back against the cage.
Starbuck drops to a knee looking for a takedown but MacDonald gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rory MacDonald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Starbuck.

Starbuck gets control of MacDonald's arms and successfully pulls guard. Starbuck will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mike Starbuck has got the better of the ground game so far.
MacDonald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Starbuck swivels though and keeps the full guard.
MacDonald works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory MacDonald dominated that second round.
That's time! MacDonald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

MacDonald tries to clinch but Starbuck moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from MacDonald. No joy for Starbuck on that attempt.
MacDonald tries to clinch up but Starbuck circles away and keeps his distance.
MacDonald tries to clinch but Starbuck is having none of it.
Starbuck swats away the attempt to clinch by MacDonald.
MacDonald works over Starbuck's head and body with a nice combination.
MacDonald tries to clinch there but Starbuck circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacDonald misses with a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from MacDonald. Those never looked like landing.
A combination from MacDonald does no damage.
Starbuck avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
MacDonald rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Starbuck moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

MacDonald gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
MacDonald fails to pull the fight into his guard.

MacDonald pulls guard successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald is trying to keep Starbuck in close.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Starbuck looking to pass the guard.
Starbuck passes MacDonald's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Starbuck is thwarting MacDonald's attempts to control the position.

Starbuck is looking for a kimura but MacDonald is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Starbuck to get the leverage.
MacDonald is looking to escape.
Starbuck wants to pass the guard but MacDonald is defending well.

Starbuck is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, MacDonald has managed to free his arm - good work.
MacDonald wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starbuck has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
MacDonald prevents Starbuck from taking his back.

Starbuck is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but MacDonald is surviving well by controlling Starbuck's body position as best he can.
Starbuck punishing his opponent with strikes.
MacDonald can't escape the position.
Starbuck mounts MacDonald! Really nice guard pass there!

Starbuck working for a guillotine from mount but MacDonald is in no mood to give up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacDonald takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Starbuck raining down shots from the mount!
MacDonald is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Starbuck looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Starbuck looking for a guillotine from mount but MacDonald is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Starbuck looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Starbuck tries to control but MacDonald wriggling away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Starbuck comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Starbuck 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Starbuck!