PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryan McCarthy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alessio Legionarius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Legionarius's choice of entrance music: Drowning Pool - Let the bodies hit the floor. Ryan McCarthy could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Alessio Legionarius's chin.

McCarthy
vs
Legionarius

170 cm
24
195 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

185 cm
20
200 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Phoenix Nutrition - 158 recovery $99

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryan McCarthy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alessio Legionarius!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarthy misses with an uppercut. Legionarius saw that one coming.
Ryan McCarthy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

McCarthy scores with a takedown into Legionarius's guard.
McCarthy tries to free his leg and advance position but Legionarius is retaining full guard.
McCarthy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McCarthy trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Legionarius manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Legionarius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McCarthy wants to sweep here but Legionarius controlling him for the moment.
McCarthy keeping moving, preventing Legionarius from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Legionarius.
Legionarius trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but McCarthy manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCarthy stays in close to Legionarius's body and controls the position.
Legionarius has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Legionarius keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
McCarthy stops Legionarius from standing up.
McCarthy is pushing down on Legionarius's leg trying to pass to half guard. Legionarius is fighting to maintain full guard but McCarthy has managed to sneak the leg through.
McCarthy not doing much here.
Legionarius has hold of McCarthy's hands but McCarthy slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
McCarthy trying to control the pace.
McCarthy works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
McCarthy looking to control but Legionarius is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
McCarthy with the ground and pound from mount.
Legionarius holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as McCarthy tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
McCarthy is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Legionarius can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Legionarius slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius is not content to let McCarthy control the position.
McCarthy controlling the action here.
Legionarius tries to get to full guard but McCarthy has control of the leg.
McCarthy moves nicely into side control.
McCarthy content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
McCarthy tries to advance to mount but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan McCarthy dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from McCarthy. Legionarius does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCarthy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Legionarius avoids it really well and circles away.
Legionarius slips a straight right by McCarthy.

McCarthy shoots in and bounces Legionarius off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
McCarthy seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Legionarius looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Legionarius swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCarthy stopping the sweep attempt from Legionarius.
Legionarius manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
You get the feeling that McCarthy really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Legionarius tries to control but McCarthy wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McCarthy is trying to escape the mount.
McCarthy is working hard here to advance position.

Legionarius goes for an armbar but he's not got it… McCarthy turns into him and now he's in Legionarius's guard.
McCarthy with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Legionarius holds on and takes a little breather.
Legionarius working a defensive guard but McCarthy manages to pass into side control anyway.
McCarthy trying to control the position but Legionarius is working away.
McCarthy is staying tight to Legionarius's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Legionarius is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A lull in the action here.
McCarthy tries to move to mount but Legionarius blocks the move with his legs.
McCarthy lands a few punches from side control.
McCarthy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Legionarius keeps working.
McCarthy scores with punches from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McCarthy is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Legionarius is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
McCarthy throwing strikes but Legionarius manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan McCarthy dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCarthy scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
McCarthy scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Legionarius moves out of range as McCarthy strikes.
McCarthy misses with an uppercut. Legionarius saw that one coming.
McCarthy scores with a jab.
Legionarius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McCarthy.
Sloppy strikes from McCarthy. Those never looked like landing.
Legionarius slips under a jab from McCarthy.
McCarthy shoots in but no luck this time.
McCarthy misses with a body shot.
McCarthy looks to throw the jab but Legionarius is out of range.

McCarthy changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Legionarius looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Legionarius sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
McCarthy looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy trying to control the pace.
Ryan McCarthy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Legionarius is staying active underneath McCarthy, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McCarthy wants to free his trapped foot but Legionarius is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McCarthy stops Legionarius from getting back to his feet.
McCarthy wants to pass the guard but Legionarius is defending well.
McCarthy throwing shots but Legionarius is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Legionarius is looking to improve his position.
Legionarius is staying active underneath McCarthy, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
McCarthy content to control rather than advance.

We're going to have a standup here because Ryan McCarthy wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Legionarius blocks a jab.
Legionarius throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McCarthy shoots in but no luck this time.
McCarthy shoots in looking for a takedown but Legionarius manages to keep the fight standing, pushing McCarthy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan McCarthy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Legionarius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCarthy.
McCarthy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Legionarius moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius throws a hook but McCarthy avoids it easily.
McCarthy shoots in and drives through. Legionarius sprawls well.
McCarthy throws a predictable looking body shot

and Legionarius counters with a nice double leg into side control. McCarthy won't be happy with that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McCarthy wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Legionarius postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
McCarthy wants to control but Legionarius postures up.
Legionarius fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Legionarius is looking to take a break and control but McCarthy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McCarthy is trying to improve his position.
Legionarius trying to control the position but McCarthy is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Ryan McCarthy did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCarthy shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Legionarius manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McCarthy works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McCarthy not landing any meaningful shots this time.
McCarthy keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
McCarthy wants to control but Legionarius is keeping him busy.
McCarthy stalling.

McCarthy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Legionarius is doing well to control the position and prevent McCarthy from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Legionarius trying to control here.
Legionarius is refusing to be controlled, as McCarthy sits in half guard.
McCarthy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Legionarius's head.
Legionarius is pressing down on McCarthy's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Legionarius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McCarthy looking to pass the guard.

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.
McCarthy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Legionarius 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.
McCarthy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Legionarius keeping full guard, as McCarthy tries to pass.
Legionarius keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
McCarthy might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Legionarius wants to sweep here but McCarthy controlling him for the moment.
McCarthy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Legionarius is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy throws and elbow that misses. Legionarius uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McCarthy's guard. Nice move by Legionarius!
McCarthy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Legionarius trying to control but McCarthy is working from the bottom.
McCarthy is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Legionarius is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ryan McCarthy just wasn't active enough.
McCarthy looks to throw the jab but Legionarius is out of range.
McCarthy throws a leg kick but Legionarius sees it coming and checks it nicely.

McCarthy closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Legionarius quickly recovers to half guard.
McCarthy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Legionarius is trying is best to control the position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Legionarius is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Still in half guard, McCarthy seems content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan McCarthy had his way with Alessio Legionarius in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McCarthy shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Legionarius counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Legionarius bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Legionarius just misses with a punch to the body.
McCarthy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCarthy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Legionarius sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Legionarius throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McCarthy is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Legionarius's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A punch lands to the side of Legionarius 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Legionarius defending well as McCarthy loads up on a big left hand.
McCarthy fails with the takedown
and McCarthy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Legionarius misses with the combination.

Legionarius decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Legionarius is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy is positioning himself well to prevent Legionarius advancing to mount.
McCarthy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Legionarius's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Legionarius's back!
Legionarius staying busy and making it hard for McCarthy to control.
Legionarius trying to control the action but McCarthy just sinks the hooks in.
McCarthy misses with an elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Legionarius is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if McCarthy gets his way!
McCarthy punches the canvas rather than the man.
McCarthy connects with a big shot to the side of Legionarius's head.
Legionarius just trying to survive but McCarthy is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

McCarthy working for the choke.
McCarthy controlling well, preventing Legionarius from escaping the position.
Legionarius looking very determined here, making life difficult for McCarthy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy throwing sloppy strikes.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - McCarthy's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
McCarthy thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Legionarius is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Legionarius is keeping busy.
Ryan McCarthy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
McCarthy slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Legionarius is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get McCarthy off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Legionarius wants to control his opponent's hands but McCarthy gets his hands free.
Legionarius trying to get back to his feet but McCarthy is in full control for now.
Alessio Legionarius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Legionarius is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Legionarius manages to reverse the position and now he's in McCarthy's guard. Nice work there by Legionarius.
Legionarius stops McCarthy from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan McCarthy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well McCarthy has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan McCarthy!
Ryan McCarthy is the new middleweight champion!