PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ismael Mcfadden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rose Namajunas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mcfadden
vs
Namajunas

209 cm
20
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

165 cm
21
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ismael Mcfadden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rose Namajunas!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Mcfadden. No joy for Namajunas on that attempt.
Namajunas tries for a takedown but Mcfadden circles away easily
letting Mcfadden counter with a right hand.
Mcfadden throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Namajunas pushes Mcfadden up against the cage in a clinch.
Namajunas is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mcfadden to keep the fight standing.
Ismael Mcfadden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rose Namajunas.
Namajunas is trying to pull guard but Mcfadden has him pressed against the cage.
Namajunas looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Namajunas avoiding damage.
Namajunas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Namajunas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Namajunas tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mcfadden just stands there and leans against the cage.

Mcfadden ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Mcfadden no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Mcfadden is pulling down on Namajunas's head to control his posture.
Namajunas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mcfadden pulls Namajunas in close to his closed guard and prevents Namajunas from doing any damage or advancing position.
Namajunas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mcfadden works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Namajunas throwing strikes but missing.
Mcfadden really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Namajunas advances position into side control!
Mcfadden tries to escape but Namajunas is in control.

Namajunas goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mcfadden rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Namajunas's guard! Nice work there by Mcfadden!

Namajunas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mcfadden wants to stand and escape but instead Namajunas has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Namajunas trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcfadden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcfadden is looking to stand up but Namajunas isn't so interested in that idea.
Namajunas would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mcfadden controlling Namajunas's posture.
Namajunas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mcfadden has control of Namajunas's left arm, preventing Namajunas from doing any damage.
Namajunas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Mcfadden looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Namajunas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mcfadden is trying to control the position but Namajunas postures up.
Mcfadden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Namajunas decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mcfadden, up you get!
Mcfadden avoids the head kick by Namajunas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A telegraphed right hand from Mcfadden misses the target.

Namajunas shoots in and bounces Mcfadden off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mcfadden will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Namajunas trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcfadden is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rose Namajunas will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Namajunas closes the distance and clinches.
Namajunas lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Ismael Mcfadden has been cut.

Namajunas breaks from the clinch.
Mcfadden throws a big shot that misses.
Mcfadden ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Namajunas moves away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Namajunas or perhaps it was just good defense by Mcfadden, which made it look bad.
Namajunas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mcfadden has Namajunas up against the cage in a clinch.

Namajunas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mcfadden scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Namajunas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mcfadden tries to avoid it but Namajunas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mcfadden to the ground. Mcfadden escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ismael Mcfadden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rose Namajunas.
Namajunas is breathing heavily.
Namajunas misses with a takedown
and Mcfadden counters with a nice body shot.

Mcfadden closes the distance and clinches.
Namajunas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Namajunas is trying to pull guard but Mcfadden has him pressed against the cage.
Namajunas can't get the takedown.

Mcfadden gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Mcfadden is taking a breather. Namajunas says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Mcfadden continues to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcfadden tries to stand but can't do so whilst Namajunas controls his leg.
Mcfadden keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Namajunas is positioning himself well to prevent Mcfadden advancing to mount.
Namajunas is looking for a sweep. Mcfadden is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mcfadden takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Mcfadden gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Mcfadden tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mcfadden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Namajunas wants to clinch up but Mcfadden keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcfadden keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rose Namajunas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mcfadden throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Namajunas dives in and grabs Mcfadden's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mcfadden pushes down on Namajunas's head and hops out.
Mcfadden is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Mcfadden closes the distance and clinches.

Mcfadden drags the fight down to the ground.
Mcfadden is pulling down on Namajunas's head to control his posture.
Namajunas wanted to stand there but Mcfadden had control of the position.

Mcfadden wriggles free and stands up.
Nice takedown defense from Mcfadden. No joy for Namajunas on that attempt.
As Namajunas looks to move away, Mcfadden throws a big counter combo but Namajunas just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcfadden lands with a slapping head kick.
Mcfadden tries to land a leg kick but Namajunas saw it coming and moves away.

Mcfadden has managed to clinch.
Namajunas is trying to pull guard but Mcfadden turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mcfadden pulls guard.
Namajunas is looking to work some ground and pound but Mcfadden has wrist control.
Namajunas is fighting to break Mcfadden's control of his arms but Mcfadden is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Mcfadden pushes Namajunas off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Mcfadden closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismael Mcfadden dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ismael Mcfadden's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mcfadden clinches with his opponent.
Namajunas keeps control of Mcfadden as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Namajunas breaks from the clinch.
Namajunas shoots in and drives through. Mcfadden sprawls well.
Namajunas shoots in but no luck this time.

Mcfadden instigates a clinch.
Namajunas jumps guard but Mcfadden stands there with Namajunas around his waist. Namajunas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ismael Mcfadden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rose Namajunas.

Mcfadden gets control of Namajunas's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mcfadden will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Namajunas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Namajunas throws a big elbow that misses.
Ismael Mcfadden overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mcfadden working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Namajunas.
Mcfadden wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Namajunas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Namajunas wants to control from the top but Mcfadden keeps moving.
Mcfadden is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Namajunas can do to turn this around?
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mcfadden holds on and takes a little breather.
Namajunas looking to sit in guard and control but Mcfadden gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mcfadden wants to get up but he can't break Namajunas's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mcfadden slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mcfadden wanted to stand there but Namajunas had control of the position.
Namajunas is striking from the bottom but Mcfadden uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Namajunas is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Namajunas tries to roll over but Mcfadden keeps him under control.
Namajunas taking some punishment here, with Mcfadden in his half guard.

Namajunas looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Namajunas throws an overhand right that lands on Mcfadden's shoulder, as Mcfadden tries to avoid the shot.
Mcfadden looks to land a combination but Namajunas avoids it well.
Namajunas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The fight stays on the outside here - Namajunas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mcfadden has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Namajunas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mcfadden circles away.
Namajunas avoids the body shot from Mcfadden.
Namajunas fails with a takedown attempt.

Mcfadden clinches.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A head punch on the inside from Namajunas fails to land.
Mcfadden prevents the takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ismael Mcfadden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mcfadden 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 Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ismael Mcfadden!
In defeat, Rose Namajunas stepped up to the mic, saying 'Pour some sugar on me...'.