PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tyson Clay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCarthy has chosen little boxes as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Phil McCarthy was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Clay
vs
McCarthy

170 cm
21
154 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
25
164 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tyson Clay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Phil McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarthy throws a series of punches but Clay avoids them all with ease.
Clay throws a solid leg kick but McCarthy takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Clay.
Clay showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCarthy.
McCarthy lands with a nice combination. Clay backs away looking to recover.
McCarthy throws a nice looking combination but Clay bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McCarthy swats away the attempt to clinch by Clay.
A right-left combo lands from McCarthy.
Clay throws an overhand right that lands on McCarthy's shoulder, as McCarthy tries to avoid the shot.
Clay takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Tyson Clay has been cut.
McCarthy lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
McCarthy scores with a one two! Clay had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
McCarthy throws a series of punches but Clay avoids them all with ease.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCarthy lands a jab to Clay's midsection.
Clay fails with an attempt to clinch.
McCarthy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Clay.
Clay tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. McCarthy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Clay.

McCarthy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McCarthy tries to break the clinch but Clay is controlling the position.

McCarthy breaks the clinch.
McCarthy is looking to clinch but Clay is avoiding it.
Clay takes a swing at McCarthy's ribcage but misses.
McCarthy throws a series of strikes that have Clay backpedaling.
McCarthy is working the combinations to good effect here.
Clay closes the distance looking to clinch
and McCarthy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McCarthy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McCarthy wants it to stay on the feet.
Clay walks into a jab.

McCarthy rushes Clay and presses him up against the cage.
McCarthy wants to break the clinch but can't.
Clay effectively controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Clay goes for a takedown in the clinch but McCarthy prevents it.
A nice right hand lands inside from McCarthy.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
McCarthy looking for a takedown.
McCarthy working hard to break the clinch.

McCarthy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McCarthy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McCarthy misses with the combination.
Clay throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clay throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCarthy counters with a two punch combo.
Clay tries to clinch up.
Clay misses with an uppercut. McCarthy saw that one coming.
Clay takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
McCarthy lands a slapping body shot.
Clay is looking to clinch.
Clay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCarthy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McCarthy goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
McCarthy is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Clay doesn't manage to clinch there - McCarthy circles away.

McCarthy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McCarthy tries to land a knee to the head but Clay blocks with his arms.
McCarthy struggles to land a body shot inside as Clay controls his hands.
Clay misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McCarthy wants to break the clinch but can't.
McCarthy digs a right hand into Clay's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Clay's gas tank.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as McCarthy takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
McCarthy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
McCarthy can't break the clinch.
McCarthy tries to break free but Clay pushes him back against the cage.
McCarthy is pressed up against the cage. Clay has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McCarthy down to the mat. McCarthy avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyson Clay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McCarthy moves out of range as Clay strikes.
McCarthy feints a jab promting Clay to slip. McCarthy then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Clay slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

McCarthy has closed the distance and engaged Clay in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil McCarthy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tyson Clay's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McCarthy tries to bum rush Clay with a series of wild strikes but Clay uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

McCarthy moves into the clinch successfully.
McCarthy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

McCarthy breaks from the clinch.
Phil McCarthy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCarthy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Clay shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McCarthy manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McCarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Clay.
Clay cracks McCarthy with a solid left hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Clay in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

McCarthy manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Clay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McCarthy connects with a good right hand that stumbles Clay. Clay circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McCarthy lands with a straight right. Clay didn't see that one coming.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Clay throws a right and a left that McCarthy avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy scores with a jab to the body.
Clay misses with a looping left.
McCarthy lands a jab-cross combination.
Clay is looking to clinch but McCarthy is avoiding it.
McCarthy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McCarthy is breathing heavily.
McCarthy scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McCarthy moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A right-left combo lands from McCarthy.
Sloppy strikes from McCarthy. Those never looked like landing.
McCarthy swings for the body but Clay moves out of range.
Phil McCarthy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Clay swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy misses with a double jab.
Clay is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clay throws a sloppy head kick and McCarthy moves out of range easily.
McCarthy looks to score with a jab to the body but Clay is just out of range.
Clay wants to clinch up but McCarthy keeps it at a distance.
Clay keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
McCarthy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circling - Clay throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Clay tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Clay goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Clay looks to land a combination but McCarthy avoids it well.
Clay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Clay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCarthy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McCarthy lands with a hook. Clay tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Clay tries to keep at a distance but McCarthy has taken the fight into the clinch.
Clay misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is trying to force a seperation but Clay has the dominant position.
Clay misses with the head strike.
McCarthy is trying to break the clinch but Clay is controlling him.
McCarthy is trying to push Clay away but Clay has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
McCarthy prevents a body shot from Clay.
McCarthy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Clay has McCarthy pressed against the cage, preventing McCarthy from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

McCarthy breaks from the clinch.
McCarthy swats away the attempt to clinch by Clay.
McCarthy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy swings for the body but Clay moves out of range.
McCarthy is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
McCarthy throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Clay swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McCarthy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Clay circles away quickly and effectively.
No luck for Clay with that takedown attempt.
McCarthy throws a series of punches but Clay avoids them all with ease.
Clay throws out a loose jab but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Clay shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McCarthy as he jumps to the side.
Clay closes the distance but McCarthy moves to the side
enabling McCarthy to counter with a crisp jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McCarthy tries to circle away but Clay has him pinned against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Phil McCarthy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tyson Clay's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Clay keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Clay tries to clinch but McCarthy is having none of it.
A nice combination there by McCarthy.
McCarthy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Clay avoids a kick to the body.
McCarthy thuds his right hand into Clay's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A bone on bone clash there as Clay blocks the leg kick.
A big right from Clay misses.
McCarthy looks to land a combination but Clay avoids it well.
Clay tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and McCarthy holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Clay tries to break the clinch but McCarthy is controlling the position.
McCarthy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

McCarthy breaks the clinch.
Phil McCarthy seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clay moves in looking to clinch but McCarthy pushes him off.
Clay throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Clay takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
McCarthy takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Clay is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by McCarthy.
McCarthy scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
McCarthy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

McCarthy gets in close and instigates a clinch.

McCarthy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Clay wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McCarthy wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McCarthy misses with a double jab
and Clay counters with a stiff right hand.
Clay showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCarthy.
McCarthy takes a swing at Clay's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy staying out of range there.
Clay throws a wild body kick that McCarthy sees coming a mile off.
McCarthy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Clay tries to clinch up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Clay moves out of range of the body kick.
Clay shoots in and drives through. McCarthy sprawls well.
McCarthy is looking to score with low kicks.
McCarthy lands an overhand right.
Clay feints a jab promting McCarthy to slip. Clay then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McCarthy slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Clay moves in looking to clinch but McCarthy pushes him off.
Clay showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCarthy.
Clay tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy keeps the fight on the outside.
Clay fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Clay takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
McCarthy tests Clay's chin there with a solid looking shot.

McCarthy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Clay, pushing him back against the cage.
McCarthy lands a body shot.
Phil McCarthy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McCarthy wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McCarthy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Clay's efforts to push away.
McCarthy manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clay is looking to break free of the clinch but McCarthy has double underhooks.
McCarthy lands with a light punch inside.
McCarthy is working Clay over against the cage.
Tyson Clay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Clay tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tyson Clay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Clay tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Clay softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Clay tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

McCarthy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Phil McCarthy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Clay throws a hook to the side of McCarthy's head but McCarthy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil McCarthy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McCarthy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil McCarthy!
A very excited looking Phil McCarthy made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.