PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paul Potts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyler Shamrock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamrock has chosen Jimmy Eat World - Bleed American as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Potts
vs
Shamrock

175 cm
21
162 lbs
11 - 4 - 1

183 cm
19
171 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Hellbent, Inc.

SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Paul Potts!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tyler Shamrock!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, William Gold and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Potts scores with a one two! Shamrock had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Potts misses with the combination.
Shamrock misses with a head kick.
Potts throws a nice looking combination but Shamrock bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shamrock blocks a leg kick.
Potts looks to land a combination but Shamrock avoids it well.
Shamrock showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Potts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamrock looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Potts looks to land a combination. Shamrock sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shamrock tries for a takedown but Potts sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A right-left combo lands from Potts.
Potts fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Potts misses with a double jab.
Some wild striking there from Potts.
Potts misses with a series of wild punches.
Shamrock throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potts fails to land with a series of punches.
Potts shoots for a double leg takedown but Shamrock sprawls well. He's pushed Potts's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Potts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Potts throws a nice looking combination but Shamrock bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Potts throws a sloppy head kick and Shamrock moves out of range easily.
Potts misses with a few strikes there.
Shamrock tries for a takedown but Potts circles away easily

and Potts counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potts trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shamrock is trying to control the position but Potts postures up.
Potts trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potts has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

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

Potts had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Shamrock is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Potts Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Shamrock's back instead.

Potts patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Will Potts go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Shamrock defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Potts's arms.
Shamrock rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Shamrock manages to get to full guard.
Shamrock keeping full guard, as Potts tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Potts dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

No joy there for Potts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shamrock tries to clinch up.
Potts scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Potts throws a series of punches but Shamrock avoids them all with ease.
Shamrock throws a half hearted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potts throws a series of punches but Shamrock avoids them all with ease.
Potts throws a leg kick but Shamrock sees it coming and moves out of range.
Potts connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Potts looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Shamrock tries to roll over but Potts keeps him under control.
Potts throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Potts seems to be looking for submissions.
Potts is looking to advance position but Shamrock won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Potts lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock is controlling Potts's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Potts is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Potts seems to be working for a kimura but Shamrock defends the submission attempt.
Potts wants to free his trapped foot but Shamrock is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Potts has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Potts goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Shamrock turns into him and now he's in Potts's guard.

Shamrock avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shamrock sitting in guard, not really doing much.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Potts holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Potts looking for subs off his back but Shamrock has passed one foot through into half guard.
Shamrock is pressing down on Potts's thigh, looking to free his foot. Potts is holding on for now.
The fighters are battling for position here. Potts manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Potts is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Potts looking for a guillotine here but Shamrock defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Potts dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Potts motions for Shamrock to come forward. Potts throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Paul Potts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shamrock stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shamrock wants it to stay on the feet.
Potts misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shamrock tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Potts closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Potts lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potts trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potts stopping the sweep attempt from Shamrock.

Shamrock is looking for a triangle but Potts pushes his legs off easily.
Shamrock keeping full guard, as Potts tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Shamrock has Potts pulled in close to control his posture.
Potts trying to control but Shamrock is working from the bottom.
Potts pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shamrock is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Potts misses with the combination.
Potts throws a sloppy head kick and Shamrock moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potts tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shamrock swivels and escapes.
Potts swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shamrock slips a jab and a cross from Potts.
Potts scores with a kick to the body.
Potts circles away from the clinch attempt.
A combination from Potts does no damage.
Shamrock fails with the takedown

so Potts counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Paul Potts overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potts in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Potts is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Potts wants to pass the guard but Shamrock is keeping the position.
Potts throws and elbow that misses. Shamrock uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Potts's guard. Nice move by Shamrock!

Potts is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Potts working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Potts clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Potts tries to bum rush Shamrock with a series of wild strikes but Shamrock uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Potts misses with the combination.
Potts throws a series of punches but Shamrock moves out of range.
A punch combination from Potts misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potts rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shamrock moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Potts throws a right and a left that Shamrock avoids nicely.
Potts misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Potts misses.
Potts fails with the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamrock looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shamrock has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Shamrock wants to clinch

and Potts counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potts tries to pass to full mount but Shamrock defends it.

Potts seems to be working for a kimura but Shamrock defends the submission attempt.

Potts is working for a kimura here but Shamrock manages to reverse the position and he's now in Potts's guard.
Shamrock tries to free his leg and advance position but Potts is retaining full guard.

Potts is looking for a triangle but Shamrock pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Potts is keeping the position for now.
Potts has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Shamrock has passed into side control.
Potts manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shamrock's best efforts.

Potts is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shamrock pulls his head out easily.
Shamrock is looking to take a break and control but Potts is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Potts is trying to control but Shamrock manages to pass to mount!
Potts working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shamrock trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Potts tries to reverse the position but Shamrock maintains control.
Potts is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Potts gets back to half guard.
Potts is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Potts had his way with Tyler Shamrock in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Potts misses with a wild combination.
Shamrock tries to clinch up
and Potts counters with a left and a right that stings Shamrock.
Potts throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Paul Potts 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.
Potts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shamrock walks into a left hand.
Shamrock on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potts tries to land a leg kick but Shamrock saw it coming and moves away.
Potts misses with a wild combination.
Potts throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shamrock.
Potts throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shamrock.
Potts fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
No joy there for Potts, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Paul Potts is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Potts misses with a jab, cross combination.
Potts misses with a wild combination.
A swing and a miss from Potts.
Potts shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shamrock as he avoids it easily.
Shamrock closes the distance but Potts moves to the side
and Potts counters with a nice uppercut.
Potts swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Potts throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potts swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamrock.
Potts misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shamrock goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Potts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Shamrock drops his hands momentarily and Potts takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Potts throws a low kick but Shamrock avoids it.
Potts looks to land a combination but Shamrock avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shamrock tries to clinch there but Potts circles away.
Potts throws a right hand that Shamrock ducks under and follows up with a left that Shamrock also avoids with ease.
Shamrock avoids the head kick by Potts.
A big right from Potts misses.
Potts pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Potts misses with a few strikes there.
Potts throws a sloppy head kick

and Shamrock counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shamrock is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Potts takes a shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Potts showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Potts, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 50:45
Judge William Gold scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Potts!
Paul Potts retains his lightweight title!