PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ewan Mcgregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandre Casta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mcgregor
vs
Casta

180 cm
19
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

174 cm
26
163 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ewan Mcgregor!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alexandre Casta!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Casta lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mcgregor fails to land with a series of punches.
Alexandre Casta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mcgregor closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Casta swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Casta misses with a lunging right hand
and Mcgregor counters with a one-two to the body.
Casta jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mcgregor.
Casta is not content to let Mcgregor control the position.
Mcgregor moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Mcgregor is trying to get an arm triangle but Casta is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcgregor is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Casta knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Mcgregor goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Casta has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Mcgregor but great work by Casta.
Mcgregor sneaks back into half guard.
Mcgregor trying to hold on to Casta's head to control him but Casta postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor gets full guard.

Mcgregor throws his legs up looking for a submission but Casta uses it to pass to side control.
Mcgregor is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor struggling a bit here.
Mcgregor is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Mcgregor's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mcgregor is not content to let Casta control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Mcgregor slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mcgregor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Casta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mcgregor swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Mcgregor is looking for a triangle here but Casta uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Mcgregor manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Casta throws a jab but it's blocked by Mcgregor.

Mcgregor darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ewan Mcgregor overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mcgregor seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Mcgregor looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcgregor is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Casta is just riding it out for now. Mcgregor eventually gives up the hold.

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.

Mcgregor is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Casta is just riding it out for now. Mcgregor eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mcgregor sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Casta defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mcgregor seems to be looking for submissions.
Mcgregor wants to advance to full mount but Casta doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Mcgregor passes Casta's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mcgregor seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Casta does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Casta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mcgregor uses his free foot to push down on Casta's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Casta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Mcgregor tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Mcgregor working for a submission but Casta is keeping him at bay.

Mcgregor is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Casta is surviving well by controlling Mcgregor's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ewan Mcgregor dominated that second 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.

Casta lands a jab to the nose.
Casta missing with a left hand there. Mcgregor was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Casta misses with a straight left.
Mcgregor throws a lazy right hand but Casta sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Casta misses with a right hand

and Mcgregor counters with a takedown into side control.

Mcgregor thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Mcgregor is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Casta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Mcgregor jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Casta manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Mcgregor throws an elbow but Casta slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mcgregor swings around for an armbar but Casta sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Mcgregor's guard.

Mcgregor working for a triangle but Casta defends it easily.
Mcgregor keeping full guard, as Casta tries to pass.
Casta slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mcgregor wants to control but Casta postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Casta is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mcgregor is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mcgregor is trying to control Casta's posture but Casta avoids it.
Mcgregor is looking to regain half guard here but Casta keeps moving and retains side control.
Mcgregor is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor prevents Casta from improving position.
Mcgregor struggling a bit here.
Mcgregor tries to improve position but can't.
Casta working away.
Casta wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mcgregor keeps working.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mcgregor tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ewan Mcgregor clearly takes 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.

Casta looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Casta throws a looping overhand right but Mcgregor ducks down to avoid it.
Casta misses with a looping right.

Mcgregor manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Casta on his heels. He'll look to pass Casta's guard now, I'm sure.
Mcgregor looking to sit in guard and control but Casta gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mcgregor looking for a guillotine here but Casta defends easily.

Mcgregor is looking for a triangle but Casta pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor trying to control the position.

Mcgregor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Casta trying to control the position from guard on top but Mcgregor is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mcgregor is pulling down on Casta's head to control his posture.
Casta trying to control but Mcgregor is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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

Mcgregor is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Casta defends well.
Casta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mcgregor swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor working a defensive guard here.

Mcgregor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Casta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Mcgregor is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor keeping moving, preventing Casta from controlling successfully.

Mcgregor escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Casta gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mcgregor pulls Casta in close to prevent any damage.

Mcgregor has his foot on Casta's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Casta works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ewan Mcgregor had his way with Alexandre Casta in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Casta lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Casta throws a jab when Mcgregor was well out of range.
Ewan Mcgregor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mcgregor on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Casta misses the target.
Casta connects with a single shot there.
Casta throws a shot from downtown. Mcgregor moves away and avoids it.
Mcgregor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Casta circles away quickly and effectively.
Casta throws a big shot that misses.
Casta might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nice shot by Casta.
Casta throws an overhand right that lands on Mcgregor's shoulder, as Mcgregor tries to avoid the shot.
Casta throws an off balance right hand

and Mcgregor counters by clinching up.
Mcgregor lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Casta.

Casta decides to pull guard.
Casta tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Mcgregor is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Casta is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Casta has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor wants to sweep but no luck.

Mcgregor is looking for a triangle here but Casta uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Mcgregor tries to buck Casta off but Casta is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor prevents Casta from moving into mount.
Casta working away.
Casta is looking to take a break and control but Mcgregor is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mcgregor holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Mcgregor struggling a bit here.
Mcgregor is trying to get back to half guard.
Who's going to make the next move?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Casta trying to control the action but Mcgregor is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mcgregor uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Casta.
The fighters circling - Casta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Casta uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Casta misses with a looping left.
Mcgregor displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Casta throws out the jab.
Casta looks to land a combination. Mcgregor sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Casta lands a jab to the nose.
Casta throws a right hand that misses

and Mcgregor counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mcgregor trying to control the position from guard on top but Casta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Casta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mcgregor passes into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Mcgregor is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Casta sees it coming and defends easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mcgregor not doing much here.

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 Ewan Mcgregor.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mcgregor, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ewan Mcgregor!
Ewan Mcgregor retains his lightweight title!
In his post fight interview, Ewan Mcgregor gave a big smile as he said 'I'm not going anywherw'.