PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shane MacGowan (ranked 1049 p4p, 153 weight class) and Evan Rooney (ranked 2008 p4p, 271 weight class). MacGowan's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Pogues - Streams of Whiskey. Shane MacGowan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

MacGowan
vs
Rooney

185 cm
19
180 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
177 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Revenge Clothing

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shane MacGowan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Evan Rooney!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Steve Montenegro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rooney throws a wild body kick that MacGowan sees coming a mile off.
Rooney avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rooney moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rooney throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rooney lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rooney takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A head kick misses from Rooney.
Rooney misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rooney throws a wild body kick that MacGowan sees coming a mile off.
MacGowan looks to land a right hand but Rooney moved out of range.
MacGowan moves out of range of the body kick.
MacGowan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rooney tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
MacGowan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacGowan drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rooney is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and MacGowan dives into side control.

MacGowan throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
MacGowan throws a strike aimed at the side of Rooney's head but Rooney avoids it well.
Rooney pushes MacGowan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, MacGowan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacGowan postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

MacGowan is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rooney has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rooney tries to buck MacGowan off but MacGowan is having none of it.
You can see the frustration on Rooney's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
MacGowan prevents Rooney from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
MacGowan works to advance to full mount. Rooney defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
MacGowan content just to control the position here.
MacGowan working Rooney over with strikes here.
Rooney wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by MacGowan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
MacGowan throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
MacGowan content just to control the position here.
MacGowan throws some wild stikes that Rooney manages to avoid easily.
MacGowan lands a couple of good shots and Rooney has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacGowan is looking for a choke. Rooney gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Rooney manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
MacGowan has a closed guard, preventing Rooney from standing up.
MacGowan has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Rooney would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
MacGowan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rooney would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

MacGowan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
MacGowan looking for subs off his back but Rooney has passed one foot through into half guard.
MacGowan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if MacGowan tries to get out of the position.
MacGowan wants to control but Rooney is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. MacGowan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
MacGowan wants to sweep here but Rooney controlling him for the moment.

MacGowan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
MacGowan is adopting a defensive guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane MacGowan 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.

Rooney fakes the leg kick and cracks MacGowan in the body.
Rooney lands a nice leg kick that just misses MacGowan's sensitive parts.
Rooney throws a head kick that half lands.
A head kick from Rooney lands but MacGowan takes it in his stride.
MacGowan cracks Rooney with an open hand slap.

MacGowan throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rooney was covering up waiting for the punch and MacGowan finishes the takedown easily into guard.
MacGowan throwing strikes but missing.
Rooney has MacGowan pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGowan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rooney wants to stand and escape but MacGowan is having none of it.
MacGowan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rooney can't keep his opponent in guard - MacGowan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
MacGowan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rooney's head.
Rooney is refusing to be controlled, as MacGowan sits in half guard.
MacGowan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
MacGowan wants to control but Rooney is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
MacGowan sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Rooney preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Rooney wants to control but MacGowan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rooney avoiding damage under a succession of punches from MacGowan.
Rooney is looking to control MacGowan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rooney avoid being mounted?
MacGowan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shane MacGowan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
MacGowan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rooney defending well though.
MacGowan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rooney defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rooney tries to get to full guard but MacGowan has control of the leg.
MacGowan prevents Rooney from standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
MacGowan throws an off balance right hand
and Rooney counters with a flying knee. Nice.

MacGowan scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
An elbow from MacGowan crashes against the mat.
Rooney is trying to buck MacGowan off.
MacGowan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rooney keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rooney avoids any damage from the ground and pound of MacGowan.
MacGowan misses with the ground and pound.
An elbow from MacGowan crashes against the mat.
MacGowan creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
MacGowan sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Rooney is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Rooney manages to get back to half guard.
MacGowan throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
MacGowan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MacGowan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
MacGowan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
MacGowan prevents Rooney from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane MacGowan dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

MacGowan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
MacGowan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
MacGowan takes a kick to the side of the head.
Rooney has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rooney there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rooney misses with a body shot
and MacGowan counters with a nice uppercut.
Rooney misses with the body kick
letting MacGowan counter with a right hand.
MacGowan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rooney defends it nicely.
Rooney misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
MacGowan went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacGowan avoids the head kick by Rooney.
Rooney throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent MacGowan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
MacGowan takes a swing at Rooney's ribcage but misses.
Rooney throws a sloppy head kick
and MacGowan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rooney pulls out of a head kick attempt.
MacGowan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rooney misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Evan Rooney seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacGowan looks to throw the jab but Rooney is out of range.
MacGowan has a takedown stuffed.
MacGowan throws a body punch but Rooney moves out of range.
Rooney misses with a body kick.
Rooney takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Rooney scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Rooney.
MacGowan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Rooney throws a sloppy head kick and MacGowan moves out of range easily.
Rooney misses with a body kick.
It looked like MacGowan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Rooney.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rooney throws a head kick that half lands.
MacGowan misses the jab.
Evan Rooney seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rooney throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Rooney takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

MacGowan changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rooney looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rooney dodges the ground and pound from MacGowan.

MacGowan tries for a kimura but Rooney is defending well.
An elbow from MacGowan crashes against the mat.
MacGowan is looking to take a break and control but Rooney is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

MacGowan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacGowan is trying to get an arm triangle but Rooney is defending well.
MacGowan creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rooney sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rooney tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but MacGowan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rooney prevents MacGowan from moving into mount.
MacGowan throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Rooney parries the strikes from MacGowan easily there. MacGowan is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Rooney to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rooney prevents MacGowan from moving into mount.

MacGowan tries for a kimura but Rooney is defending well.
The ground and pound from MacGowan seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Rooney managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by MacGowan.
MacGowan working the strikes but Rooney uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
MacGowan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
MacGowan looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
MacGowan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
MacGowan thows a huge punch but Rooney dodges it nicely.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rooney manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Shane MacGowan did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

MacGowan lands a right hook to the body.
MacGowan misses with a looping left.
Rooney looks to throw a body kick
and MacGowan counters with a straight right hand.

MacGowan gets a double leg takedown into Rooney's guard.
Rooney working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from MacGowan.
MacGowan is looking to work some ground and pound but Rooney has wrist control.
Rooney managing to control the position.
MacGowan trying to control but Rooney is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGowan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rooney avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
MacGowan's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
MacGowan works the jab nicely.
Good standup being displayed there by MacGowan as he connects with a hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from MacGowan. Rooney does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rooney misses with a head kick.
Rooney tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rooney defending well as MacGowan loads up on a big left hand.
MacGowan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rooney.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rooney tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
MacGowan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rooney can do to turn this around?
MacGowan misses with a straight left.
Rooney turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Crunch! Rooney slams his shin into MacGowan's torso.
Evan Rooney is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rooney throws a wild body kick that MacGowan sees coming a mile off.
MacGowan throws a big counter combination but Rooney scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
MacGowan is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Rooney goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rooney fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. MacGowan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rooney throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Rooney tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rooney ducks down and throws a hook to the body but MacGowan moves away.
Rooney defending well as MacGowan loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rooney scores with a head kick. MacGowan tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

MacGowan shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
MacGowan has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rooney is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
MacGowan postures up and lands a big shot to Rooney's brow.
MacGowan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rooney can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as MacGowan controls the pace.
MacGowan wants to control from the top but Rooney keeps moving.
MacGowan prevents Rooney from getting back to his feet.
Rooney keeping full guard, as MacGowan tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan throwing strikes from guard but Rooney blocks nicely.
Rooney wants to get back to his feet but MacGowan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rooney thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on MacGowan if he has to take too many more of those.
Rooney throws a body kick, spinning off balance
letting MacGowan counter with a right hand.
MacGowan looks to land a right hand but Rooney moved out of range.
Rooney tries to work over MacGowan's front leg with a kick but MacGowan checks it.

Rooney gets caught flat footed, as MacGowan shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MacGowan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane MacGowan had his way with Evan Rooney in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

MacGowan takes a swing at Rooney's ribcage but misses.
Rooney fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and MacGowan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rooney is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down MacGowan rather than just go for the knockout.
Rooney misses with a head kick.
Rooney tries to land a front kick but MacGowan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick by Rooney misses
and MacGowan counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
MacGowan connects with a crisp jab.
MacGowan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rooney momentarily.
MacGowan misses with a hook
and Rooney counters with a low kick, right behind MacGowan 's knee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rooney gets off balance looking for a body kick
and MacGowan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
MacGowan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rooney looks for the body kick but MacGowan saw that one coming.
A head kick misses from Rooney.
MacGowan misses the shot to the body.
Rooney shapes to counter with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rooney throws a head kick that misses
and MacGowan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rooney is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Rooney misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rooney.
Rooney throws a sloppy head kick
enabling MacGowan to counter with a crisp jab.

MacGowan drops Rooney with a left right combo! MacGowan follows him down to the ground into side control.

Rooney is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rooney is not content to let MacGowan control the position.
Rooney is still in real trouble! Can MacGowan finish him?
MacGowan throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
MacGowan misses with the ground and pound.
MacGowan misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Rooney seems to have recovered his senses.
Rooney can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rooney keeps working.
MacGowan misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
MacGowan controlling from side mount.
Rooney struggling a bit here.
MacGowan tries to score with some ground and pound. Rooney controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

MacGowan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rooney is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shane MacGowan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacGowan is looking to take a break and control but Rooney is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
MacGowan controlling the position.
Rooney tries to get back to half guard but can't.
MacGowan working away.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A shot to the body from MacGowan misses
and Rooney counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four 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.
MacGowan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rooney lets loose with a powerful body kick. MacGowan will feel that in the morning.
Rooney throws a head kick that misses.
Rooney tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rooney scores with a kick to the body.
MacGowan will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
MacGowan scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
MacGowan misses with a hook. Rooney ducked under it nicely.
MacGowan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rooney.
Evan Rooney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
MacGowan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane MacGowan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MacGowan, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 50:45
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane MacGowan!
Shane MacGowan retains his welterweight title!
A victorious Shane MacGowan thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.