PBP Commentary

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

Kenichi
vs
McGregor

165 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Tokyo, Shirahama Kenichi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Conor McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McGregor closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McGregor lands in his opponent's guard.
McGregor throws a big right hand that misses.
Kenichi controls McGregor momentarily but McGregor frees himself.
McGregor 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.
McGregor passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ground and pound from McGregor seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
McGregor just content to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor tries to score with some ground and pound. Kenichi controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
McGregor is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kenichi struggling a bit here.
Kenichi is being controlled here.
McGregor landing strikes.
McGregor takes a little break here. Kenichi wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The strikes coming from McGregor are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
McGregor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kenichi wants to control but McGregor postures up.
Kenichi being controlled for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGregor is trying to move to mount but Kenichi reverses beautifully and ends up in McGregor's guard.
McGregor wants to sweep here but Kenichi controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kenichi throwing strikes but missing.
McGregor wants to get back to his feet but Kenichi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

McGregor looking for a guillotine here but Kenichi defends easily.
McGregor wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McGregor trying to strike off his back.

McGregor throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
McGregor preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McGregor bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kenichi's guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kenichi working a defensive guard but McGregor manages to pass into side control anyway.
McGregor slows the pace down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kenichi doesn't manage to clinch there - McGregor circles away.
McGregor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kenichi.
McGregor throws a head kick that Kenichi semi-blocks.

It looks like Shirahama Kenichi has been cut.
Kenichi shoots for a takedown but McGregor saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kenichi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and McGregor holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shirahama Kenichi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kenichi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McGregor tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kenichi smiles and moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McGregor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kenichi circles away.
Kenichi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and McGregor counters with a two punch combo.

McGregor takes the fight into the clinch.
McGregor is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Kenichi breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kenichi moves out of range.
McGregor shoots in looking for a takedown. Kenichi tries to sprawl out of it but McGregor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kenichi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McGregor looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

McGregor forces Kenichi back against the cage and clinches.
McGregor jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kenichi walks away with a smile on his face. McGregor gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kenichi shoots in looking for a takedown but McGregor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kenichi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McGregor throws a fast counter high kick but Kenichi manages to duck under it in time.
McGregor tries to clinch but Kenichi is having none of it.

McGregor moves into range and clinches up with Kenichi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kenichi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McGregor has him pressed against the cage.
McGregor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kenichi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kenichi wants to clinch up but McGregor keeps it at a distance.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kenichi but Kenichi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kenichi lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
McGregor leaves Kenichi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
McGregor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Kenichi has managed to clinch.

Kenichi manages to break the clinch.

McGregor scores with a takedown into Kenichi's guard.
Kenichi is wriggling around but McGregor manages to pass to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGregor wants to control but Kenichi is keeping him busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. McGregor connects with a nice short shot to Kenichi's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Well, if McGregor is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Kenichi looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and McGregor pushes past his half guard into mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shirahama Kenichi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

McGregor clinches up with Kenichi and pushes him back against the cage.
McGregor avoids the elbow strike from Kenichi, against the cage.
McGregor jumps guard but Kenichi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kenichi stalling in the clinch but McGregor improves position.

Kenichi breaks from the clinch.
Kenichi throws a head kick but McGregor moves out of range.
It seemed like McGregor was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kenichi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

McGregor looking to score a takedown here. Kenichi is defending well but McGregor drives through and ends up in Kenichi's guard.

Kenichi is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. McGregor presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kenichi stalling.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Kenichi won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGregor pulls Kenichi into guard.
McGregor working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kenichi.
McGregor controls Kenichi momentarily but Kenichi frees himself.
Kenichi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McGregor is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
McGregor manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kenichi manages to get himself to full guard.

McGregor trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kenichi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kenichi is keeping the position for now.
Kenichi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McGregor controls the pace.

Kenichi is looking for a triangle here but McGregor uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Kenichi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McGregor landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor controls the position.
McGregor working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
McGregor is looking to take a break and control but Kenichi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kenichi wants to control but McGregor postures up.
McGregor cracks Kenichi with a big right hand but Kenichi just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

McGregor decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kenichi to his feet.
Kenichi shoots in and drives through. McGregor sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor shoots in and drives through. Kenichi sprawls well.
Shirahama Kenichi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor McGregor.

Kenichi gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McGregor to score an easy takedown into full guard.

McGregor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kenichi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, McGregor has managed to get both his arms back between Kenichi's legs - danger averted.
Kenichi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McGregor controls the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shirahama Kenichi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Conor McGregor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Let's hope that McGregor has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor McGregor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McGregor has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Conor McGregor!