PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Conor McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Hecker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGregor kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Foggy Dew. Hecker has chosen The Ultimate Warrior as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

McGregor
vs
Hecker

168 cm
44
155 lbs
43 - 8 - 1

175 cm
40
155 lbs
28 - 22 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Conor McGregor !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 22 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeff Hecker!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hecker moves into the clinch successfully.
Hecker goes for a takedown attempt but McGregor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
No luck for Hecker with that takedown attempt.
Hecker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hecker closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGregor circles away.
McGregor appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Hecker.

Hecker forces McGregor back against the cage and clinches.
Hecker looking for a takedown.
Hecker changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McGregor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hecker fails with the takedown
enabling McGregor to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hecker has taken the fight to the clinch.
McGregor with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McGregor lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McGregor definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor working Hecker over with knees to the body.
McGregor is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hecker tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hecker has McGregor pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. McGregor manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

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

and McGregor counters with a crisp one two that drops Hecker! McGregor thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Hecker to his feet! Hecker is in big trouble!

Hecker moves into the clinch.
Hecker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McGregor avoids it.
Hecker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McGregor .

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hecker has McGregor pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hecker pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending McGregor tumbling to the mat - Hecker dives into McGregor 's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hecker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hecker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McGregor keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.
Hecker postures up in McGregor 's guard and throws a big left but McGregor blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker trying to control but McGregor is working from the bottom.
McGregor knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hecker on the ground.
Hecker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hecker closes the distance and clinches up with McGregor , looking for a takedown. Hecker pushes McGregor against the cage but McGregor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McGregor is looking for a counter combo.

Hecker closes the distance and clinches.
McGregor stops a takedown attempt from Hecker.
McGregor tries to land knees in the clinch but Hecker avoids the damage to the body.
McGregor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hecker is defending well for now.
Hecker goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGregor prevents it.
McGregor crunches a lovely knee into Hecker's ribcage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hecker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor lands a leg kick that knocks Hecker off balance momentarily.
Hecker tries to clinch but fails miserably
and McGregor cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hecker with a lazy takedown attempt
and McGregor counters with a nice body shot.
A jab from McGregor does it's job there.
Hecker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
McGregor seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

McGregor tries to keep at a distance but Hecker has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McGregor leaves Hecker with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hecker.

Hecker clinches.
Hecker has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McGregor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Hecker.
Hecker can't get the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hecker can't get the takedown.
McGregor misses with a knee to the head.
Hecker can't get the takedown.
McGregor lands a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McGregor .
Hecker keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McGregor 's efforts to push away.
Hecker goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGregor prevents it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McGregor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hecker can't get the takedown.
McGregor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hecker can do to turn this around?
McGregor lands a good knee to the midsection. Hecker won't want to take too many of those.
McGregor scores with a shot to the side of Hecker's head.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hecker avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McGregor stuffs the takedown attempt from Hecker. Hecker gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hecker with a lazy takedown attempt
and McGregor counters with a left and a right that stings Hecker.
McGregor takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Hecker moves into range and clinches up with McGregor .
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hecker takes a shot to the head.
Hecker is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hecker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hecker is breathing heavily.

McGregor drops Hecker with a big knee straight up the middle! Hecker is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Hecker is rocked!

It looks like Jeff Hecker has been cut.

Hecker shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McGregor is trying to defend but Hecker finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hecker is still in real trouble! Can McGregor finish him?
McGregor is looking to escape.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Hecker working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker seems to have recovered his senses.

Hecker is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
McGregor wants to get back to his feet.
Hecker seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McGregor does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hecker wants to pass to mount but McGregor is defending the position.
McGregor blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hecker.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hecker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McGregor is not content to let Hecker control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hecker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGregor defends it nicely.
McGregor misses with a looping right.

Hecker gets a double leg takedown into McGregor 's guard.
Hecker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McGregor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hecker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hecker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hecker throws a big right hand that misses.

Hecker drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but McGregor manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hecker has McGregor in his guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jeff Hecker's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hecker moves to clinch but McGregor breaks away
and McGregor counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McGregor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hecker.
Conor McGregor is winning the standup battle so far.
Hecker fails with the takedown
and McGregor connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hecker misses with a takedown attempt - McGregor sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McGregor swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Hecker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hecker tries to clinch there but McGregor circles away.
McGregor is looking for a counter combo.
Hecker looks for a takedown but McGregor sprawls well.
Hecker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hecker closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hecker takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

McGregor lands a left and a right that send Hecker crashing to the mat, dazed. McGregor thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Hecker closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hecker lands in his opponent's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
McGregor keeping full guard, as Hecker tries to pass.
McGregor on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if McGregor tries to get out of the position.
Hecker postures up in McGregor 's guard and throws a big left but McGregor blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hecker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hecker postures up in McGregor 's guard and throws a big left but McGregor blocks it.
Hecker throws an elbow that misses. McGregor uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hecker's guard. Nice move by McGregor !

Hecker trying to control the position.
McGregor is looking to stand up but Hecker won't let him.
Hecker looking to control.

Hecker working for a triangle but McGregor defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hecker is looking for a triangle but McGregor pushes his legs off easily.

McGregor has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Hecker to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! McGregor is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Hecker pulls down on the head and he's put McGregor to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Jeff Hecker!
Jeff Hecker decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.
Conor McGregor was interviewed post fight and said 'I am cocky in prediction. I am confident in preparation, but I am always humble in victory or defeat, and tonight he was the better fighter. Thank You to The fans and thank you Ireland.'.