PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cormac McCarthy (ranked 89 p4p, 296 weight class) and Haitian Ginger (ranked 11 p4p, 40 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McCarthy
vs
Ginger

183 cm
29
175
22 - 8 - 0

193 cm
31
185
19 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

NARCOS

30th Century Beer Store
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cormac McCarthy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Haitian Ginger!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCarthy swats away the attempt to clinch by Ginger.
A left and a right from McCarthy both land. Nice combination.
We've been hearing reports that McCarthy has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Ginger misses with a looping right.
McCarthy jabs at Ginger's body.
McCarthy throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Ginger lands a lovely overhand right.
McCarthy cracks Ginger with an open hand slap.
Ginger ducks right into an uppercut from McCarthy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ginger has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ginger there as he acknowledges the shot.
McCarthy connects with a right hand. Ginger shakes it off.
Ginger tries to work over McCarthy's front leg with a kick but McCarthy checks it.
Ginger is looking to clinch but McCarthy is avoiding it.
Nice body punch from McCarthy.
Ginger lands a jab to McCarthy's midsection.
McCarthy scores with a nice strike.
McCarthy fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ginger throws out a loose jab but McCarthy uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCarthy attempts a counter takedown but Ginger avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ginger misses the jab.
McCarthy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ginger looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McCarthy throws a combination. Ginger tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
McCarthy throws a big shot that misses.

McCarthy shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ginger manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
McCarthy lands a couple of elbows.
McCarthy throws a big right hand that misses.
McCarthy passes Ginger's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McCarthy lands with a punch from half guard.
McCarthy sitting and controlling from the half guard.
McCarthy is looking to pass Ginger's guard but actually Ginger recovers to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCarthy throws an elbow that misses. Ginger uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McCarthy's guard. Nice move by Ginger!

McCarthy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ginger is one step ahead there.
Ginger engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
McCarthy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ginger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
McCarthy wants to sweep here but Ginger controlling him for the moment.
McCarthy has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ginger has passed into side control.
McCarthy is trying to work for a sweep but Ginger has mounted him!
Ginger wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
McCarthy is trying desperately to improve position.
McCarthy manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy has his hands clasped together around Ginger's back. He's all about the action.
The fighters are battling for position here. McCarthy manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
McCarthy wants to control the position but Ginger says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Ginger trying to control the pace.
McCarthy is looking to improve his position.
McCarthy is looking to control Ginger's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McCarthy avoid being mounted?
McCarthy wants to improve his position but Ginger is controlling well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ginger rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and McCarthy counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McCarthy swinging wildly here.

Ginger moves into the clinch successfully.
Ginger throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McCarthys head.
McCarthy can't find room to land a body shot as Ginger controls the action.
McCarthy fails to pull guard.
McCarthy slows down the pace here.
A short right from Ginger on the inside.
Ginger gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McCarthy.
Ginger blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ginger tries a body shot but McCarthy blocks it.
Ginger misses with some punches.
Ginger misses with a punch on the inside.
McCarthy is trying to maintain a safe position but Ginger gets an underhook and turns McCarthy into the cage.

Ginger breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ginger thows a leg kick but McCarthy checks it

and McCarthy counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by McCarthy.
Ginger is trying to keep McCarthy in close.
McCarthy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ginger swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCarthy landing some decent shots from guard.
McCarthy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ginger can do to turn this around?
McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Ginger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ginger pulls McCarthy in close to prevent any damage.
McCarthy is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
McCarthy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ginger swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Ginger keeps moving.
Ginger looking to control.
McCarthy throws an elbow that misses. Ginger uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McCarthy's guard. Nice move by Ginger!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McCarthy is looking to sweep but instead, Ginger has passed into half guard.
McCarthy is trying to maintain the position but Ginger is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy tries to get to full guard but Ginger has control of the leg.
Ginger is taking a breather. McCarthy says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
McCarthy wants to get back to full guard.
McCarthy is doing well to control the position and prevent Ginger from advancing to side control.
McCarthy gets back to full guard.
McCarthy is controlling Ginger's posture.

That's four 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.
McCarthy 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 is working hard here to advance position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cormac McCarthy overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCarthy is looking to sweep but instead, Ginger has passed into half guard.
Ginger trying to control the pace.
McCarthy is looking to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ginger looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Haitian Ginger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Ginger misses with a low kick.
McCarthy looks to score with a jab to the body but Ginger is just out of range.
McCarthy's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and McCarthy duly obliges.
Ginger throws the left hand but McCarthy avoids the punch easily.
Ginger throws a head kick that misses.
Ginger keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McCarthy.

Ginger tries to sprawl but McCarthy drives through with a takedown into half guard.
McCarthy wants to control but Ginger is keeping him busy.
McCarthy is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
McCarthy stands up over Ginger, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
McCarthy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McCarthy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McCarthy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ginger wants to sweep here but McCarthy controlling him for the moment.
McCarthy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ginger keeping full guard, as McCarthy tries to pass.
McCarthy trying to control but Ginger is working from the bottom.
McCarthy wants to pass the guard but Ginger is keeping the position.
Ginger is pulling down on McCarthy's head to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
McCarthy trying to control the position from guard on top but Ginger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ginger tries to clinch but fails miserably
and McCarthy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ginger ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jab from Ginger.
McCarthy misses with a series of wild punches.
A big right from Ginger misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ginger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ginger misses with a wild body shot.
McCarthy moves out of range as Ginger strikes.
Ginger cracks a nice hook into McCarthy's ribs.
Ginger throws a poor cross that misses
and McCarthy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McCarthy scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ginger connects with a solid leg kick.
Ginger lands a nice shot that snaps McCarthy's head back.

McCarthy throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ginger tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McCarthy is in Ginger's guard.
Ginger has control of McCarthy's left arm, preventing McCarthy from doing any damage.
Ginger keeping moving, preventing McCarthy from controlling successfully.
Ginger controlling McCarthy's posture.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Ginger keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy looking to sit in guard and control but Ginger gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ginger stopping the sweep attempt from McCarthy.
McCarthy trying to keep a closed guard but Ginger is proving a slippery customer.
McCarthy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

McCarthy landing with the ground and pound.
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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ginger scores with a jab to the body.
Ginger dips to his left and cracks McCarthy with an uppercut!
Ginger takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as McCarthy checks a leg kick.
Ginger misses with a hook.
Ginger throws a right hand that misses
and Ginger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ginger tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ginger missing with a left hand there. McCarthy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice uppercut lands for Ginger. That snapped McCarthy's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCarthy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McCarthy.

McCarthy closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ginger to the mat! Ginger manages to get full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCarthy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McCarthy looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCarthy is in close to Ginger's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McCarthy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McCarthy postures up in Ginger's guard and throws a big left but Ginger blocks it.
McCarthy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Ginger keeps moving.
McCarthy scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McCarthy looking to pass the guard.
McCarthy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ginger can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as McCarthy controls the pace.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Ginger keeps moving.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
McCarthy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ginger displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCarthy throws out the jab.
McCarthy throws a right hand that Ginger ducks under and follows up with a left that Ginger also avoids with ease.
Ginger keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ginger fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McCarthy.
McCarthy swats away the attempt to clinch by Ginger.
Ginger slips under a jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ginger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by McCarthy.
McCarthy tries to score with some ground and pound. Ginger controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
McCarthy tries to advance position but instead Ginger slips a leg back in to half guard.
Ginger taking some punishment here, with McCarthy in his half guard.
McCarthy missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ginger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from McCarthy.
McCarthy is looking to take a break and control but Ginger is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy looks to land a strike but Ginger avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
McCarthy wants to control from the top but Ginger keeps moving.

Ginger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. McCarthy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. McCarthy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ginger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McCarthy trying to control but Ginger is working from the bottom.
McCarthy makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ginger seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cormac McCarthy had his way with Haitian Ginger in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McCarthy fails to land with a series of punches.
Cormac McCarthy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McCarthy misses the shot to the body.
McCarthy misses with a hook.
Ginger throws out a counter right but McCarthy avoids it with no problem.

Ginger gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ginger struggles to land a body shot inside as McCarthy controls his hands.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ginger.
Ginger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ginger misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ginger misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ginger tries to throw a body punch but McCarthy avoids it by throwing Ginger back against the cage.
Ginger misses with some punches.
McCarthy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ginger fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ginger misses with a punch to the body.
Ginger doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A hook to the body from McCarthy.
McCarthy tries to pull guard but Ginger forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
McCarthy prevents a body shot from Ginger.
McCarthy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ginger.
Ginger effectively controlling the action here.
Ginger blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ginger struggles to land a body shot inside as McCarthy controls his hands.
Haitian Ginger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McCarthy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ginger tries to move into range but McCarthy moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A right-left combo lands from McCarthy.
McCarthy uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ginger has time to react.
McCarthy tests Ginger's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ginger throws a low kick but McCarthy moves out of range easily.
McCarthy misses with a wild body shot.

McCarthy is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ginger's half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCarthy stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCarthy is trying to control the action in half guard but Ginger is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ginger controlling the position well.
McCarthy is trying to control the action in half guard but Ginger is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Ginger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McCarthy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCarthy works Ginger's body with a nice hook.

That's four 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.

McCarthy looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Ginger!
Ginger is not content to let McCarthy control the position.
McCarthy happy to just control the position for now.
McCarthy trying to control the action but Ginger is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ginger controls the position for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cormac McCarthy showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McCarthy 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cormac McCarthy!
Cormac McCarthy retains his welterweight title!
A victorious Cormac McCarthy thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.