PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Erasmo Ryan (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.

Ryan
vs
Mcgregor

219 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

175 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erasmo Ryan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conor Mcgregor!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ryan rushes Mcgregor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ryan is pushing Mcgregor up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Mcgregor jumps guard and drags Ryan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Ryan thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mcgregor throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Mcgregor wants to sweep here but Ryan controlling him for the moment.
Mcgregor trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ryan postures up.
Mcgregor is striking but Ryan is not phased and passes to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ryan blocks the strikes from Mcgregor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor trying to control but Ryan postures up.
Mcgregor is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ryan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mcgregor controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Ryan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ryan blocks the body kick.

Mcgregor has Ryan up against the cage in a clinch.
Ryan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ryan has Mcgregor pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mcgregor manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ryan stalling in the clinch but Mcgregor improves position.
Ryan leaning his opponent against the cage.

Mcgregor successfully pulls guard.
Ryan passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Mcgregor blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ryan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor trying to control from the bottom.
Mcgregor wants to get back to full guard.
Mcgregor is trying to control but can't.
Mcgregor is trying to get back to full guard.
Ryan working over Mcgregor with some ground and pound. Mcgregor looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mcgregor is trying to get back to full guard.
Ryan working the head and body with strikes.
Mcgregor keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mcgregor tries to get to full guard but Ryan has control of the leg.
Ryan slips a nice elbow through Mcgregor's hands, connecting with Mcgregor's forehead.
Mcgregor wants to improve his position but Ryan is controlling well.
Ryan takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ryan is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mcgregor doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ryan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mcgregor throws a head kick that misses.

Mcgregor is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ryan's half guard.
Ryan trying to hold on to Mcgregor's head to control him but Mcgregor postures up.
Ryan tries to roll over but Mcgregor keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcgregor is trying to control. Ryan wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ryan moves into full guard.
Mcgregor trying to control but Ryan is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan wants to control but Mcgregor passes easily into half guard.
Mcgregor tries to stand and escape but Ryan is controlling the position.
Mcgregor looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ryan manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mcgregor advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ryan gets back to full guard.
Mcgregor is looking to pass into half guard but Ryan pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ryan is in guard.

Mcgregor keeping moving, preventing Ryan from controlling successfully.
Mcgregor seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ryan cracks Mcgregor with a solid left hand.
Ryan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Mcgregor working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ryan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ryan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mcgregor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ryan scoring with some ground and pound.
Mcgregor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ryan trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcgregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Mcgregor wants to get back to his feet but Ryan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Mcgregor fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ryan sprawls well initially but Mcgregor persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mcgregor is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor trying to mount his opponent but Ryan defends it.
Ryan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mcgregor seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ryan tries to get to full guard but Mcgregor has control of the leg.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ryan clinches.

Ryan pulls guard.
Ryan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Ryan uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Mcgregor changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ryan looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mcgregor is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Ryan's shoulder. That is not cool.

Mcgregor tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mcgregor tries to score with some ground and pound. Ryan controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ryan can't do much from the bottom here.
Ryan looking for a sweep but Mcgregor has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Erasmo Ryan overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Mcgregor moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Ryan has worked his arm free - good work by Ryan!
Mcgregor misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two 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 creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ryan is trying to improve his position.
Mcgregor trying to control the position but Ryan is working away.
Ryan is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Mcgregor taking a break here but Ryan is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ryan wants to get back to full guard but Mcgregor has mounted him!
Mcgregor can't control as he wanted to and Ryan manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Mcgregor drops an elbow to the side of Ryan's head.
Mcgregor stalling away here and it's allowed Ryan to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Mcgregor is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mcgregor decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ryan, up you get!

Mcgregor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ryan leaning against his opponent.
A short right from Ryan.
Ryan pushes Mcgregor back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A bit of stalling here from Ryan.

Ryan pulls guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mcgregor passes Ryan's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Ryan is looking to improve his position.
Mcgregor scoring with strikes to the body and head.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Erasmo Ryan.
I think Ryan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erasmo Ryan!