PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nolan Shurygalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Orion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shurygalo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Ching Chang Cong-Rucka Rucka Ali. The crowd seem to be enjoying Orion's choice of entrance music: indestructable . Alex Orion will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shurygalo
vs
Orion

186 cm
22
221 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

181 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nolan Shurygalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Orion!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shurygalo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Orion looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Shurygalo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Orion looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Shurygalo is controlling Orion's posture.
Shurygalo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shurygalo throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Orion stopping the sweep attempt from Shurygalo.
Shurygalo is pulling down on Orion's head. It's preventing any offense from Orion, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shurygalo wants to stand and escape but Orion is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shurygalo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Orion gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shurygalo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Orion won't allow Shurygalo to get back to his feet.

That's two 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.
Orion tries to free his leg and advance position but Shurygalo is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shurygalo is on top in guard.
Shurygalo stays in close to Orion's body and controls the position.
Shurygalo forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shurygalo stalling.
Shurygalo has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Nolan Shurygalo just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Shurygalo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shurygalo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Orion moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Orion takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Shurygalo throws a sloppy head kick and Orion moves out of range easily.

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.
Shurygalo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shurygalo misses with a head kick.

Shurygalo moves into range and clinches up with Orion.

Shurygalo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shurygalo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shurygalo throws a series of strikes that have Orion backpedaling.
Orion checks a leg kick.
Shurygalo throws a head kick that misses.

Shurygalo gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Shurygalo breaks the clinch.
Orion blocks a head kick by Shurygalo.
Nolan Shurygalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shurygalo throws and low kick but Orion moves out of range easily.
Orion dodges the punch combination from Shurygalo.

Shurygalo rushes Orion and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nolan Shurygalo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shurygalo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Orion checks it well.
Shurygalo scores with a leg kick.
Orion misses with a few strikes there.
Orion takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Shurygalo throws a head kick that half lands.
Orion tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shurygalo lands a nice looking body kick.
Nolan Shurygalo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shurygalo throws a head kick but Orion moves out of range.

Shurygalo moves into range and clinches up with Orion.

Shurygalo breaks from the clinch.

Shurygalo has managed to clinch.
Shurygalo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Shurygalo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Orion dodges the punch combination from Shurygalo.
A head kick from Shurygalo lands but Orion takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shurygalo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shurygalo fails to land with a series of punches.
Orion dives in and grabs Shurygalo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shurygalo pushes down on Orion's head and hops out.
Shurygalo throws a right and a left that Orion avoids nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Orion is defended easily by Shurygalo.
Orion slips a jab and a cross from Shurygalo.
Orion shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shurygalo pinned against the cage. Shurygalo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nolan Shurygalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Orion.
Orion shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shurygalo as he jumps to the side.
Shurygalo misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Shurygalo has closed the distance and engaged Orion in a clinch.

Shurygalo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Shurygalo forces Orion back against the cage and clinches.

Shurygalo breaks the clinch.

Shurygalo has managed to clinch.
Shurygalo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shurygalo looking for a takedown.
Orion is trying to drag Shurygalo to the mat but Shurygalo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Shurygalo manages to break the clinch.
Orion tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shurygalo swivels and escapes.
Shurygalo throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Orion.
Shurygalo swinging wildly here.
Orion swats away the attempt to clinch by Shurygalo.

Shurygalo has closed the distance and engaged Orion in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shurygalo wants to get back to striking at distance but Orion won't allow it.

Shurygalo manages to break the clinch.

Shurygalo rushes Orion and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Shurygalo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shurygalo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shurygalo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shurygalo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shurygalo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Orion throws a combination that misses
and Shurygalo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shurygalo blocks a head kick by Orion.
Shurygalo throws a sloppy head kick
and Orion counters with a series of strikes. Shurygalo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Shurygalo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shurygalo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

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.
Orion swats away the attempt to clinch by Shurygalo.
Shurygalo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Orion counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Orion.
Shurygalo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shurygalo is trying to break the clinch but Orion has him pressed against the cage.
Shurygalo wants to get back to striking at distance but Orion won't allow it.
Orion drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shurygalo pulls his leg out and moves away.
Orion tries to close the distance and clinch but Shurygalo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shurygalo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Shurygalo forces Orion back against the cage and clinches.

Shurygalo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A right-left combo lands from Shurygalo.
Orion with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shurygalo counters with a series of strikes. Orion will be more careful next time no doubt.

Shurygalo moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nolan Shurygalo dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Shurygalo gets a clinch.

Shurygalo manages to break the clinch.

Shurygalo gets a clinch.
Shurygalo prevents the takedown attempt.
Orion prevents a takedown attempt there.

Shurygalo has clasped his hands together around Orion's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Orion is looking to regain half guard here but Shurygalo keeps moving and retains side control.
Shurygalo working away.
Shurygalo is staying tight to Orion's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orion is looking for a sweep.
Orion taking punishment in the form of punches.
Shurygalo controls the position.

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

The referee stands the fighters back up. Nolan Shurygalo just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Orion shoots in looking for a takedown. Shurygalo tries to sprawl out of it but Orion keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shurygalo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Orion doesn't succeed with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Nolan Shurygalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Orion.
Orion blocks a head kick by Shurygalo.
Shurygalo lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice jab there from Shurygalo.
Shurygalo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Shurygalo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Orion fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shurygalo avoids it really well and circles away.
Shurygalo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion shoots in for a double leg but Shurygalo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Orion avoids the head kick by Shurygalo.
Orion tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shurygalo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shurygalo throws a sloppy head kick and Orion moves out of range easily.
Orion fails with the takedown.
Shurygalo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Orion.
Orion with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shurygalo counters with a nice low kick that buckles Orion's knee momentarily.
Shurygalo throws a sloppy head kick
and Orion counters with a thumping low kick.
Orion lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Orion gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Shurygalo counters with a low kick, right behind Orion 's knee.
Orion looks for a takedown but Shurygalo sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shurygalo throws a combination that misses
and Orion counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Shurygalo circles away from the clinch attempt

and Shurygalo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Shurygalo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Shurygalo closes the distance and clinches.
Shurygalo tries to circle away but Orion has him pinned against the cage.
Shurygalo is looking to break free of the clinch but Orion has double underhooks.
Shurygalo is trying to break the clinch but Orion has him pressed against the cage.
Orion tries to score a body lock takedown but Shurygalo shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shurygalo has Orion pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Orion manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shurygalo is trying to break free.
Orion tries to pull guard but Shurygalo won't allow it.
Shurygalo can't break the clinch.
Orion wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shurygalo has him pressed against the cage.

Shurygalo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shurygalo throws a head kick that misses
and Orion counters with an inside leg kick.
Alex Orion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Shurygalo gets a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nolan Shurygalo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shurygalo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nolan Shurygalo!