PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sherman McCullough (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Torsten Ver Magnussen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McCullough
vs
Ver Magnussen

184 cm
26
218 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
26
184 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sherman McCullough!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Torsten Ver Magnussen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCullough lands a nice looking body shot.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've been told by McCullough's head coaches at Helsinki Fight Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McCullough lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Torsten Ver Magnussen has been cut.
McCullough throws a right and a left that both miss.
McCullough lands a body shot.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McCullough manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McCullough scores with a jab. Ver Magnussen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but McCullough moves out of range.
McCullough scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A nice combination there by McCullough.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ver Magnussen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McCullough's head.
Ver Magnussen misses with a series of wild punches.
McCullough connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
McCullough throws a low kick but Ver Magnussen avoids it.
McCullough sets himself, and Ver Magnussen steps forward looking for the clinch! McCullough avoids it this time.
Ver Magnussen checks a leg kick.
McCullough misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen moves in looking to clinch but McCullough pushes him off.
McCullough misses with an uppercut. Ver Magnussen saw that one coming.
Ver Magnussen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McCullough is looking for a counter combo.
A shot to the liver by McCullough. Beautiful body shot.
Ver Magnussen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ver Magnussen misses the jab.
McCullough lands a body shot.
McCullough scores with a body shot.
McCullough lands a right hook to the body.
McCullough is looking to wear down Ver Magnussen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Some wild striking there from Ver Magnussen.
McCullough throws a series of punches but Ver Magnussen moves out of range.
Ver Magnussen tries to counter by closing the distance.
McCullough throws a series of strikes that have Ver Magnussen backpedaling.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCullough blocks a jab.
McCullough blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCullough wants to land a leg kick but Ver Magnussen is out of range.
Ver Magnussen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from McCullough.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McCullough manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McCullough throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but McCullough moves out of range.
Ver Magnussen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch but McCullough swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A left and a right from McCullough both land. Nice combination.
Ver Magnussen throws an off balance right hand
and McCullough counters with a lovely shot to the body.
McCullough tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ver Magnussen was well out of range. Poor timing from McCullough.
Ver Magnussen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
McCullough is breathing heavily.
Ver Magnussen throws a hook to the side of McCullough's head but McCullough sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ver Magnussen misses with a shot to the body
and McCullough connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ver Magnussen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McCullough cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McCullough circles away from the clinch attempt.
McCullough throws a nice looking combination but Ver Magnussen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McCullough lands a really nice looking cross but Ver Magnussen seems unphased.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCullough moves away.
McCullough misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCullough scores with a jab to the head.
McCullough tries to work over Ver Magnussen's front leg with a kick but Ver Magnussen checks it.
McCullough misses with the combination.
Ver Magnussen wants to counter the offense by McCullough and move into the clinch position.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
The fighters circling - Ver Magnussen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've been informed that Ver Magnussen has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ver Magnussen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sherman McCullough seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ver Magnussen moves in looking to clinch but McCullough pushes him off.
McCullough looks to score with a jab to the body but Ver Magnussen is just out of range.
Ver Magnussen doesn't manage to clinch there - McCullough circles away.
McCullough lands a jab-cross combination.

That has opened up Torsten Ver Magnussen's cut even more.
A punch combination from McCullough misses.
McCullough circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen wants to clinch up but McCullough keeps it at a distance.
Ver Magnussen wants to clinch up but McCullough keeps it at a distance.
Ver Magnussen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McCullough sprawls well. McCullough wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ver Magnussen gets slowly back to his feet.
McCullough misses with a wild combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCullough throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ver Magnussen throws a lazy right hand but McCullough sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McCullough moves away from the strike by Ver Magnussen.
Ver Magnussen checks a leg kick nicely.
McCullough just misses with a punch to the body.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but McCullough is having none of it.
Ver Magnussen blocks a low kick nicely.
McCullough throws a series of punches but Ver Magnussen avoids them all with ease.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sherman McCullough dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Torsten Ver Magnussen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ver Magnussen throws a big shot that misses.
It looked like McCullough was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A combination from McCullough does no damage.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Ver Magnussen might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, McCullough has got the better of the exchanges.
McCullough throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ver Magnussen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McCullough wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
McCullough lands with a hook. Ver Magnussen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ver Magnussen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ver Magnussen slips a jab and a cross from McCullough.
A swing and a miss from Ver Magnussen.
McCullough circles away from the clinch attempt.
McCullough throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ver Magnussen.
Good standup being displayed there by McCullough as he connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ver Magnussen slips a jab from McCullough.
Sherman McCullough is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCullough. Ver Magnussen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ver Magnussen looks to score with a jab to the body but McCullough is just out of range.
McCullough swats away the attempt to clinch by Ver Magnussen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCullough misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ver Magnussen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McCullough throws a nice looking combination but Ver Magnussen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McCullough is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ver Magnussen can do to turn this around?
McCullough throws a body punch but Ver Magnussen moves out of range.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch.
A jab lands there for Ver Magnussen.
Some bone on bone action there as Ver Magnussen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch.
McCullough throws a series of strikes that have Ver Magnussen backpedaling.
McCullough throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ver Magnussen.
Ver Magnussen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch.
Ver Magnussen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCullough.
McCullough ducks under a wild hook from Ver Magnussen.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ver Magnussen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen with a hook.
McCullough swats away the attempt to clinch by Ver Magnussen.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
Ver Magnussen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McCullough manages to avoid it.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
Ver Magnussen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ver Magnussen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McCullough swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
McCullough misses with a few strikes there.
McCullough sets himself, and Ver Magnussen steps forward looking for the clinch! McCullough avoids it this time.
McCullough tries a low kick but Ver Magnussen avoids it.
McCullough swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch.
Ver Magnussen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCullough sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
McCullough is looking for a counter combo.
Ver Magnussen misses with a body shot.
McCullough fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ver Magnussen on the side of the head.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch but McCullough is avoiding it.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
McCullough lands the left hand.
McCullough stuns Ver Magnussen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ver Magnussen throws a jab but it's blocked by McCullough.
McCullough throws a head kick but Ver Magnussen moves out of range.
Ver Magnussen moves in looking to clinch but McCullough pushes him off.
Ver Magnussen drops his hands momentarily and McCullough takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch there but McCullough circles away.
McCullough bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ver Magnussen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ver Magnussen tests McCullough's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McCullough swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sherman McCullough is winning the standup battle so far.
Ver Magnussen fails in his attempt to clinch.
McCullough moves away from the strike by Ver Magnussen.
A combination from McCullough does no damage.
Ver Magnussen wants to counter with a clinch but McCullough pushes him away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
McCullough tries to bum rush Ver Magnussen with a series of wild strikes but Ver Magnussen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ver Magnussen throws a sloppy body shot
and McCullough makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ver Magnussen throws out a loose jab but McCullough uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ver Magnussen doesn't manage to clinch there - McCullough circles away.
Ver Magnussen slips a jab from McCullough.
McCullough throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ver Magnussen.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
McCullough keeps the fight on the outside.
Ver Magnussen doesn't manage to clinch there - McCullough circles away.
McCullough moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Ver Magnussen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sherman McCullough dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Torsten Ver Magnussen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ver Magnussen swings for the body but McCullough moves out of range.
Ver Magnussen moves in looking to clinch but McCullough pushes him off.
Ver Magnussen misses with a hook. McCullough ducked under it nicely.
McCullough throws a right hand that Ver Magnussen ducks under and follows up with a left that Ver Magnussen also avoids with ease.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch but McCullough swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ver Magnussen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ver Magnussen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McCullough lands a nice hook to Ver Magnussen's body. Ver Magnussen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McCullough moves out of range as Ver Magnussen strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCullough paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McCullough manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McCullough circles away from the clinch attempt.
McCullough misses with a series of wild punches.
Ver Magnussen checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen wants to clinch up but McCullough keeps it at a distance.
Ver Magnussen moves out of range as McCullough throws a body kick.
Some wild striking there from McCullough.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ver Magnussen. McCullough does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ver Magnussen throws a hook but McCullough blocks it.
McCullough misses with a few strikes there.
McCullough misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCullough keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCullough ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ver Magnussen fails in his attempt to clinch.
McCullough swinging wildly here.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up but McCullough circles away and keeps his distance.
Ver Magnussen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McCullough on the side of the head.
Ver Magnussen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Torsten Ver Magnussen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCullough moves out of range of the strikes.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch.
McCullough displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ver Magnussen throws out the jab.
The crowd cheers as McCullough lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ver Magnussen doesn't seem phased though.
Ver Magnussen is looking to clinch.
Some wild striking there from McCullough.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCullough swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ver Magnussen throws a series of punches but McCullough avoids them all with ease.
McCullough misses with a few strikes there.
McCullough throws a nice looking combination but Ver Magnussen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McCullough misses with the combination.
The fighters circling - Ver Magnussen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ver Magnussen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ver Magnussen misses with a hook.
Ver Magnussen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McCullough swinging wildly here.
McCullough loads up on a big right hand but Ver Magnussen slips the punch.
McCullough avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ver Magnussen throws a body punch but McCullough moves out of range.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but McCullough moves out of range.
McCullough throws a right hand that Ver Magnussen ducks under and follows up with a left that Ver Magnussen also avoids with ease.
Ver Magnussen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch but McCullough swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McCullough lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ver Magnussen wants to clinch up but McCullough keeps it at a distance.
McCullough throws a head kick that misses.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but McCullough is having none of it.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch up.
Nice cross by McCullough.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCullough swats away the attempt to clinch by Ver Magnussen.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but McCullough moves away
and McCullough counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCullough pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ver Magnussen back to the cage. McCullough follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
McCullough circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ver Magnussen fails to land with a series of punches.
McCullough lands with a hook. Ver Magnussen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McCullough throws a shot from downtown. Ver Magnussen moves away and avoids it.
Ver Magnussen throws a shot from downtown. McCullough moves away and avoids it.
McCullough misses with a two punch combination.
Ver Magnussen tries to counter with a clinch but McCullough shakes him off and moves away.
McCullough pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ver Magnussen misses with a wild body shot.
Ver Magnussen tries to clinch but McCullough moves out of range.
Ver Magnussen tries to close the distance and clinch but McCullough swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sherman McCullough is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McCullough lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sherman McCullough showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McCullough has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sherman McCullough!