PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Mccarthy (ranked 6950 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor Mcgregor (ranked 4988 p4p, 0 weight class). Conor Mcgregor has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Roberto Mccarthy's chin.

Mccarthy
vs
Mcgregor

167 cm
25
151 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Roberto Mccarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor Mcgregor!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Phil Schofield and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mcgregor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mcgregor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mccarthy circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mccarthy looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mcgregor shoots for a double leg takedown but Mccarthy sprawls well. He's pushed Mcgregor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mccarthy thinks about countering with a head kick.
Roberto Mccarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Mcgregor.
Mcgregor shoots in looking for a takedown. Mccarthy tries to sprawl out of it but Mcgregor keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mccarthy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Conor Mcgregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mccarthy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mcgregor.
Mcgregor tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mccarthy seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Mccarthy moves in looking to clinch but Mcgregor pushes him off.
As Mccarthy backs off Mcgregor throws a huge counter combo but Mccarthy manages to avoid it all.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mccarthy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Roberto Mccarthy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mccarthy tries to clinch but Mcgregor moves out of range.
Mcgregor shoots and misses
and Mccarthy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Mcgregor is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mccarthy sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mcgregor misses with a wild combination.
Mccarthy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mcgregor shoots for a double leg takedown but Mccarthy sprawls well. He's pushed Mcgregor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mcgregor looks winded!
Some wild striking there from Mccarthy.

Mcgregor tries to keep at a distance but Mccarthy has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor is trying to pull guard but Mccarthy turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mcgregor gets underhooks to prevent Mccarthy's takedown attempt.
Mccarthy fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Mccarthy pulls guard successfully.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mccarthy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mccarthy has his hands on Mcgregor's head, controlling the position.
Mcgregor trying to control the position from guard on top but Mccarthy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mccarthy is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mccarthy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mcgregor would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mcgregor is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Mcgregor is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mccarthy is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mccarthy has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Mcgregor holds on and takes a little breather.
Mccarthy content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mccarthy gets to his feet - Mcgregor follows without any prompting.
Mcgregor closes the distance and clinches up with Mccarthy, looking for a takedown. Mcgregor pushes Mccarthy against the cage but Mccarthy circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mccarthy leaves Mcgregor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mcgregor clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Mccarthy dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mcgregor shoots in for a takedown but Mccarthy shows good takedown defense.
Mcgregor tries for a takedown but Mccarthy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Mcgregor closes the distance and clinches.
Mcgregor is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Roberto Mccarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Mcgregor.
Mcgregor is pushing Mccarthy up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Mccarthy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mcgregor after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcgregor goes for a takedown attempt but Mccarthy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Mcgregor moves into range and clinches up with Mccarthy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mccarthy gets underhooks to prevent Mcgregor's takedown attempt.
Mcgregor is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mcgregor throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mccarthy blocks it with crossed arms.
Mcgregor is breathing heavily.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Mccarthy breaks the clinch.
Mcgregor dives in and grabs Mccarthy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mccarthy pushes down on Mcgregor's head and hops out.
Mccarthy avoids the head kick by Mcgregor.

Mccarthy moves into range and clinches up with Mcgregor.
Mcgregor jumps guard but Mccarthy turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mccarthy lands a takedown into guard.
Mcgregor is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Mcgregor has momentary wrist control but Mccarthy slips an elbow through the middle.
Mccarthy controlling from the top position.
Mccarthy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mcgregor can do to turn this around?
Mccarthy throwing strikes from guard but Mcgregor blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mccarthy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Mccarthy postures up.
Mccarthy wants to control from the top but Mcgregor keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mccarthy lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Mccarthy. No joy for Mcgregor on that attempt.
Mcgregor shoots in but Mccarthy avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Mcgregor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mcgregor throws a lazy head kick

and Mccarthy moves into the clinch.

Mccarthy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mcgregor misses with a takedown
enabling Mccarthy to counter with a crisp jab.

Mccarthy closes the distance and clinches.
Mccarthy has Mcgregor pressed against the cage, preventing Mcgregor from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mccarthy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mcgregor prevents it.
Mcgregor jumps guard but Mccarthy stands there with Mcgregor around his waist. Mcgregor gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Mccarthy dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Mcgregor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mccarthy tries to avoid it but Mcgregor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mccarthy to the ground. Mccarthy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Mcgregor has a takedown stuffed.
It looked like Mccarthy was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Mcgregor tries for a takedown but Mccarthy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Roberto Mccarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor Mcgregor.
Mccarthy stuns Mcgregor with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Mccarthy closes the distance and clinches.
Mccarthy fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcgregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mcgregor looking to slow down the pace here.
Mcgregor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mcgregor tries to pull guard but Mccarthy holds him up against the cage and eventually Mcgregor drops back down to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor is looking for a takedown.
Mccarthy prevents the takedown attempt.

Mccarthy breaks the clinch.

Mccarthy rushes Mcgregor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mccarthy on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Mcgregor is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mcgregor tries to break the clinch but Mccarthy is controlling the position.

That's two 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 jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mcgregor walks away with a smile on his face. Mccarthy gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mcgregor doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mccarthy counters with a series of strikes. Mcgregor will be more careful next time no doubt.

Mccarthy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Mccarthy breaks from the clinch.
Mcgregor is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mccarthy sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mccarthy feints and then cracks Mcgregor's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mcgregor down.
Nice body punch from Mccarthy.
Mccarthy throws a head kick that misses.
Mccarthy uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mcgregor.
Mccarthy is looking for a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Mccarthy breaks the clinch.

Mccarthy moves into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mccarthy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mcgregor prevents it.
Mccarthy is trying to pull guard but Mcgregor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mcgregor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Roberto Mccarthy has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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.

Mccarthy breaks from the clinch.
Mcgregor misses with an attempted mid kick.
Mcgregor shoots in for a double leg but Mccarthy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Mcgregor clinches with his opponent.

Mccarthy jumps into guard, dragging Mcgregor to the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mccarthy wants to sweep but no luck.
Mccarthy is working hard here to advance position.
Conor Mcgregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roberto Mccarthy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mccarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mcgregor.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roberto Mccarthy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mccarthy has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roberto Mccarthy!