PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Little (ranked 3950 p4p, 3682 weight class) and Ryan Mcarthy (ranked 371 p4p, 350 weight class). Ryan Mcarthy has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Samuel Little's chin.

Little
vs
Mcarthy

171 cm
25
140
6 - 8 - 0

170 cm
23
155
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Experienced

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

The Dirty Needle Project

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 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Samuel Little!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryan Mcarthy!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mcarthy decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Mcarthy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Mcarthy not doing much here.

Mcarthy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Mcarthy is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Little avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mcarthy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Little is looking for a sweep. Mcarthy is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Mcarthy is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Mcarthy is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Little sees it coming and defends easily.
Mcarthy not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Little wants to get back to full guard.

Mcarthy is working for a kimura but Little is defending it quite comfortably.
Little is looking to improve his position.
Little on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcarthy stalling.
Mcarthy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Little manages to get to full guard.
Little keeping moving, preventing Mcarthy from controlling successfully.
Mcarthy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Mcarthy wants to control from the top but Little keeps moving.
Little is trying to keep Mcarthy in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Little keeping full guard, as Mcarthy tries to pass.
Mcarthy sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mcarthy checks the leg kick.
Samuel Little is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mcarthy checks the leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Little darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Little throws a head kick that misses
and Little takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Mcarthy shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mcarthy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Little is keeping the position for now.
Mcarthy is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
It looks like Mcarthy might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcarthy is working Little over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Little is looking for a triangle but Mcarthy pushes his legs off easily.
Little keeping moving, preventing Mcarthy from controlling successfully.
Little is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Little working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mcarthy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mcarthy is looking to work some ground and pound but Little has wrist control.

Mcarthy thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Little has his foot on Mcarthy's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mcarthy works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Mcarthy dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Little throws a lazy right hand but Mcarthy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Mcarthy staying out of range there.
Little throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Samuel Little has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Little lands a right hook to the body.
Little with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Little lunges at Mcarthy with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mcarthy's hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mcarthy, as that shot connected.

Little is rocked!

Mcarthy closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Oh Little is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mcarthy goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Little rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Mcarthy's guard! Nice work there by Little!
Mcarthy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Little manages to get himself to full guard.

Mcarthy keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Little's head.
Mcarthy gets to his feet and stands over Little, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Little felt that one! Mcarthy unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Little from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ryan Mcarthy!
Ryan Mcarthy was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.