PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bittor Xavier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cian McGarrity (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xavier's entrance music is Jane's Addiction- Mountain Song. A fine choice. McGarrity comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Irish Fighting Song - We Come in Pieces kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xavier
vs
McGarrity

180 cm
37
184 lbs
26 - 20 - 0

174 cm
32
170 lbs
21 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 26 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bittor Xavier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cian McGarrity!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Columbo Gatti and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGarrity thows a body shot but no joy.
That kick from Xavier tenderised McGarrity's leg. McGarrity is trying to keep his angry face on.
McGarrity fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McGarrity has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
McGarrity misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xavier avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McGarrity turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McGarrity ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
McGarrity scores with the left hand. Xavier knows he should have avoided that one.
McGarrity connects with a leg kick. Xavier looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Xavier shoots in looking for a takedown. McGarrity tries to sprawl out of it but Xavier keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McGarrity manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McGarrity looks to throw the jab but Xavier is out of range.
McGarrity shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
McGarrity digs a good body shot into Xavier's ribs.
Cian McGarrity seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGarrity punishes Xavier's body with a nice straight punch.
McGarrity scores with a sloppy right hand. Xavier should have avoided that one.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McGarrity.
McGarrity lands a nice shot to the body.
Xavier misses with a wild body shot.
McGarrity digs a good hook to Xavier's body.
McGarrity throws a head kick that misses
and Xavier connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Xavier stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McGarrity.
Xavier misses with a takedown attempt - McGarrity sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Xavier showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McGarrity.
McGarrity tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by McGarrity there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Xavier takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slow jab from Xavier misses its intended target.
McGarrity throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
We've been hearing reports that Xavier has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Xavier takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Xavier lands with a good body shot.
McGarrity misses with a low kick.
A jab from Xavier does it's job there.
McGarrity scores with a nice right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for McGarrity.
McGarrity scores with a nice head shot.
Xavier misses the jab.
McGarrity connects with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier is looking to clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for McGarrity.
Xavier keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Xavier takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Xavier misses with a jab, cross combination.
McGarrity throws a shot from downtown. Xavier moves away and avoids it.
McGarrity keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McGarrity.
Cian McGarrity is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McGarrity wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McGarrity digs a good hook to Xavier's body.
Xavier throws a big shot that misses.
Xavier shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McGarrity as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bittor Xavier. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xavier thuds a left hand into McGarrity's body.
Xavier takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xavier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McGarrity sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Xavier misses with a looping left.
McGarrity tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McGarrity lands a nice leg kick that just misses Xavier's sensitive parts.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Xavier. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Xavier clinches up with McGarrity and pushes him back against the cage.
McGarrity leaning against his opponent.
Xavier tries a body shot but McGarrity blocks it.
McGarrity tries a body shot but Xavier blocks it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McGarrity.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xavier tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McGarrity just stands there and leans against the cage.
Xavier tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A frustrated look appears on Xavier's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Xavier is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McGarrity creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cian McGarrity dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Xavier.
Xavier takes one to the chin there.
Xavier blocks a leg kick.
Xavier gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Good work by Xavier as he checks the leg kick.
Xavier avoids the head kick by McGarrity.
Xavier thows a left - swing and a miss!
A good leg kick by McGarrity.
McGarrity throws a low kick but it's checked well by Xavier.
Xavier takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
McGarrity feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Xaviers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavier avoids the body shot from McGarrity.
A jab from Xavier misses.
McGarrity throws a looping overhand right but Xavier ducks down to avoid it.
Xavier takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Xavier scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGarrity, right into the meat.
An inside leg kick lands from McGarrity.
Xavier throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McGarrity misses with a head kick.
Xavier with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Good shot there by Xavier.
McGarrity throws a half hearted mid kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McGarrity swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGarrity digs a good hook to Xavier's body.
Xavier avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McGarrity throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Xavier blocks a head kick by McGarrity.
Xavier shoots in looking for a takedown but McGarrity manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Xavier's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McGarrity scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by McGarrity. That's going to slow Xavier down.
Xavier pivots, looking for a leg kick but McGarrity is out of range and Xavier settles back down.
McGarrity lands with a slapping head kick.
McGarrity misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xavier takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
McGarrity throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGarrity thuds a left hand into Xavier's body.
McGarrity darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McGarrity dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Xavier. That did some damage!
Xavier takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A chopping leg kick lands by McGarrity.
An inside leg kick lands from McGarrity.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from McGarrity, right into the meat.
McGarrity misses with a wild body shot.
McGarrity fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Xavier.
Xavier dodges the punch combination from McGarrity.
McGarrity throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGarrity slips a straight right by Xavier.
Xavier checks a low kick from McGarrity.
Xavier swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McGarrity tries to work over Xavier's front leg with a kick but Xavier checks it.
McGarrity with a body punch. A glancing blow.
An inside leg kick from McGarrity misses.
McGarrity throws a right and a left that both miss.
McGarrity thows a body shot but no joy.
McGarrity has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGarrity lands a head kick!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McGarrity takes a swing at Xavier's ribcage but misses.
Xavier fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cian McGarrity showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Xavier has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from McGarrity.
Cian McGarrity seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Xavier is looking to clinch but McGarrity is avoiding it.
McGarrity misses with a low kick.
Xavier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McGarrity plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Xavier takes the fight into the clinch.
Xavier tries to throw a body punch but McGarrity avoids it by throwing Xavier back against the cage.
McGarrity misses with a body punch.
McGarrity goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McGarrity.
Xavier is looking to control McGarrity's arms but McGarrity gets an underhook and turns him. Now Xavier has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xavier misses with a short punch on the inside.
Xavier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Xavier throws a head punch that misses.
McGarrity prevents the takedown attempt.
Xavier tries to pull guard but McGarrity holds him up against the cage and eventually Xavier drops back down to his feet.
A short right from McGarrity on the inside.
McGarrity pushes Xavier back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Xavier tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McGarrity's elbow.
McGarrity is looking to control Xavier's arms but Xavier gets an underhook and turns him. Now McGarrity has his back to the cage.
Good body shot from McGarrity.
Xavier tries a body shot but McGarrity blocks it.
McGarrity lands a left hand that snaps the head of Xavier backwards.
Xavier tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McGarrity's elbow.
A short left from McGarrity.
McGarrity misses with a body punch.
Xavier misses with a body punch.
Cian McGarrity is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGarrity is struggling to control the position.
The crowd are getting on McGarrity's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Xavier tries to pull guard but McGarrity holds him up against the cage and eventually Xavier drops back down to his feet.
Bittor Xavier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bittor Xavier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGarrity gets through Xavier's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McGarrity gets through Xavier's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGarrity misses with some punches.
McGarrity blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
McGarrity is stalling here.
A left hand lands to the body for McGarrity.
Xavier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xavier letting McGarrity take a breather here.

Xavier jumps guard and drags McGarrity to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
McGarrity in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Xavier had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McGarrity defends it easily.

Xavier isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. McGarrity stacks Xavier on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by McGarrity!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Xavier is not content to let McGarrity control the position.
Xavier tries to bench press McGarrity off him but McGarrity keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGarrity is looking to take a break and control but Xavier is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xavier is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
McGarrity working the body and head with strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xavier tries to buck McGarrity off but McGarrity is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cian McGarrity comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McGarrity 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cian McGarrity!
A relieved looking Cian McGarrity thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.