PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franz Maurer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabe McFinney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maurer comes to the cage accompanied by Kołysanka / lullaby. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Maurer
vs
McFinney

200 cm
20
240 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

184 cm
26
230 lbs
1 - 8 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Franz Maurer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Gabe McFinney!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maurer misses with a wild body shot.
Maurer throws a series of punches but McFinney moves out of range.
Maurer is looking to clinch but McFinney is avoiding it.

McFinney gets tackled into the cage by Maurer. Maurer maintains the clinch.
McFinney goes for a takedown in the clinch but Maurer prevents it.

McFinney escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McFinney fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

McFinney shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Maurer is staying active underneath McFinney, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Maurer is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McFinney scores with a couple of nice shots.

Maurer makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Maurer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McFinney paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McFinney darts in looking for a takedown but Maurer gets double underhooks and turns McFinney into the cage.
Franz Maurer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabe McFinney.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McFinney pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurer misses with a telegraphed body shot

and McFinney counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Maurer manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. McFinney keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Maurer pressing his opponent against the cage.

Maurer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McFinney fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Maurer looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McFinney looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McFinney doesn't manage to clinch there - Maurer circles away.

Maurer moves into the clinch.
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!
McFinney goes for a takedown attempt but Maurer pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A slow jab from Maurer misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maurer tries to close the distance and clinch but McFinney swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

McFinney clinches up with Maurer and pushes him back against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Maurer.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Maurer for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.

Maurer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

McFinney throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Maurer was covering up waiting for the punch and McFinney finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Maurer on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maurer tries to get out of the position.
McFinney trying to control but Maurer is working from the bottom.
McFinney looking to pass the guard.
Maurer tries to strike from the bottom.
Maurer wants to stand and escape but McFinney is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McFinney wants to control from the top but Maurer keeps moving.
Maurer will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Maurer pushes McFinney off and gets back to his feet.
McFinney misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Maurer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McFinney ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McFinney shoots for a double leg takedown but Maurer sprawls well. He's pushed McFinney's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McFinney bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
McFinney ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McFinney shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maurer sprawls well. Maurer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McFinney gets slowly back to his feet.

Maurer gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maurer lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Maurer lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Gabe McFinney has been cut.
Maurer lands an elbow inside.
Maurer softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McFinney tries for a takedown. No joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McFinney jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Maurer walks away with a smile on his face. McFinney gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Franz Maurer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maurer stuffs the takedown.

Maurer darts in and clinches McFinney up against the cage.
Maurer comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maurer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Maurer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

McFinney gets the takedown into side control.

Maurer throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Franz Maurer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gabe McFinney's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Maurer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McFinney.
McFinney shoots in for a takedown but Maurer shows good takedown defense.
McFinney should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Maurer throws a combination that misses

and McFinney moves into the clinch.
McFinney tries to stall but Maurer uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maurer lands with a left to the head.

Maurer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maurer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Maurer misses with the combination.
McFinney drops his hands momentarily and Maurer takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Maurer closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling McFinney to counter with a crisp jab.
Maurer tries to clinch up.
Maurer stuffs the takedown attempt from McFinney. McFinney gets slowly back to his feet.
Franz Maurer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabe McFinney.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McFinney shoots in but no luck this time.
McFinney fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Maurer avoids it really well and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McFinney is defended easily by Maurer.
Jab, jab by Maurer - just one landing.
Maurer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McFinney.

McFinney shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than McFinney was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Gabe McFinney has got the better of the ground game so far.
McFinney is breathing heavily.

McFinney working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
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.
Maurer sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
McFinney looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McFinney winds up and cracks Maurer with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McFinney stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Maurer works the jab nicely.
Maurer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Maurer clinches with his opponent.

Maurer breaks the clinch.
Maurer keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurer misses with the combination.
McFinney avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McFinney tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Maurer defends well and McFinney ends up having to push Maurer into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Maurer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maurer thows a body shot but no joy.
Maurer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Franz Maurer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McFinney slips a jab from Maurer.

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

McFinney breaks the clinch.
Maurer misses with a telegraphed body shot
and McFinney counters with a nice body shot.
McFinney changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maurer tries to avoid it but McFinney manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maurer to the ground. Maurer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maurer throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and McFinney counters with a single leg into guard. Maurer didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McFinney is looking to advance position but Maurer has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
McFinney is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFinney tries to lock up and control but Maurer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
McFinney is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Maurer controlling the pace for now.
McFinney tries to hold on but Maurer postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McFinney is desperately trying to improve his position but Maurer has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Maurer lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
McFinney can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Franz Maurer will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gabe McFinney's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Maurer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Some bone on bone action there as McFinney checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McFinney fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Maurer misses with a wild combination.
Maurer tries to clinch up but McFinney circles away and keeps his distance.
McFinney tries to score a power double leg takedown but Maurer sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McFinney somewhat.

Maurer closes the distance and clinches.

McFinney breaks from the clinch.

McFinney closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Maurer to the mat! Maurer manages to get full guard.

Maurer has his feet on McFinney's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

McFinney tries to keep at a distance but Maurer has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maurer breaks the clinch.
Maurer throws a series of punches but McFinney moves out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McFinney changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Maurer tries to avoid it but McFinney manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Maurer to the ground. Maurer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Franz Maurer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabe McFinney.
Maurer misses with a two punch combination.
Maurer slaps away a takedown attempt from McFinney, before circling back to the center of the mat.
McFinney throws the kick towards the body but Maurer avoids it.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Maurer - that will leave a mark!
A big right from Maurer misses.
McFinney circles away from the clinch attempt.
Maurer doesn't manage to clinch there - McFinney circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maurer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sloppy strikes from Maurer. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maurer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Maurer misses with an elbow strike.
Maurer throws a punch but it's blocked by McFinney.
McFinney fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Maurer throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McFinneys head.

Maurer breaks from the clinch.
McFinney fails with a takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McFinney shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Maurer sprawls well. Maurer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McFinney gets slowly back to his feet.
Maurer swings away with a body shot that misses
and McFinney counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maurer lands a right hook to the body.

McFinney shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Maurer makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurer throws a right hand that misses

so McFinney counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Maurer is wriggling around but McFinney manages to pass to half guard.

McFinney wants to work for an arm triangle but Maurer is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
McFinney prevents Maurer from standing back up.
McFinney trying to control from half guard but Maurer is working away.
Maurer is trying to stand back up but McFinney is controlling him

McFinney is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFinney trying to control from half guard but Maurer is working away.
Maurer is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McFinney is trying to work for a kimura but Maurer is defending well.
Maurer is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maurer is staying active underneath McFinney, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gabe McFinney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franz Maurer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McFinney working over Maurer with some ground and pound. Maurer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

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 Franz Maurer.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maurer, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Franz Maurer!
Our winner, Franz Maurer, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.