PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaq Champlain (ranked 4466 p4p, 361 weight class) and Peter Schumacher (ranked 3382 p4p, 304 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Champlain
vs
Schumacher

192 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

205 cm
24
275 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shaq Champlain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Peter Schumacher!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Champlain closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Schumacher to the mat! Schumacher manages to get full guard.
Champlain not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Champlain might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Schumacher is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Champlain missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Schumacher is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Champlain trying to control the position from guard on top but Schumacher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Champlain drops back looking for a leg! Schumacher is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Schumacher manages to kick Champlain off! Champlain jumps back into Schumacher's guard.
Schumacher utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schumacher trying to keep a closed guard but Champlain is proving a slippery customer.

Champlain gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Schumacher clinches with his opponent.

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

Schumacher shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Champlain is trying to defend but Schumacher finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Champlain pushes Schumacher off and gets back to his feet.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Schumacher trying to hold on to Champlain's head to control him but Champlain postures up.
Champlain sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Champlain is trying to control the action in half guard but Schumacher is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Schumacher is looking to control Champlain's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Schumacher avoid being mounted?

Champlain is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Schumacher has managed to free his arm - good work.

Champlain is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Schumacher sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Champlain is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Schumacher sees it coming and defends easily.
Champlain wants to lay and pray for a moment but Schumacher keeps working.

Champlain is looking for a kimura but Schumacher is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Champlain to get the leverage.
Champlain thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Champlain missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Champlain is taking a breather. Schumacher 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Champlain 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.
Champlain moves nicely into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaq Champlain dominated 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.

Schumacher fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Champlain, pushing him back against the cage.
Schumacher on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Schumacher as the two fighters clinch.
Schumacher changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Champlain fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Champlain shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Champlain has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Champlain there as he acknowledges the shot.
Schumacher moves in looking to clinch but Champlain pushes him off.
It looked like Champlain was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Schumacher has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Champlain is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Champlain closes the distance and clinches up with Schumacher, looking for a takedown. Champlain pushes Schumacher against the cage but Schumacher circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Schumacher shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Champlain but Champlain pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schumacher dives in and grabs Champlain's left leg, looking for a takedown. Champlain pushes down on Schumacher's head and hops out.
Shaq Champlain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Schumacher.
Champlain shoots for a double leg takedown but Schumacher sprawls well. He's pushed Champlain's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Champlain closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Schumacher wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champlain throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Champlain takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Champlain 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.
Champlain seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Champlain is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

Champlain stands up from Schumacher's guard - Champlain perhaps looking for a knockout.
Champlain takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Champlain feints and as Schumacher raises his hands in defense, Champlain changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Schumacher working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Champlain has passed into half guard!
Champlain is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Schumacher can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Champlain thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Champlain takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Champlain seems to be looking for submissions.

Champlain gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Schumacher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Champlain paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Champlain half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Schumacher looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Champlain!

Champlain throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schumacher tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A punch combination from Champlain misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Champlain takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Schumacher misses with a head kick.
Schumacher is breathing heavily.
Champlain avoids the head kick by Schumacher.
Champlain drops down looking for a counter takedown but Schumacher sprawls and moves away.

Champlain tries to keep at a distance but Schumacher has taken the fight into the clinch.
Schumacher stops a takedown attempt from Champlain.
Schumacher is leaning against Champlain and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Champlain escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Champlain misses with a takedown attempt
and Schumacher counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
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 Shaq Champlain will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Schumacher moves in looking to clinch but Champlain pushes him off.
Schumacher fails in his attempt to clinch.

Schumacher closes the distance and pushes Champlain back into the cage.
Schumacher can't break the clinch.
Schumacher stalling in the clinch but Champlain improves position.

Schumacher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Schumacher is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Peter Schumacher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Schumacher looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schumacher tries to clinch but Champlain moves out of range.
Champlain shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Champlain shoots in for a takedown but Schumacher shows good takedown defense.
Schumacher is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Champlain fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaq Champlain. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Schumacher scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Champlain sneaks out the side door and pushes Schumacher away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
A shot to the liver by Schumacher. Beautiful body shot.
Schumacher moves into range and connects with a jab.

Champlain shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Schumacher manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Schumacher trying to control the position.
Champlain trying to control the position from guard on top but Schumacher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Champlain throws a big elbow that misses.
Champlain slips nicely into half guard.
Schumacher keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Champlain throwing shots but Schumacher is blocking nicely.
Champlain missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Schumacher looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Champlain in particular looking to stall.

Champlain is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Schumacher defends it well.
Schumacher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Champlain. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Champlain stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Champlain avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Champlain drops down looking for a counter takedown but Schumacher sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schumacher scores with a head kick. Champlain tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Champlain takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Schumacher tries to close the distance and clinch up but Champlain swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Champlain changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Schumacher pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Champlain back to the cage. Schumacher follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Champlain circles away from the clinch attempt.
Champlain looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Peter Schumacher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Schumacher tries to bum rush Champlain with a series of wild strikes but Champlain uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Champlain wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Schumacher gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Champlain to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Champlain is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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 Shaq Champlain.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Champlain, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Shaq Champlain!