PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between David McCarthy (ranked 5061 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor McGregor (ranked 2943 p4p, 0 weight class). McCarthy's entrance music is Chamillionaire - Ridin' ft. Krayzie Bone. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McCarthy
vs
McGregor

180 cm
35
166 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

185 cm
28
168 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, David McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Connor McGregor!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCarthy tries to keep at a distance but McGregor has taken the fight into the clinch.
McGregor using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McCarthy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short right from McGregor on the inside.
McGregor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McGregor obliges.
McCarthy wants to take the fight to the mat but McGregor manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
McGregor misses with a body punch.
McGregor using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
McCarthy is breathing heavily.
McGregor connects with a knee to the head.
McCarthy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McGregor pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McGregor landing knees to the body.
McGregor scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. McGregor obliges.
McGregor tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor with a knee to the head.
McGregor scores with a shoulder strike.
McGregor with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McCarthy managing to block the knees to the body from McGregor.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCarthy.
McGregor with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McGregor scores with a knee to the head.
McGregor connects with a nasty looking knee right to McCarthy's face.
McCarthy has McGregor pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. McGregor manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David McCarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
McGregor throws a head punch that misses.
McGregor misses with some punches.
McGregor lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor lands with a light punch inside.
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 tries to land a knee to the head but McCarthy blocks with his arms.
McGregor lands an uppercut.
McGregor tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McGregor using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McCarthy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McCarthy 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.
McGregor softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McGregor misses with a hook to the ribs.
McGregor tries to land knees in the clinch but McCarthy avoids the damage to the body.
McGregor throws a knee to the head but misses.
McGregor landing knees to the body.
McGregor throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McCarthy blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice right hand lands inside from McGregor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor lands with a right to the head.
McGregor throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McCarthy blocks it with crossed arms.
McGregor trying to land knees to the body.
McGregor throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McCarthy blocks it with crossed arms.
McGregor misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McGregor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McGregor tries to land knees in the clinch but McCarthy avoids the damage to the body.
McGregor tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McCarthy avoids it.
McGregor misses with some punches.
McGregor tries a knee to the head but McCarthy blocks it.
McGregor has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. McCarthy seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if McGregor can turn it around.
McCarthy 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.
McGregor lands with a light punch inside.
McGregor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCarthy is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McCarthy avoids it.
McGregor misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McGregor pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McGregor lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McGregor misses with a punch on the inside.
McGregor tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McGregor tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCarthy tries to score a body lock takedown but McGregor shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGregor lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McCarthy backwards.
McGregor throws a punch but it's blocked by McCarthy.
McCarthy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McGregor pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McGregor lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor McGregor dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McCarthy changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McGregor tries to avoid it but McCarthy manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McGregor to the ground. McGregor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McCarthy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McGregor is fending him off so far but McCarthy persists. Nope, McGregor circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from McGregor as McCarthy shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David McCarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor scores with a head kick.
McGregor scores with a kick to the body.
McGregor connects with a jab.

McGregor rushes McCarthy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McGregor trying to land knees to the body.
McGregor connects with a knee to the head.
McGregor misses with a hook to the ribs.
McGregor working some nice short punches in the clinch.
McCarthy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McGregor fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd cheers as McGregor lands an impressive looking overhand right. McCarthy doesn't seem phased though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGregor throws a series of punches but McCarthy moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy fails with a takedown attempt.
McGregor looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

McCarthy shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McGregor napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McGregor is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but McCarthy has just dragged him back down to the mat.
You can see the frustration on McGregor's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McCarthy looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
McGregor wants to control but McCarthy postures up.
The strikes coming from McCarthy are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
McGregor tries to get back to half guard but can't.
McCarthy working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is trying to ground and pound but McGregor uses the momentary lack of control by McCarthy to regain half guard.
McGregor wants to get back to his feet.
McCarthy trying to mount his opponent but McGregor defends it.

McCarthy seems to be looking for submissions.
McGregor is concentrating on defense, preventing McCarthy from advancing position.
McCarthy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

McGregor kicks McCarthy off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McCarthy closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

McCarthy 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.
McGregor is trying to stand up here but McCarthy is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. McCarthy is working away from the top position though.
McGregor regains full guard. Nicely done.
McGregor trying to keep a closed guard but McCarthy is proving a slippery customer.

McCarthy gets to his feet - McGregor follows without any prompting.
McGregor scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

McCarthy shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

McCarthy seems to be looking for submissions.
McCarthy is looking to pass McGregor's guard but actually McGregor recovers to full guard.

McCarthy drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McCarthy jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
McCarthy prevents McGregor from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Connor McGregor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by McGregor!
McGregor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCarthy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGregor.
McGregor tries a head kick but it misses.
McCarthy shoots in looking for a takedown but McGregor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McCarthy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McGregor is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
McGregor bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McCarthy has a takedown stuffed.
McCarthy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McGregor is fending him off so far but McCarthy persists. Nope, McGregor circles away and we're back to standing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from McGregor! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David McCarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McGregor has taken the fight to the clinch.
McGregor tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCarthy's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McGregor lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McGregor with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGregor tries to land a knee to the head but McCarthy blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a punch on the inside.
McGregor is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McCarthy is defending well for now.
McGregor lands a right hand that snaps the head of McCarthy backwards.
McGregor lands with a right to the head.
McGregor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGregor stops a takedown attempt from McCarthy.
A short left from McGregor.
McCarthy is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McGregor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
McCarthy is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McGregor pulls him back up using the underhooks.
McGregor lands with a left to the head.
McGregor unloads a knee to the mid-section.
McGregor throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McCarthy blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor lands a knee to the head.
McGregor using the Thai plumb to throw knees but McCarthy has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short right from McGregor on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGregor tries to land a knee to the head but McCarthy blocks with his arms.
McGregor misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McCarthy.
McGregor with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A right hook to the body lands for McGregor.
McGregor misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCarthy avoiding damage as McGregor throws knees to the body.
McGregor working McCarthy over with knees to the body.
McGregor misses with a hook to the ribs.
McGregor landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is looking for a takedown.
McGregor tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McCarthy avoids it.
McGregor misses with a hook from the clinch.
McGregor misses with a knee to the head.
McGregor misses with a hook from the clinch.
Connor McGregor is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCarthy tries for a takedown but McGregor manages to get underhooks.
McCarthy tries for a takedown but McGregor manages to get underhooks.
McCarthy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McGregor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Connor McGregor seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
McGregor with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
McCarthy tries for a takedown but McGregor manages to get underhooks.
McCarthy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but McGregor gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McGregor throws a punch but it's blocked by McCarthy.
David McCarthy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McCarthy tries for a takedown. No joy.
McCarthy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McGregors head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Connor McGregor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McGregor winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 25:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Connor McGregor!
Connor McGregor took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, MayheM sportswear for their support in the buildup to the fight.