PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ford Atlas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pernell McPhee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ford Atlas had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Atlas
vs
McPhee

186 cm
26
177 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
181 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ford Atlas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pernell McPhee!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Chris Saunders and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atlas throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McPhee.
A head kick misses from Atlas.
Atlas moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Atlas throws an off balance right hand
and McPhee counters with a nice body shot.
Atlas blocks a head kick by McPhee.
McPhee stuffs the takedown attempt from Atlas. Atlas gets slowly back to his feet.

McPhee closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Atlas to the mat! Atlas manages to get full guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Atlas trying to keep a closed guard but McPhee is proving a slippery customer.
Atlas is really struggling to control McPhee but he's trying to hold on to the position.
McPhee slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Atlas tries to buck McPhee off but McPhee is having none of it.
A lull in the action here as McPhee stalls from top position.
Atlas is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as McPhee stalls from top position.
Atlas manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McPhee can do anything to dispel that myth.

Atlas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and McPhee defends it well.
McPhee is looking to control Atlas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McPhee avoid being mounted?

McPhee is defending against the submission attempts here by Atlas.

Atlas wants to work for an arm triangle but McPhee is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

McPhee is defending against the submission attempts here by Atlas.
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.
McPhee tries to get to full guard but Atlas has control of the leg.

Atlas is working for a kimura but McPhee is defending it quite comfortably.

Atlas seems to be looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Atlas is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
McPhee is trying to get back to full guard.
McPhee manages to get to full guard.
McPhee told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McPhee trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Atlas wants to get up but he can't break McPhee's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Atlas drops back, looking for a kneebar! McPhee looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McPhee looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McPhee!
McPhee lands a nice forearm strike.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Atlas gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Atlas working to try and regain half guard.
McPhee takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atlas tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Atlas is trying to stand.

McPhee gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McPhee blocks a head kick by Atlas.
McPhee scores with a nice strike.
Ford Atlas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McPhee throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Ford Atlas has been cut.
The crowd cheers as McPhee lands an impressive looking overhand right. Atlas doesn't seem phased though.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Atlas.
Atlas is breathing heavily.

McPhee fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Atlas sprawls well initially but McPhee persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

McPhee postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Atlas to stand up.

McPhee moves into the clinch successfully.
Our sources have told us that Atlas has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Atlas throws a knee to the head but misses.
McPhee throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Atlas blocks it with crossed arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pernell McPhee dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ford Atlas's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Atlas closes the distance and clinches up with McPhee, looking for a takedown. Atlas pushes McPhee against the cage but McPhee circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

McPhee forces Atlas back against the cage and clinches.
Atlas is trying to pull guard but McPhee has him pressed against the cage.

McPhee's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

McPhee drives through with a takedown into guard.
McPhee must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McPhee distracts Atlas with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
McPhee stands up over Atlas, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Atlas trying to control the position.
McPhee slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Atlas has his foot on McPhee's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McPhee works his way back into a safe position though.
Atlas looking for a sweep. Not yet Atlas, not yet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
McPhee pushing down on Atlas's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
McPhee wants to pass the guard but Atlas is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McPhee decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Atlas doesn't manage to clinch there - McPhee circles away.

McPhee shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Atlas manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Atlas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Atlas wants to stand but McPhee is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
McPhee tries to hold on but Atlas postures up.
McPhee is wriggling around trying to escape.

Atlas is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. McPhee can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Atlas is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But McPhee has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from McPhee!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McPhee passes into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McPhee trying to mount his opponent but Atlas defends it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McPhee in particular looking to stall.

McPhee postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Atlas to stand up.
Atlas fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ford Atlas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Atlas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Atlas tries to stand but McPhee is controlling his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McPhee is trying to get back to half guard.
Atlas wants to stand but McPhee is controlling his arm.

Atlas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McPhee is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
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Atlas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McPhee is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Atlas wants to stand but McPhee has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
Atlas preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atlas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
McPhee controlling Atlas's posture.
McPhee's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Atlas is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! McPhee is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! McPhee has escaped and now he's on top!
Pernell McPhee has got the better of the ground game so far.
McPhee wants to control from the top but Atlas keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Atlas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McPhee defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pernell McPhee showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ford Atlas's cut.
That's time! Atlas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McPhee avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Atlas shoots for a takedown but McPhee saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McPhee's corner calls for a 1-2. McPhee obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

McPhee gets a clinch.
Atlas with a knee to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Atlas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Atlas's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Atlas is working for takedown but McPhee is calmly controlling the position for now.

McPhee breaks from the clinch.
Atlas goes for a double leg but McPhee avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McPhee continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ford Atlas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McPhee jumps guard and drags Atlas to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Atlas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but McPhee manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Atlas has McPhee in his guard.
McPhee trying to control but Atlas is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McPhee advances position into side control!
Atlas is not content to let McPhee control the position.

McPhee tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no McPhee has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
McPhee wants to control but Atlas is keeping him busy.
McPhee advances nicely into full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atlas is squirming around, avoiding McPhee's attempts to control the action.
Atlas is working to get back to half guard.
Atlas is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Atlas keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Atlas regains half guard.

Atlas looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McPhee is looking to take a break and control but Atlas is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McPhee seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

McPhee stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Atlas to get to his feet.
Left hook, right uppercut from McPhee.
Atlas fails with a takedown attempt.

McPhee gets a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with McPhee in particular looking to stall.

McPhee postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Atlas to stand up.
Atlas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McPhee counters with a three punch combo that has Atlas backing up. Atlas nods at McPhee to acknowledge the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body kick there by McPhee.
Atlas misses with a hook

and McPhee counters by clinching up.
McPhee lands a body shot.
McPhee is struggling to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McPhee pulls guard effortlessly.

McPhee has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Atlas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ford Atlas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pernell McPhee is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Atlas decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McPhee, up you get!

And that's the end of the fight!
Pernell McPhee comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McPhee 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pernell McPhee!