PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joad Cressbeckler (ranked 33 p4p, 114 weight class) and Cormac McCarthy (ranked 4 p4p, 17 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Cressbeckler might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to American Remains. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Cressbeckler
vs
McCarthy

177 cm
34
177
35 - 15 - 0

183 cm
27
175
16 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction
Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 35 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joad Cressbeckler!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cormac McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cressbeckler misses with a wild body shot.
Cressbeckler throws a leg kick that is checked

and McCarthy counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Cressbeckler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McCarthy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cressbeckler defending well though.
Cressbeckler keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
McCarthy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McCarthy wants to pass to mount but Cressbeckler is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
McCarthy prevents Cressbeckler from improving his position.
Cressbeckler is concentrating on defense, preventing McCarthy from advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy stalling.
McCarthy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cressbeckler's head.
McCarthy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cressbeckler's head.
McCarthy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McCarthy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McCarthy perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
McCarthy working the head and body with strikes.
McCarthy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McCarthy working over Cressbeckler with some ground and pound. Cressbeckler looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
McCarthy trying to control the pace.
McCarthy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McCarthy wants to pass to mount but Cressbeckler is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy controlling the action here.
McCarthy is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
McCarthy moves nicely into side control.
Cressbeckler being controlled for a moment.
Cressbeckler stops McCarthy from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cressbeckler is not content to let McCarthy control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cressbeckler is trying to control McCarthy's posture but McCarthy avoids it.
Cressbeckler parries the strikes from McCarthy easily there. McCarthy is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cressbeckler to escape.
McCarthy throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McCarthy staying calm.
McCarthy is trying to ground and pound but Cressbeckler uses the momentary lack of control by McCarthy to regain half guard.
Cressbeckler makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler controls McCarthy momentarily but McCarthy frees himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells McCarthy's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McCarthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Cressbeckler keeps moving.
Cressbeckler looking to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Cressbeckler.
Joad Cressbeckler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by McCarthy.
McCarthy misses the shot to the body.
McCarthy misses with a double jab
and Cressbeckler counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
McCarthy moves out of range of the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cressbeckler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but McCarthy moves away.
McCarthy walks forward, straight into a front kick from Cressbeckler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cressbeckler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCarthy was well out of range. Poor timing from Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler throws a body punch but McCarthy moves out of range.
McCarthy drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Cressbeckler defends it well.
Cressbeckler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCarthy.
Cressbeckler misses with a hook to the body
letting McCarthy counter with a right hand.
McCarthy lands with an uppercut that bounces Cressbeckler off the cage and back into range.
McCarthy closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McCarthy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler throwing a counter right hand but McCarthy manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy avoids the body shot from Cressbeckler.
McCarthy tests Cressbeckler's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Joad Cressbeckler has been cut.
The fighters circle momentarily. McCarthy darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Cormac McCarthy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cressbeckler misses the jab.
McCarthy dives in for a single leg takedown but Cressbeckler sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
McCarthy has his takedown stuffed
and Cressbeckler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy misses with a looping right.
It looked like Cressbeckler wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cressbeckler looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McCarthy throws a jab but it's blocked by Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler is looking to slow McCarthy down with leg kicks.
Cressbeckler looks to score with a jab to the body but McCarthy is just out of range.
Cressbeckler throws a lazy right hand but McCarthy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McCarthy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That kick from Cressbeckler tenderised McCarthy's leg. McCarthy is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cressbeckler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCarthy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cressbeckler misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Cressbeckler misses its intended target.
McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Cressbeckler throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cressbeckler keeps McCarthy at a distance using the push kick.
McCarthy lands a nice hook to Cressbeckler's body. Cressbeckler takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Joad Cressbeckler dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joad Cressbeckler's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cressbeckler slips a jab and a cross from McCarthy.
Cressbeckler is looking to counter punch.
McCarthy moves out of range as Cressbeckler throws a body kick.
Cressbeckler takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McCarthy looks to throw the jab but Cressbeckler is out of range.
McCarthy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cressbeckler moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy ducks under a wild hook from Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler lands with a hook. McCarthy tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cressbeckler lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cressbeckler moves out of range of the strikes.
A good leg kick by Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler throws a shot from downtown. McCarthy moves away and avoids it.
McCarthy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McCarthy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Cressbeckler has time to react.
Cressbeckler throws a lazy uppercut
enabling McCarthy to counter with a crisp jab.
McCarthy just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cressbeckler misses with a wild combination.
Cressbeckler lands a really nice looking cross but McCarthy seems unphased.
A swing and a miss from McCarthy.
Cressbeckler waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCarthy.
A countering left hand to the body from McCarthy misses.
Cressbeckler turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cressbeckler lands a jab to McCarthy's midsection.
Cressbeckler misses with a right hand

so McCarthy counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
McCarthy controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cressbeckler is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Cressbeckler being controlled here, momentarily.
McCarthy throws an elbow that misses. Cressbeckler uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McCarthy's guard. Nice move by Cressbeckler!

Cressbeckler has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cressbeckler preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McCarthy is on top in guard.

McCarthy is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
McCarthy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McCarthy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cressbeckler knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McCarthy on the ground.
McCarthy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cressbeckler is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McCarthy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McCarthy passes into half guard.
McCarthy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Cormac McCarthy just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Joad Cressbeckler's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cressbeckler lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cressbeckler doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cressbeckler throws an off balance right hand
and McCarthy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cressbeckler looks to land a combination but McCarthy avoids it well.
McCarthy with the counter takedown but Cressbeckler avoids it easily.
McCarthy has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Cressbeckler throws a low kick but McCarthy moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cressbeckler misses with a telegraphed body shot
and McCarthy counters with a nice body shot.
Cressbeckler dips to his left and cracks McCarthy with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cressbeckler shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McCarthy with the counter takedown but Cressbeckler avoids it easily.
McCarthy bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cressbeckler scoring well with a low kick there.
McCarthy throws a lazy uppercut
and Cressbeckler counters with a leg kick.
Cressbeckler misses with a hook to the body
and McCarthy counters with a nice uppercut.
Cressbeckler tries to score with a low kick but McCarthy moves his leg out of the way.
Cressbeckler misses with a lunging right hand
and McCarthy counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cressbeckler misses with a series of wild punches.
McCarthy is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cressbeckler misses with a left hand
and McCarthy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McCarthy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cressbeckler.
And McCarthy tries to counter it with a takedown but Cressbeckler pushes his down on his head and steps out.
McCarthy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cressbeckler sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cressbeckler throws a right hand that misses
and McCarthy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McCarthy misses the body punch
and Cressbeckler makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCarthy. Cressbeckler does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cressbeckler slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A jab from McCarthy does it's job there.
McCarthy moves away from the strike by Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cressbeckler throws a jab when McCarthy was well out of range.
Cressbeckler throws an ugly left hook that misses

and McCarthy counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McCarthy looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
McCarthy is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Cressbeckler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cressbeckler keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCarthy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cressbeckler keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Cormac McCarthy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joad Cressbeckler's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Cressbeckler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCarthy.
Cressbeckler is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Cressbeckler throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McCarthy swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cressbeckler thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cressbeckler connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab by Cressbeckler.
McCarthy takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from McCarthy.
McCarthy's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McCarthy checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
McCarthy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
McCarthy misses with a body shot.
McCarthy connects with a body shot that sends Cressbeckler's belly button to the back.
Cressbeckler misses with a wild body shot.
McCarthy avoids the body shot from Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler misses with a left hand
and McCarthy counters with a nice uppercut.
Joad Cressbeckler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Joad Cressbeckler's cut is getting worse.
McCarthy swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cressbeckler counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McCarthy staying out of range there.
McCarthy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cressbeckler.
McCarthy moves away from the strike by Cressbeckler.
Cressbeckler throws a body punch but McCarthy moves out of range.
McCarthy changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cressbeckler walks into a stiff left hand from McCarthy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy slips under a jab from Cressbeckler.
McCarthy throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cressbeckler counters with a thumping low kick.
Cressbeckler lands a jab to the nose.
Cressbeckler misses with a telegraphed body shot
and McCarthy counters with a straight right hand.
Cressbeckler walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cressbeckler comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cressbeckler thows a leg kick but McCarthy checks it
and McCarthy counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cressbeckler manages to avoid it.
Cressbeckler tried to counter with a leg kick but McCarthy avoided it.
Cressbeckler misses with a right hand
and McCarthy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McCarthy takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cormac McCarthy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCarthy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Joad Cressbeckler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cressbeckler throws an overhand right that lands on McCarthy's shoulder, as McCarthy tries to avoid the shot.
McCarthy misses with a left hand
and Cressbeckler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joad Cressbeckler.
I think McCarthy has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cormac McCarthy!
Cormac McCarthy is the new welterweight champion!
A victorious Cormac McCarthy thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.