PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Schafer (ranked 3053 p4p, 3431 weight class) and Aaron Spears (ranked 390 p4p, 427 weight class). Schafer's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Conway the Machine - Bang. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Schafer
vs
Spears

194 cm
27
212
3 - 3 - 0

186 cm
20
200
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Robert Schafer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aaron Spears!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Eddie Farnsworth and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schafer keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Schafer swats away the attempt to clinch by Spears.
Spears has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Schafer is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Spears bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Schafer's head backwards.
Spears misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Schafer.
Nice cross by Schafer.
Schafer definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Spears throws a leg kick
and Schafer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Spears jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Schafer was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spears moves out of range as Schafer strikes.
Spears shoots in for a takedown but Schafer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spears closes the distance but Schafer moves to the side
and Schafer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Schafer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Spears moves away.
It seemed like Spears was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schafer throws a body shot but no joy.
Schafer takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Spears darts in and clinches Schafer up against the cage.
Spears lands a nice uppercut.
Schafer swings wildly with an uppercut but Spears uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Schafer.

Spears turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Spears is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Schafer has escaped the position, nice work there.
Schafer dodges the ground and pound from Spears.
Schafer is trying to control Spears's posture but Spears avoids it.

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

Spears is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Schafer has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spears wants to control but Schafer is keeping him busy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Spears tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Spears has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Schafer is looking to regain half guard here but Spears keeps moving and retains side control.
Spears lands a nice forearm strike.
Schafer is looking for a sweep.
Spears throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
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.
Schafer tries to improve position but can't.

Spears thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Spears misses with the ground and pound.
Schafer is looking for a sweep.
Schafer wants to control but Spears postures up.
Spears has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Spears wants to control but Schafer is keeping him busy.
Schafer holds on to Spears's head and controls the position momentarily.

Spears looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Spears swings around for an armbar but Schafer sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Spears's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Spears can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spears keeping full guard, as Schafer tries to pass.
Spears wants to stand but Schafer is controlling the position.

Spears is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Schafer engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Spears keeping moving, preventing Schafer from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A swing and a miss from Schafer.
Spears shoots in looking for a takedown. Schafer tries to sprawl out of it but Spears keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Schafer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Schafer throwing a counter right hand but Spears manages to avoid it.
Spears throws a looping overhand right but Schafer ducks down to avoid it.
Spears fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A quick step to the side and Schafer tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Schafer misses with a straight right.

Spears has closed the distance and engaged Schafer in a clinch.
Spears drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Schafer gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Robert Schafer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Spears.
Schafer wants to break free but Spears has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spears breaks the clinch.
Spears shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Schafer defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schafer looks to throw the jab but Spears is out of range.
Spears fails with a takedown attempt.
Spears steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Schafer.
Spears tries to clinch but Schafer is having none of it.
Spears throws a jab but it's blocked by Schafer.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Spears tightens his grip and picks Schafer up, before dumping him to the ground. Schafer manages to land in guard.
Schafer has momentary wrist control but Spears slips an elbow through the middle.
Spears throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Schafer works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Spears drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Schafer dives on top into guard.

Spears wants to stand but Schafer is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spears seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Schafer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spears is keeping the position for now.
Spears throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Spears looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Spears throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Spears working for a triangle but Schafer defends it easily.
Schafer stopping the sweep attempt from Spears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spears is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Spears pulls Schafer in close to prevent any damage.
Schafer passes Spears's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Spears is trying to stand back up but Schafer is controlling him
Spears controlling the position well.
Spears looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Spears trying to hold on to Schafer's head to control him but Schafer postures up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Schafer prevents Spears from standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Aaron Spears seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schafer uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Spears.
Spears goes for a double leg but Schafer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Schafer continues to drive forward.

Spears closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Schafer lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Spears wants to stall.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Schafer throws a punch but it's blocked by Spears.
Schafer tries to throw a body punch but Spears avoids it by throwing Schafer back against the cage.

Spears has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Schafer regains guard immediately.
Spears works over Schafer with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aaron Spears will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Spears fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Robert Schafer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Schafer thows a left - swing and a miss!
Spears slips under a jab.
Spears takes a swing at Schafer's ribcage but misses.
Schafer keeps the fight on the outside.
Schafer swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Spears tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Schafer swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Schafer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Spears instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spears is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Schafer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Schafer.
Schafer blocking some punches.
Schafer lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch on the inside from Schafer fails to land.
Schafer misses with the head strike.
Schafer tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spears's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spears blocks a body shot from Schafer.
Schafer tries a body shot but Spears blocks it.
Spears creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Spears lands a body punch.
Schafer throws a punch but it's blocked by Spears.
Schafer misses with a body punch.

Spears breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Robert Schafer is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schafer's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Spears connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Schafer scrambles back to his feet.
Spears drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Schafer takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Spears changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Schafer tries to avoid it but Spears manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Schafer to the ground. Schafer escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Robert Schafer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Spears.
Spears tries for a takedown but Schafer circles away easily
and Schafer counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Spears needs to keep his hands up - Schafer had a free shot at his head there.
Spears is looking to clinch but Schafer is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spears misses with a wild body shot.
Schafer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spears uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Schafer.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Aaron Spears seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
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!
Schafer tries to throw a body punch but Spears avoids it by throwing Schafer back against the cage.
Spears lands with a right to the head.
Schafer misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Schafer.
Spears lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Spears tries to score a body lock takedown but Schafer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Schafer struggles to land a body shot inside as Spears controls his hands.
Spears looking for a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Schafer fails to land.
Schafer throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Spears takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Schafer misses with a short punch on the inside.
Schafer throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schafer lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Schafer scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Schafer can't find room to land a body shot as Spears controls the action.
Schafer works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Schafer lands a left hand.
Schafer lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Spears or not.
Spears blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Spears prevents a body shot from Schafer.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Schafer.
Spears digs a right hand into Schafer's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Schafer's gas tank.
Schafer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Spears breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Robert Schafer is winning the standup battle so far.
Spears takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Spears shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Schafer sprawls well. Schafer wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Spears gets slowly back to his feet.
Spears closes the distance but Schafer moves to the side
and Schafer counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schafer misses with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Schafer misses the target.
Spears shoots in but no luck this time.
An attempted straight right counter from Schafer misses the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spears feints a jab promting Schafer to slip. Spears then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Schafer slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A big left from Schafer misses.
Schafer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Schafer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Schafer misses the target.
Spears shoots in for a takedown but Schafer shows good takedown defense.
Schafer misses with a straight left.
Aaron Spears is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Schafer throws a right hand that misses
and Spears counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Spears moves into the clinch successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robert Schafer showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Spears 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Aaron Spears!