PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ashton McClain (ranked 4265 p4p, 4368 weight class) and Han Gan (ranked 495 p4p, 501 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.

McClain
vs
Gan

150 cm
25
183
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ashton McClain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Han Gan!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Igor Prikhodko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gan rushes McClain and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Gan misses with an elbow strike.
Gan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gan tries for a takedown. No joy.
McClain misses with the head strike.
McClain misses with a punch on the inside.
McClain tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McClain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gan.
Gan blocking some punches.
Gan tries for a takedown but McClain manages to get underhooks.
Gan blocking some punches.

Gan manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Gan has control of McClain's left arm, preventing McClain from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Gan manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Gan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gan blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McClain throws a punch but it's blocked by Gan.
Gan goes for a takedown attempt but McClain pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ashton McClain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Han Gan.
No joy there for McClain, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

McClain decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Gan has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but McClain is on him like a limpet, forcing Gan back against the cage.
McClain swings wildly with an uppercut but Gan uses good head movement to avoid it.
McClain working aggressively here.
McClain misses with a short punch on the inside.

Gan pulls guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McClain trying to control but Gan is working from the bottom.

Gan working for a triangle but McClain defends it easily.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McClain decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sloppy strikes from McClain. Those never looked like landing.
A punch combination from McClain misses.

McClain gets a takedown into half guard.

Gan manages to escape and get back to his feet!

McClain darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Gan pushes McClain off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McClain looking to score a takedown here. Gan is defending well but McClain drives through and ends up in Gan's guard.

Gan has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. McClain has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
McClain has a couple of punches blocked by Gan.
Gan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McClain swings wildly with an uppercut but Gan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gan blocks an uppercut.

Gan pulls guard effortlessly.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Gan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McClain doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McClain manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
McClain stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McClain stands up from Gan's guard - McClain perhaps looking for a knockout.

McClain closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McClain lands in his opponent's guard.

Gan kicks McClain off and gets to his feet.

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

Gan throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Han Gan dominated that round.
That's time! McClain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A combination from McClain does no damage.
And Gan tries to counter it with a takedown but McClain pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ashton McClain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

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

Gan wriggles free and stands up.

McClain drives through with a takedown into guard.

Gan pushes McClain off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

McClain darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Gan kicks off McClain and gets to his feet.
McClain takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Horrible takedown attempt by McClain or perhaps it was just good defense by Gan, which made it look bad.
Gan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McClain shoots in but no luck this time.
It seemed like Gan was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McClain leaves Gan with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Gan enables McClain to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Gan manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Gan wriggles free and stands up.

Gan moves into the clinch successfully.
Gan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McClain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McClain throws a head punch that misses.
Gan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McClain swings wildly with an uppercut but Gan uses good head movement to avoid it.
McClain misses with a hook from the clinch.
McClain misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McClain working aggressively here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McClain misses with the head strike.
Gan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McClain gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
McClain misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McClain.
McClain throws a punch but it's blocked by Gan.
McClain throws a punch but it's blocked by Gan.
Ashton McClain has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McClain misses with a punch on the inside.
McClain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McClain misses with some punches.
McClain swings wildly with an uppercut but Gan uses good head movement to avoid it.
McClain throws a head punch that misses.
McClain has a couple of punches blocked by Gan.

Gan drags the fight down to the ground.

Gan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gan is trying to control the position but McClain postures up.
Han Gan has got the better of the ground game so far.
McClain wants to stand and escape but instead Gan has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

McClain keeping full guard, as Gan tries to pass.

McClain is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Gan presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
McClain swings wildly with an uppercut but Gan uses good head movement to avoid it.
McClain throws a head punch that misses.
McClain misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McClain lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gan backwards.
McClain swings wildly with an uppercut but Gan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gan is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
McClain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McClain prevents the takedown attempt.
Ashton McClain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Han Gan.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McClain.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McClain as Gan tries to tie him up.
McClain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McClain misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McClain.
Gan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gan is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but McClain is defending well.
McClain misses with a punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Han Gan will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McClain decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Gan has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but McClain is on him like a limpet, forcing Gan back against the cage.
Gan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Gan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gan.
McClain working aggressively here.

Gan breaks the clinch.

McClain drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Gan wriggles free and stands up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gan misses the jab.
Gan shoots in but McClain avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McClain defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gan.
Gan slaps away a takedown attempt from McClain, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McClain.
Gan fails with a takedown attempt.
Ashton McClain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Han Gan.
Gan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

McClain gets a takedown into half guard.

Gan kicks McClain off and gets back to his feet.
A combination from McClain does no damage.

McClain gets the takedown into side control.

Gan throws McClain to one side and escapes!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McClain throws a right and a left that Gan avoids nicely.
McClain misses with a two punch combination.
McClain shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gan wants to counter with a clinch but McClain pushes him away.
McClain has a takedown stuffed.
Gan closes the distance and clinches up with McClain, looking for a takedown. Gan pushes McClain against the cage but McClain circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
McClain changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

McClain scores with a takedown into Gan's guard.

Gan kicks McClain off and gets to his feet.
Gan shoots in for a takedown but McClain shows good takedown defense.
McClain tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Gan defends well and McClain ends up having to push Gan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gan lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
McClain misses with some punches.
Gan jumps guard but McClain stands there with Gan around his waist. Gan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McClain misses with some punches.
McClain swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McClain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Gan pulls guard successfully.
McClain tries to stand but Gan is controlling from the bottom.

McClain gets to his feet. Gan looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
McClain lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gan circles away quickly and effectively.

McClain drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Gan pushes McClain off and gets back to his feet.

McClain gets a double leg takedown into Gan's guard.

Gan manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McClain fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Gan crunches a lovely knee into McClain's ribcage.
Gan blocking some punches.
McClain misses with some punches.
Ashton McClain has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McClain throws a punch but it's blocked by Gan.
Gan blocking some punches.
McClain working aggressively here.
McClain misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gan jumps guard and drags McClain to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
McClain might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Gan pushes McClain off and gets back to his feet.
Han Gan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McClain darts in looking for a takedown but Gan gets double underhooks and turns McClain into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Han Gan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gan 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight for Han Gan!
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight for Han Gan!
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight for Han Gan!

Han Gan wins by unanimous decision!