PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryan McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Starbuck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McCarthy
vs
Starbuck

185 cm
25
180 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

185 cm
24
178 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mike Starbuck!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starbuck takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Starbuck closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McCarthy did well to prevent Starbuck getting side control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Starbuck looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McCarthy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Starbuck on the ground.
McCarthy pushes Starbuck off looking to stand but Starbuck dives back in and keeps control.
McCarthy blocking the ground and pound attempt from Starbuck.
McCarthy slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McCarthy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Starbuck pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCarthy is keeping the position for now.
Starbuck wants to control from the top but McCarthy keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Starbuck pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCarthy is keeping the position for now.
Starbuck throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy keeping full guard, as Starbuck tries to pass.
Starbuck trying to stand up but can't free himself from McCarthy's guard.
Starbuck stands and throws McCarthy's legs to the side, diving into side control.
McCarthy on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McCarthy tries to get out of the position.
Starbuck landing a few strikes.
McCarthy pushes Starbuck away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Starbuck gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Starbuck thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Starbuck trying to control the action but McCarthy is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Starbuck has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
McCarthy scores with a decent looking hook.
Ryan McCarthy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Starbuck closes this distance looking for a takedown but McCarthy circles away.
Starbuck takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Starbuck doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McCarthy leaves Starbuck with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McCarthy connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Starbuck momentarily.

It looks like Mike Starbuck has been cut.
McCarthy lands a glancing blow to the side of Starbuck's head.
McCarthy scores with a hook to the body. Starbuck takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starbuck takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McCarthy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Starbuck looks gassed!
Starbuck tries to bum rush McCarthy with a series of wild strikes but McCarthy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Starbuck fails with a takedown attempt.
Ryan McCarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Starbuck.
Jab, jab by McCarthy - just one landing.
McCarthy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McCarthy wants it to stay on the feet.
McCarthy moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Starbuck closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
McCarthy tests Starbuck's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Starbuck is rocked!
McCarthy cracks a nice hook into Starbuck's ribs.
Starbuck on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy cracks Starbuck with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Starbuck falls to his knees and McCarthy doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:07 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ryan McCarthy!