PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ben Sheeran (ranked 4262 p4p, 224 weight class) and Sean McCarthy (ranked 4442 p4p, 236 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sheeran
vs
McCarthy

170 cm
22
143 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

176 cm
25
135 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ben Sheeran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Sean McCarthy!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McCarthy throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sheeran was covering up waiting for the punch and McCarthy finishes the takedown easily into guard.
McCarthy throwing strikes but missing.

Sheeran had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McCarthy defends it easily.

Sheeran looking for a guillotine here but McCarthy defends easily.
McCarthy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sheeran. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McCarthy is in close to Sheeran's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheeran can't keep his opponent in guard - McCarthy advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Sheeran actively working from the bottom here.
Sheeran is pressing down on McCarthy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy is in close to Sheeran's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McCarthy working some strikes from top position.
McCarthy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McCarthy connects with a couple of short punches.
McCarthy has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA London. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
McCarthy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
McCarthy throws a big right hand that misses.
Sheeran working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from McCarthy.
Sheeran keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
Sheeran is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sheeran is trying to control. McCarthy wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Sheeran is nestled in close to McCarthy, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
McCarthy is refusing to be controlled, as Sheeran sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is looking to improve his position.
McCarthy wants to get back to his feet.
Sheeran performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Sheeran wants to take a breather but McCarthy is having none of it.
Sheeran controlling the pace.
McCarthy is trying is best to control the position here.
McCarthy is trying to stand.
McCarthy is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheeran thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McCarthy's head.
Sheeran trying to mount his opponent but McCarthy defends it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice takedown defense from Sheeran. No joy for McCarthy on that attempt.
McCarthy is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sheeran sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sheeran keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sheeran changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

McCarthy looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
McCarthy looks winded!
Sheeran is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

McCarthy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sheeran looking to hit a scissor sweep but McCarthy is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sheeran looking for a guillotine here but McCarthy defends easily.

Sheeran is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McCarthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sheeran not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McCarthy chips away with some ground and pound.

Sheeran is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ben Sheeran will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McCarthy fails with the takedown.

Sheeran gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Sheeran keeps moving.

Sheeran escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McCarthy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Sheeran wants to sweep here but McCarthy controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy lands a couple of digs.
Sheeran bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McCarthy's guard.

McCarthy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McCarthy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sheeran's guard.

McCarthy keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Sheeran's head.
Sheeran looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Sheeran is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! McCarthy has his hands clasped together but Sheeran extends and breaks McCarthy's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Sheeran.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ben Sheeran!