PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Connor McGregor (ranked 6711 p4p, 541 weight class) and Sampson Shain (ranked 3811 p4p, 375 weight class). Sampson Shain has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McGregor
vs
Shain

185 cm
31
168 lbs
11 - 13 - 0

175 cm
25
165 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

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 11 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Connor McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sampson Shain!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McGregor rushes Shain and presses him up against the cage.
McGregor lands with a right to the head.
McGregor lands a hook that snaps the head of Shain backwards.
McGregor's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McGregor throws a punch but it's blocked by Shain.
Shain swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Shain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shain works the jab nicely.
Shain lands with a nice body punch.
Shain throws a leg kick but McGregor sees it coming and checks it nicely.

McGregor clinches up against the cage.
McGregor landing knees to the head.

It looks like Sampson Shain has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGregor tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shain misses with a punch on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McGregor as Shain tries to tie him up.
McGregor utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shain.
McGregor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor lands with a light punch inside.
McGregor with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Shain.
McGregor throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McGregor.
Shain wants to stall.
McGregor lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shain taking a breather.

Shain breaks from the clinch.
McGregor takes a kick to the side of the head.
Sampson Shain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shain throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McGregor stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Shain throws a looping overhand right but McGregor ducks down to avoid it.
Shain thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shain just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromMcGregor.
Shain has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Shain misses with a wild body shot.
McGregor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shain.
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt - Shain sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shain misses with a left hand
and McGregor counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch but Shain swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGregor scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Shain shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Shain misses with an uppercut
and McGregor counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McGregor shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shain counters with a nice body shot.

McGregor clinches up with Shain and pushes him back against the cage.
McGregor scores with a knee to the head.

Shain's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McGregor tries to clinch up but Shain circles away and keeps his distance.
Shain misses with a looping left.
Shain stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shain wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt
and Shain counters with a nice leg kick.
McGregor avoids the head kick by Shain.
Shain explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
McGregor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shain.
Shain dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McGregor. That did some damage!
McGregor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shain manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from McGregor.
Shain avoids the head kick by McGregor.
McGregor chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shain can pounce on him.
McGregor looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shain moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Shain misses the jab.
McGregor appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Shain tries a head kick but it misses.
Shain lands a nice leg kick that just misses McGregor's sensitive parts.
A head kick misses from McGregor.
Shain lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor thows a leg kick but Shain checks it
and Shain counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McGregor tries to clinch but Shain moves out of range.
McGregor throws a head kick but Shain moves out of range.
Shain throws out a counter right but McGregor avoids it with no problem.
Shain fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Shain lands a jab to McGregor's midsection.
McGregor tries to clinch but Shain moves out of range.
Shain circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shain throws a lazy right hand but McGregor sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Shain gets caught napping as McGregor dives in and scores a takedown. Shain manages to retain guard.
McGregor looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGregor wants to control from the top but Shain keeps moving.
Shain trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sampson Shain will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sampson Shain's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McGregor blocks a low kick nicely.
Shain misses the jab.
McGregor gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Shain.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shain.
McGregor dips to his left and cracks Shain with an uppercut!
McGregor blocks the body kick.
McGregor half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sloppy strikes from McGregor. Those never looked like landing.
McGregor moves in looking to clinch but Shain pushes him off.
Shain on the wrong end of a nice hook.

McGregor rushes Shain and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shain tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shain swings wildly with an uppercut but McGregor uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good body shot from Shain.
Shain lands with a right to the head.
McGregor throws a punch but it's blocked by Shain.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shain wants to break the clinch but can't.
McGregor is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Shain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGregor misses with a body punch
and Shain counters with a nice uppercut.
Shain throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shain throws a head kick that misses.
McGregor shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shain counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McGregor lands a slapping body shot.
McGregor blocks a jab.
McGregor misses with an uppercut. Shain saw that one coming.
Shain lets loose with a powerful body kick. McGregor will feel that in the morning.
Shain avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shain connects with a crisp jab.
Shain feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McGregor's calf.
Shain avoids the head kick by McGregor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A little jabbing left from Shain on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shain attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
McGregor wants to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGregor defending well as Shain loads up on a big left hand.
McGregor lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Shain throws a sloppy head kick and McGregor moves out of range easily.
Sampson Shain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGregor scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shain avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGregor uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shain.
Shain misses the jab.

McGregor closes the distance and clinches.
McGregor blocking some punches.
Shain lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor lands with a short shot to the head.

McGregor successfully pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McGregor looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Shain has picked McGregor up and slammed him! McGregor can't keep hold of the triangle and Shain manages to pass to side control!
Shain wants to lay and pray for a moment but McGregor keeps working.
McGregor sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Shain stops McGregor from getting back to his feet.

McGregor actively working from the bottom here.
McGregor tries to kick Shain off but Shain keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
McGregor is trying to get back to full guard.
McGregor is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGregor pushes Shain off and gets back to his feet.
A jab from Shain finds it's way through McGregor's defenses.
Shain lands with a cross.
McGregor moves away from the strike by Shain.
McGregor takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shain cracks McGregor with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Shain goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

McGregor gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Connor McGregor has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McGregor is trying to drag Shain to the mat but Shain just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Shain won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shain backwards.

Shain breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McGregor takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sampson Shain showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sampson Shain's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

McGregor feints and then cracks Shain's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Shain down.
McGregor cracks Shain with an open hand slap.
That kick from Shain tenderised McGregor's leg. McGregor is trying to keep his angry face on.
Shain throws a leg kick that misses.
A head kick misses from McGregor.
Shain throws a nice inside leg kick.
The fighters circling - Shain throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shain throws out a loose jab but McGregor uses good head movement to avoid it.
McGregor tries for a takedown but Shain sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Shain. McGregor shrugs it off though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shain throws the left hand but McGregor avoids the punch easily.
Nice cross by Shain.
McGregor closes the distance and clinches up with Shain, looking for a takedown. McGregor pushes Shain against the cage but Shain circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shain throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McGregor counters with a series of strikes. Shain will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shain scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Shain connects with an inside leg kick.
McGregor tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shain paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A little jabbing left from Shain on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shain digs a good hook to McGregor's body.
A bone on bone clash there as Shain blocks the leg kick.
A low kick from McGregor misses
and Shain counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sampson Shain seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McGregor avoids a kick to the body.
McGregor seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
McGregor fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shain missing with a left hand there. McGregor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shain misses with a wild body shot.
It looked like McGregor was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Shain lands a jab to the nose.
Shain throws a hook but McGregor avoids it easily.
McGregor has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor tries to clinch there but Shain circles away.
McGregor loads up on a big right hand but Shain slips the punch.
Shain delivers a nice body kick.

McGregor drives through and clinches with Shain against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shain throws a head punch that misses.
McGregor throws a punch but it's blocked by Shain.
Shain prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short right from Shain.

Shain breaks the clinch.
McGregor moves out of range of the strikes.
Shain misses with a looping right.
McGregor throws a quick counter head kick but Shain was just out of range.
McGregor throws a nice head kick!
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt
and Shain counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shain connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McGregor shoots in but Shain avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shain scores with a decent looking hook.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from McGregor - that will leave a mark!
Connor McGregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGregor goes for a double leg but Shain avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shain continues to drive forward.
Shain dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McGregor. That did some damage!
McGregor doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Shain.
Shain takes a swing at McGregor's ribcage but misses.
McGregor tries to clinch up.
Shain looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Shain stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

McGregor is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shain lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Shain.
Oh McGregor is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Shain to counter with a crisp jab.
McGregor doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shain counters with an outside leg kick.
BOOM! Shain lands a beautiful left hook that drops McGregor. McGregor tries to recover but Shain is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and McGregor lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sampson Shain!