PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nathanial Mcconnell (ranked 23732 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Gunner (ranked 4525 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Mcconnell
vs
Gunner

155 cm
19
193 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

180 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nathanial Mcconnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tom Gunner!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, John Roberts and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gunner throws a wild body kick that Mcconnell sees coming a mile off.
It looked like Mcconnell wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Gunner is looking to land body kicks.
Gunner throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Mcconnell counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mcconnell.

Mcconnell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mcconnell looks to land a left hand but Gunner moved out of range nicely.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mcconnell checks a leg kick.
Mcconnell throws a body kick that misses.
Gunner wants to counter the offense by Mcconnell and move into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mcconnell scores with a takedown into Gunner's guard.
Gunner is looking to stand back up but Mcconnell counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Gunner.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcconnell really is a fat lump.
Mcconnell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gunner defending well though.
Mcconnell stops Gunner from getting back to his feet.

Mcconnell decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Mcconnell fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Gunner to the ground. Mcconnell is now in Gunner's guard.
Gunner is wriggling around but Mcconnell manages to pass to half guard.

Well, if Mcconnell is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcconnell is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Gunner tries to kick Mcconnell off but Mcconnell keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gunner defending well though.
Mcconnell is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Gunner wants to get back to his feet.
Mcconnell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Gunner blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mcconnell.
Gunner is trying to escape back to his feet but Mcconnell uses the scramble to pass into side control.

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.
Gunner managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mcconnell.
Gunner is looking to get back to his feet here but Mcconnell is keeping cool and he's managed to take Gunner's back.
Good control from Mcconnell.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gunner is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathanial Mcconnell dominated 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.

Mcconnell feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Gunner is wriggling around but Mcconnell manages to pass to half guard.

Gunner wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcconnell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gunner is looking to get back to is feet but Mcconnell passes into side control.
Mcconnell lands a few punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunner tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Mcconnell connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Mcconnell raining down shots from the mount!
Mcconnell controlling the pace for now.
Gunner is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell raining down hammerfists from mount.
The referee warns Gunner that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Gunner is trying to stand up.
Mcconnell throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Mcconnell fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Mcconnell breaks from Gunner's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Mcconnell is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunner blocking the ground and pound.
Mcconnell won't let Gunner get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Mcconnell looking to finish Gunner with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gunner!

Mcconnell has control of Gunner's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Gunner regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Mcconnell breaks from Gunner's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell thowing shots but they're missing.
Mcconnell misses with a head shot.
Gunner is squirming around, avoiding Mcconnell's attempts to control the action.
Mcconnell unloading with bombs!
Nathanial Mcconnell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mcconnell thowing shots but they're missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathanial Mcconnell dominated that second round.
That's time! Mcconnell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gunner moves into the clinch.
Gunner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mcconnell's elbow.
Mcconnell tries a knee to the head but Gunner blocks it.
Mcconnell tries a knee to the head but Gunner blocks it.
Mcconnell has Gunner pushed against the cage.
Gunner prevents Mcconnell from breaking the clinch.
Gunner tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mcconnell avoids it.

Mcconnell gets control of Gunner's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mcconnell will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Mcconnell 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunner won't allow Mcconnell to sweep him here.

Mcconnell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mcconnell is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunner struggles to land a body shot inside as Mcconnell controls his hands.
Gunner dodges an elbow strike from Mcconnell.
Mcconnell tries to circle away but Gunner has him pinned against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mcconnell is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gunner is defending well.
Mcconnell throws an elbow that misses.

Mcconnell has clasped his hands together around Gunner's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Gunner wants to get back to his feet but Mcconnell is dominant here and he's now got Gunner's back!

Gunner is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Mcconnell gets his way!
Gunner is trying to get back to his feet but Mcconnell has full control of the position and if anything, Gunner has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunner avoids the strikes from Mcconnell.
Gunner is trying to stand back up.
Gunner covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcconnell tries to keep control of the position but Gunner is staying busy.
Gunner trying to get back to his feet but Mcconnell is in full control for now.

Gunner fending off the submission attempt from Mcconnell.
Mcconnell has Gunner flattened out and is raining down punches.
Mcconnell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gunner can do to turn this around?

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.
Gunner trying to get back to his feet but Mcconnell is in full control for now.
Mcconnell thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Tom Gunner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mcconnell looking to break Gunner's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Gunner remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Mcconnell will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mcconnell is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Gunner has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nathanial Mcconnell showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mcconnell, 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:26
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathanial Mcconnell!