PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Conor McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Sullivan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Conor McGregor had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

McGregor
vs
Sullivan

180 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
18
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jimmy Sullivan!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor tries to clinch there but Sullivan circles away.
Sullivan avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sullivan swats away the attempt to clinch by McGregor.
A nice combination there by McGregor.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sullivan.
Sullivan closes the distance and clinches up with McGregor, looking for a takedown. Sullivan pushes McGregor against the cage but McGregor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McGregor scores with a one two! Sullivan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sullivan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Sullivan.
McGregor tries to clinch but Sullivan moves out of range.
Sullivan shoots for a double leg takedown but McGregor sprawls well. He's pushed Sullivan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

McGregor instigates a clinch.
McGregor pressing his opponent against the cage.
McGregor has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGregor pulls guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sullivan trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sullivan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McGregor is looking to stand up but Sullivan isn't so interested in that idea.
McGregor keeping moving, preventing Sullivan from controlling successfully.
Sullivan prevents McGregor from getting back to his feet.
Sullivan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Sullivan creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McGregor sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
McGregor defending against the ground and pound.
McGregor managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sullivan.
McGregor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sullivan on the ground.
Sullivan trying to control the action but McGregor is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McGregor haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
McGregor prevents Sullivan from improving position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sullivan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

McGregor bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sullivan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McGregor tries to avoid it but Sullivan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McGregor to the ground. McGregor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sullivan tries for a takedown but McGregor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McGregor lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sullivan backs up against the cage.
McGregor misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan fails to land the takedown.
Sullivan looks winded!

Sullivan gets tackled into the cage by McGregor. McGregor maintains the clinch.

McGregor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McGregor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

McGregor rushes Sullivan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sullivan is trying to pull guard but McGregor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sullivan tries to pull guard but McGregor won't allow it.

McGregor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sullivan misses with a takedown attempt - McGregor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McGregor lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sullivan shoots for a takedown but McGregor saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McGregor closes the distance and lands a one-two.

McGregor forces Sullivan back against the cage and clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sullivan is fighting off a takedown attempt but McGregor is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Sullivan to the mat. Sullivan regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Sullivan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McGregor is looking to stand up but Sullivan won't let him.

McGregor stands and steps away. Sullivan gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Conor McGregor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGregor throws a right and a left that Sullivan avoids nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sullivan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
McGregor is trying to stand up here but Sullivan is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McGregor throws a right hand that Sullivan ducks under and follows up with a left that Sullivan also avoids with ease.
McGregor tries to clinch but Sullivan moves out of range.

McGregor has Sullivan up against the cage in a clinch.

McGregor gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Sullivan throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McGregor wants to stand but Sullivan is controlling his posture from full guard.

McGregor avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Sullivan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor wants to stand but Sullivan is controlling his posture from full guard.
McGregor preventing the sweep.

Sullivan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McGregor wants to get up but he can't break Sullivan's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
McGregor has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sullivan looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sullivan is breathing heavily.
Sullivan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Sullivan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McGregor gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor is looking to stand up but Sullivan won't let him.
McGregor trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Sullivan is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McGregor is aware though and is defending well.

Sullivan escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McGregor gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sullivan throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! McGregor escapes and throws Sullivan's legs to the side, diving into side control!

McGregor decides to stand back up. McGregor steps back and let's Sullivan get back to his feet.
Conor McGregor is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McGregor.
Sullivan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts McGregor as he jumps to the side.

McGregor takes the fight into the clinch.
Sullivan jumps guard but McGregor turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

McGregor has Sullivan pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. McGregor pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sullivan tumbling to the mat - McGregor dives into Sullivan's guard.

McGregor gets to his feet - Sullivan follows without any prompting.
Sullivan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Sullivan.
McGregor misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor feints a jab promting Sullivan to slip. McGregor then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sullivan slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGregor closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sullivan closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGregor circles away.
McGregor misses with a two punch combination.

Sullivan gets tackled into the cage by McGregor. McGregor maintains the clinch.
Sullivan jumps guard but McGregor stands there with Sullivan around his waist. Sullivan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sullivan tries to pull guard but McGregor forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Conor McGregor will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McGregor goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

McGregor breaks the clinch.
Sullivan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGregor.
McGregor scores with a hook to the body. Sullivan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
McGregor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sullivan.

McGregor moves into the clinch.

McGregor is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Sullivan can't fight it off and eventually McGregor manages to take the fight to the floor. Sullivan looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

McGregor stands up and waves to Sullivan to follow him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sullivan misses with a jab to the body
enabling McGregor to counter with a crisp jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sullivan.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Sullivan.
Sullivan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

McGregor clinches up with Sullivan and pushes him back against the cage.

McGregor pulls guard successfully.
Sullivan won't allow McGregor to get back to his feet.
McGregor keeping full guard, as Sullivan tries to pass.
McGregor keeping moving, preventing Sullivan from controlling successfully.
Sullivan stands up over McGregor, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor is looking to stand up but Sullivan isn't so interested in that idea.
Sullivan trying to control the position from guard on top but McGregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

McGregor pushes Sullivan off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
McGregor leaves Sullivan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sullivan fails with the takedown.

McGregor drives through and clinches with Sullivan against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGregor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Sullivan is trying to pull guard but McGregor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor fails to land with a series of punches.

Sullivan shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McGregor is trying to defend but Sullivan finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

McGregor manages to escape and get back to his feet!
McGregor throws a series of punches but Sullivan moves out of range.
Sullivan slips a jab and a cross from McGregor.
Sullivan shoots in but no luck this time.
McGregor fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sullivan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

McGregor instigates a clinch.
Sullivan is trying to pull guard but McGregor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor has Sullivan pushed against the cage.
Sullivan is trying to pull guard but McGregor has him pressed against the cage.

McGregor drags the fight down to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McGregor wants to stand but Sullivan is controlling the position.
Sullivan pushes down on McGregor's leg and manages to get into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sullivan scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Jimmy Sullivan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Conor McGregor is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sullivan missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor McGregor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McGregor, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

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