PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Amir Shariff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roland McGregor (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.

Shariff
vs
McGregor

194 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
22
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 Tokyo, Amir Shariff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Roland McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shariff fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shariff throws a head kick that misses.

McGregor looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

McGregor gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Shariff is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGregor shoots in looking for a takedown. Shariff tries to sprawl out of it but McGregor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shariff manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McGregor looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McGregor shoots for a double leg takedown but Shariff sprawls well. He's pushed McGregor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Amir Shariff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roland McGregor.
Shariff tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGregor throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGregor swats away the attempt to clinch by Shariff.
Shariff wants to clinch up but McGregor keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGregor feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
McGregor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shariff keeping moving, preventing McGregor from controlling successfully.

McGregor stands up from Shariff's guard - McGregor perhaps looking for a knockout.
Shariff is looking to clinch.
Shariff avoids the body shot from McGregor.

Shariff gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
McGregor wants to pass the guard but Shariff is keeping the position.
Shariff looking for a sweep. Not yet Shariff, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McGregor accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGregor postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shariff wants to sweep but no luck.
McGregor is working Shariff over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Shariff preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

McGregor stands up from Shariff's guard - McGregor perhaps looking for a knockout.
Shariff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGregor decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Shariff avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McGregor.
McGregor trying to control the action but Shariff is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGregor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McGregor sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shariff defending well though.
McGregor lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
McGregor missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McGregor looks to land a strike but Shariff avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
McGregor thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shariff tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGregor swats him away and circles back towards the center.

McGregor changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shariff looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
McGregor looks gassed!
McGregor postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
McGregor lands a decent elbow from side control.
McGregor cracks Shariff with a big right hand but Shariff just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
McGregor wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shariff keeps working.
McGregor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McGregor working the ground and pound.
McGregor creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shariff sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shariff wants to control but McGregor postures up.
McGregor throwing strikes but Shariff manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
McGregor sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roland McGregor dominated that round.
That's time! Shariff's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shariff tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGregor swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shariff tries to clinch there but McGregor circles away.

McGregor shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
McGregor wants to pass the guard but Shariff is keeping the position.
McGregor scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shariff tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McGregor is in close to Shariff's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Shariff has momentary wrist control but McGregor slips an elbow through the middle.
Shariff is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

McGregor gets to his feet - Shariff follows without any prompting.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGregor feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGregor stays in close to Shariff's body and controls the position.
McGregor stopping the sweep attempt from Shariff.
McGregor working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shariff's head.
McGregor trying to control but Shariff is working from the bottom.
McGregor controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shariff wants to sweep but no luck.
McGregor sitting in guard here, content to control.
Shariff wants to sweep but no luck.
McGregor slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

McGregor stands up and beckons Shariff to his feet.
McGregor bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Shariff's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor shoots in for a double leg but Shariff sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shariff throws a head kick but McGregor moves out of range.
McGregor throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shariff's waist but Shariff gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McGregor off to one side.
Shariff tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGregor swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGregor swats away the attempt to clinch by Shariff.
Shariff stuffs the takedown.
Amir Shariff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roland McGregor.
McGregor lands a nice hook to Shariff's body. Shariff takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

McGregor scores a takedown into full mount!
McGregor postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Shariff looks a forlorn figure.
McGregor is landing with some decent strikes but Shariff is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor scoring with strikes but Shariff is staying in there.
McGregor cracks Shariff with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Shariff is in all sorts of trouble here.
McGregor dominating with strikes here.
McGregor with a couple of short strikes.
McGregor working the ground and pound effectively.
McGregor tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roland McGregor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Shariff has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McGregor finds it's way round the side to connect with Shariff's head.
Roland McGregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGregor misses with the combination.
Shariff tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A punch combination from McGregor misses.
McGregor shoots for a double leg takedown but Shariff sprawls well. He's pushed McGregor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McGregor misses with a jab, cross combination.

McGregor drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shariff looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGregor is one step ahead there.
McGregor tries to free his leg and advance position but Shariff is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGregor throws a strike but Shariff rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shariff's guard.
Roland McGregor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shariff avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shariff utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McGregor wants to control from the top but Shariff keeps moving.
Shariff is trying to control the position but McGregor postures up.
McGregor controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
McGregor tries to free his leg and advance position but Shariff is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McGregor throws and elbow that misses. Shariff uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McGregor's guard. Nice move by Shariff!
McGregor is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McGregor is on top in guard.

McGregor gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Shariff is looking to clinch.
Shariff wants to clinch.
McGregor connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor shoots in but Shariff avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McGregor misses with an uppercut. Shariff saw that one coming.
McGregor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Amir Shariff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roland McGregor.
Shariff moves out of range as McGregor strikes.
McGregor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shariff tries to clinch up but McGregor circles away and keeps his distance.
McGregor shoots for a double leg takedown but Shariff sprawls well. He's pushed McGregor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shariff fails to land with a series of punches.
Shariff walks into a jab.

McGregor decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
McGregor is keen to just control but Shariff is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
McGregor lands with a punch from half guard.

McGregor stands up from half guard.
Shariff tries to clinch but McGregor is having none of it.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shariff as he avoids it easily.
Shariff stuffs the takedown.
Shariff on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Shariff misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shariff is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Amir Shariff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shariff wants to clinch up but McGregor keeps it at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roland McGregor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McGregor 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roland McGregor!