PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zane Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brian McGregor will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Howard
vs
McGregor

153 cm
19
140 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

172 cm
24
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zane Howard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brian McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McGregor closes the distance and clinches.
McGregor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

McGregor has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Howard clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Howard wants to get back to his feet.
McGregor has the hooks in. Howard is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

McGregor is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Howard might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

McGregor looking for the choke from the back.
McGregor lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Howard hold on?!
Howard is trying to break free.
McGregor trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Howard doesn't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor gets his hands free as Howard looks to control.
Howard is trying to get back to his feet but McGregor has full control of the position and if anything, Howard has just worked his way into a worse spot.
McGregor controlling the position well here. Howard rolled but McGregor kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Howard wants to control his opponent's hands but McGregor gets his hands free.
McGregor keeps control of the position easily here as Howard tries to buck him off.

McGregor looking for the choke from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
McGregor controlling well, preventing Howard from escaping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGregor controls the position.
McGregor lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
McGregor lands a shot to the body.

McGregor has his opponent's back but Howard is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off McGregor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGregor throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Howard tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McGregor is in Howard's guard.
McGregor wants to stand but Howard is controlling his posture from full guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Howard throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

McGregor is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Howard is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Howard has escaped and now he's on top!

Howard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGregor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howard postures up.
McGregor is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McGregor is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Howard working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of McGregor's head.
McGregor working a defensive guard here.
Howard trying to control the position from guard on top but McGregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGregor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McGregor is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Howard throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian McGregor dominated that round.
That's time! Howard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McGregor clinches up against the cage.
McGregor is trying to stall.
McGregor lands a good knee to the midsection. Howard won't want to take too many of those.

McGregor works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Howard could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Howard trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
McGregor is looking to work some ground and pound but Howard has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Howard is looking for a triangle but McGregor pushes his legs off easily.
McGregor is pushing down on Howard's leg trying to pass to half guard. Howard is fighting to maintain full guard but McGregor has managed to sneak the leg through.

McGregor gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howard fails with the takedown.
McGregor tries to counter with a clinch but Howard shakes him off and moves away.
McGregor with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Brian McGregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Howard darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

McGregor pushes Howard off and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGregor throws a one two combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McGregor rushes Howard and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howard pulls guard.

McGregor is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Howard is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Howard has escaped and now he's on top!

Howard has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

McGregor has his feet on Howard's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Howard closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into McGregor's guard.

McGregor has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Howard has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Howard fails to pull the fight into his guard.
McGregor scores with a hook to the body.

McGregor has picked Howard up - he's going for a ride! McGregor dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Howard manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McGregor closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Howard did well to prevent McGregor getting side control.
Howard pushes McGregor off but McGregor dives into side control.
Howard stops McGregor from passing to mount.
Howard on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
McGregor content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Check out the look on McGregor's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGregor decides to stand up, so the ref orders Howard to his feet.

McGregor closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McGregor lands in his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGregor wants to control from the top but Howard keeps moving.
McGregor slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian McGregor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Howard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Howard shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McGregor sprawls well. McGregor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Howard gets slowly back to his feet.
Howard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

McGregor moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Howard jumps guard.

McGregor stands up from Howard's guard - McGregor perhaps looking for a knockout.

Howard gets caught napping as McGregor dives in and scores a takedown. Howard manages to retain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McGregor stands up from guard. Let's bang!
McGregor throws a right and a left that Howard avoids nicely.
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick

and Howard holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

McGregor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

McGregor darts in and clinches Howard up against the cage.
McGregor letting Howard take a breather here.
Howard takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Howard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Howard avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Howard postures up in McGregor's guard and throws a big left but McGregor blocks it.

McGregor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Howard is aware though and is defending well.
McGregor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Howard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Howard wants to control from the top but McGregor keeps moving.
Howard is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McGregor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McGregor working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Howard.
Howard prevents McGregor from getting back to his feet.
Howard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Brian McGregor has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Howard chips away with some ground and pound.
McGregor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGregor has momentary wrist control but Howard slips an elbow through the middle.

McGregor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Howard trying to control the position from guard on top but McGregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGregor wants to sweep but no luck.
Howard trying to control but McGregor is working from the bottom.
McGregor working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Howard.

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

and Howard counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor wants to sweep here but Howard controlling him for the moment.
Howard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Howard in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Howard connects with a couple of short punches.
McGregor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McGregor not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McGregor keeping moving, preventing Howard from controlling successfully.
Howard throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGregor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Howard trying to control but McGregor is working from the bottom.
Zane Howard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brian McGregor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

McGregor is working an open guard so Howard takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Brian McGregor.
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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

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