PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Chad McGregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shojo Shoujou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGregor kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is The Foggy Dew. This should be fireworks!

McGregor
vs
Shoujou

175 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

165 cm
20
130 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Sun-Tzu

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shojo Shoujou!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shoujou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shoujou misses with a wild combination.
Shoujou wants to clinch up but McGregor keeps it at a distance.
McGregor will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shoujou misses with a two punch combination.
McGregor keeps the fight on the outside.

Shoujou has taken the fight to the clinch.
McGregor is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shoujou to keep the fight standing.
McGregor is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shoujou to keep the fight standing.

Shoujou breaks the clinch.
Shoujou lands a front kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shoujou misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shoujou as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chad McGregor. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGregor moves out of range of the body kick.

Shoujou drives through and clinches with McGregor against the cage.
A short right from Shoujou.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Shoujou won't allow it.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Shoujou won't allow it.
McGregor 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.
Shoujou misses with a knee strike.
McGregor tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
McGregor jumps guard but Shoujou turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Shoujou looking to throw knees to the head but McGregor is blocking nicely.

Shoujou's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shoujou lands a front kick.
A telegraphed right hand from McGregor misses the target.
Shoujou defending well as McGregor loads up on a big left hand.
McGregor clobbers Shoujou with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Shoujou is looking to clinch but McGregor is avoiding it.
McGregor takes one to the side of the head.
McGregor wants to clinch
and Shoujou counters with a one-two to the body.
Shoujou slips a straight right by McGregor.
Shoujou looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Shoujou uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McGregor.
McGregor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shoujou throws a series of punches but McGregor moves out of range.
McGregor swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McGregor misses with a looping left.
Shoujou looks to throw the jab but McGregor is out of range.
Shoujou feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McGregors jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Shoujou tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shoujou looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A little feinted left hand from McGregor on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shoujou looks to land a combination but McGregor avoids it well.
No joy there for Shoujou, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
McGregor throws a right hand that Shoujou ducks under and follows up with a left that Shoujou also avoids with ease.
Shoujou misses with a few strikes there.
McGregor is looking to clinch.
Shoujou fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shoujou misses with a double jab.
Shoujou tries to clinch there but McGregor circles away.
McGregor avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Shoujou gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Shoujou manages to break the clinch.
McGregor misses with an uppercut. Shoujou saw that one coming.

Shoujou gets a clinch.

Shoujou's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shoujou fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shoujou on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
McGregor works the jab nicely.
Shoujou throws a right and a left that McGregor avoids nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from McGregor misses the target.
Shoujou keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McGregor.
Shoujou scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
McGregor keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGregor's corner calls for a 1-2. McGregor obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shojo Shoujou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from McGregor does it's job there.
Shoujou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shoujou wants to clinch up but McGregor keeps it at a distance.
Shoujou throws a combination that misses
and McGregor counters with a nice uppercut.

McGregor closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

McGregor pulls guard effortlessly.
Shoujou has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Beast Playground. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

McGregor is looking for a triangle but Shoujou pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shoujou got a little sloppy there for a moment and McGregor has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shoujou has managed to get both his arms back between McGregor's legs - danger averted.

McGregor is looking for a triangle but Shoujou pushes his legs off easily.
McGregor trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Shoujou controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shojo Shoujou dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shoujou uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McGregor.
A slow jab from McGregor misses its intended target.
McGregor's corner calls for a 1-2. McGregor obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shoujou scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
McGregor throws a hook but Shoujou avoids it easily.
Shoujou fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shoujou lands a nice leg kick that just misses McGregor's sensitive parts.

Shoujou clinches up with McGregor and pushes him back against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Shoujou.
Shoujou misses with a knee strike.

Shoujou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shoujou misses with a jab, cross combination.
McGregor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shoujou sees it coming and avoids it easily.
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!
A combination from Shoujou does no damage.
McGregor slips a jab and a cross from Shoujou.
Shoujou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The fighters circling - McGregor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It seemed like Shoujou was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoujou tries to clinch but McGregor moves out of range.

Shoujou pushes McGregor up against the cage in a clinch.
Shoujou struggles to land a body shot inside as McGregor controls his hands.
McGregor jumps guard but Shoujou turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shoujou.

Shoujou breaks the clinch.
Shoujou drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
McGregor connects with a single shot there.
Shoujou paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Shoujou throws a nice looking combination but McGregor bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McGregor was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shoujou's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Shoujou duly obliges.
Shoujou slips under a jab from McGregor.
Despite the aggression on Shoujou's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
McGregor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shoujou is looking for the big counter here.
A telegraphed right hand from McGregor misses the target.
As McGregor backs off Shoujou throws a huge counter combo but McGregor manages to avoid it all.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shoujou walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Shoujou tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a wild combination.
McGregor throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shoujou on the wrong end of a nice hook.
McGregor throws a right and a left that both miss.

Shoujou has closed the distance and engaged McGregor in a clinch.
Shoujou lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shoujou tries a body shot but McGregor blocks it.

Shoujou's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Shoujou has closed the distance and engaged McGregor in a clinch.
Shoujou lands a knee to the body.
Shojo Shoujou seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shoujou tries to land knees in the clinch but McGregor avoids the damage to the body.

Shoujou breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shoujou is looking to clinch but McGregor is avoiding it.
Shoujou throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McGregor.
McGregor appears to be looking for a big counter.
Shoujou tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shoujou closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Shoujou with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shoujou crunches a lovely knee into McGregor's ribcage.

McGregor decides to pull guard.
McGregor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shoujou is one step ahead there.

McGregor is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shoujou defends well.
Shoujou is looking to work some ground and pound but McGregor has wrist control.
Shoujou has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shoujou preventing the sweep.
McGregor is trying to keep Shoujou in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGregor working for a triangle but Shoujou defends it easily.
Shoujou engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

McGregor escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shoujou gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
McGregor misses the jab.
McGregor's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and McGregor duly obliges.
McGregor with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shojo Shoujou showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shoujou tries to bum rush McGregor with a series of wild strikes but McGregor uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McGregor connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shoujou misses with the combination.
McGregor misses the shot to the body.
Shojo Shoujou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slow jab from Shoujou misses its intended target.
McGregor tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shoujou manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shoujou dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McGregor. That did some damage!
Shoujou throws a combination. McGregor tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Shoujou misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - McGregor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McGregor misses the body punch
and Shoujou counters with a nice uppercut.
McGregor showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shoujou.
Shoujou misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shoujou lands a two punch combo.
Shoujou swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Shoujou closes the distance and clinches.

Shoujou breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor slips a jab and a cross from Shoujou.
McGregor throws a shot from downtown. Shoujou moves away and avoids it.
Shoujou throws a right and a left that McGregor avoids nicely.
McGregor lands a really nice looking cross but Shoujou seems unphased.
McGregor throws a jab but it's blocked by Shoujou.
McGregor throws a big shot that misses.
Shoujou closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGregor smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Shoujou lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shoujou fails to land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shoujou looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shoujou tries to clinch up but McGregor circles away and keeps his distance.
McGregor looks to land a combination but Shoujou avoids it well.

Shoujou closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Shoujou breaks the clinch.
Shoujou tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but McGregor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shoujou scores with a three punch combo!
Shoujou uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McGregor.
Jab from McGregor.
A combination from McGregor does no damage.
Shoujou throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McGregor.
Shoujou throws a series of punches but McGregor avoids them all with ease.
A telegraphed right hand from McGregor misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor throws a hook but Shoujou blocks it.

Shoujou instigates a clinch.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Shoujou holds him up against the cage and eventually McGregor drops back down to his feet.
McGregor tries to pull guard but Shoujou holds him up against the cage and eventually McGregor drops back down to his feet.

McGregor pulls guard.
McGregor keeping moving, preventing Shoujou from controlling successfully.

McGregor had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shoujou defends it easily.
Shoujou is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGregor is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Shoujou avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
McGregor can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shoujou controls the pace.
Chad McGregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McGregor avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shojo Shoujou comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shoujou winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shojo Shoujou!
The defeated Chad McGregor had this to say: ''t was a hard fight. It'll be a commiserative pint o'Guinness, and back to the drawing board for us. '.