PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Connor McGregor (ranked 4486 p4p, 5102 weight class) and Ray Manzarek (ranked 205 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

McGregor
vs
Manzarek

175 cm
18
130
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Connor McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ray Manzarek!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor misses with a jab, cross combination.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
Manzarek closes the distance and clinches up with McGregor, looking for a takedown. Manzarek pushes McGregor against the cage but McGregor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McGregor tries to clinch there but Manzarek circles away.
As McGregor backs off Manzarek throws a huge counter combo but McGregor manages to avoid it all.
Manzarek looks to land a combination but McGregor avoids it well.
Manzarek closes the distance and clinches up with McGregor, looking for a takedown. Manzarek pushes McGregor against the cage but McGregor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McGregor tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manzarek sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McGregor somewhat.
A combination from Manzarek does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Manzarek fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McGregor, pushing him back against the cage.
Manzarek lands a left hand.

Manzarek manages to break the clinch.
McGregor tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Manzarek has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor drops down looking for an ankle pick but Manzarek pulls his leg out and moves away.

Manzarek rushes McGregor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McGregor tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Manzarek forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.

McGregor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Manzarek fails with the takedown.
McGregor moves in looking to clinch but Manzarek pushes him off.

McGregor gets a clinch.

McGregor jumps into guard, dragging Manzarek to the mat.
Manzarek sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manzarek is fighting to break McGregor's control of his arms but McGregor is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

McGregor had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manzarek defends it easily.
McGregor really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manzarek works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McGregor wants to improve his position but Manzarek is controlling well.
Manzarek with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Manzarek thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Manzarek not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Manzarek uses his free foot to push down on McGregor's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for McGregor.
Manzarek tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manzarek thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Manzarek throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for McGregor because Manzarek loaded up on that one.

Manzarek with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Manzarek throwing strikes here but McGregor is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Manzarek dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McGregor will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Manzarek is looking to land body kicks.
Manzarek shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Manzarek has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGregor misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Manzarek takes the fight into the clinch.
Manzarek is trying to drag McGregor to the mat but McGregor just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Manzarek breaks the clinch.
McGregor fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Connor McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
No luck for Manzarek with that takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Manzarek.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Manzarek as he jumps to the side.
McGregor tries to clinch there but Manzarek circles away.
Manzarek throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McGregor's waist but McGregor gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Manzarek off to one side.
Manzarek throws a leg kick but McGregor sees it coming and moves out of range.

Manzarek drives through and clinches with McGregor against the cage.
McGregor is trying to pull guard but Manzarek has him pressed against the cage.
McGregor is trying to push Manzarek away but Manzarek has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Manzarek breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Manzarek with that takedown attempt.
Manzarek lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Manzarek shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McGregor sprawls well. McGregor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Manzarek gets slowly back to his feet.
As Manzarek tries to get set, McGregor tries to push him back and clinch up but Manzarek manages to avoid the attempt.
McGregor defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Manzarek.
Manzarek is breathing heavily.
Manzarek stuffs the takedown attempt from McGregor. McGregor gets slowly back to his feet.
Ray Manzarek seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McGregor misses with a double jab
and Manzarek counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manzarek misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
McGregor feinted with a counter takedown.
Connor McGregor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from McGregor does no damage.
McGregor misses with a takedown
and Manzarek counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Manzarek.
McGregor fails with an attempt to clinch.
Manzarek leaves McGregor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manzarek drives through and clinches with McGregor against the cage.
McGregor is trying to pull guard but Manzarek turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Manzarek throws a one two combo.
Manzarek shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McGregor pinned against the cage. McGregor gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Manzarek clinches up with McGregor and pushes him back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Manzarek showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Manzarek lands a nice shot to the body.
Manzarek misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

McGregor tries to keep at a distance but Manzarek has taken the fight into the clinch.
McGregor fails to pull guard.

Manzarek manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
McGregor throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manzarek looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGregor is one step ahead there.
McGregor trying to control but Manzarek is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manzarek is on top in guard.

Manzarek postures up.
Manzarek engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
McGregor looking for a sweep. Not yet McGregor, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Manzarek controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Manzarek working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McGregor can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Manzarek controls the pace.
Let's hope that Manzarek has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Manzarek tries to score a power double leg takedown but McGregor sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Manzarek somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manzarek closes the distance and clinches up with McGregor, looking for a takedown. Manzarek pushes McGregor against the cage but McGregor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Connor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Manzarek.
McGregor takes a shot right to the bread basket.

McGregor rushes Manzarek and presses him up against the cage.

Manzarek jumps into guard, dragging McGregor to the mat.
McGregor trying to control the position from guard on top but Manzarek is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Manzarek pushes McGregor off and gets back to his feet.
Manzarek works McGregor's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manzarek shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McGregor but McGregor pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Manzarek takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McGregor tries to clinch up.
Manzarek tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McGregor was well out of range. Poor timing from Manzarek.
McGregor went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
McGregor shoots in for a double leg but Manzarek sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McGregor sets himself, and Manzarek steps forward looking for the clinch! McGregor avoids it this time.
McGregor tries to land a front kick but Manzarek steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick by McGregor misses
and Manzarek counters with a two punch combo.
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!
McGregor stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McGregor wants it to stay on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Manzarek moves into the clinch.

Manzarek escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Connor McGregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ray Manzarek is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Manzarek takes the fight into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ray Manzarek comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Manzarek has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ray Manzarek!