PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Edmund Riddle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGregor comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Foggy Dew kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Riddle
vs
McGregor

162 cm
24
178 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Edmund Riddle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Riddle eats them both and turns towards McGregor to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
McGregor lands a slapping body shot.
McGregor connects with the punch.

Riddle closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Riddle lands in his opponent's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McGregor is on top in guard.

McGregor wants to control from the top but Riddle keeps moving.
Riddle wants to stand and escape but McGregor is having none of it.
McGregor wants to control from the top but Riddle keeps moving.
Riddle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riddle is looking to stand up but McGregor isn't so interested in that idea.
Riddle is pulling down on McGregor's head to control his posture.
Riddle might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McGregor scoring with punches to the head and body.
Riddle could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
McGregor engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Riddle working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because McGregor has passed into half guard!
McGregor sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Riddle defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Riddle wants to get back to his feet.
McGregor trying to control the pace.
Riddle throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

McGregor is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Riddle has managed to free his arm - good work.
McGregor wants to pass the guard but Riddle is defending well.
Riddle tries to kick McGregor off but McGregor keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a jab to the body

and Riddle counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A short right from McGregor.
Riddle blocks an uppercut.
McGregor lands a right hand.
Riddle stalling.
McGregor doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McGregor working aggressively here.
Riddle blocks an uppercut.

Riddle manages to break the clinch.
Conor McGregor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGregor bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Riddle's head.
McGregor tries to land a front kick but Riddle steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Riddle feinted with a counter takedown.
McGregor just misses with a punch to the body.
McGregor looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a wild body shot.
Riddle seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
McGregor swinging wildly here.
McGregor lands with a nice combination. Riddle backs away looking to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Riddle throws a quick head kick that skims the top of McGregor's head.
Riddle avoids the body shot from McGregor.
Riddle tries to counter by clinching up but McGregor breaks away and moves out of range.
Conor McGregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Riddle pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McGregor feints the counter takedown.
McGregor connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

McGregor misses with an uppercut.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The referee is keeping an eye on McGregor - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Riddle pulls guard effortlessly.
McGregor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Riddle working for a triangle but McGregor defends it easily.
Riddle is trying to keep McGregor in close.
Riddle knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for McGregor on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor trying to control but Riddle is working from the bottom.
Riddle being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor won't allow Riddle to get back to his feet.
Riddle is adopting a defensive guard.
McGregor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
McGregor throws a shot from downtown. Riddle moves away and avoids it.
McGregor is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
McGregor connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Conor McGregor seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McGregor throws an off balance right hand

and Riddle counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Riddle blocks a body shot from McGregor.
McGregor is breathing heavily.
Riddle is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Riddle.

Riddle has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics McGregor uses from the top position.
McGregor trying to control the position from guard on top but Riddle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Riddle pulls McGregor in to control the position.
Riddle keeping moving, preventing McGregor from controlling successfully.

McGregor postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Riddle is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of McGregor, into his guard.

Riddle with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Edmund Riddle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riddle won't allow McGregor to sweep him here.
Riddle postures up.
McGregor wants to improve his position but instead Riddle has moved into half guard.
Riddle looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
McGregor wants to improve his position but Riddle is controlling well.
Riddle seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Riddle working over McGregor with some ground and pound. McGregor looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's four 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.
Riddle is controlling the pace.
McGregor is trying to get back to full guard.
Riddle slips a nice elbow through McGregor's hands, connecting with McGregor's forehead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Riddle perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edmund Riddle dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Riddle moves into the clinch.
McGregor tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Riddle jumps guard.
Riddle is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Riddle is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Riddle is trying to keep McGregor in close.
McGregor sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Riddle is looking to sweep but instead, McGregor has passed into half guard.
McGregor is thwarting Riddle's attempts to control the position.
Riddle wants to improve his position but McGregor is controlling well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGregor is looking to stall here but Riddle recovers full guard.
McGregor trying to control but Riddle is working from the bottom.
Riddle is trying to keep McGregor in close.

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 trying to control but Riddle is working from the bottom.
McGregor might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Riddle haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McGregor throws a body shot but no joy.
Riddle is looking to counter the offense by McGregor and move into the clinch.
Riddle blocks a jab.
Riddle seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
McGregor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Riddle tries to counter by clinching up but McGregor breaks away and moves out of range.

McGregor gets tackled into the cage by Riddle. Riddle maintains the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Riddle effectively controlling the action here.
Riddle stalling the fight.

Riddle breaks the clinch.
McGregor moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Edmund Riddle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGregor throws an overhand right that lands on Riddle's shoulder, as Riddle tries to avoid the shot.
Riddle is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from McGregor.
Riddle lands a head kick!
Riddle staying out of range there.
Riddle drops down looking for a counter takedown but McGregor sprawls and moves away.
McGregor misses with a lunging right hand

and Riddle counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
McGregor goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from McGregor on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Riddle creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McGregor's defenses.
Riddle tries to pull guard but McGregor holds him up against the cage and eventually Riddle drops back down to his feet.

Riddle manages to break the clinch.

Riddle has managed to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Riddle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Edmund Riddle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Riddle leaning against his opponent.

Riddle pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Riddle pushes McGregor up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Riddle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Riddle is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from McGregor.
McGregor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Edmund Riddle showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Riddle 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Edmund Riddle!
Conor McGregor was interviewed post fight and said 'The opponent was the better fighter and the win backs that up. All I gotta do is come back stronger and get that 'W' '.