PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Max Shadows (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Costa is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Champion Sound by DJ Marky (Total Science RMX). Max Shadows has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Shadows
vs
Costa

201 cm
25
170 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

186 cm
24
186 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Powerful

White Gorilla Nutrition
White Gorilla Nutrition

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Max Shadows!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Carlos Costa!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shadows sizes up Costa with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Costa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shadows checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Costa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shadows pinned against the cage. Shadows gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shadows really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Costa changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shadows looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Shadows is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Costa creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shadows sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shadows trying to remain calm as Costa controls from the top position.
Costa creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The ground and pound from Costa seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Shadows sneaks back into half guard.

Shadows actively working from the bottom here.
Costa slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shadows looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shadows won't allow Costa to pass to mount.

Costa is working for a submission of some sort.
Costa trying to mount his opponent but Shadows defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Costa lands strikes from half guard.

Costa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shadows tries to get to full guard but Costa has control of the leg.
Shadows makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shadows.

Shadows is looking for a triangle but Costa pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shadows escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Costa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Costa drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Shadows manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Costa has Shadows in his guard.
Costa 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.
Shadows advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Shadows stands up.
Max Shadows is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shadows fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Costa moves into the clinch.

Costa gets control of Shadows's arms and successfully pulls guard. Costa will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Costa has his foot on Shadows's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shadows works his way back into a safe position though.
Shadows trying to control the position from guard on top but Costa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Costa working a defensive guard but Shadows manages to pass into side control anyway.
Costa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Costa dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shadows misses with the combination.
Shadows misses with a two punch combination.
No joy there for Shadows, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shadows stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shadows wants it to stay on the feet.
Shadows throws a series of punches but Costa avoids them all with ease.
Max Shadows seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shadows throws a right and a left that both miss.
Costa thows a body shot but no joy.
Shadows lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Costa circles away quickly and effectively.

Costa has closed the distance and engaged Shadows in a clinch.

Costa jumps into guard, dragging Shadows to the mat.
Costa wants to sweep but no luck.
Shadows will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Costa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shadows doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shadows manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Costa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Costa is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadows is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Costa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Costa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shadows defends well.
Shadows wants to pass the guard but Costa is keeping the position.
Costa keeping moving, preventing Shadows from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shadows is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Costa is trying to keep Shadows in close.
Costa keeping moving, preventing Shadows from controlling successfully.
Shadows not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadows is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Costa wants to sweep here but Shadows controlling him for the moment.
Shadows wants to stand but Costa has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Shadows has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Costa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shadows can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shadows trying to control but Costa is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Shadows wants to stand but Costa is controlling his posture from full guard.
Shadows trying to control the position from guard on top but Costa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Costa looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Costa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Shadows!
Shadows in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlos Costa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Costa fails with a takedown attempt.
Shadows fails to land with a series of punches.
Shadows throws a right hand that Costa ducks under and follows up with a left that Costa also avoids with ease.
Shadows throws a nice looking combination but Costa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Costa dives in and grabs Shadows's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shadows pushes down on Costa's head and hops out.
Shadows misses with a few strikes there.
A cross from Shadows lands.
Costa slips a jab and a cross from Shadows.
Shadows misses with a two punch combination.

Shadows gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Costa to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Shadows looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Costa is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadows tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Costa controlling from the top position.
Costa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Costa wants to control from the top but Shadows keeps moving.

Shadows working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Costa has passed into half guard!
Costa scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Costa throwing shots but Shadows is blocking nicely.

Shadows looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Costa with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Costa wants to pass to mount but Shadows is defending the position.
Costa working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Shadows's thigh. Shadows counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shadows isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Costa stacks Shadows on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Costa!
Costa wants to control but Shadows is keeping him busy.
Max Shadows has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carlos Costa has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four 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.
Costa has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Shadows!
Costa wants to control the pace but Shadows is squirming around nicely.
Shadows is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Carlos Costa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shadows throwing punches from his back. He's mounted here but still fighting back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Costa throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Shadows has his hands clasped together but Costa breaks the hold and Shadows is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Costa!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Carlos Costa!