PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Filiberto Duke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conor Mcgregor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Conor Mcgregor was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Duke
vs
Mcgregor

160 cm
24
151 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
150 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Filiberto Duke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor Mcgregor!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Duke has closed the distance and engaged Mcgregor in a clinch.
Mcgregor can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Mcgregor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mcgregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Duke breaks the clinch.
Mcgregor throws a series of punches but Duke avoids them all with ease.
Mcgregor throws a right and a left that Duke avoids nicely.
Duke dodges the punch combination from Mcgregor.
Duke seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A punch combination from Mcgregor misses.
Mcgregor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Duke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mcgregor throws a right hand that Duke ducks under and follows up with a left that Duke also avoids with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Duke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mcgregor.
Mcgregor throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Duke dodges the punch combination from Mcgregor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Duke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mcgregor.
Mcgregor looks winded!

Duke instigates a clinch.

Duke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Some wild striking there from Mcgregor.
Duke is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Mcgregor.
Duke slips a jab and a cross from Mcgregor.
Mcgregor throws a one two combo.
Mcgregor throws a nice looking combination but Duke bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mcgregor misses with a double jab

and Duke counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Duke lands a nice short elbow.
Mcgregor is trying to stand back up but Duke is controlling him
Duke could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Duke winds up and cracks Mcgregor with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Mcgregor is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Duke gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Mcgregor fails to land with a series of punches.
Duke jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Duke moves into range and clinches up with Mcgregor.

Duke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Duke has closed the distance and engaged Mcgregor in a clinch.

Duke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mcgregor misses with a series of wild punches.

Duke moves into the clinch.
Mcgregor has had enough of the clinch but Duke keeps him there for the moment.

Duke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sloppy strikes from Mcgregor. Those never looked like landing.
Mcgregor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Duke circles away quickly and effectively.
Duke thinks about countering with a head kick.

Duke clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Duke manages to pull guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Duke bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mcgregor's guard.

Duke content to stall in guard here.
Duke has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Duke content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Duke showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Duke's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Duke scoring with punches to the head and body.
Duke stops Mcgregor from standing up.
Duke looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mcgregor can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mcgregor wants to stand and escape but Duke is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duke content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Duke is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Mcgregor wriggles free and stands up.
Mcgregor throws a left and a right that both miss
and Duke counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mcgregor falls off balance throwing a combination

and Duke moves into the clinch.

Duke breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Duke.
Duke shoots in looking for a takedown. Mcgregor tries to sprawl out of it but Duke keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mcgregor manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mcgregor throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Conor Mcgregor will probably get the nod.
That's time! Duke's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mcgregor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Duke.
Mcgregor misses with a few strikes there.
Duke went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Conor Mcgregor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mcgregor throws a right hand that Duke ducks under and follows up with a left that Duke also avoids with ease.
Mcgregor throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mcgregor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Duke moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Mcgregor tries to keep at a distance but Duke has taken the fight into the clinch.
Duke keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mcgregor's efforts to push away.
Duke lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mcgregor wants to break the clinch but can't.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Duke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcgregor throws a right hand that Duke ducks under and follows up with a left that Duke also avoids with ease.
It appears Duke was looking to counter with a kick there.
Duke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mcgregor.
Mcgregor is breathing heavily.
Duke fails with a takedown attempt.
Mcgregor throws a combination that misses

and Duke holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Duke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Mcgregor misses.
Conor Mcgregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Duke closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Duke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Duke keeps control of Mcgregor as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Mcgregor's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Duke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Duke moves into the clinch successfully.

Duke manages to break the clinch.
Duke dodges the punch combination from Mcgregor.
Mcgregor misses with a few strikes there.
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!
Duke wants to clinch up but Mcgregor keeps it at a distance.
Mcgregor throws a right and a left that Duke avoids nicely.
Mcgregor throws a series of strikes that have Duke backpedaling.

Duke clinches up against the cage.
Duke drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mcgregor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Duke has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duke missing with knees to the body.
Duke prevents Mcgregor from breaking the clinch.
Mcgregor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Duke has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Mcgregor's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Duke has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mcgregor avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Filiberto Duke. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Duke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mcgregor throws a left and a right that both miss
and Duke counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Mcgregor is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Duke showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mcgregor.
Conor Mcgregor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Duke has managed to clinch.
Mcgregor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mcgregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Duke prevents Mcgregor from breaking the clinch.
Mcgregor wants to get back to striking at distance but Duke won't allow it.
Mcgregor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Duke has him pressed against the cage.

Duke breaks from the clinch.
Mcgregor misses with a wild combination.

Duke scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Mcgregor's face as Duke controls the position.
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 Filiberto Duke will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Mcgregor lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Duke circles away quickly and effectively.
Mcgregor feints a jab promting Duke to slip. Mcgregor then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Duke slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A combination from Mcgregor does no damage.
Mcgregor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Duke holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Duke's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mcgregor misses with a few strikes there.
Mcgregor tries to bum rush Duke with a series of wild strikes but Duke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Duke appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Mcgregor looks to land a combination but Duke avoids it well.
As Mcgregor looks to move away, Duke throws a big counter combo but Mcgregor just gets out of the way.

Duke moves into the clinch.

Duke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Duke rushes Mcgregor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mcgregor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Duke lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Filiberto Duke has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mcgregor tries to break the clinch but Duke is controlling the position.
Mcgregor blocks a body shot from Duke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duke tries to land knees in the clinch but Mcgregor avoids the damage to the body.
Mcgregor is trying to break the clinch but Duke is controlling him.
Mcgregor wants to break the clinch but can't.
Duke misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mcgregor looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Duke keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mcgregor's efforts to push away.
Mcgregor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Mcgregor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Mcgregor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Duke breaks the clinch.

That's two 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.
Mcgregor tries to bum rush Duke with a series of wild strikes but Duke uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mcgregor throws a left and a right that both miss

and Duke counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Duke lands a couple of elbows.
Duke's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Duke cracks Mcgregor with a solid left hand.
Duke is working Mcgregor over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Duke controlling from the top position.
Duke prevents Mcgregor from getting back to his feet.
Mcgregor being controlled here, momentarily.
Filiberto Duke overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duke working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Mcgregor's head.
Duke is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Duke stops Mcgregor from standing up.

Duke drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Duke jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Mcgregor is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Duke controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Duke decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Mcgregor, up you get!
Mcgregor throws a series of punches but Duke avoids them all with ease.
Duke tries to clinch there but Mcgregor circles away.
A left and a right from Mcgregor both land. Nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcgregor throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Duke.

Mcgregor gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Duke stands up and waves to Mcgregor to follow him.
Duke fails to land the takedown.

Duke rushes Mcgregor and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Duke breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Duke clinches with his opponent.

Duke escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Duke tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mcgregor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mcgregor lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Duke fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mcgregor sprawls well initially but Duke persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

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 Filiberto Duke.
I think Duke 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Filiberto Duke!