PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sean MacCarthy (ranked 3940 p4p, 406 weight class) and Ihadababy Itsaboy (ranked 5127 p4p, 468 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

MacCarthy
vs
Itsaboy

185 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
25
173 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Sean MacCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ihadababy Itsaboy!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

MacCarthy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Itsaboy is looking to take this one to the mat.
Itsaboy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by MacCarthy after a bit of a struggle.
MacCarthy looking for a takedown.

MacCarthy decides to pull guard.
Itsaboy must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
MacCarthy looking for a sweep. Not yet MacCarthy, not yet.
Itsaboy prevents MacCarthy from getting back to his feet.
Itsaboy is fighting to break MacCarthy's control of his arms but MacCarthy is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacCarthy is looking to sweep but instead, Itsaboy has passed into half guard.
MacCarthy manages to get to full guard.
MacCarthy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacCarthy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Itsaboy is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
MacCarthy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Itsaboy is controlling him.
MacCarthy looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Itsaboy looking to sit in guard and control but MacCarthy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

MacCarthy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Itsaboy keeping moving, preventing MacCarthy from controlling successfully.
Itsaboy has MacCarthy pulled in close to control his posture.
MacCarthy trying to control but Itsaboy is working from the bottom.
MacCarthy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Itsaboy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Itsaboy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with MacCarthy. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Itsaboy working a defensive guard here.
MacCarthy distracts Itsaboy with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
MacCarthy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
MacCarthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Itsaboy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacCarthy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
MacCarthy is looking to work some ground and pound but Itsaboy has wrist control.
MacCarthy landing with the ground and pound.
MacCarthy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Itsaboy trying to control the position here.
MacCarthy wants to control from the top but Itsaboy keeps moving.

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

MacCarthy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacCarthy is looking for a takedown.
MacCarthy is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sean MacCarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
MacCarthy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Itsaboy after a bit of a struggle.

MacCarthy has hold of one of Itsaboy's legs. Itsaboy is fighting the takedown attempt but MacCarthy gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Itsaboy can do anything to dispel that myth.
Itsaboy is adopting a defensive guard.
MacCarthy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
MacCarthy preventing the sweep.
Itsaboy is still trying to improve position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
MacCarthy lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Itsaboy wants to sweep but no luck.
MacCarthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean MacCarthy dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

MacCarthy drives through with a takedown into guard.
MacCarthy with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
MacCarthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
MacCarthy has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
MacCarthy working some strikes from top position.
MacCarthy cracks Itsaboy with a solid left hand.
MacCarthy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Itsaboy is keeping the position for now.
MacCarthy with a flurry of punches that miss.
MacCarthy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Itsaboy is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Itsaboy 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.
MacCarthy scoring with some ground and pound.
Itsaboy is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itsaboy keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
MacCarthy wants to control but Itsaboy is keeping busy.
MacCarthy is trying to stand up here but Itsaboy is controlling him well.
MacCarthy trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
MacCarthy trying to control but Itsaboy postures up.
MacCarthy controlling the position well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
MacCarthy taking some punishment here, with Itsaboy in his half guard.
Itsaboy lands strikes from half guard.
MacCarthy is trying to stand up here but Itsaboy is controlling him well.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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

Itsaboy shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Itsaboy controlling the pace.
Itsaboy is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itsaboy trying to control from MacCarthy's half guard. MacCarthy has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
MacCarthy wants to stand but Itsaboy is controlling the position.
Itsaboy throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
MacCarthy keeping moving, preventing Itsaboy from controlling successfully.
MacCarthy 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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
MacCarthy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Itsaboy.
We've been informed that Itsaboy has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
MacCarthy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Itsaboy shoots in and drives through. MacCarthy sprawls well.
MacCarthy tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Itsaboy manages to circle out of the way.
Itsaboy tries for a takedown but MacCarthy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

MacCarthy closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
MacCarthy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Sean MacCarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ihadababy Itsaboy.
MacCarthy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Itsaboy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sean MacCarthy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Itsaboy misses with a series of wild punches.
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 Sean MacCarthy will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Itsaboy stuffs the takedown attempt from MacCarthy. MacCarthy gets slowly back to his feet.

Itsaboy gets a takedown into half guard.
MacCarthy has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Itsaboy is working away from the top position though.
Itsaboy trying to control from MacCarthy's half guard. MacCarthy has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MacCarthy is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MacCarthy wants to get back to his feet but Itsaboy is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as MacCarthy holds on and takes a little breather.
Itsaboy looking to sit in guard and control but MacCarthy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Itsaboy manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

MacCarthy is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Itsaboy can't fight it off and eventually MacCarthy manages to take the fight to the floor. Itsaboy looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
MacCarthy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
MacCarthy postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sean MacCarthy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
MacCarthy stays in close to Itsaboy's body and controls the position.
MacCarthy trying to control but Itsaboy is working from the bottom.
MacCarthy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MacCarthy stopping the sweep attempt from Itsaboy.
Itsaboy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Itsaboy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
MacCarthy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Itsaboy can do to turn this around?
MacCarthy goes for a double leg but Itsaboy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Itsaboy continues to drive forward.
Itsaboy swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

MacCarthy looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
MacCarthy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
MacCarthy prevents Itsaboy from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacCarthy content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Sean MacCarthy.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MacCarthy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Sean MacCarthy!