PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between jarred shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Kusco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kusco has chosen Not Afraid as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

shields
vs
Kusco

225 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
22
207 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, jarred shields!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jake Kusco!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
shields tries a head kick but it misses.
shields lands with a kick to the temple. Kusco shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
shields scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kusco takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
jarred shields seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
shields looks to land a left hand but Kusco moved out of range nicely.
shields lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
shields pulls out of a head kick attempt.
shields really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
shields defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kusco.
A lazy left from shields finds it's target.
Kusco ducks down and throws a hook to the body but shields moves away.
shields lands a high kick!
shields scores with a spinning back kick!
A head kick misses from shields.
Kusco shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as shields sprawls well. shields wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kusco gets slowly back to his feet.
shields lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - shields coming out on top.
Kusco looks to land a combination but shields avoids it well.
shields lands a nice shot that snaps Kusco's head back.
Kusco tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but shields paws at him with a jab and circles away.
shields lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kusco backs up against the cage.
shields scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kusco moves out of range as shields throws a body kick.
Kusco fails with the takedown.
jarred shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Kusco.
shields lands a head kick. Kusco smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
shields pushes Kusco away with a front kick.
Kusco looks gassed!
shields lands with a slapping head kick.
shields stalks Kusco and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kusco's face. Kusco staggers backwards, shaken.
shields scores with a head kick.
Kusco fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
shields throws a head kick but Kusco moves out of range.
shields throws a head kick that misses.
Kusco avoids the head kick by shields.
shields throws a sloppy head kick and Kusco moves out of range easily.
Kusco blocks a head kick by shields.
shields throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
shields misses with a head kick.
Kusco bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kusco thuds a left hand into shields's body.

Kusco closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. shields did well to prevent Kusco getting side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
shields pushes Kusco off but Kusco dives into side control.
shields is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kusco is controlling him well.

Kusco stands up and beckons shields to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
shields throws a wild body kick that Kusco sees coming a mile off.
shields misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
jarred shields is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kusco bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A head kick misses from shields.
shields throws out a loose jab but Kusco uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot to de liver by Kusco. Beautiful body shot.
shields throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kusco falls off balance throwing a combination
and shields counters with a big head kick but Kusco shrugs it off.
No luck for Kusco with that takedown attempt.
shields plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

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.
shields looks to land a combination. Kusco sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
shields lands with a cross.
Kusco cracks shields with a good jab.
shields avoids a punch combination nicely.
shields lands with a kick to the temple. Kusco shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
shields throws a head kick but Kusco moves out of range.
shields slaps away a takedown attempt from Kusco, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kusco showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from shields.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kusco dives in and grabs shields's left leg, looking for a takedown. shields pushes down on Kusco's head and hops out.
Kusco takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

jarred shields dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

shields throws a head kick that Kusco semi-blocks.
Kusco blocks a head kick by shields.
shields is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A slow jab from shields misses its intended target.
shields lands with a kick to the temple. Kusco shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
shields lands with a shot to the body.

shields gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kusco to score an easy takedown into full guard.
shields is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kusco is controlling him.

Kusco decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on shields, up you get!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
shields lands with a slapping head kick.
Kusco misses with a body shot
and shields counters with a big head kick but Kusco shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
shields lands with a nice body kick.
Kusco takes a head kick and keeps coming.
shields lands a jab-cross combination.
shields throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kusco bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps shields's head backwards.
shields throws a sloppy head kick and Kusco moves out of range easily.

Kusco shoots in and bounces shields off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
shields wants to stand but Kusco is controlling the position.
Kusco controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Kusco has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
shields wants to stand but Kusco is controlling the position.

shields has his feet on Kusco's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
shields stuffs the takedown attempt from Kusco. Kusco gets slowly back to his feet.
Kusco takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
shields throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kusco.
shields throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kusco has managed to clinch.
shields tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
shields tries to land a knee to the head but Kusco blocks with his arms.
shields using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kusco has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
shields throws a knee to the head but misses.
shields throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kusco blocks it with crossed arms.
Kusco wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
shields tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
shields tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kusco tries to break free but shields pushes him back against the cage.
shields has Kusco pressed against the cage, preventing Kusco from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
shields misses with a knee to the head.
shields throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kusco wants to break free but shields has control.
Still in the clinch, Kusco scores with a nice short uppercut.
shields tries a knee to the head but Kusco blocks it.
shields using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kusco has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
shields lands a knee to the head.
A short left from Kusco.
shields prevents Kusco from breaking the clinch.
Kusco is trying to break the clinch but shields is controlling him.
shields looking to throw knees to the head but Kusco is blocking nicely.
shields landing knees to the head.

Kusco's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four 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.
shields misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kusco rushes shields and presses him up against the cage.
shields misses with a knee to the head.
Kusco wants to break the clinch but can't.
shields with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kusco wants to break the clinch but can't.
shields throws a knee to the head but misses.
shields misses with a knee strike.
shields with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
shields throws a knee to the head but misses.
shields has Kusco pressed against the cage, preventing Kusco from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kusco wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but shields has him pressed against the cage.
Kusco scores with a hook to the body.
shields misses with a knee to the head.
shields with an attempt at a knee that misses.
shields looking to throw knees to the head but Kusco is blocking nicely.
Kusco works on shields's body with a couple of short punches.
shields with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
shields tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kusco wants to break free but shields has control.
Kusco tries to break the clinch but shields is controlling the position.
Kusco is trying to break the clinch but shields has him pressed against the cage.
shields misses with a knee strike.
shields with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Kusco showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

shields tries a head kick but it misses.
shields lands a jab.
shields tries a head kick but it misses.
Horrible takedown by Kusco or perhaps it was just good defense by shields which made him look bad.
shields throws a nice head kick!
Kusco misses with a takedown attempt - shields sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
shields 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by shields there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
shields works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kusco takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kusco walks into a stiff left hand from shields.

That's one minute gone in the round.
shields throws a head kick that half lands.
shields jabs Kusco right on the nose. Kusco blinks but takes it well.
shields misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kusco takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
shields lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kusco walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kusco slips under a jab.
jarred shields is winning the standup battle so far.
Kusco has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kusco there as he acknowledges the shot.
shields throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kusco misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
jarred shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Kusco.
Kusco changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. shields tries to avoid it but Kusco manages to keep hold of a leg and drag shields to the ground. shields escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kusco tries to score a power double leg takedown but shields sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kusco somewhat.

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.
shields lands a high kick!
Kusco takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kusco shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kusco shoots in for a double leg but shields sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
shields throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kusco's head.
Kusco misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
shields throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
shields throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kusco.
shields pulls out of a head kick attempt.
shields thuds his right hand into Kusco's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
shields throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kusco tries for a takedown but shields sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
shields lands a front kick.
Kusco shoots in looking for a takedown. shields tries to sprawl out of it but Kusco keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. shields manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
shields moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
shields throws a lazy right hand but Kusco sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
shields tries a head kick but it misses.
shields throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kusco tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but shields swivels and escapes.
shields throws a nice looking combination but Kusco bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four 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.
Kusco doesn't manage to clinch there - shields circles away.
shields lands with a slapping head kick.
Kusco catches shields with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
shields lands a head kick!
shields looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
shields misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kusco changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. shields tries to avoid it but Kusco manages to keep hold of a leg and drag shields to the ground. shields escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
shields throws a head kick that Kusco semi-blocks.
Left hook, right uppercut from shields.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head kick misses from shields.
shields pulls out of a head kick attempt.
shields throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
jarred shields showed his dominance in that final round.
I think shields 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... jarred shields!