PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Connor McGregor (ranked 3379 p4p, 349 weight class) and James Smith (ranked 1223 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McGregor
vs
Smith

165 cm
26
133 lbs
4 - 5 - 2

176 cm
27
164 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
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 4 - 5 - 2, fighting out of The Island, Connor McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, James Smith!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Winston Alpacca and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McGregor.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown but McGregor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smith's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McGregor thuds his right hand into Smith's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
McGregor dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Smith. That did some damage!
Smith avoids a kick to the body.
McGregor throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
McGregor scores with a jab. Smith acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
McGregor misses with a head kick.
James Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith shoots in looking for a takedown but McGregor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Smith's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Smith shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGregor defends it nicely.
Connor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Smith.

Smith feints and as McGregor raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McGregor has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Smith has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, McGregor just misses with a elbow thrown towards Smith's brow.
Smith has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McGregor after a bit of a struggle.
McGregor lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor working Smith over with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Smith fails to land.
Smith looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Smith drops down looking for an ankle pick but McGregor pulls his leg out and moves away.
McGregor scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McGregor misses with a wild body shot.
McGregor scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McGregor jabs at Smith's body.
McGregor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGregor, right into the meat.
McGregor throws a head kick that half lands.
Smith tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGregor swivels and escapes.
McGregor throwing a counter right hand but Smith manages to avoid it.
McGregor looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
McGregor swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Smith.
McGregor scoring well with a low kick there.
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!
Smith gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McGregor counters with a leg kick.
Smith avoids the head kick by McGregor.
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but McGregor gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from McGregor.

McGregor gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGregor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith looking to pass the guard.
McGregor is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith working some strikes from top position.
McGregor might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Smith lands a couple of digs.

McGregor is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Smith presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
McGregor lands a hook that snaps the head of Smith backwards.
Smith misses with the head strike.
Smith is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McGregor avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McGregor stops a takedown attempt from Smith.
McGregor lands a nice elbow.
Smith is trying to maintain a safe position but McGregor gets an underhook and turns Smith into the cage.
Smith throws a punch but it's blocked by McGregor.

McGregor breaks the clinch.
Smith has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
McGregor stuffs the takedown attempt from Smith. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Smith dives in for a single leg takedown but McGregor sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Smith feints and as McGregor raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smith makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McGregor is looking to stand back up but Smith counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by McGregor.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith prevents McGregor from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Smith content to control rather than advance.
Nice strikes from Smith there.

McGregor is rocked!
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smith stops McGregor from getting back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Smith lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
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.

McGregor throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.
Oh McGregor is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smith darts in looking for a takedown but McGregor gets double underhooks and turns Smith into the cage.
A little feinted left hand from McGregor on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
McGregor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smith can do to turn this around?
Smith shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McGregor as he avoids it easily.
McGregor seems to have got his legs back now.
McGregor scores with a sloppy right hand. Smith should have avoided that one.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smith.
Smith trying to control the position but McGregor is working away.
Smith works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
McGregor is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Smith is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith lands a nice forearm strike.
McGregor taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but McGregor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smith scores with a couple of short elbows.
Smith landing strikes.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but McGregor keeps working.
James Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.
McGregor is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
McGregor takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor is working to avoid the ground and pound but Smith connects with a decent elbow.
McGregor taking a bit of punishment here - Smith scoring with strikes.
Smith cracks McGregor with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Smith is chipping away with strikes.
Smith scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh McGregor is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Smith can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). James Smith!