PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Sab (ranked 4674 p4p, 4924 weight class) and Devin McGrew (ranked 0 p4p, 356 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.

Sab
vs
McGrew

168 cm
18
157
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
23
152
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mark Sab!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Devin McGrew!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McGrew is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sab's half guard.
McGrew working Sab over with strikes.
Sab looks like he's trying to stand up.
McGrew looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sab slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Sab is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McGrew is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGrew trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Sab manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Sab trying to stand up but can't free himself from McGrew's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sab stands up over McGrew, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sab passes into half guard.

McGrew is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sab pulls his head out easily.
McGrew tries to get to full guard but Sab has control of the leg.

McGrew is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sab pulls his head out easily.
Sab trying to control the action but McGrew is working from the bottom.

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.
Sab perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Sab is trying to work for a kimura but McGrew is defending well.
McGrew trying to control but Sab postures up.
Sab missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sab controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sab is working for a kimura but McGrew is defending it quite comfortably.
McGrew makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McGrew.
Sab 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.
Sab is in close to McGrew's body, working some short punches and elbows.

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.
Sab trying to control the position from guard on top but McGrew is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McGrew has his hands on Sab's head, controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

McGrew closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
McGrew really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sab. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sab is looking to improve his position.
Sab is pressing down on McGrew's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

McGrew stands up and waves to Sab to follow him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Sab dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from McGrew is defended easily by Sab.

Sab tries to keep at a distance but McGrew has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McGrew.
Sab tries to break free but McGrew pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sab breaks the clinch.

Sab shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McGrew's guard.

McGrew wriggles free and stands up.
McGrew avoids the body shot from Sab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGrew fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sab avoids it really well and circles away.
McGrew throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mark Sab is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sab pulls out of a head kick attempt.

McGrew has managed to clinch.

McGrew manages to break the clinch.
McGrew swats away the attempt to clinch by Sab.
McGrew fails with a takedown attempt.
Mark Sab has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Devin McGrew.
McGrew throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McGrew wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGrew throws a sloppy head kick and Sab moves out of range easily.
Sab tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Sab closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sab lands in his opponent's guard.
Sab controlling from the top position.
McGrew is trying to control the position but Sab postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sab wants to stand but McGrew has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
McGrew managing to control the position.

McGrew has his foot on Sab's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sab works his way back into a safe position though.
Sab stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McGrew swivels though and keeps the full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
McGrew is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Sab is controlling him.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sab shoots for a double leg takedown but McGrew sprawls well. He's pushed Sab's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McGrew scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Sab shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sab preventing the sweep.

McGrew is looking for a triangle here but Sab uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Sab taking a breather here.
Mark Sab overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sab avoids the strikes from the bottom by McGrew.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Devin McGrew will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

McGrew clinches.
Sab throws a knee to the head but misses.

McGrew pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sab with a lazy takedown attempt
and McGrew counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sab wants to clinch.

Sab gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sab not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McGrew prevents Sab from getting back to his feet.
McGrew looking to pass the guard.

Sab has his foot on McGrew's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McGrew works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McGrew tries to free his leg and advance position but Sab is retaining full guard.
McGrew controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.
McGrew stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sab swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sab not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sab wants to sweep here but McGrew controlling him for the moment.
McGrew is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Sab bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGrew tries to bench press Sab off him but Sab keeps the position.
Sab gets to mount! McGrew was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Sab thowing shots but they're missing.
McGrew is trying to escape the mount.
Sab looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sab looking to ground and pound but McGrew is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sab trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McGrew tries to reverse the position but Sab maintains control.
McGrew wants to control but Sab is having none of it.
McGrew is desperately trying to improve his position but Sab has a good base and remains in mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A nice elbow there by Sab.
Sab wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.

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 Mark Sab.
I think Sab 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight for Mark Sab!
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight for Devin McGrew!
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight for Devin McGrew!

Devin McGrew wins by split decision!