PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregor McConnor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Josh James has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
McConnor

210 cm
23
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

199 cm
23
275 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Josh James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Gregor McConnor!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James circles away from the clinch attempt.
James went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
McConnor misses with a few strikes there.
James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McConnor fails to land with a series of punches.
McConnor misses the shot to the body.
Gregor McConnor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Josh James has been cut.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from James - that will leave a mark!

James moves into the clinch.
McConnor being controlled against the cage.

James has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McConnor uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James has a closed guard, preventing McConnor from standing up.

James is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. McConnor presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McConnor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

James breaks the clinch.
McConnor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. James defends it nicely.
James fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McConnor throws a series of strikes that have James backpedaling.
McConnor tries to clinch up but James circles away and keeps his distance.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McConnor.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McConnor throws a right hand that James ducks under and follows up with a left that James also avoids with ease.
McConnor throws a right and a left that both miss.
McConnor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
James is trying hard to land a takedown here. McConnor sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No joy there for McConnor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McConnor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.
This has been an exciting period of action!

James gets caught flat footed, as McConnor shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

James has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes McConnor off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

McConnor shoots in and bounces James off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
James keeping moving, preventing McConnor from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McConnor wants to stand and escape but instead James has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

James slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
McConnor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with James. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

James stands up and waves to McConnor to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
James tries to clinch
and McConnor counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
McConnor lands a jab to James's midsection.
James is breathing heavily.
James takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McConnor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but James moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McConnor scores with a decent looking hook.
McConnor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
James appears to be looking for a big counter.
McConnor fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. James looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A left lands for McConnor.
No joy there for McConnor, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McConnor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McConnor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McConnor lands a right hook to the body.
McConnor jabs James to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gregor McConnor dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josh James's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

McConnor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
James wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
McConnor takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nice takedown defense from McConnor. No joy for James on that attempt.
McConnor is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down James rather than just go for the knockout.
James tries to clinch
and McConnor counters with a right, left combo that wobbles James badly! McConnor follows up with a massive right hook, straight to the bridge of the nose that knocks James out cold! Oh wow, what a finish! Very reminiscent of Koscheck vs Yoshida as McConnor finished him against the cage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Gregor McConnor!
A less than humble Gregor McConnor misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.