PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jose Aldo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Scotty McFinnagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aldo's entrance music is Run this town-rihhana. A fine choice. McFinnagan has chosen I'm Shipping Up to Boston as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Aldo
vs
McFinnagan

170 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

200 cm
22
138 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Aldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Scotty McFinnagan!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McFinnagan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Aldo keeping full guard, as McFinnagan tries to pass.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McFinnagan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Aldo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McFinnagan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McFinnagan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McFinnagan won't allow Aldo to sweep him here.
McFinnagan lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McFinnagan passes Aldo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McFinnagan is trying to control the action in half guard but Aldo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
McFinnagan perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McFinnagan lands strikes from half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

McFinnagan is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McFinnagan is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFinnagan is looking to take a break and control but Aldo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nice strikes from McFinnagan there.
Aldo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McFinnagan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McFinnagan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McFinnagan wants to pass to mount but Aldo is defending the position.
McFinnagan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Aldo is looking for a sweep. McFinnagan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFinnagan wants to free his trapped foot but Aldo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McFinnagan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McFinnagan sitting and controlling from the half guard.
McFinnagan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aldo keeps working.
McFinnagan wants to pass to mount but Aldo is defending the position.
Aldo looks like he's trying to stand up.
McFinnagan working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
McFinnagan passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McFinnagan is trying to ground and pound but Aldo uses the momentary lack of control by McFinnagan to regain half guard.
Aldo is looking to improve his position.
McFinnagan working the head and body with strikes.
McFinnagan slips a nice elbow through Aldo's hands, connecting with Aldo's forehead.
McFinnagan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

McFinnagan is working for a submission of some sort.
McFinnagan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aldo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McFinnagan scores with a couple of nice shots.
McFinnagan looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Aldo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Aldo blocking the ground and pound attempt from McFinnagan.
Aldo has hold of McFinnagan's hands but McFinnagan slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Aldo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McFinnagan scores with a couple of nice shots.
It looks like McFinnagan is going to stand back up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McFinnagan connects with a nice short shot to Aldo's temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aldo has hold of McFinnagan's hands but McFinnagan slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McFinnagan thows a huge punch but Aldo dodges it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McFinnagan connects with a nice short shot to Aldo's temple.

McFinnagan is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
McFinnagan is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scotty McFinnagan dominated that round.
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.

McFinnagan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

McFinnagan changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Aldo looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
McFinnagan is chipping away with strikes.
McFinnagan working the ground and pound.
Aldo struggling a bit here.

McFinnagan decides to stand back up. McFinnagan steps back and let's Aldo get back to his feet.
A head kick misses from McFinnagan.
McFinnagan lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Aldo backs up against the cage.

McFinnagan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McFinnagan throws a big elbow that misses.

McFinnagan gets to his feet - Aldo follows without any prompting.
McFinnagan is breathing heavily.
McFinnagan throws a body punch but Aldo moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFinnagan misses with a series of wild punches.

Aldo manages to get an easy takedown there - catching McFinnagan on his heels. He'll look to pass McFinnagan's guard now, I'm sure.
McFinnagan controlling Aldo's posture.
McFinnagan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
McFinnagan looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
McFinnagan 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFinnagan is pulling down on Aldo's head to control his posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Scotty McFinnagan hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Aldo doesn't manage to clinch there - McFinnagan circles away.
McFinnagan tries to bum rush Aldo with a series of wild strikes but Aldo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McFinnagan lands a two punch combo.
Aldo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McFinnagan.
Nice straight punches there by McFinnagan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McFinnagan.

McFinnagan drives through with a takedown into Aldo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McFinnagan with a nice head shot there.
McFinnagan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Aldo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McFinnagan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo trying to control the position.
Aldo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McFinnagan scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McFinnagan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

McFinnagan is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Aldo is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Aldo has escaped and now he's on top!
Aldo stopping the sweep attempt from McFinnagan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFinnagan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Aldo's guard.
McFinnagan throwing strikes but missing.
Aldo wants to sweep but no luck.

McFinnagan decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Aldo, up you get!
Aldo dodges the punch combination from McFinnagan.

McFinnagan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Aldo sprawls well initially but McFinnagan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aldo trying to control but McFinnagan postures up.
Aldo wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scotty McFinnagan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McFinnagan shoots in and gets a takedown into Aldo's guard.
Aldo trying to keep a closed guard but McFinnagan is proving a slippery customer.
Aldo can't keep his opponent in guard - McFinnagan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Aldo trying to control from the bottom.

McFinnagan is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Aldo sees it coming and defends easily.
Aldo flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Aldo has hold of McFinnagan's hands but McFinnagan slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

McFinnagan seems to be looking for submissions.
McFinnagan is looking to take a break and control but Aldo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFinnagan seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
McFinnagan trying to control from half guard but Aldo is working away.
Aldo is trying to get back to full guard.
It looks like McFinnagan is going to stand back up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. McFinnagan lands a nice short elbow.
McFinnagan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aldo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McFinnagan tries to pass to full mount but Aldo defends it.
Ground and pound from McFinnagan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFinnagan lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McFinnagan wants to pass to mount but Aldo is defending the position.
McFinnagan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

McFinnagan is trying to work for a kimura but Aldo is defending well.
Aldo is trying to maintain the position but McFinnagan is very close to passing his half guard.
Aldo flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
McFinnagan drops an elbow to the side of Aldo's head.
McFinnagan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aldo gets full guard.
McFinnagan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McFinnagan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McFinnagan sitting in guard here, content to control.
McFinnagan throws a big right hand that misses.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
McFinnagan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McFinnagan lands a couple of elbows.
McFinnagan is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
McFinnagan wants to control from the top but Aldo keeps moving.
Aldo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McFinnagan controls the pace.
Aldo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McFinnagan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McFinnagan tries to free his leg and advance position but Aldo is retaining full guard.
Aldo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McFinnagan.
McFinnagan throws a big elbow that misses.
McFinnagan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McFinnagan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McFinnagan trying to control but Aldo is working from the bottom.
McFinnagan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scotty McFinnagan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McFinnagan 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Scotty McFinnagan!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Scotty McFinnagan!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Scotty McFinnagan!

Scotty McFinnagan wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Scotty McFinnagan rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.