PBP Commentary

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

McGuire
vs
Kage

178 cm
32
161 lbs
26 - 9 - 1

165 cm
30
162 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Instinct

Voodoo Nutrition
AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Zander McGuire!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Raijin Kage!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Joseph Jones and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kage is looking to score with low kicks.
Kage closes the distance but McGuire moves to the side
and McGuire counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kage closes the distance looking to clinch
and McGuire counters with a nice body shot.
McGuire is looking to land body kicks.
Kage misses with a kick to the body
and McGuire counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kage lands a head kick. McGuire smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Zander McGuire has been cut.
McGuire finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kage is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kage throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and McGuire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kage thows a leg kick but McGuire checks it
and Kage takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Raijin Kage has been cut.
Kage lands a jab to the nose.
Kage takes one on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kage tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kage bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kage swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kage gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and McGuire counters with a left to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kage. McGuire does a little dance to reset his feet.
McGuire throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Kage counters with a low kick, right behind McGuire 's knee.
Kage pivots, looking for a leg kick but McGuire is out of range and Kage settles back down.
McGuire swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
McGuire has been working on his boxing with his coaches at River's Edge Gym, DOW in the buildup to the fight.
McGuire has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kage.
Both fighters circling a little - McGuire finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kage just misses with a punch to the body.
McGuire avoids a kick to the body.
As Kage backs away, McGuire returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
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 lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McGuire circles away quickly and effectively.
Kage tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McGuire is able to avoid easily.
Kage throws a leg kick that misses.
Kage scores with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kage rushes McGuire and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kage misses with a shot to the kidneys.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McGuire gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kage.
McGuire throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
McGuire is working Kage over against the cage.
McGuire prevents the takedown attempt.
Zander McGuire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raijin Kage.
Kage tries to score a body lock takedown but McGuire shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kage drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kage decides to pull guard.
McGuire engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Kage looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
McGuire trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kage bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McGuire's guard.

McGuire controlling the position.
McGuire wants to sweep here but Kage controlling him for the moment.
Kage postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
McGuire trying to control the position.
Kage trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McGuire managing to control the position.
Kage trying to control the position from guard on top but McGuire is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGuire bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kage's guard.

McGuire 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kage escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McGuire gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kage wants to sweep but no luck.
McGuire sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kage is looking to sweep but instead, McGuire has passed into half guard.
McGuire controlling the pace.
Kage is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Raijin Kage will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kage displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McGuire throws out the jab.
McGuire misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kage misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kage misses with a wild body shot.
McGuire is looking to counter punch.
Kage misses with a combination
and McGuire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kage has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by McGuire.
McGuire lands with a nice body punch.
Kage misses with a series of wild punches.
An attempted straight right counter from McGuire misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kage tries to clinch up but McGuire circles away and keeps his distance.
McGuire jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Kage on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kage trying to control from half guard but McGuire is working away.
Kage looks to land a strike but McGuire avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
McGuire will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McGuire keeping full guard, as Kage tries to pass.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kage working his ground and pound in the gym.
McGuire wants to sweep here but Kage controlling him for the moment.

Kage thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
McGuire looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kage throwing strikes from guard but McGuire blocks nicely.
McGuire has control of Kage's left arm, preventing Kage from doing any damage.
Kage with a flurry of punches that miss.

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.
Kage with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kage stopping the sweep attempt from McGuire.
Kage trying to control but McGuire is working from the bottom.
Kage with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kage preventing the sweep.
McGuire is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Kage is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
McGuire is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kage is controlling him.
Kage scoring with some ground and pound.
McGuire pulls Kage in close to his closed guard and prevents Kage from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kage looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kage trying to control but McGuire is working from the bottom.
Kage makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kage stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGuire swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McGuire controls Kage momentarily but Kage frees himself.
Kage trying to move into half guard but instead McGuire has managed to sweep!

Kage trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Kage looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McGuire is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kage looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Kage is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McGuire defends well.
McGuire slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kage is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kage 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.
Kage has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McGuire slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zander McGuire will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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!

McGuire fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kage checks it well.
Kage doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
McGuire is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kage checks a low kick from McGuire.
Kage thows a leg kick but McGuire checks it
and McGuire counters with a low kick, right behind Kage 's knee.
Kage with a nice cross.
Kage misses with a body shot.
McGuire misses with a body kick.
Kage misses with a body kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kage lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and McGuire has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from McGuire and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kage attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kage. That's going to slow McGuire down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGuire moves out of range of the leg kick from Kage.
Kage lands a nice leg kick that just misses McGuire's sensitive parts.
Kage looks to score with a jab to the body but McGuire is just out of range.
McGuire misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kage.
Kage is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down McGuire rather than just go for the knockout.
Kage swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McGuire counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kage thinking.
Raijin Kage is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuire circles away from the clinch attempt
and McGuire counters with a stiff right hand.
Kage misses with a shot to the body
and McGuire counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
McGuire lands with a good body shot.
Kage throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kage tries to clinch but fails miserably
and McGuire counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kage fails with an attempt to clinch.
McGuire connects with the punch.
Kage shoots in for a takedown but McGuire shows good takedown defense.
McGuire defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kage.
An attempted straight right counter from McGuire misses the target.
Kage takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McGuire swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kage.
McGuire stalks Kage and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kage's face. Kage staggers backwards, shaken.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kage lands a lovely overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from McGuire. Kage does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice takedown defense from McGuire. No joy for Kage on that attempt.
Zander McGuire has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raijin Kage.
Kage misses with a kick to the body
and McGuire counters with a left to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. McGuire darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
McGuire is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kage looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A low kick from Kage is predictable there
and Kage takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kage throws a lazy head kick
and McGuire counters with a thumping low kick.
McGuire is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A jab lands there for McGuire.
McGuire connects with a single shot there.
McGuire with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kage throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kage pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces McGuire back to the cage. Kage follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Raijin Kage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Kage tenderised McGuire's leg. McGuire is trying to keep his angry face on.
McGuire throws a nice outside leg kick.
A bone on bone clash there as McGuire blocks the leg kick.
Kage throws a body kick that misses
and McGuire counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McGuire scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kage doesn't seem bothered though.
Kage throws a chopping leg kick but McGuire manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kage takes one to the side of the head.

Kage is rocked!
McGuire drops Kage with a big left hand! Kage is injured, injured bad! McGuire jumps in and finished him with strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:41 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Zander McGuire!
Zander McGuire very nearly forgot to thank Instinct amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.
The defeated Raijin Kage had this to say: 'The storm only gets stronger...'.