PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fletch Brandis (ranked 4079 p4p, 3882 weight class) and Tavon Shebu (ranked 80 p4p, 76 weight class). Brandis comes to the cage accompanied by Lynyrd Skynyrd : The Ballad of Curtis Loew. Fletch Brandis has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Brandis
vs
Shebu

191 cm
42
235
26 - 20 - 0

180 cm
33
180
13 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Fletch Brandis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tavon Shebu!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Aafke Stam and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shebu gets a takedown into half guard.
Shebu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Brandis's head.
Nice strikes from Shebu there.
Shebu working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Brandis regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Shebu.
Brandis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shebu.
Shebu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shebu is in close to Brandis's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Brandis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shebu must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shebu scoring with punches to the head and body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Brandis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shebu.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brandis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Brandis looking for a sweep. Not yet Brandis, not yet.
Shebu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shebu with a nice head shot there.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Brandis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Brandis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Brandis throws an off balance right hand
and Shebu counters with a right hand to the body.

Shebu fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Brandis sprawls well initially but Shebu persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Shebu thows a huge punch but Brandis dodges it nicely.
Shebu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shebu working Brandis over with strikes.

Brandis looking for submissions off his back.
Shebu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shebu winds up and cracks Brandis with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shebu working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Brandis's thigh. Brandis counters though and makes it back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shebu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Brandis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shebu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shebu throws an elbow that misses. Brandis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shebu's guard. Nice move by Brandis!

Brandis trying to control but Shebu is working from the bottom.
Shebu is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Brandis is controlling him.
Brandis wants to control from the top but Shebu keeps moving.
Shebu keeping full guard, as Brandis tries to pass.
Shebu keeping moving, preventing Brandis from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu wants to stand but Brandis is controlling the position.
Brandis pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shebu is keeping the position for now.
Shebu has his hands on Brandis's head, controlling the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Shebu closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Brandis to the mat! Brandis manages to get full guard.
Brandis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shebu is one step ahead there.
Shebu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shebu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shebu throwing strikes from guard but Brandis blocks nicely.
Shebu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shebu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shebu stopping the sweep attempt from Brandis.
Brandis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Brandis working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shebu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shebu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Brandis keeping full guard, as Shebu tries to pass.
Shebu cracks Brandis with a solid left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brandis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shebu throwing strikes from guard but Brandis blocks nicely.
Shebu postures up and lands a big shot to Brandis's brow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tavon Shebu dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shebu dives in and scores a takedown into Brandis's guard.
Brandis has momentary wrist control but Shebu slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shebu throws a strike but Brandis rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Shebu looking for a sweep. Not yet Shebu, not yet.
Brandis trying to control the position from guard on top but Shebu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shebu controlling the position.
Shebu is continuing to stall.
Shebu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandis postures up.
Brandis stops Shebu from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shebu keeping moving, preventing Brandis from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandis showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Shebu lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Brandis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Brandis controls Shebu momentarily but Shebu frees himself.
Shebu chips away with some ground and pound.
Shebu scoring with some ground and pound.

Shebu stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Brandis throws up his legs and catches Shebu in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Shebu tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Brandis! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Fletch Brandis!
Fletch Brandis thanked the fans post fight for their support.