PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carl McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aqeel Haji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGregor comes to the cage accompanied by Rise Against - Survive.. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

McGregor
vs
Haji

184 cm
23
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Carl McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aqeel Haji!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Daniel Franklin and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Haji moves into the clinch.
Haji tries to score a body lock takedown but McGregor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
McGregor prevents Haji from breaking the clinch.
Haji tries to pull guard but McGregor forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Haji gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
McGregor wants to stand up but Haji is controlling him.
McGregor doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Haji not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Haji decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
McGregor fails in his attempt to clinch.

Haji shoots in and gets a takedown into McGregor's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haji prevents McGregor from getting back to his feet.
McGregor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Haji decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McGregor, up you get!
Haji is trying hard to land a takedown here. McGregor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Carl McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aqeel Haji.
Haji closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGregor circles away.
McGregor slaps away a takedown attempt from Haji, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Haji gets tackled into the cage by McGregor. McGregor maintains the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as McGregor takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Haji breaks from the clinch.
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt - Haji sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McGregor wants to clinch.
McGregor fails to land with a series of punches.
McGregor sets himself, and Haji steps forward looking for the clinch! McGregor avoids it this time.

McGregor forces Haji back against the cage and clinches.
McGregor using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Haji has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haji looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McGregor misses with a body punch.
Haji is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Haji has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McGregor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Haji pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
McGregor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Haji tries for a takedown but McGregor manages to get underhooks.
Haji changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McGregor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Haji looks winded!
McGregor wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Haji shoots in but no luck this time.
Haji will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Haji darts in and clinches McGregor up against the cage.
McGregor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McGregor scores with a shot to the side of Haji's head.

McGregor jumps guard.
McGregor is looking to stand up but Haji isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGregor managing to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McGregor is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Carl McGregor will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McGregor instigates a clinch.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGregor shoots in but Haji avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Haji gets tackled into the cage by McGregor. McGregor maintains the clinch.
McGregor misses with a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haji wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McGregor has him pressed against the cage.
McGregor tries to circle away but Haji has him pinned against the cage.
Haji is looking to break free of the clinch but McGregor has double underhooks.
McGregor lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor tries a knee to the head but Haji blocks it.
McGregor missing with knees to the body.
McGregor gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Haji.
McGregor with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McGregor has Haji pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Haji manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
McGregor has had enough of the clinch but Haji keeps him there for the moment.
Haji doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Haji looking to stall.
McGregor is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haji slows down the pace here.
Haji is trying to break the clinch but McGregor is controlling him.

Haji breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

McGregor moves into the clinch successfully.
Haji working hard to break the clinch.
Haji can't get the takedown.
Haji has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Haji is breathing heavily.
McGregor crunches a lovely knee into Haji's ribcage.
Haji is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McGregor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
McGregor looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Carl McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aqeel Haji.
McGregor is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Haji pulls him back up using the underhooks.

McGregor has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Haji clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

McGregor is persistently looking for the submission but Haji is defending it well.
McGregor has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Haji.
McGregor punches Haji on the ear.

McGregor has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McGregor is persistently looking for the submission but Haji is defending it well.
McGregor has the hooks in. Haji is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Haji covering up well and avoiding damage.
Haji is taking damage to the body and head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McGregor working for the choke.
Will McGregor go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl McGregor dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

McGregor looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Haji unleashes a big counter combination but McGregor bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Haji gets tackled into the cage by McGregor. McGregor maintains the clinch.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Haji won't allow it.
Haji is trying to force a seperation but McGregor has the dominant position.
Haji tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
McGregor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Haji can do to turn this around?
Haji is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carl McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haji jumps guard but McGregor turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Haji tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McGregor smiles and moves away.
Haji shoots in but no luck this time.
McGregor changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haji tries for a takedown but McGregor sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Haji takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

McGregor has Haji up against the cage in a clinch.
Carl McGregor has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McGregor can't get the takedown.
Haji wants a takedown but no success here.
McGregor scores a nice knee to the body.
McGregor with a knee to the head.
Haji tries to break free but McGregor pushes him back against the cage.

McGregor pulls guard.
Haji stopping the sweep attempt from McGregor.
McGregor is trying to control the position but Haji postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haji throwing strikes from guard but McGregor blocks nicely.
Haji content to stall in guard here.
Haji trying to control the position from guard on top but McGregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haji stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGregor swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor trying to keep a closed guard but Haji is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McGregor tries to clinch but Haji moves out of range.
Haji misses the shot to the body.
McGregor is looking to clinch but Haji is avoiding it.

McGregor darts in and clinches Haji up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
McGregor has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Haji avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

McGregor has clasped his hands together around Haji's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
McGregor working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor wants to control but Haji is keeping him busy.
McGregor working the ground and pound but Haji is defending the strikes.
You can see the frustration on Haji's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

McGregor thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
McGregor tries to advance to mount but Haji denies him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Haji is trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carl McGregor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McGregor has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:28
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carl McGregor!
A very excited looking Carl McGregor 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.