PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raijin Kage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zander McGuire (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kage comes into the arena with Ride the Lightning blaring out of the sound system. McGuire has chosen Hall of Fame ft. will.i.am as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kage
vs
McGuire

165 cm
29
162 lbs
17 - 6 - 1

178 cm
31
161 lbs
25 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Raijin Kage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Zander McGuire!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
McGuire swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kage shoots for a takedown but McGuire saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kage tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuire swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGuire misses the shot to the body.
McGuire bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kage is looking to clinch.
McGuire wants to counter with a clinch but Kage pushes him away.
McGuire throws a body kick that misses.
Kage appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kage tries to clinch up.
Kage has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Nice shot by McGuire.
McGuire ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kage uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McGuire.
Kage takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kage throws a lazy head kick

and McGuire holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kage turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kage manages to end up in side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You can see the frustration on McGuire's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McGuire is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kage connects with a decent elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kage in side control, throwing shots but McGuire defends.
You can see the frustration on McGuire's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
McGuire taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kage scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kage 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.
Kage creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McGuire sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Kage scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kage working the ground and pound.
Kage throws an elbow but McGuire slips to the side and avoids it well.
McGuire is looking for a sweep.
McGuire manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kage's best efforts.
Nice strikes from Kage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire wants to control but Kage is keeping busy.
Kage thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
McGuire gets full guard.
Kage throws a big right hand that misses.
McGuire is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Kage tries to free his leg and advance position but McGuire is retaining full guard.
McGuire is pulling down on Kage's head. It's preventing any offense from Kage, at least for the moment.
Kage throws a big elbow that misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kage with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
McGuire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kage wants to pass the guard but McGuire is keeping the position.
Kage lands a couple of digs.
Kage throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kage missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kage postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kage working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kage throws an elbow that misses. McGuire uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kage's guard. Nice move by McGuire!

McGuire preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage tries to strike from the bottom.
McGuire wants to pass the guard but Kage is keeping the position.
Kage trying to control the position.
McGuire tries to free his leg and advance position but Kage is retaining full guard.
Kage keeping moving, preventing McGuire from controlling successfully.
McGuire is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Kage is looking for a triangle but McGuire pushes his legs off easily.
Kage trying to keep a closed guard but McGuire is proving a slippery customer.
McGuire stops Kage from standing up.

McGuire decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kage, up you get!
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 Raijin Kage will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McGuire misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kage.
Kage tries to counter with a takedown but McGuire is quick to defend against it.
Raijin Kage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McGuire throws a solid leg kick but Kage takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McGuire.
Kage tries to clinch but McGuire moves out of range.

Kage drives through with a takedown into McGuire's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kage in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McGuire working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kage.
Kage postures up in McGuire's guard and throws a big left but McGuire blocks it.
McGuire preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
McGuire is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
McGuire avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kage with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kage in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McGuire is trying to keep Kage in close.
Kage connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
McGuire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kage throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McGuire works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kage preventing the sweep.
Kage trying to control the position from guard on top but McGuire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGuire is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kage is staying active underneath McGuire, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Kage looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kage is trying to stand back up but McGuire is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kage is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of McGuire's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take McGuire's back!
Kage punches the canvas rather than the man.
McGuire is covering up but some of the strikes from Kage are getting through and doing damage.
Kage throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
McGuire wants to control his opponent's hands but Kage gets his hands free.
McGuire avoids the strikes from Kage.
Kage is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McGuire can do to turn this around?
Kage is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Kage gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Kage gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Kage apologises and we restart here on the feet.
McGuire stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kage dives in and grabs McGuire's left leg, looking for a takedown. McGuire pushes down on Kage's head and hops out.
McGuire is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
McGuire lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kage takes a step back to recover.
Kage tries a head kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Kage.
Kage tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kage avoids the body shot from McGuire.

Kage scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kage landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
McGuire is holding Kage down, trying to stall.
Kage throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Kage is looking to take a break and control but McGuire is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McGuire manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
McGuire works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kage working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of McGuire's head.
McGuire 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.
McGuire is trying to control the position but Kage postures up.
Kage postures up in McGuire's guard and throws a big left but McGuire blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kage preventing the sweep.
Kage postures up and lands a big shot to McGuire's brow.
Kage throws a big elbow that misses.
McGuire 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.
McGuire is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McGuire keeping moving, preventing Kage from controlling successfully.
Kage distracts McGuire with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Raijin Kage overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McGuire 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.
McGuire lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A leg kick checked by McGuire.
Kage misses with a takedown attempt - McGuire sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Kage shoots in and gets a takedown into McGuire's guard.
Kage trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kage lands a couple of elbows.
McGuire is pulling down on Kage's head to control his posture.
McGuire is trying to keep Kage in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kage.
Kage with a flurry of punches that miss.
McGuire seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kage passes McGuire's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McGuire tries to get to full guard but Kage has control of the leg.
Kage scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

It looks like Zander McGuire has been cut.
Kage lands with a punch from half guard.
McGuire is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kage's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kage's back!
McGuire avoiding Kage 's attempts to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire has the hooks in. Kage is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Kage is working hard here to advance position.
McGuire controls the position.
Kage tries to break free.
McGuire controls the action.
Kage is really stuck here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kage rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
McGuire is looking to take a break and control but Kage is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McGuire looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kage wants to improve his position but McGuire is controlling well.

Kage actively working from the bottom here.
McGuire wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kage keeps working.

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.
Kage moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kage looking to hit a scissor sweep but McGuire is one step ahead there.
McGuire passes Kage's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kage wants to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kage is staying active underneath McGuire, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raijin Kage clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Zander McGuire's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kage dodges the punch combination from McGuire.
Kage shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McGuire as he avoids it easily.
No luck for Kage with that takedown attempt.
McGuire throws a nice outside leg kick.
McGuire is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kage rather than just go for the knockout.
Kage tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McGuire let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Kage tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kage keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kage looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kage in his tracks.
Kage wants to clinch up but McGuire keeps it at a distance.
A jab lands there for McGuire.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire cracks Kage with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

McGuire gets caught napping as Kage dives in and scores a takedown. McGuire manages to retain guard.
Kage missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
McGuire seems keen to control Kage's posture.
McGuire is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kage slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
McGuire controlling from the top position.
McGuire won't allow Kage to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kage looking for a sweep. Not yet Kage, not yet.

Kage had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. McGuire defends it easily.

Kage working for a triangle but McGuire defends it easily.
Kage has a closed guard, preventing McGuire from standing up.
Kage thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuire not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
McGuire has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kage is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kage tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGuire throws a body kick that misses.
Kage tries to clinch but McGuire is having none of it.
A nice side step and McGuire releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kage swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kage takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
McGuire's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kage under the eye.
McGuire's corner calls for a 1-2. McGuire obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McGuire swats away the attempt to clinch by Kage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kage tries to clinch there but McGuire circles away.
Kage steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from McGuire. That one must have hurt.
Kage misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raijin Kage. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGuire connects with an inside leg kick.
Kage throws a head kick but McGuire moves out of range.
McGuire has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McGuire crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kage - the referee stops the clock and McGuire gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kage. McGuire manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kage tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kage tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuire swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGuire looks to land a right hand but Kage moved out of range.
Kage is looking for a counter combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice uppercut lands for McGuire. That snapped Kage's head back.
McGuire connects with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zander McGuire dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Zander McGuire's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kage tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuire swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kage has a takedown stuffed.
An inside leg kick from McGuire misses.
McGuire looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A shot to the liver by Kage. Beautiful body shot.
Kage dives in for a single leg takedown but McGuire sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kage tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGuire swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Kage fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McGuire to the ground. Kage is now in McGuire's guard.
McGuire is adopting a defensive guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kage won't allow McGuire to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire trying to keep a closed guard but Kage is proving a slippery customer.
McGuire utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kage postures up in McGuire's guard and throws a big left but McGuire blocks it.
Kage in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McGuire is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kage wants to control from the top but McGuire keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kage closes this distance looking for a takedown but McGuire circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raijin Kage. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kage shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches McGuire napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kage looks up at the clock and then as McGuire takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kage smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
McGuire gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuire is staying active underneath Kage, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McGuire trying to hold on to Kage's head to control him but Kage postures up.

Kage is working for a kimura but McGuire is defending it quite comfortably.
McGuire is pressing down on Kage's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kage postures up in McGuire's guard and throws a big left but McGuire blocks it.
McGuire wants to sweep but no luck.
McGuire pulls Kage in close to his closed guard and prevents Kage from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kage throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kage tries to free his leg and advance position but McGuire is retaining full guard.
Kage with a flurry of punches that miss.
McGuire is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kage won't allow McGuire to sweep him here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Zander McGuire has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGuire is trying to keep Kage in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Raijin Kage is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kage tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McGuire manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A nice side step and McGuire releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kage checks the leg kick nicely there.
McGuire looks to land a left hand but Kage moved out of range nicely.
Kage tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McGuire swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kage looks for a takedown but McGuire sprawls well.
Kage misses with a head kick.
Kage is looking to clinch but McGuire is avoiding it.
Kage shoots in and drives through. McGuire sprawls well.
Kage doesn't manage to clinch there - McGuire circles away.
McGuire now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Zander McGuire seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kage - that will leave a mark!

Kage clinches up with McGuire and pushes him back against the cage.
McGuire lands a hook that snaps the head of Kage backwards.
Kage tries for a takedown but McGuire manages to get underhooks.
McGuire lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kage backwards.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kage tries to work over McGuire's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kage prevents a body shot from McGuire.
McGuire pushes Kage back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

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 Raijin Kage.
I think Kage has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 49:46
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raijin Kage!
Raijin Kage seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.