PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Shogun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Cash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shogun
vs
Cash

185 cm
18
169 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

178 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauricio Shogun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johnny Cash!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shogun displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cash.

Cash darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Shogun looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Cash is trying to work for a kimura but Shogun is defending well.
Well, if Cash is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Cash drops an elbow to the side of Shogun's head.
Cash has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cash missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Cash stands up and beckons Shogun to join him on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shogun gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Shogun utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cash trying to control but Shogun is working from the bottom.
Shogun knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cash on the ground.
Cash looks gassed!

Cash drops back looking for a leg! Shogun is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shogun manages to kick Cash off! Cash jumps back into Shogun's guard.
Cash throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shogun works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shogun not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shogun preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cash postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shogun misses with a takedown
and Cash counters with a two punch combo.

Cash drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shogun keeping moving, preventing Cash from controlling successfully.
Cash landing some decent shots from guard.
Cash missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cash is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cash connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cash throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shogun works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cash throws and elbow that misses. Shogun uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Cash's guard. Nice move by Shogun!
Shogun wants to control from the top but Cash keeps moving.
Shogun stopping the sweep attempt from Cash.
Shogun stands and throws Cash's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shogun laying and praying for a moment but Cash takes advantage and regains half guard.
It looks like Shogun is going to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Cash dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shogun tries to clinch but Cash moves away

and Cash counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Shogun's guard now.
Cash looking to pass the guard.
Cash wants to control from the top but Shogun keeps moving.
Cash passes into half guard.
Cash trying to control the action but Shogun is working from the bottom.

Cash looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Cash is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shogun defends it well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cash is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shogun has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shogun is trying to stand.
Shogun is not content to let Cash control the position.
Cash not doing much here.
Cash working over Shogun with some ground and pound. Shogun looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

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.

Cash is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shogun defends it well.

Shogun is defending against the submission attempts here by Cash.

Cash is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shogun is just riding it out for now. Cash eventually gives up the hold.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Shogun looks for the body kick but Cash saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cash shoots in and drives through. Shogun sprawls well.
Shogun punishes Cash's body with a nice straight punch.
Cash tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shogun sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cash somewhat.
Shogun with a poor takedown

and Cash decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shogun's guard.
Shogun utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cash trying to control the position from guard on top but Shogun is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shogun is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Cash is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cash is pushing down on Shogun's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shogun is fighting to maintain full guard but Cash has managed to sneak the leg through.

Cash stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Cash drives through and clinches with Shogun against the cage.
Shogun gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cash.
Mauricio Shogun has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johnny Cash.
Shogun doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shogun gets underhooks to prevent Cash's takedown attempt.
Cash is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shogun gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shogun looking to stall.
Shogun landing some nice looking knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Cash showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cash has closed the distance and engaged Shogun in a clinch.
Cash lands with a light punch inside.

Cash lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Shogun is trying to stand back up but Cash is controlling him

Cash stands up out of the half guard.
Mauricio Shogun is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cash shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cash was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Cash is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Shogun can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Cash jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Shogun manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Shogun wants to control but Cash postures up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shogun is trying to improve his position.

Cash working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shogun is trying to improve his position.

Cash is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shogun has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cash misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shogun struggling a bit here.
Cash is working Shogun over with some ground and pound from side control.
Shogun takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Cash lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Shogun down.
Cash trying to control the position but Shogun is working away.

Cash working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Cash is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shogun has escaped the position, nice work there.
Shogun wants to control but Cash postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cash has an Americana. Shogun didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Cash is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Cash hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:30 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Johnny Cash!