PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Connor McGregoat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Angel Echano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Echano is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Every Thug Needs A Lady - Alkaline Trio. Connor McGregoat had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

McGregoat
vs
Angel Echano

176 cm
26
155 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

175 cm
25
147 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Connor McGregoat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jan Angel Echano!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
McGregoat moves away from the strike by Echano.
Echano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McGregoat is looking for a counter combo.
Echano moves in looking to clinch but McGregoat pushes him off.
Echano wants to clinch.
McGregoat seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Echano fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McGregoat.
McGregoat avoids a punch combination nicely.
Echano tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McGregoat is looking for a counter combo.
Echano throws a poor cross that misses
and McGregoat counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregoat takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Echano tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregoat swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
As Echano looks to move away, McGregoat throws a big counter combo bu Echano just gets out of the way.
McGregoat circles away from the clinch attempt
and McGregoat counters with a two punch combo.
Echano scores with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Echano.
Echano throws a head kick that misses.

Echano fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McGregoat, pushing him back against the ropes.
McGregoat misses with a short punch on the inside.
Echano lands a knee to the body.
McGregoat misses with a hook from the clinch.
Echano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've been informed that Echano has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Echano blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from McGregoat fails to land.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Echano lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGregoat.
McGregoat working aggressively here.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGregoat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Echano.
Echano working McGregoat over with knees to the body.
Echano lands a good knee to the midsection. McGregoat won't want to take too many of those.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good body shot from Echano.
McGregoat is breathing heavily.
McGregoat lands a hook that snaps the head of Echano backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Echano creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A body shot lands from Echano.
Still in the clinch, Echano scores with a nice short uppercut.
McGregoat misses with a hook from the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Echano utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A nice left hand lands by McGregoat.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
McGregoat throws a head punch that misses.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Echano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Echano.
McGregoat has a couple of punches blocked by Echano.
McGregoat throws a head punch that misses.
Echano unloads a knee to the mid-section. McGregoat lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Echano using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Echano is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Echano scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Connor McGregoat has been cut.
Echano scores a nice knee to the body.
Echano just leaning against McGregoat, taking a breather.
Echano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Echano works on McGregoat's body with a couple of short punches.
Knees in the clinch landing for Echano.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Echano manages to break the clinch.
Echano lands a high kick!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Echano throws a nice head kick!

Echano fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McGregoat, pushing him back against the ropes.
Echano stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A knee to the head by Echano.
Echano blocking some punches.
McGregoat misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Echano.
Echano is trying to maintain a safe position but McGregoat gets an underhook and turns Echano into the ropes.
Echano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Echano pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Echano fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
McGregoat circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jan Angel Echano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Echano wants to clinch.
McGregoat throws a big counter combination but Echano scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Echano lands a high kick!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Echano has taken the fight to the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGregoat.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Echano putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has McGregoat in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from McGregoat fails to land.
Echano blocks an uppercut.
McGregoat has a couple of punches blocked by Echano.
McGregoat has a couple of punches blocked by Echano.
Echano is trying to maintain a safe position but McGregoat gets an underhook and turns Echano into the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Echano.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Echano lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McGregoat throws a punch but it's blocked by Echano.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Echano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Echano lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McGregoat backwards.
McGregoat swings wildly with an uppercut but Echano uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGregoat.
McGregoat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Echano crunches a lovely knee into McGregoat's ribcage.
Echano blocks an uppercut.
Echano comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
A knee to the head by Echano.
McGregoat takes a knee to the side of the body.
McGregoat misses with some punches.
McGregoat scores with a nice hook to the head.
McGregoat throws a head punch that misses.
McGregoat swings wildly with an uppercut but Echano uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Echano.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Angel Echano dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Connor McGregoat's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McGregoat takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Echano takes the fight into the clinch.
Echano is working McGregoat over against the ropes.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Echano manages to break the clinch.
Echano throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McGregoat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid body kick from Echano.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Echano lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Echano tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregoat swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Echano tries to clinch but McGregoat moves out of range.
Echano scores with a head kick. McGregoat tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Echano doesn't manage to clinch there - McGregoat circles away.
Echano closes the distance but McGregoat moves to the side
and McGregoat counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregoat avoids a punch combination nicely.
Echano uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Echano throws a sloppy head kick
and McGregoat counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Echano looks to land a combination but McGregoat avoids it well.
McGregoat is looking to counter with head kicks.
Echano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Echano darts in trying to clinch
and McGregoat counters with a left and a right that stings Echano.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Echano tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGregoat swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGregoat swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Echano tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGregoat swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A counter left hand to the body from McGregoat misses its target.
Echano tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McGregoat is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Echano throws a quick head kick that skims the top of McGregoat's head.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Echano fails with an attempt to clinch.
Echano goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Echano fails in his attempt to clinch.
Echano scores with a head kick.
Echano looks to clinch
and McGregoat counters with a two punch combo.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Echano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Echano tries to clinch up but McGregoat circles away and keeps his distance.
McGregoat is looking to counter punch.
McGregoat has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Echano.

McGregoat tries to keep at a distance but Echano has taken the fight into the clinch.
Echano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McGregoat throws a head punch that misses.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Echano.
McGregoat throws a punch but it's blocked by Echano.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Echano lands a knee to the body.
Echano presses McGregoat against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
McGregoat has a couple of punches blocked by Echano.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGregoat.
McGregoat throws a head punch that misses.
McGregoat misses with a short punch on the inside.
Echano lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Echano landing knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from McGregoat fails to land.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Echano obliges.
Jan Angel Echano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Echano lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Echano pushes McGregoat back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Echano lands with a left to the head.
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!
McGregoat lands a hook that snaps the head of Echano backwards.
Echano scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Echano - that landed with a thud.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Echano.
McGregoat takes a knee to the side of the body.
Echano scores with a shoulder strike.
McGregoat's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Echano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short left from Echano.
Echano lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McGregoat takes a shot to the head.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGregoat throws a punch but it's blocked by Echano.
Echano content to slow the pace in the clinch.
McGregoat misses with the head strike.
McGregoat misses with a punch on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Echano obliges.

Echano manages to break the clinch.
McGregoat takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

McGregoat tries to keep at a distance but Echano has taken the fight into the clinch.
Echano scores a nice knee to the body.
Echano is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Echano softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Echano.
Echano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McGregoat takes a knee right on the jaw!

McGregoat is rocked!
A short left from Echano.
Oh McGregoat is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
McGregoat working aggressively here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McGregoat as Echano tries to tie him up.
A short right from Echano.
Echano scores with a nice hook to the head.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Echano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Echano scores with a head kick. McGregoat tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Angel Echano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Connor McGregoat's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A good leg kick by Echano.

Echano closes the distance and clinches.
McGregoat misses with some punches.
Echano is pushing McGregoat up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Echano is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Echano throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
McGregoat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McGregoat takes a knee to the side of the body.
Echano lands a shoulder strike.
Echano digs a right hand underneath McGregoat's ribcage. McGregoat let out a lung full of air as it connected.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGregoat.
Nice elbow from Echano.
McGregoat lands a right hand.
Echano is pushing McGregoat up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Echano with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Echano lands a left hand.
Echano blocks an uppercut.
Echano connects with a nasty looking knee right to McGregoat's face.
Knees in the clinch landing for Echano.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Echano obliges.
Echano lands a knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Echano landing knees to the body.
McGregoat swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGregoat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from McGregoat fails to land.
Echano landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
McGregoat misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Echano lands a hook to the side of the head.
Echano is trying to break the clinch but McGregoat has him pressed against the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from McGregoat fails to land.
McGregoat blocks an uppercut.
Echano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Echano has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Echano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McGregoat misses with a hook from the clinch.
Echano is trying to maintain a safe position but McGregoat gets an underhook and turns Echano into the ropes.
McGregoat fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Echano.

Echano has clasped his hands together around McGregoat's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Echano trying to control the position but McGregoat is working away.
Echano advances to mount.
Echano trying to control but McGregoat is having none of it.
Echano wants to take McGregoat's back but he can't do it this time.
Echano can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as McGregoat is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregoat has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Echano's lack of action.

Echano is trying to work for a kimura but McGregoat is defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGregoat is refusing to be controlled, as Echano sits in half guard.
McGregoat is looking to escape.
McGregoat seems to have got his legs back now.
Echano has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Echano trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Echano controlling from mount.
McGregoat has given up his back. Will we see Echano going for some submissions?
Echano is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
McGregoat is keeping busy.
McGregoat is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Echano just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Echano tries to get the hooks in deep but McGregoat pushed the leg off.
McGregoat is trying to stand back up.

Echano working for the choke.
Echano is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Echano patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
McGregoat is trying to get back to his feet but Echano has full control of the position and if anything, McGregoat has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Echano has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, McGregoat has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
A lull in the action here.
McGregoat is trying to get back to his feet but Echano has full control of the position and if anything, McGregoat has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Connor McGregoat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Will Echano go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Echano looking for the RNC.
Echano wants to control but McGregoat is keeping busy.
McGregoat is trying to stand back up.
McGregoat staying busy and making it hard for Echano to control.
Jan Angel Echano is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Echano has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for McGregoat! Can he survive? No! He's out! Echano gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jan Angel Echano!
In his post fight interview, Jan Angel Echano started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
Connor McGregoat was interviewed post fight and said 'Fuck you'.