PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chosu McGrady (ranked 2563 p4p, 239 weight class) and Haislan Garcia (ranked 2087 p4p, 207 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McGrady
vs
Garcia

170 cm
23
150 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

175 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chosu McGrady!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Haislan Garcia!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Garcia cracks McGrady with a good jab.
McGrady has his takedown stuffed
and Garcia counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McGrady shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Garcia sprawls well. Garcia wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McGrady gets slowly back to his feet.
McGrady fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Garcia looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chosu McGrady. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garcia lands a glancing blow to the side of McGrady's head.
Garcia cracks McGrady with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McGrady dives in for a single leg takedown but Garcia sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Garcia! But no joy.
Garcia connects with a jab.

McGrady shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Garcia napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Garcia really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McGrady. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McGrady advances to full mount.
Garcia wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by McGrady.
McGrady has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Garcia taking shots to the head.
McGrady thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Garcia really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Garcia avoids a series of strikes thrown by McGrady.
McGrady throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Garcia because McGrady loaded up on that one.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McGrady landing shots from mount.
McGrady in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
McGrady unloads with some shots from mount but Garcia bucks and avoids them well.
McGrady punching from mount but Garcia doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Poor strikes thrown by McGrady there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
A nice elbow there by McGrady.
McGrady thowing shots but they're missing.

McGrady is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Garcia has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Garcia!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Garcia stopping the sweep attempt from McGrady.
Garcia is looking to stand up but McGrady won't let him.
McGrady looking to hit a scissor sweep but Garcia is one step ahead there.
Garcia stops McGrady from standing up.
Garcia must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The fighters are working up against the cage. McGrady manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Garcia as the two fighters clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrady has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Garcia is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

McGrady jumps into guard, dragging Garcia to the mat.
Garcia trying to stand up but can't free himself from McGrady's guard.
Garcia prevents McGrady from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McGrady is trying to control the position but Garcia postures up.
Garcia trying to stand up but can't free himself from McGrady's guard.
Garcia won't allow McGrady to get back to his feet.
Garcia wanted to stand there but McGrady had control of the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
McGrady swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia throws a series of punches but McGrady moves out of range.
McGrady shoots in for a takedown but Garcia shows good takedown defense.
Garcia tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McGrady was well out of range. Poor timing from Garcia.
McGrady appears to be looking for a big counter.
McGrady closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Garcia fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McGrady manages to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Garcia stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Garcia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McGrady stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Garcia tests McGrady's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGrady misses with a takedown attempt - Garcia sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice cross by Garcia.
McGrady walks into a jab.
Garcia punishes McGrady's body with a nice straight punch.
McGrady throws a right and a left that Garcia avoids nicely.
The crowd cheers as Garcia lands an impressive looking overhand right. McGrady doesn't seem phased though.
McGrady fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Garcia avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Chosu McGrady will probably get the nod.
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.

Garcia lands a jab.
McGrady changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Garcia tries to avoid it but McGrady manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Garcia to the ground. Garcia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McGrady fails with a takedown attempt.
Garcia swinging wildly here.
McGrady fails with an attempt to clinch.
Garcia jabs McGrady to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McGrady looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It seemed like Garcia was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McGrady is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGrady tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Garcia swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chosu McGrady. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garcia scores with a jab.
McGrady digs a good hook to Garcia's body.
Garcia lands with a hook. McGrady tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Garcia lands a nice shot to the body.
Garcia punishes McGrady's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Garcia lands a nice shot to the body.
McGrady fails with a takedown attempt.
Haislan Garcia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Garcia throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice jab there from Garcia.
Nice body punch from Garcia.
Chosu McGrady is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Garcia smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
McGrady on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Haislan Garcia seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Garcia lands a glancing blow to the side of McGrady's head.
McGrady tries to clinch up but Garcia circles away and keeps his distance.
Garcia stuffs the takedown attempt from McGrady. McGrady gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice shot by Garcia.
Garcia connects with a good right hand that stumbles McGrady. McGrady circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGrady looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McGrady scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Garcia is trying to stand back up but McGrady is controlling him
McGrady wants to take a breather but Garcia is having none of it.

McGrady is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Garcia sees it coming and defends easily.
McGrady trying to control the action but Garcia is working from the bottom.
Garcia looks like he's trying to stand up.
McGrady throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

McGrady looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrady thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Garcia felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
McGrady throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

McGrady is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Garcia kicks off McGrady and gets to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGrady gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McGrady rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Garcia moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Garcia throws a shot to the body.
Garcia lands a head shot.
McGrady misses with a takedown attempt - Garcia sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Garcia works over McGrady's head and body with a nice combination.
McGrady fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGrady with a lazy takedown attempt
and Garcia connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Garcia scores with a body shot.
Good shot there by Garcia.
Garcia changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
McGrady throws a shot from downtown. Garcia moves away and avoids it.
McGrady looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Jab from Garcia.
Garcia lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Haislan Garcia showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Garcia dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Garcia moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Garcia jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
McGrady misses with a takedown attempt - Garcia sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
McGrady misses with a wild combination.
Garcia misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McGrady.
McGrady fails with a takedown attempt.
Garcia moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
McGrady changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Garcia tries to avoid it but McGrady manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Garcia to the ground. Garcia escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chosu McGrady. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Garcia as he connects with a hook.
McGrady drops his hands momentarily and Garcia takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Garcia is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGrady with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Garcia to score with a decent uppercut.
A jab from Garcia finds it's way through McGrady's defenses.
A combination from Garcia does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McGrady tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Garcia defends well and McGrady ends up having to push Garcia into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Garcia lands with a hook. McGrady tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McGrady tries to score a power double leg takedown but Garcia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGrady somewhat.
McGrady takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McGrady shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Garcia but Garcia pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Garcia lunges at McGrady with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by McGrady's hand.
Garcia misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McGrady lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Garcia connects with a body shot.
Garcia fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia thuds his right hand into McGrady's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McGrady drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McGrady is looking to work some ground and pound but Garcia has wrist control.
McGrady throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Chosu McGrady overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGrady prevents Garcia from getting back to his feet.
McGrady throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Garcia is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Garcia keeping moving, preventing McGrady from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing good reports from McGrady's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
McGrady missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
McGrady 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrady fails with the takedown
and Garcia counters with a left to the body.
Garcia uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McGrady has time to react.
Garcia throws a series of punches but McGrady avoids them all with ease.
Garcia throws a good cross that connects.
McGrady fails with the takedown.
Nice uppercut lands for Garcia. That snapped McGrady's head back.
Garcia clobbers McGrady with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
McGrady shoots for a double leg takedown but Garcia sprawls well. He's pushed McGrady's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Garcia thuds his right hand into McGrady's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
McGrady tries to move into range but Garcia moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Garcia as he connects with a hook.
Garcia uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before McGrady has time to react.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGrady misses with a lunging right hand
and Garcia counters with a left to the body.
Garcia has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGrady shoots for a takedown but Garcia saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McGrady shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garcia getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
No luck for McGrady with that takedown attempt.
Garcia throws a series of punches but McGrady moves out of range.
McGrady throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Garcia's waist but Garcia gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McGrady off to one side.
McGrady takes one to the chin there.
Garcia dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from McGrady is defended easily by Garcia.
Garcia connects with a good right hand that stumbles McGrady. McGrady circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Garcia ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McGrady drops his hands momentarily and Garcia takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
McGrady takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGrady gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A combination from Garcia does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Haislan Garcia comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Garcia has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Downing scores the fight 28:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Haislan Garcia!