PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Conor McGregor (ranked 4763 p4p, 461 weight class) and Pyrrhus Epirus (ranked 3313 p4p, 362 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McGregor
vs
Epirus

185 cm
19
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

178 cm
26
171 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conor McGregor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Pyrrhus Epirus!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGregor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Epirus is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
McGregor misses with a hook
and McGregor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGregor misses with an uppercut. Epirus saw that one coming.
The fight stays on the outside here - Epirus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Epirus closes the distance and pushes McGregor back into the ropes.
McGregor misses with some punches.
A short right from McGregor.
Epirus pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
McGregor prevents a body shot from Epirus.
Epirus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Epirus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McGregor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Epirus tries to land knees in the clinch but McGregor avoids the damage to the body.
Epirus lands a right hand.
Epirus fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McGregor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A big right from McGregor misses.
Epirus lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGregor misses with a looping right.
Epirus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McGregor throws out the jab.
As McGregor backs off Epirus throws a huge counter combo but McGregor manages to avoid it all.
McGregor throws a hook but Epirus avoids it easily.
Epirus flicks out a counter leg kick but McGregor steps away.
McGregor throws a hook to the side of Epirus's head but Epirus sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McGregor connects with a good right hand that stumbles Epirus. Epirus circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McGregor dodges the punch combination from Epirus.
McGregor avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McGregor rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Epirus counters with a low kick, right behind McGregor 's knee.
McGregor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Epirus.
McGregor misses the jab.
Epirus is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McGregor with a body shot.
McGregor misses with an uppercut. Epirus saw that one coming.
Epirus now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
McGregor throws an off balance right hand
and McGregor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGregor looks to land a left hand but Epirus moved out of range nicely.
Epirus is looking to clinch but McGregor is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGregor throws an off balance right hand
and McGregor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
McGregor misses with a looping left.
McGregor throws the left hand but Epirus avoids the punch easily.
Epirus closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McGregor throws a big shot that misses.
McGregor throws a shot from downtown. Epirus moves away and avoids it.
Epirus is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
McGregor looks to throw the jab but Epirus is out of range.
McGregor looks to land a left hand but Epirus moved out of range nicely.
McGregor ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Epirus moves away.
McGregor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Epirus sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Epirus uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McGregor.
A telegraphed right hand from McGregor misses the target.
McGregor misses with an uppercut.
Epirus looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Epirus closes the distance and pushes McGregor back into the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epirus lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Epirus throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Epirus misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Epirus is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McGregor is defending well for now.

McGregor breaks the clinch.
McGregor misses with a looping right.
McGregor throws an overhand right that lands on Epirus's shoulder, as Epirus tries to avoid the shot.
Epirus scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
McGregor throws a jab but it's blocked by Epirus.
A countering left hand to the body from Epirus misses.
The fighters circling - McGregor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Epirus steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
A slow jab from McGregor misses its intended target.
Epirus slips under a jab.
Epirus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McGregor.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Epirus! But no joy.
Epirus blocks a jab.
Epirus is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McGregor with a body shot.
Epirus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McGregor.
Epirus only half commits to the counter leg kick.
McGregor misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGregor has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Epirus.
McGregor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Epirus.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McGregor swats away the attempt to clinch by Epirus.
Epirus bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Epirus looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A swing and a miss from McGregor.
Epirus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McGregor throws out the jab.
Epirus appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
McGregor swings widly with a right hand
and Epirus counters with a solid body kick.
Epirus slips a jab from McGregor.
McGregor is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
McGregor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Epirus.
The fighters circling - McGregor throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McGregor looks to score with a jab to the body but Epirus is just out of range.
Epirus ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Epirus swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McGregor throws the left hand but Epirus avoids the punch easily.
As McGregor backs off Epirus throws a huge counter combo but McGregor manages to avoid it all.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
McGregor thows a left - swing and a miss!
McGregor moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. McGregor darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
McGregor throws a shot from downtown. Epirus moves away and avoids it.
McGregor jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Epirus doesn't manage to clinch there - McGregor circles away.
Conor McGregor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice cross by McGregor.
Epirus fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and McGregor has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Epirus slips a jab from McGregor.
As McGregor backs off Epirus throws a huge counter combo but McGregor manages to avoid it all.
McGregor pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Epirus fails in his attempt to clinch.
McGregor throws a hook but Epirus avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from McGregor misses the target.
McGregor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Epirus sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGregor swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Epirus moves in looking to clinch but McGregor pushes him off.
Epirus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McGregor.
Epirus avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Despite the aggression on Epirus's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Epirus slips under a jab from McGregor.
McGregor moves into range and connects with a jab.
McGregor misses with a lunging right hand
and Epirus counters with a one-two to the body.
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!
Donk. McGregor catches Epirus right on the button with a cross.
McGregor misses with a wild body shot.
McGregor throws the left hand but Epirus avoids the punch easily.
McGregor throws a jab when Epirus was well out of range.

Epirus drives through and clinches with McGregor against the ropes.
Epirus cracks McGregor with a nice body shot.
Epirus lands a body punch.
McGregor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from McGregor fails to land.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Epirus lands a left hand.
Epirus is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McGregor is defending well for now.
Good body shot from Epirus.
McGregor is breathing heavily.
McGregor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Epirus is working McGregor over against the ropes.
Epirus lands a body punch.
Epirus lands with a short shot to the head.
A shot in the inside from Epirus.
Epirus is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. McGregor is defending well for now.
Epirus lands a knee to the body.
Epirus lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Epirus digs a right hand into McGregor's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on McGregor's gas tank.
Epirus softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Epirus lands a body shot in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Epirus lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Epirus lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Conor McGregor has been cut.
McGregor blocks a body shot from Epirus.
Epirus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Epirus misses with a punch to the body.
McGregor blocks an uppercut.
McGregor throws a punch but it's blocked by Epirus.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Epirus creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through McGregor's defenses.
McGregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Epirus lands a right hand that snaps the head of McGregor backwards.
Epirus throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Epirus.
McGregor makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
McGregor blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Epirus trying to land knees to the body.
McGregor working hard to break the clinch.
Epirus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Epirus throws a head punch that misses.
Epirus creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McGregor tries to break free but Epirus pushes him back against the ropes.
Epirus lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt McGregor or not.
Epirus working aggressively here.
McGregor blocks a body shot from Epirus.
Epirus lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Epirus.
McGregor misses with some punches.
Epirus works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Epirus tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Epirus tries to work over McGregor's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Epirus throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Epirus pushes McGregor back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Epirus scores with a hook to the body.
Epirus lands an elbow just above McGregor 's eye.
Epirus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Epirus throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Epirus lands with a short shot to the head.
Epirus tries to throw a body punch but McGregor avoids it by throwing Epirus back against the ropes.
Epirus trying to land knees to the body.
Epirus is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Epirus lands a hook that snaps the head of McGregor backwards.
Epirus tries to land knees in the clinch but McGregor avoids the damage to the body.
Epirus landing some nice looking knees to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Epirus.
McGregor prevents a body shot from Epirus.
Epirus throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McGregors head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Epirus pushes McGregor back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Epirus connects with a knee to the head.
Epirus lands a right hand.
Epirus struggles to land a body shot inside as McGregor controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pyrrhus Epirus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Conor McGregor's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch up but McGregor swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McGregor is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Epirus.
Despite the aggression on Epirus's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
McGregor throws a looping overhand right but Epirus ducks down to avoid it.

Epirus closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
McGregor swings wildly with an uppercut but Epirus uses good head movement to avoid it.

McGregor breaks from the clinch.
McGregor throws a shot from downtown. Epirus moves away and avoids it.
Epirus lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
McGregor looks to land a right hand but Epirus moved out of range.
Epirus is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Epirus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McGregor.
Epirus is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Epirus slips a straight right by McGregor.
Epirus was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Epirus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McGregor.
McGregor throws a hook but Epirus avoids it easily.
Epirus moves out of range of the strikes.
Epirus takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epirus moves out of range of the strikes.
McGregor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Epirus.
Epirus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McGregor misses with a straight left.

Epirus clinches.
Epirus misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pyrrhus Epirus seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

McGregor breaks the clinch.
McGregor misses with an uppercut
and Epirus counters with a series of strikes. McGregor will be more careful next time no doubt.
McGregor scores with the left hand. Epirus knows he should have avoided that one.
McGregor rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Epirus counters with a two punch combo.
Epirus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McGregor looks to throw the jab but Epirus is out of range.
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!
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McGregor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McGregor misses with an uppercut
and Epirus counters with a one-two to the body.

Conor McGregor's cut is getting worse.
McGregor throws an off balance right hand
and Epirus counters with a three punch combo that has McGregor backing up. McGregor nods at Epirus to acknowledge the strikes.

McGregor is rocked!
Pyrrhus Epirus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epirus tries to clinch but McGregor moves out of range.
Oh McGregor is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Epirus slips a straight right by McGregor.
McGregor seems to have got his legs back now.
Epirus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McGregor.
Epirus is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
McGregor throws a jab but it's blocked by Epirus.
McGregor works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Epirus tries to clinch but McGregor is having none of it.
McGregor tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Epirus was well out of range. Poor timing from McGregor.

Epirus clinches up with McGregor and pushes him back against the ropes.
Epirus working aggressively here.
Epirus misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Epirus.
Epirus misses with a punch to the body.
McGregor wants to break the clinch but can't.
Epirus throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
McGregor avoiding damage as Epirus throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Epirus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Epirus misses with a body punch.
McGregor is trying to push Epirus away but Epirus has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Epirus swings wildly with an uppercut but McGregor uses good head movement to avoid it.
McGregor wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Epirus has him pressed against the ropes.
Epirus throws a head punch that misses.
McGregor throws a punch but it's blocked by Epirus.
McGregor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGregor swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McGregor on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Epirus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McGregor avoids it.
McGregor softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McGregor.
McGregor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A shot in the inside from McGregor.
Epirus misses with a hook from the clinch.
McGregor working aggressively here.
McGregor is trying to break free.
McGregor avoiding damage as Epirus throws knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Epirus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epirus tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McGregor wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Epirus tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and McGregor avoids it.
McGregor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Epirus lands an elbow just above McGregor 's eye.
McGregor has a couple of punches blocked by Epirus.
McGregor blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Epirus creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Epirus fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McGregor is trying to break the clinch but Epirus is controlling him.
A short right from Epirus.
Epirus lands a nice shot to the body.
Epirus throws a head punch that misses.
McGregor tries to circle away but Epirus has him pinned against the ropes.

McGregor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McGregor looks to land a right hand but Epirus moved out of range.
Epirus is trying to counter with his kicks.
Epirus moves out of range as McGregor strikes.
Epirus uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McGregor.
Epirus tries to clinch but McGregor is having none of it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Epirus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McGregor throws out the jab.
McGregor throws a lazy right hand but Epirus sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Epirus thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on McGregor if he has to take too many more of those.
Epirus scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Epirus slips under a jab.
McGregor swings widly with a right hand
and Epirus counters with a nice body kick.
McGregor throws the left hand but Epirus avoids the punch easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Epirus! But no joy.
Epirus tries to clinch up but McGregor circles away and keeps his distance.
Epirus ducks under a wild hook from McGregor.
Epirus blocks a jab.
McGregor misses with a wild body shot.
Epirus throws a counter combo.
McGregor loads up on a big right hand but Epirus slips the punch.
Epirus unleashes a big counter combination but McGregor bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
McGregor throws a hook but Epirus avoids it easily.
McGregor misses with a hook
and Epirus counters with a slapping leg kick.
McGregor stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McGregor throws a jab when Epirus was well out of range.
Epirus bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As McGregor backs off Epirus throws a huge counter combo but McGregor manages to avoid it all.
McGregor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Epirus sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Epirus lands with a thumping leg kick.
McGregor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Epirus lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGregor throws a good cross that connects.
A jab from McGregor misses.
A jab from McGregor misses.
McGregor misses with a straight right.
McGregor throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Epirus counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Conor McGregor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Epirus takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Epirus scoring well with a low kick there.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch but McGregor swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGregor lands a jab.
McGregor throws a hook to the side of Epirus's head but Epirus sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Epirus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but McGregor paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McGregor throws a hook but Epirus avoids it easily.
McGregor misses with an uppercut
and Epirus counters with a nice uppercut.

Conor McGregor's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
A swing and a miss from McGregor.
McGregor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Epirus.

Epirus clinches up with McGregor and pushes him back against the ropes.
A head punch on the inside from McGregor fails to land.
Epirus throws an elbow that misses.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Epirus tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Epirus lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McGregor backwards.
Epirus tries a body shot but McGregor blocks it.
Epirus working aggressively here.
Epirus struggles to land a body shot inside as McGregor controls his hands.
Epirus misses with a body punch.
Epirus tries to land knees in the clinch but McGregor avoids the damage to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McGregor lands with a light punch inside.
McGregor working hard to break the clinch.
Epirus looking to throw knees to the head but McGregor is blocking nicely.
Epirus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Epirus blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McGregor blocks a body shot from Epirus.
McGregor is trying to break the clinch but Epirus has him pressed against the ropes.
Epirus misses with the head strike.
McGregor lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Epirus landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Epirus fails to land.
Epirus with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

McGregor breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McGregor throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Epirus counters with a straight right hand.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McGregor throws a hook but Epirus blocks it.
Epirus is looking for the big counter here.

Epirus drives through and clinches with McGregor against the ropes.
McGregor lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Epirus backwards.
Epirus lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McGregor backwards.

McGregor breaks from the clinch.
McGregor misses with a left hand
and Epirus counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
McGregor misses with a hook.
McGregor rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Epirus counters with a nice kick to the body.
Epirus steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McGregor.
McGregor waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Epirus.

Epirus rushes McGregor and presses him up against the ropes.
Epirus misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pyrrhus Epirus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Epirus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pyrrhus Epirus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Epirus has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Pyrrhus Epirus!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Pyrrhus Epirus!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Pyrrhus Epirus!

Pyrrhus Epirus wins by unanimous decision!