HAVING BEEN OUT of action for over two years due to a series of injuries, Michael ‘Mayday’ McDonald’s comeback was on the verge of ending in disappointment tonight at UFC 195.
In the second round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, McDonald found himself on the wrong end of a tight arm-triangle choke from opponent Masanori Kanehara.
“He’s got it. He’s got it. He’s got it very deep,” said UFC commentator Joe Rogan, as Kanehara looked set to seal the biggest win of his career.
McDonald had other ideas, however. The Californian somehow managed to slip out before brilliantly transitioning to Kanehara’s back and locking on a rear-naked choke. Seconds later, Kanehara was tapping out as McDonald wrapped up a stunning and unlikely victory.
At just 24 years of age, McDonald — who fought Renan Barao for the interim 135lbs title in 2013 — will hope the win can mark the beginning of another assault on the upper echelons of the bantamweight division.
