PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Shahen (ranked 4710 p4p, 438 weight class) and Conor McGregor (ranked 4064 p4p, 396 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Shahen
vs
McGregor

168 cm
27
165 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
18
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Shahen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Conor McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Ryoma Takatsuka and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor thuds a left hand into Shahen's body.
McGregor connects with a single shot there.
McGregor misses with an attempted mid kick.
McGregor swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McGregor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McGregor goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A quick step to the side and Shahen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
McGregor looks to throw a body kick
and Shahen counters with a left to the body.
McGregor throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McGregor tries a head kick but it misses.
Shahen is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from McGregor.
McGregor slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shahen has time to react.
McGregor throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
McGregor throws a right and a left that Shahen avoids nicely.
Jab by McGregor.
McGregor cracks Shahen with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor throws a right and a left that Shahen avoids nicely.
McGregor misses with a looping left.
McGregor throws a body shot but no joy.
A counter left hand to the body from Shahen misses its target.

McGregor has closed the distance and engaged Shahen in a clinch.

Shahen breaks the clinch.
McGregor's corner calls for a 1-2. McGregor obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McGregor tests Shahen's chin there with a solid looking shot.

McGregor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Shahen manages to break the clinch.

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

Shahen manages to break the clinch.
McGregor misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shahen is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor swinging wildly here.
Shahen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Some wild striking there from McGregor.
McGregor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shahen circles away quickly and effectively.
Shahen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts McGregor, as that shot connected.
McGregor looks to land a body kick but Shahen moved away.
Shahen tries to counter with a takedown but McGregor is quick to defend against it.
Conor McGregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGregor cracks Shahen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McGregor scores with a crisp jab that stopped Shahen in his tracks.
McGregor scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

McGregor has closed the distance and engaged Shahen in a clinch.

Shahen manages to break the clinch.
McGregor cracks Shahen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a hook. Shahen ducked under it nicely.
Shahen seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
McGregor connects with a body shot that sends Shahen's belly button to the back.
McGregor shoots in and drives through. Shahen sprawls well.
McGregor misses the shot to the body.
McGregor stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McGregor has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
McGregor misses with a two punch combination.

McGregor forces Shahen back against the cage and clinches.

Shahen breaks from the clinch.
McGregor bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Shahen avoids the head kick by McGregor.
Shahen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shahen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A decent looking cross lands there for McGregor.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shahen.
A combination from McGregor does no damage.
McGregor looks winded!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGregor swinging wildly here.
McGregor missing with a left hand there. Shahen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shahen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
A big left from McGregor misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Shahen misses its target.

Shahen gets tackled into the cage by McGregor. McGregor maintains the clinch.
McGregor jumps guard but Shahen stands there with McGregor around his waist. McGregor gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Shahen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McGregor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shahen.

McGregor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

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

McGregor has taken the fight to the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

McGregor lands a jab-cross combination.
McGregor misses with a series of wild punches.
McGregor tries a head kick but it misses.
McGregor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGregor bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Shahen's head backwards.

McGregor closes the distance and pushes Shahen back into the cage.

Shahen breaks from the clinch.
McGregor throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGregor tries to bum rush Shahen with a series of wild strikes but Shahen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor throws a jab when Shahen was well out of range.
Shahen is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
McGregor comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McGregor bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
McGregor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A quick step to the side and Shahen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
McGregor is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shahen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
McGregor throws an overhand right that lands on Shahen's shoulder, as Shahen tries to avoid the shot.
A nice combination there by McGregor.
McGregor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shahen.
McGregor lands a two punch combo.
McGregor misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McGregor misses with a series of wild punches.
Shahen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McGregor throws out the jab.
McGregor scores with a nice head shot.
Shahen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick and Shahen moves out of range easily.
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick and Shahen moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a series of wild punches.
Shahen is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGregor throws a big shot that misses.
McGregor fails to land with a series of punches.
McGregor misses with a jab, cross combination.
It looked like Shahen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McGregor.
McGregor misses with a head kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Shahen misses its target.
McGregor swinging wildly here.
Shahen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

McGregor closes the distance and pushes Shahen back into the cage.

Shahen breaks the clinch.
Shahen slips a jab from McGregor.
Shahen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shahen.
Nice uppercut lands for McGregor. That snapped Shahen's head back.
McGregor throws a right hand that Shahen ducks under and follows up with a left that Shahen also avoids with ease.
It looked like Shahen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McGregor.
Shahen avoids the head kick by McGregor.
Shahen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Jab from McGregor.

McGregor clinches up against the cage.
McGregor wants to take the fight to the mat but Shahen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Shahen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor looks to land a body kick but Shahen moved away.
A telegraphed right hand from McGregor misses the target.
Shahen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
McGregor throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McGregor misses with a straight right.
A punch lands to the side of Shahen 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from McGregor.
A punch combination from McGregor misses.

McGregor pushes Shahen up against the cage in a clinch.

Shahen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from McGregor. Those never looked like landing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGregor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shahen is looking to wear down McGregor with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McGregor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shahen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick and Shahen moves out of range easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Shahen misses its target.
McGregor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A slow jab from McGregor misses its intended target.
It looked like Shahen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McGregor.
Nice takedown defense from Shahen. No joy for McGregor on that attempt.
Conor McGregor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McGregor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
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.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick by McGregor misses

and Shahen counters by moving into the clinch.

McGregor's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McGregor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A quick step to the side and Shahen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A left and a right from McGregor both land. Nice combination.
McGregor throws a lazy body kick
and Shahen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A big left from McGregor misses.
McGregor pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shahen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shahen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
It looked like Shahen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McGregor.
McGregor swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Shahen moves into the clinch.

Shahen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shahen slips under a jab.
McGregor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shahen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
McGregor misses with an uppercut. Shahen saw that one coming.
Shahen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McGregor misses with a head kick.
Shahen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
McGregor misses with a low kick as Shahen jumps back.
McGregor tries to bum rush Shahen with a series of wild strikes but Shahen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGregor misses with a leg kick

and Shahen counters by clinching up.

Shahen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Conor McGregor seems to be getting the better of the standup.

McGregor has closed the distance and engaged Shahen in a clinch.

Shahen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shahen blocks a head kick by McGregor.
McGregor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shahen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Shahen checks a low kick from McGregor.
McGregor's corner calls for a 1-2. McGregor obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shahen walks into a left hand.
McGregor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shahen was well out of range. Poor timing from McGregor.
McGregor misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shahen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

McGregor instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Shahen manages to break the clinch.
McGregor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shahen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McGregor.
McGregor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shahen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from McGregor lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Shahen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Shahen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
McGregor misses with a jab, cross combination.

McGregor rushes Shahen and presses him up against the cage.

Shahen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor throws a head kick but Shahen moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor throws a nice looking combination but Shahen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shahen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
McGregor throws out a loose jab but Shahen uses good head movement to avoid it.
McGregor tries to bum rush Shahen with a series of wild strikes but Shahen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGregor throws a hook but Shahen avoids it easily.
Shahen moves out of range of the strikes.
Shahen is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A punch combination from McGregor misses.
It looked like Shahen was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from McGregor.
McGregor looks to score with a jab to the body but Shahen is just out of range.

Shahen gets tackled into the cage by McGregor. McGregor maintains the clinch.
Shahen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Shahen manages to break the clinch.
McGregor misses with a straight right.
Shahen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor throws a looping overhand right but Shahen ducks down to avoid it.
Shahen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

McGregor closes the distance and pushes Shahen back into the cage.

Shahen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McGregor misses with a double jab.
McGregor cracks Shahen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McGregor lands with a hook. Shahen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McGregor throws a body shot but no joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice defenses there by Shahen.
A quick step to the side and Shahen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
McGregor loads up on a big right hand but Shahen slips the punch.
Joe Shahen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGregor throws a right and a left that both miss.
Conor McGregor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McGregor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shahen circles away quickly and effectively.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor McGregor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 26:30

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