PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh McGuire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Link James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

McGuire
vs
James

180 cm
22
206 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh McGuire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Link James!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slapping body kick lands there for James.

McGuire clinches up with James and pushes him back against the cage.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McGuire has him pressed against the cage.
McGuire is trying to force a seperation but James has the dominant position.
McGuire makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

It looks like Link James has been cut.

McGuire gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
James trying to hold on to McGuire's head to control him but McGuire postures up.
James wants to get back to full guard.
McGuire is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
McGuire missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is looking to control McGuire's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can James avoid being mounted?

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

McGuire drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McGuire tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.

James is working an open guard so McGuire takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

McGuire has managed to clinch.

McGuire has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics James uses from the top position.
James stopping the sweep attempt from McGuire.
James postures up in McGuire's guard and throws a big left but McGuire blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire has his hands on James's head, controlling the position.
McGuire wants to stand and escape but James is having none of it.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but McGuire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGuire is pulling down on James's head. It's preventing any offense from James, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Josh McGuire just wasn't active enough.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. McGuire tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McGuire manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

McGuire throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. James was covering up waiting for the punch and McGuire finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

McGuire has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McGuire goes for a takedown in the clinch but James prevents it.
McGuire pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire prevents a takedown attempt there.
McGuire is struggling to control the position.

McGuire lands a takedown into guard.
James is trying to hold McGuire in close to prevent damage but McGuire has managed to pass into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James tries to roll over but McGuire keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh McGuire dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Link James's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McGuire shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. James manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

James is looking for a triangle here but McGuire uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
McGuire advances to full mount.
Josh McGuire overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGuire takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGuire goes for an armbar but James turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from James.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McGuire is keeping the position for now.

McGuire throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McGuire pulls James in close to his closed guard and prevents James from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McGuire is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McGuire pulls James in to control the position.
James won't allow McGuire to get back to his feet.

McGuire pushes James off and gets back to his feet.
James wants to clinch but McGuire slips to the side

and McGuire counters by moving into the clinch.
James can't break the clinch.

McGuire is trying to trip James. He has hold of a leg but James is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. McGuire persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McGuire stands up and waves to James to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and James counters with a one-two to the body.
Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by McGuire which made him look bad.
James blocks a jab.
McGuire looks to throw a body kick
and James counters with a leg kick.
James closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGuire circles away.

McGuire closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. James did well to prevent McGuire getting side control.
James is looking for a sweep. McGuire is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McGuire content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGuire decides to stand and escape the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McGuire closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into James's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGuire makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh McGuire dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Link James's cut.
That's time! McGuire's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

McGuire scores a takedown into full mount!
James wants to control but McGuire is having none of it.

McGuire looking for a guillotine from mount but James is having none of it.
McGuire lands with some vicious ground and pound - can James hang on?
McGuire controlling from mount.
James tries to hold on but McGuire postures up.
McGuire is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but McGuire is staying active.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

McGuire looking for a guillotine from mount but James is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James is looking to get to half guard.
McGuire takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
McGuire connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is trying desperately to improve position.
McGuire content just to control the position here.
McGuire could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
McGuire looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
McGuire controlling from mount.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire controlling from the full mount.

McGuire stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

McGuire fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging James to the ground. McGuire is now in James's guard.
McGuire sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of James's head.
James is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
McGuire looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

McGuire gets to his feet - James follows without any prompting.
Link James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Josh McGuire is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McGuire instigates a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh McGuire showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McGuire has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh McGuire!