PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Conor McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matti Heinonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matti Heinonen is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

McGregor
vs
Heinonen

175 cm
24
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
144 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 Las Vegas, Conor McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matti Heinonen!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Heinonen as he jumps to the side.
McGregor dives in for a single leg takedown but Heinonen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
McGregor looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Conor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor shoots for a takedown but Heinonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McGregor fails to land the takedown.
It seemed like Heinonen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Heinonen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McGregor closes the distance and clinches up with Heinonen, looking for a takedown. McGregor pushes Heinonen against the cage but Heinonen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Heinonen leaves McGregor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Heinonen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
McGregor wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Heinonen manages to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Heinonen is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Heinonen lands strikes from half guard.
Heinonen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Heinonen working over McGregor with some ground and pound. McGregor looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Heinonen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Heinonen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor has hold of Heinonen's hands but Heinonen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Heinonen trying to control the pace.
It looks like Heinonen might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McGregor wants to control but Heinonen is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heinonen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Heinonen putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
McGregor wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Heinonen has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of McGregor's body.

McGregor is trying to defend against the choke here but Heinonen has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Heinonen Tightens the hold and McGregor taps out furiously! Heinonen displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Matti Heinonen!