PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Francis Decker (ranked 25113 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn MacGuire (ranked 7091 p4p, 0 weight class). Shawn MacGuire will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Decker
vs
MacGuire

167 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Francis Decker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Shawn MacGuire!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Richard Clark and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacGuire throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Decker's waist but Decker gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing MacGuire off to one side.
Decker could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
MacGuire throws a half hearted mid kick.
MacGuire displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Decker.
Decker with a poor takedown
and MacGuire counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Francis Decker has been cut.

MacGuire fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Decker, pushing him back against the cage.
Decker tries a body shot but MacGuire blocks it.

MacGuire breaks from the clinch.
MacGuire looks for a takedown but Decker sprawls well.
It looked like Decker was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from MacGuire.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decker tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but MacGuire defends well and Decker ends up having to push MacGuire into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
MacGuire tries to counter by closing the distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francis Decker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Decker shoots in looking for a takedown. MacGuire tries to sprawl out of it but Decker keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. MacGuire manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacGuire pushes Decker up against the cage in a clinch.

MacGuire breaks the clinch.
MacGuire looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Decker is fending him off so far but MacGuire persists. Nope, Decker circles away and we're back to standing.

MacGuire pushes Decker up against the cage in a clinch.
MacGuire tries to pull guard but Decker forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Decker is fighting off a takedown attempt but MacGuire is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Decker to the mat. Decker regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
MacGuire trying to control the position from guard on top but Decker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
MacGuire looks winded!
Decker trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
MacGuire stops Decker from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decker trying to keep a closed guard but MacGuire is proving a slippery customer.

Decker has his foot on MacGuire's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. MacGuire works his way back into a safe position though.
Decker is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

MacGuire moves into range and clinches up with Decker.

MacGuire breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
MacGuire fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MacGuire clinches up against the cage.
MacGuire has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Decker is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Decker can't break the clinch.

Decker breaks the clinch.

MacGuire gets in close and instigates a clinch.

MacGuire gets control of Decker's arms and successfully pulls guard. MacGuire will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Decker might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
MacGuire is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
MacGuire controlling the position.
MacGuire wants to sweep but no luck.
Decker landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacGuire is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Decker with a flurry of punches that miss.

Decker drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Decker jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Decker gets tackled into the cage by MacGuire. MacGuire maintains the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Decker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Decker is trying to force a seperation but MacGuire has the dominant position.
Decker is trying to break the clinch but MacGuire is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn MacGuire dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francis Decker's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Decker fails with an attempt to clinch.

MacGuire fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Decker, pushing him back against the cage.
MacGuire wants a takedown.

Decker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Decker or perhaps it was just good defense by MacGuire, which made it look bad.
Decker lands with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decker goes for a double leg but MacGuire avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as MacGuire continues to drive forward.
Decker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
MacGuire is breathing heavily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Decker is working for a kimura but MacGuire is defending it quite comfortably.
MacGuire is trying to get back to full guard.
MacGuire is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Decker scores with a couple of nice shots.

MacGuire is defending against the submission attempts here by Decker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
MacGuire tries to get to full guard but Decker has control of the leg.

Decker is working for a kimura but MacGuire is defending it quite comfortably.

Decker is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. MacGuire doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Decker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacGuire manages to get to full guard.
MacGuire trying to strike off his back.
MacGuire avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Decker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Decker shoots in for a double leg but MacGuire sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Francis Decker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MacGuire displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Decker.
MacGuire lands a nice hook to Decker's body. Decker takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Decker.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

MacGuire shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Decker manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Decker manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
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 Francis Decker will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Francis Decker's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

MacGuire fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Decker, pushing him back against the cage.
MacGuire jumps guard but Decker turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

MacGuire's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
MacGuire shoots for a takedown but Decker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
It looked like Decker was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Decker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from MacGuire.

MacGuire closes the distance and clinches.
Decker has had enough of the clinch but MacGuire keeps him there for the moment.

Decker drags the fight down to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Decker uses the cage to get back to his feet.

MacGuire has managed to clinch.
MacGuire takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stalling in the clinch from MacGuire.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacGuire tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Decker smiles and moves away.
Francis Decker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn MacGuire.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Decker pulls MacGuire into guard.

Decker has his feet on MacGuire's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
MacGuire misses with a takedown attempt - Decker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Decker appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Decker lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decker dives in for a single leg takedown but MacGuire sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Shawn MacGuire seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Decker tries to clinch but MacGuire is having none of it.
MacGuire shoots in but Decker avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Decker drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Decker keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of MacGuire's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
MacGuire working a defensive guard here.
Decker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacGuire preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Decker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Decker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
MacGuire wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Decker is now in half guard.
MacGuire wants to improve his position but Decker is controlling well.
Decker lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Decker drops an elbow to the side of MacGuire's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

MacGuire is defending against the submission attempts here by Decker.
Decker sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Decker is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so MacGuire is just riding it out for now. Decker eventually gives up the hold.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francis Decker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Decker 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!