PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ryan McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heath Granger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Granger comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Seed 2.0 - Roots kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Ryan McCarthy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McCarthy
vs
Granger

185 cm
24
160 lbs
6 - 8 - 1

175 cm
23
156 lbs
3 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
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 6 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Ryan McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Heath Granger!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCarthy scores with a takedown into Granger's guard.
Granger is controlling McCarthy's posture.
McCarthy looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
McCarthy tries to free his leg and advance position but Granger is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
McCarthy has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granger working a defensive guard here.
McCarthy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
McCarthy preventing the sweep.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Granger will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
It looked like McCarthy was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Granger has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Heath Granger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Granger chopping away at his opponent's legs.

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.
Granger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McCarthy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McCarthy throws a quick counter head kick but Granger was just out of range.
Heath Granger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

McCarthy fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Granger sprawls well initially but McCarthy persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

McCarthy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Granger sees it coming and defends easily.
Granger is trying to get back to full guard.
McCarthy is pressing down on Granger's thigh, looking to free his foot. Granger is holding on for now.
McCarthy not doing much here.
Granger wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCarthy is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Granger is just riding it out for now. McCarthy eventually gives up the hold.
McCarthy not doing much here.
Granger is trying to maintain the position but McCarthy is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Granger is not content to let McCarthy control the position.
McCarthy controlling the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Granger tries to clinch up.
A counter left hand to the body from McCarthy misses its target.
We've been told by McCarthy's head coaches at Red Tri-Angle Gym. 15 Coaches/13 Elite that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McCarthy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Granger throws out the jab.
McCarthy is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Granger thows a leg kick but McCarthy checks it

and McCarthy counters with a nice double leg into side control. Granger won't be happy with that.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You can see the frustration on Granger's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The strikes coming from McCarthy are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan McCarthy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McCarthy swings for the body but Granger moves out of range.
Granger just misses with a punch to the body.
Granger throws a big shot that misses.
McCarthy swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Granger looks to land a left hand but McCarthy moved out of range nicely.
McCarthy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McCarthy throws a body punch but Granger moves out of range.
McCarthy slips under a jab.
McCarthy changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Granger swings widly with a right hand
and McCarthy counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Granger wants to land a leg kick but McCarthy is out of range.
Ryan McCarthy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McCarthy.
Nice uppercut there from McCarthy.

It looks like Heath Granger has been cut.
Granger is looking to clinch but McCarthy is avoiding it.
McCarthy checks a leg kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granger keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McCarthy doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Granger swings and misses with a shot to the body
and McCarthy counters with a series of strikes. Granger will be more careful next time no doubt.
Granger fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
McCarthy appears to be looking for a big counter.
Granger thows a left - swing and a miss!
Granger tries to clinch up.
Granger takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McCarthy slips under a jab from Granger.
A combination from Granger does no damage.
McCarthy is looking for a counter combo.
Granger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McCarthy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Granger can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy throws a combination. Granger tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Granger is rocked!
Ryan McCarthy is winning the standup battle so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCarthy slips a jab from Granger.
Granger is still on wobbly legs! Can McCarthy finish him?
McCarthy takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Granger seems to have recovered his senses.
Granger tries to clinch but McCarthy moves out of range.
A low kick from Granger is predictable there
and McCarthy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Granger connects with a crisp jab.
Granger tries to clinch up.
Granger throws a chopping leg kick but McCarthy manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Granger misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCarthy seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
McCarthy misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Granger misses.
It looked like McCarthy was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
McCarthy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Granger.
Granger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McCarthy at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Granger. Beautiful body shot.

McCarthy 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.
Granger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Granger keeps moving.
McCarthy slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy throws a big elbow that misses.
Granger keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
McCarthy tries to free his leg and advance position but Granger is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Granger tries to bum rush McCarthy with a series of wild strikes but McCarthy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Granger throws a right hand that misses
and McCarthy counters with a right hand to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ryan McCarthy will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Heath Granger's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

McCarthy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Granger.
McCarthy lands a nice hook to Granger's body. Granger takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
McCarthy throws a push kick but Granger slaps the foot to one side.
Granger uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Granger is looking to clinch.
McCarthy is looking to counter with a body kick.
A bone on bone clash there as McCarthy blocks the leg kick.
McCarthy is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Granger fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McCarthy is out of range.
McCarthy is looking to wear down Granger with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Granger fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McCarthy is out of range.
McCarthy drops down looking for a counter takedown but Granger sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy walks into a stiff left hand from Granger.
Granger looks to land a left hand but McCarthy moved out of range nicely.
McCarthy is looking for a counter combo.
McCarthy takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Granger throws a low kick, looking for McCarthy's leg but McCarthy calmly moves out of range.
McCarthy appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Granger lands a really nice looking cross but McCarthy seems unphased.
Granger pivots, looking for a leg kick but McCarthy is out of range and Granger settles back down.
McCarthy shoots in but no luck this time.
Granger tries to clinch
and McCarthy counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Granger forces McCarthy back against the cage and clinches.
McCarthy dodges an elbow strike from Granger.
Granger is pushing McCarthy up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Granger misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCarthy.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Heath Granger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Granger lands a shot to the body.
Granger is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Granger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCarthy drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Granger has a couple of punches blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy is trying to drag Granger to the mat but Granger just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan McCarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Granger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Granger waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCarthy.
McCarthy is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Granger throws a body punch but McCarthy moves out of range.
McCarthy works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

McCarthy looking to score a takedown here. Granger is defending well but McCarthy drives through and ends up in Granger's guard.
Granger looking to control.
Granger pulls McCarthy in close to prevent any damage.
McCarthy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
McCarthy slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
McCarthy trying to control the action but Granger is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy controls the position.

McCarthy is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Granger has escaped the position, nice work there.
McCarthy happy to just control the position for now.
Ryan McCarthy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Heath Granger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McCarthy 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan McCarthy!
A determined Ryan McCarthy didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!