PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wesley Shutes (ranked 1243 p4p, 1167 weight class) and Benedicte Swanson (ranked 167 p4p, 160 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Benedicte Swanson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Shutes
vs
Swanson

182 cm
35
177
14 - 11 - 0

183 cm
38
179
27 - 28 - 3

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Fantasy Threads

Voodoo Nutrition
HELLBENT

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 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Wesley Shutes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 28 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Benedicte Swanson!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Swanson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shutes moves away.
Shutes lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Swanson has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Swanson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A slow jab from Swanson misses its intended target.
Swanson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Shutes tried to score with a low kick but Swanson checks it.
Swanson throws out a counter right but Shutes avoids it with no problem.
Shutes takes a swing at Swanson's ribcage but misses.
Swanson checks a leg kick.
Swanson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Swanson blocks a head kick by Shutes.
Wesley Shutes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shutes scores with a punch to the head.
Swanson throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Swanson works Shutes's body with a nice hook.
Shutes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson ducks under a wild hook from Shutes.
Shutes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Swanson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shutes digs a good hook to Swanson's body.
A head kick from Shutes lands but Swanson takes it in his stride.
Shutes blocks a head kick by Swanson.
Swanson throws an off balance right hand

and Shutes counters by clinching up.

Swanson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shutes walks into a left hand.
Swanson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Shutes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shutes is looking to counter punch.
Shutes thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Swanson if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Swanson looks to land a body kick but Shutes moved away.
Shutes is looking to counter with head kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Swanson.
Shutes checks the leg kick.
It looked like Shutes was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Shutes misses with a leg kick
letting Swanson counter with a right hand.
Shutes throws the left hand but Swanson avoids the punch easily.
Swanson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Swanson tries a low kick but Shutes avoids it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shutes.
A jab from Swanson finds it's way through Shutes's defenses.
Swanson blocks a jab.
Shutes lands a high kick!
Swanson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shutes scores with a nice strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Swanson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Swanson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Swanson tries a head kick but it misses.
Good leg kick by Shutes.
A swing and a miss from Shutes.
Shutes looks to score with a jab to the body but Swanson is just out of range.
Swanson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shutes tries a head kick but it misses.
Swanson keeps the fight on the outside.
Shutes wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Swanson tries to land a front kick but Shutes steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
As Swanson tries to get set, Shutes tries to push him back and clinch up but Swanson manages to avoid the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shutes lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Swanson moves out of range as Shutes throws a body kick.
Swanson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Swanson checks a leg kick.
Shutes tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Swanson is looking to slow Shutes down with leg kicks.
Shutes goes for a double leg but Swanson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Swanson continues to drive forward.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Swanson.
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!
Shutes pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Swanson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shutes throws an overhand right that lands on Swanson's shoulder, as Swanson tries to avoid the shot.
Swanson appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
That kick from Shutes tenderised Swanson's leg. Swanson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Swanson lands with a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Benedicte Swanson will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Swanson throws a sloppy head kick and Shutes moves out of range easily.
Shutes works the jab nicely.
Swanson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Shutes pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Swanson lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shutes.
Shutes with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Swanson to score with a decent uppercut.
Swanson loads up on a big right hand but Shutes slips the punch.
Shutes pivots, looking for a leg kick but Swanson is out of range and Shutes settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Swanson.
Shutes paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shutes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Swanson. Shutes does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shutes throws a leg kick but Swanson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
It seemed like Swanson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Shutes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Swanson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shutes is out of range.
Shutes thinks about countering with a body kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Swanson as he connects with a hook.
Shutes will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Swanson lands a head kick. Shutes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Swanson throws a body punch but Shutes moves out of range.
Swanson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Swanson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
An inside leg kick lands from Shutes.
Shutes ducks under a wild hook from Swanson.
Shutes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Swanson manages to avoid it.
It looks like Shutes has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shutes moves out of range of the body kick from Swanson.
Shutes throws a quick counter kick to the body but Swanson avoids it.
Swanson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A little feinted left hand from Shutes on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Swanson ducks under a wild hook from Shutes.
Shutes backing away here, and Swanson unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Shutes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Swanson scores with a hook to the body. Shutes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shutes throws a low kick, looking for Swanson's leg but Swanson calmly moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Shutes.
Swanson with a nice cross.
Swanson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shutes swings for the body but Swanson moves out of range.
Shutes throws a sloppy head kick and Swanson moves out of range easily.
Swanson follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Swanson misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson throws a leg kick but Shutes sees it coming and moves out of range.
Swanson tries a head kick but it misses.
Swanson throws a looping overhand right but Shutes ducks down to avoid it.
Shutes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Swanson was well out of range. Poor timing from Shutes.
Shutes misses with a low kick.
Swanson flicks out a counter leg kick but Shutes steps away.
Swanson moves out of range of the leg kick from Shutes.
Swanson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Swanson misses with an uppercut.
Shutes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice body kick from Shutes.
Shutes throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Shutes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shutes momentarily.
Shutes slips under a jab from Swanson.
Shutes throwing a counter right hand but Swanson manages to avoid it.
Swanson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Shutes misses the target.
A nice side step and Swanson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Swanson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shutes.
Shutes looks to land a left hand but Swanson moved out of range nicely.
Shutes takes one to the chin there.
Shutes with a nice calf kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Swanson blocks a head kick by Shutes.
Swanson moves out of range of the strikes.
Swanson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Wesley Shutes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Shutes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Swanson scores with a leg kick.
Shutes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Swanson throws an overhand right that lands on Shutes's shoulder, as Shutes tries to avoid the shot.
Swanson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Swanson throws a body punch but Shutes moves out of range.
Swanson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Swanson moves out of range of the leg kick from Shutes.
Swanson throws a hook but Shutes avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swanson throws a sloppy head kick and Shutes moves out of range easily.
Shutes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Swanson manages to avoid it.
Swanson staying out of range there.
Shutes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Benedicte Swanson seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson takes a swing at Shutes's ribcage but misses.
Shutes slips under a jab from Swanson.
Swanson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shutes wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Shutes's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Swanson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shutes scrambles back to his feet.
Swanson looks to land a left hand but Shutes moved out of range nicely.
Shutes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shutes.
Swanson moves away from the strike by Shutes.
Shutes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Shutes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Swanson throws out the jab.
Swanson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Swanson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shutes looks to score with a jab to the body but Swanson is just out of range.
A little jabbing left from Swanson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Swanson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Shutes. Shutes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Swanson jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Shutes has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Swanson.
Shutes throws a jab when Swanson was well out of range.
Swanson rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shutes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Decent striking displayed by Shutes there.
Shutes jabs Swanson right on the nose. Swanson blinks but takes it well.
Shutes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A slow jab from Swanson misses its intended target.
Swanson lands a really nice looking cross but Shutes seems unphased.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shutes tries to clinch up.
Shutes feints and then cracks Swanson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Swanson down.
Shutes throws out a loose jab but Swanson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Swanson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Swanson looks to land a right hand but Shutes moved out of range.
Swanson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shutess jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Shutes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Swanson manages to avoid it.
Shutes swings for the body but Swanson moves out of range.
Swanson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Shutes throws the kick towards the body but Swanson avoids it.
Shutes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Swanson ducks under a wild hook from Shutes.
Swanson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shutes sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Shutes counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Shutes misses with a body kick.
Shutes misses with a body punch
and Swanson makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shutes throws a body shot but no joy.
Shutes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Swanson looks to score with a jab to the body but Shutes is just out of range.
Swanson tries to score with a low kick but Shutes moves his leg out of the way.
A nice leg kick from Shutes, right into the meat of the thigh.
Swanson jabs Shutes right on the nose. Shutes blinks but takes it well.
Swanson takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Both fighters circling a little - Shutes finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

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 Wesley Shutes.
I think Shutes 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!