PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Boyd McGuire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Odell Paquette (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGuire comes to the cage accompanied by Five Finger Death Punch - The Way Of The Fist. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McGuire
vs
Paquette

170 cm
23
150 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

177 cm
22
151 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Boyd McGuire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Odell Paquette!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paquette misses with a few strikes there.
Paquette on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McGuire changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Paquette swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by McGuire.
McGuire uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Paquette.
McGuire is looking to counter the offense by Paquette and move into the clinch.
Paquette looks to land a right hand but McGuire moved out of range.
A cross from Paquette lands.
Odell Paquette seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good leg kick by McGuire there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Paquette looks to score with a jab to the body but McGuire is just out of range.
Paquette looks to land a combination but McGuire avoids it well.
Paquette fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McGuire on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGuire chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Paquette misses with a few strikes there.
McGuire moves out of range as Paquette strikes.
Paquette throws a series of punches but McGuire avoids them all with ease.
Paquette swings away with a body shot that misses
and McGuire counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Paquette.
McGuire throwing a counter right hand but Paquette manages to avoid it.
Paquette misses with a double jab.
McGuire tries for a takedown but Paquette circles away easily
enabling Paquette to counter with a crisp jab.
Paquette throws a right hand that McGuire ducks under and follows up with a left that McGuire also avoids with ease.
Paquette scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Paquette works the jab nicely.
McGuire cracks Paquette with an open hand slap.
McGuire ducks under a wild hook from Paquette.
McGuire half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McGuire uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Paquette.

McGuire closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paquette tries to get to full guard but McGuire has control of the leg.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Paquette can do anything to dispel that myth.
McGuire landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

McGuire is working for a submission of some sort.
Paquette really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McGuire. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

McGuire seems to be working for a kimura but Paquette defends the submission attempt.
Paquette trying to control here.
Paquette has a hand on McGuire's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. McGuire takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
McGuire looking to control and managing it successfully.
McGuire lands a couple of good shots and Paquette has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
McGuire biding his time, controlling Paquette.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette can't escape the position.
McGuire throwing sloppy strikes.
Paquette looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Paquette covers up after that shot from McGuire.
McGuire scores with punches and elbows.
Paquette covering up well and avoiding damage.
Paquette trying to control the hands but McGuire won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuire is landing with strikes from the back.
Paquette looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

McGuire is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Paquette trying to control the action but McGuire just sinks the hooks in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boyd McGuire dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Paquette misses with a series of wild punches.
Paquette swats away the attempt to clinch by McGuire.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Paquette crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from McGuire - the referee stops the clock and Paquette gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says McGuire. Paquette manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
McGuire has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A big left from Paquette misses.
Paquette walks forward, straight into a front kick from McGuire.
Paquette looks to land a right hand but McGuire moved out of range.
McGuire gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Paquette misses with a straight right.
A swing and a miss from Paquette.
McGuire misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Paquette cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Paquette throws a series of strikes that have McGuire backpedaling.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paquette avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Paquette punishes McGuire's body with a nice straight punch.
Paquette throws a series of punches but McGuire moves out of range.
McGuire fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McGuire keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Paquette.
McGuire showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Paquette.
Paquette takes a swing at McGuire's ribcage but misses.

Paquette gets tackled into the cage by McGuire. McGuire maintains the clinch.
McGuire lands a hook to the side of the head.
Paquette misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paquette tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McGuire's elbow.
McGuire scores with a hook to the body.
Paquette can't break the clinch.
McGuire keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Paquette's efforts to push away.
Paquette has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette pressing his opponent against the cage.
McGuire presses Paquette against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
McGuire lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Paquette takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
McGuire lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Paquette backwards.
Paquette is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McGuire is keeping busy.
McGuire can't get the takedown.
McGuire struggles to land a body shot inside as Paquette controls his hands.
McGuire doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McGuire tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Paquette's elbow.

McGuire breaks from the clinch.
McGuire throws a leg kick which misses Paquette's front leg but catches the back leg as Paquette tries to avoid it.
Odell Paquette seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paquette displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from McGuire.
Paquette lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette misses with a two punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Paquette. McGuire does a little dance to reset his feet.
McGuire tries to counter with a takedown but Paquette is quick to defend against it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGuire, right into the meat.

Paquette tries to keep at a distance but McGuire has taken the fight into the clinch.
McGuire lands a shot to the body.
McGuire cracks Paquette with a nice body shot.
McGuire working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Paquette gets underhooks to prevent McGuire's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boyd McGuire. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGuire throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Paquettes head.
McGuire jumps guard but Paquette turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
McGuire swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paquette is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McGuire tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Paquette's elbow.
McGuire tries to work over Paquette's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Paquette escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paquette scores with a decent looking hook.
McGuire blocks a jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - McGuire looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Paquette throws a hook but McGuire blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paquette scores with a decent looking hook.
McGuire moves into range and connects with a jab.
The fighters circling - Paquette throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McGuire connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Paquette momentarily.
Paquette throws an overhand right that lands on McGuire's shoulder, as McGuire tries to avoid the shot.
McGuire drops down looking for a counter takedown but Paquette sprawls and moves away.
McGuire takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice straight punches there by Paquette. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Paquette.
McGuire throws a leg kick but Paquette checks it.

McGuire closes the distance and pushes Paquette back into the cage.
Paquette trying to control the position but instead, McGuire has worked for underhooks and has pushed Paquette into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Odell Paquette will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Paquette looks to land a right hand but McGuire moved out of range.
McGuire jabs at Paquette's body.
Paquette might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Paquette misses with a left hand
and McGuire counters with a nice uppercut.
Paquette connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between McGuire's hands.
Paquette keeps the fight on the outside.
Paquette looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
McGuire tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paquette was well out of range. Poor timing from McGuire.
A jab lands there for Paquette.
Paquette fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McGuire manages to avoid it.
McGuire avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Paquette misses.
Paquette moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGuire slips under a jab from Paquette.
McGuire misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paquette.
Paquette moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paquette lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Paquette.
Paquette misses with a lunging right hand

and McGuire counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Paquette!
Paquette is trying to improve his position.
Paquette is not content to let McGuire control the position.
Paquette is trying to control McGuire's posture but McGuire avoids it.
McGuire trying to control the position but Paquette is working away.
Boyd McGuire overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGuire in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Paquette defending against the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette sneaks back into half guard.
McGuire seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Paquette does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McGuire is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Paquette is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
McGuire is really struggling to control Paquette but he's trying to hold on to the position.
McGuire sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Paquette defending well though.
McGuire working Paquette over with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paquette is staying active underneath McGuire, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire wants to pass the guard but Paquette is defending well.
Paquette is trying to control but can't.
Paquette keeping hold of McGuire's head, controlling as best he can.
Paquette tries to roll over but McGuire keeps him under control.
McGuire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McGuire throwing shots but Paquette is blocking nicely.
McGuire not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McGuire has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Paquette is trying to maintain the position but McGuire is very close to passing his half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Paquette bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McGuire digs a good body shot into Paquette's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paquette smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McGuire scoring well with a low kick there.
Paquette scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A slapping leg kick lands for McGuire.
McGuire takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
McGuire throws a leg kick which misses Paquette's front leg but catches the back leg as Paquette tries to avoid it.
McGuire moves away from the strike by Paquette.
McGuire is looking to wear down Paquette with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paquette walks forward, straight into a front kick from McGuire.
McGuire smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McGuire shoots in for a takedown but Paquette shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Paquette scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
McGuire throws a sloppy body shot
letting Paquette counter with a right hand.
McGuire lands with a hook. Paquette tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McGuire throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Odell Paquette.
I think Paquette has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:28

The fight is ruled a draw!