PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Conor McGregor (ranked 4978 p4p, 4766 weight class) and Dante Harding (ranked 0 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
Harding

175 cm
25
155
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Conor McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dante Harding!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harding shoots for a double leg takedown but McGregor sprawls well. He's pushed Harding's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Harding or perhaps it was just good defense by McGregor, which made it look bad.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

McGregor clinches up with Harding and pushes him back against the cage.
Harding content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Harding keeps control of McGregor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McGregor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McGregor is looking to break free of the clinch but Harding has double underhooks.

Harding breaks from the clinch.
Harding moves to clinch but McGregor breaks away
and McGregor counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Dante Harding has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Harding.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Harding.
Harding misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harding shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. McGregor is trying to defend but Harding finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

McGregor pushes Harding off and gets back to his feet.

McGregor moves into range and clinches up with Harding.
Harding tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McGregor just stands there and leans against the cage.

Harding breaks the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Harding. No joy for McGregor on that attempt.
Harding shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McGregor sprawls well. McGregor wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Harding gets slowly back to his feet.
McGregor seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Harding leaves McGregor with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harding fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
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 stuns Harding with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McGregor tries for a takedown but Harding sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from McGregor. No joy for Harding on that attempt.
Harding changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McGregor tries to avoid it but Harding manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McGregor to the ground. McGregor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
McGregor is looking for a counter combo.
Harding looks winded!

McGregor rushes Harding and presses him up against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
McGregor is trying to break the clinch but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
McGregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Harding keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McGregor's efforts to push away.
McGregor is trying to break the clinch but Harding has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harding misses with the head strike.
McGregor tries to break free but Harding pushes him back against the cage.
McGregor can't break the clinch.
McGregor has had enough of the clinch but Harding keeps him there for the moment.
McGregor can't break the clinch.
Harding goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGregor prevents it.
McGregor prevents the takedown attempt.
Harding keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McGregor's efforts to push away.
McGregor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McGregor prevents a takedown attempt there.
Harding has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McGregor is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McGregor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Harding trying to stall but McGregor improves his position.
Harding tries to pull guard but McGregor forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
McGregor has had enough of the clinch but Harding keeps him there for the moment.
McGregor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McGregor is trying to break free.
Harding trying to control the position but instead, McGregor has worked for underhooks and has pushed Harding into the cage.

Harding breaks the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McGregor forces Harding back against the cage and clinches.
Harding can't break the clinch.
McGregor tries to break the clinch but Harding is controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dante Harding's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Harding shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Harding showed some decent athleticism there.

McGregor kicks off Harding and gets to his feet.

McGregor darts in and clinches Harding up against the cage.
McGregor is looking to break free of the clinch but Harding has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Harding's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Harding can't break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McGregor as Harding tries to tie him up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
Harding keeps control of McGregor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McGregor is trying to break the clinch but Harding is controlling him.

Harding escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harding shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

McGregor moves into range and clinches up with Harding.
McGregor is trying to break free.
Harding with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Harding keeps control of McGregor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Harding is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McGregor gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Harding has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McGregor avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Harding.
Harding is breathing heavily.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Harding shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGregor defends it nicely.

McGregor closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Harding did well to prevent McGregor getting side control.
Harding tries to push off, looking to stand up, but McGregor manages to move to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McGregor stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
McGregor looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Harding is fending him off so far but McGregor persists. Nope, Harding circles away and we're back to standing.
McGregor throws a head kick that misses
and Harding counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. McGregor is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Harding darts in looking for a takedown but McGregor gets double underhooks and turns Harding into the cage.
McGregor tries for a takedown but Harding sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Conor McGregor is winning the standup battle so far.
Harding shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McGregor counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
McGregor shoots for a double leg takedown but Harding sprawls well. He's pushed McGregor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a head kick.
McGregor changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Harding tries to avoid it but McGregor manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Harding to the ground. Harding escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Harding shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGregor defends it nicely.
McGregor is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harding can do to turn this around?
McGregor shoots for a takedown but Harding saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Harding sprawls well. Harding wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McGregor gets slowly back to his feet.
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick and Harding moves out of range easily.
Harding throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Harding gets a takedown into half guard.

McGregor pushes Harding off and gets back to his feet.

That's four 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!

McGregor rushes Harding and presses him up against the cage.

Harding pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick and Harding moves out of range easily.
McGregor throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McGregor shoots in for a takedown but Harding shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
McGregor throws a sloppy head kick and Harding moves out of range easily.
McGregor avoids the head kick by Harding.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Conor McGregor dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dante Harding's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

A head kick from Harding lands but McGregor takes it in his stride.

Harding closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

McGregor throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

McGregor clinches with his opponent.
McGregor is trying to break the clinch but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
Harding has McGregor pressed against the cage, preventing McGregor from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McGregor prevents a takedown attempt there.
McGregor can't break the clinch.
Harding tries to pull guard but McGregor won't allow it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Harding drops down looking for an ankle pick but McGregor pulls his leg out and moves away.
Conor McGregor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Harding.
McGregor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Harding takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Harding with that takedown attempt.

McGregor forces Harding back against the cage and clinches.
McGregor wants to break free but Harding has control.
Harding wants to stall.
Harding goes for a takedown in the clinch but McGregor prevents it.
McGregor tries to break free but Harding pushes him back against the cage.
McGregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Harding tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. McGregor just stands there and leans against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
McGregor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McGregor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McGregor is trying to break free.
McGregor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
McGregor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Harding has him pressed against the cage.
McGregor wants to break the clinch but can't.
McGregor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Harding can't get the takedown.
McGregor wants to break the clinch but can't.
Harding tries to pull guard but McGregor forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
McGregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McGregor wants to get back to striking at distance but Harding won't allow it.
McGregor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGregor is looking to break free of the clinch but Harding has double underhooks.
McGregor tries to break the clinch but Harding is controlling the position.
McGregor is pressed up against the cage. Harding has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McGregor down to the mat. McGregor avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
McGregor closes this distance looking for a takedown but Harding circles away.

McGregor moves into the clinch.
Conor McGregor has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McGregor is trying to break free.
Harding throws a knee to the head but misses.
McGregor has Harding pressed against the cage, preventing Harding from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Harding keeps control of McGregor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McGregor wants to break free but Harding has control.
Harding keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McGregor's efforts to push away.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Harding keeps control of McGregor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

McGregor escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

McGregor takes the fight into the clinch.

Harding breaks the clinch.

McGregor has Harding up against the cage in a clinch.
McGregor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McGregor has had enough of the clinch but Harding keeps him there for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
McGregor is looking to break free of the clinch but Harding has double underhooks.
Harding is trying to pull guard but McGregor turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Dante Harding has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harding unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Harding with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conor McGregor showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for McGregor, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Conor McGregor!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Conor McGregor!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Conor McGregor!

Conor McGregor wins by unanimous decision!