PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tavon Shebu (ranked 3364 p4p, 3872 weight class) and Ozkar Hootenanny (ranked 420 p4p, 470 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shebu
vs
Hootenanny

180 cm
28
180
7 - 4 - 0

185 cm
28
180
7 - 7 - 0

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

CHURCH OF ZOIDBERG - FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tavon Shebu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ozkar Hootenanny!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Edson Gomes and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shebu dips to his left and cracks Hootenanny with an uppercut!
Shebu scores with a nice body kick.

Shebu drives through with a takedown into guard.

Hootenanny has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shebu off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Tavon Shebu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hootenanny throws a hook but Shebu blocks it.
We've been hearing reports that Shebu has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Shebu closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hootenanny quickly recovers to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hootenanny is looking to escape.
Shebu throws a strike but Hootenanny avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Hootenanny working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shebu.
Hootenanny working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shebu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shebu postures up in Hootenanny's guard and throws a big left but Hootenanny blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hootenanny wants to stand up but Shebu is controlling him.
Shebu with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shebu throwing strikes from guard but Hootenanny blocks nicely.
Shebu throws a strike but Hootenanny rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Shebu manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Shebu lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Shebu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shebu thows a huge punch but Hootenanny dodges it nicely.

Hootenanny manages to escape and get back to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hootenanny scores with a jab to the jaw.

Hootenanny gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Shebu to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hootenanny utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shebu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hootenanny wants to stand up but Shebu is controlling him.
Shebu with a nice head shot there.
Shebu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hootenanny swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hootenanny is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shebu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hootenanny working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shebu.
Shebu wants to pass the guard but Hootenanny is keeping the position.
Shebu postures up in Hootenanny's guard and throws a big left but Hootenanny blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shebu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hootenanny is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shebu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hootenanny preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shebu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shebu postures up in Hootenanny's guard and throws a big left but Hootenanny blocks it.
Shebu throws a big right hand that misses.

Hootenanny manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hootenanny can't break the clinch.
Shebu goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hootenanny prevents it.

Shebu turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Shebu manages to end up in side control.
Shebu misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hootenanny avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Shebu.
Shebu throwing strikes but Hootenanny manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shebu tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hootenanny wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shebu struggling a bit here.
Shebu wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Shebu can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tavon Shebu will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hootenanny loads up on a big right hand but Shebu slips the punch.
Shebu has his takedown stuffed
and Hootenanny counters with a left to the body.
Hootenanny misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shebu.
Shebu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hootenanny has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shebu thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hootenanny if he has to take too many more of those.
A low kick lands for Shebu.
Shebu wants to clinch up but Hootenanny keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hootenanny keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hootenanny takes a swing at Shebu's ribcage but misses.
Shebu connects with a single shot there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shebu throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Shebu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Shebu doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hootenanny counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tavon Shebu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hootenanny gets caught napping as Shebu dives in and scores a takedown. Hootenanny manages to retain guard.
Shebu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shebu throwing strikes from guard but Hootenanny blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shebu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shebu throwing strikes but missing.
Shebu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hootenanny wants to stand but Shebu is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shebu working some strikes from top position.
Hootenanny is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shebu throws a big elbow that misses.
Shebu is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Tavon Shebu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shebu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shebu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shebu is in close to Hootenanny's body, working some short punches and elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shebu scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu postures up in Hootenanny's guard and throws a big left but Hootenanny blocks it.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hootenanny works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hootenanny is looking to stand up but Shebu isn't so interested in that idea.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shebu throwing strikes but missing.
Shebu throws a big right hand that misses.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shebu landing some decent shots from guard.
Shebu with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Hootenanny is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hootenanny working hard to break the clinch.

Shebu has Hootenanny pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Shebu pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Hootenanny tumbling to the mat - Shebu dives into Hootenanny's guard.
Shebu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shebu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shebu throws a big elbow that misses.
Shebu is looking to work some ground and pound but Hootenanny has wrist control.
Hootenanny is looking to stand up but Shebu isn't so interested in that idea.
Shebu throws an elbow that misses. Hootenanny uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shebu's guard. Nice move by Hootenanny!

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shebu pushes Hootenanny off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tavon Shebu dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hootenanny displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shebu.
Hootenanny keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Hootenanny leaves Shebu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tavon Shebu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shebu closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hootenanny circles away.

Shebu dives in and scores a takedown into Hootenanny's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hootenanny swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shebu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hootenanny wants to get back to his feet but Shebu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shebu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hootenanny is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shebu is controlling him.
Shebu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shebu throws a strike but Hootenanny rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Shebu is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shebu trying to keep a closed guard but Hootenanny is proving a slippery customer.
Shebu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Hootenanny wants to get up but he can't break Shebu's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Shebu pulls Hootenanny in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shebu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shebu on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shebu tries to get out of the position.
Hootenanny won't allow Shebu to get back to his feet.
Shebu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shebu wants to stand and escape but Hootenanny is having none of it.
Hootenanny stopping the sweep attempt from Shebu.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shebu takes one to the side of the head.

Shebu shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Shebu was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Hootenanny throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shebu misses with a takedown attempt
letting Hootenanny counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hootenanny's waist but Hootenanny gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shebu off to one side.
Shebu with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hootenanny counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Shebu scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hootenanny throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Shebu shoots for a takedown but Hootenanny saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hootenanny throws the left hand but Shebu avoids the punch easily.
Shebu has his takedown stuffed
letting Hootenanny counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shebu fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Shebu shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hootenanny is looking to stand up but Shebu isn't so interested in that idea.
Shebu has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shebu is looking to advance position but Hootenanny has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Hootenanny is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Hootenanny connects with a right hand. Shebu shakes it off.
Ozkar Hootenanny is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shebu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hootenanny.
Shebu is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hootenanny sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shebu misses with a takedown attempt - Hootenanny sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ozkar Hootenanny has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice takedown defense from Hootenanny. No joy for Shebu on that attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ozkar Hootenanny comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shebu 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tavon Shebu!
After the big win, Tavon Shebu made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Vanguard Athletics and Laundry and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.