PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Conor McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Batchelor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

McGregor
vs
Batchelor

172 cm
18
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 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, Rory Batchelor!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Donald Grub and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batchelor moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Batchelor is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
McGregor shoots in for a double leg but Batchelor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

McGregor clinches with his opponent.

McGregor breaks the clinch.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown but Batchelor shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Batchelor lands with an overhand left.
Batchelor tries to score a power double leg takedown but McGregor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Batchelor somewhat.
McGregor shoots in for a double leg but Batchelor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor misses with a two punch combination.
Batchelor is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McGregor with a body shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Batchelor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batchelor working away.
McGregor regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
McGregor moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

McGregor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Batchelor is aware though and is defending well.
Batchelor trying to control the position from guard on top but McGregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Batchelor prevents McGregor from getting back to his feet.
Batchelor trying to control the position from guard on top but McGregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's two 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.
Batchelor won't allow McGregor to sweep him here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Batchelor scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Batchelor tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rory Batchelor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batchelor throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McGregor stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Batchelor throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McGregor's waist but McGregor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Batchelor off to one side.
Batchelor looks winded!
Batchelor fails with a takedown attempt.
Batchelor misses with an uppercut
and McGregor counters with a one-two to the body.
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt - Batchelor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batchelor tries to clinch up.
McGregor staying out of range there.
McGregor feinted with a counter takedown.
Batchelor's jab looks to have found its range, popping McGregor under the eye.
McGregor wants to clinch up but Batchelor keeps it at a distance.

McGregor gets caught flat footed, as Batchelor shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Batchelor stops McGregor from standing up.
Batchelor passes McGregor's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
McGregor pushes Batchelor off looking to stand but Batchelor dives back in and keeps control.
My spies in Quick Fingers BEST BANG FOR BUCK Gym inform me that Batchelor has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
McGregor is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batchelor trying to mount his opponent but McGregor defends it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Batchelor looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Batchelor rushes McGregor and presses him up against the cage.
Batchelor drops down looking for an ankle pick but McGregor pulls his leg out and moves away.

Batchelor closes the distance and pushes McGregor back into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Batchelor dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Batchelor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A bone on bone clash there as McGregor blocks the leg kick.
McGregor has a takedown stuffed.

McGregor gets in close and instigates a clinch.

McGregor jumps guard and drags Batchelor to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Batchelor stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGregor swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McGregor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor is really struggling to control Batchelor but he's trying to hold on to the position.

McGregor isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Batchelor stacks McGregor on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Batchelor!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Batchelor is trying to get an arm triangle but McGregor is defending well.

That's two 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.
Batchelor just content to control the position.
Batchelor advances to mount.

Batchelor swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and McGregor is now in Batchelor's guard. A big mistake from Batchelor there, giving up the dominant position!
Rory Batchelor has got the better of the ground game so far.
McGregor throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McGregor postures up.
Batchelor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

McGregor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Batchelor has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McGregor has managed to get both his arms back between Batchelor's legs - danger averted.
Batchelor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGregor is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McGregor tries to free his leg and advance position but Batchelor is retaining full guard.

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.
Batchelor is trying to keep McGregor in close.
Batchelor is looking to stand up but McGregor isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Batchelor fails with a takedown attempt.
McGregor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

McGregor has taken the fight to the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McGregor tries to pull guard but Batchelor holds him up against the cage and eventually McGregor drops back down to his feet.

McGregor manages to break the clinch.
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! McGregor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Batchelor is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Batchelor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

McGregor drives through and clinches with Batchelor against the cage.
McGregor tries to score a body lock takedown but Batchelor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
McGregor stalling the fight.

McGregor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McGregor fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor ducks under a wild hook from Batchelor.
McGregor changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Batchelor is looking to clinch but McGregor is avoiding it.
Batchelor listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Batchelor dives in and grabs McGregor's left leg, looking for a takedown. McGregor pushes down on Batchelor's head and hops out.
Batchelor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batchelor scores with a one two! McGregor had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McGregor.
No luck for McGregor with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Batchelor scores with a jab to the body.
McGregor darts in looking for a takedown but Batchelor gets double underhooks and turns McGregor into the cage.
McGregor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Batchelor.
Batchelor leaves McGregor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McGregor fails to land with a series of punches.
Batchelor lands with an overhand left.
Batchelor closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGregor circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor fails in his attempt to clinch.

Batchelor shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McGregor manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batchelor stays in close to McGregor's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGregor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McGregor keeping moving, preventing Batchelor from controlling successfully.

McGregor working for submissions but it's allowed Batchelor to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor tries to roll over but Batchelor keeps him under control.

McGregor is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Batchelor has latched onto it... Big trouble! Batchelor pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it McGregor is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Batchelor!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rory Batchelor!