PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Russ Luv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Shirthouse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Shirthouse's choice of entrance music: Roots Bloody Roots. Russ Luv has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Luv
vs
Shirthouse

220 cm
22
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

193 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Russ Luv!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rick Shirthouse!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirthouse cracks the inside of Luv's front leg.
Luv fails to land the takedown.
Shirthouse gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Luv counters with a takedown into side control.
Luv scoring with punches and elbows.
Luv in side control, throwing shots but Shirthouse defends.
Shirthouse managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Luv.
Luv misses with the ground and pound.
Luv looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Shirthouse is avoiding damage well.
Shirthouse takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shirthouse wants to control but Luv postures up.
Luv working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Luv really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Luv creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shirthouse sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shirthouse taking punishment in the form of punches.
Luv lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Luv throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Luv lands a few punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirthouse manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Luv connects with a nice short shot to Shirthouse's temple.
Shirthouse is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Luv thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Luv thows a huge punch but Shirthouse dodges it nicely.
Luv throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Luv slips a nice elbow through Shirthouse's hands, connecting with Shirthouse's forehead.
Luv working over Shirthouse with some ground and pound. Shirthouse looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Shirthouse is trying to maintain the position but Luv is very close to passing his half guard.
Luv drops an elbow to the side of Shirthouse's head.
Shirthouse tries to roll over but Luv keeps him under control.
Luv is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luv not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Luv thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shirthouse blocking the ground and pound attempt from Luv.
Luv drops an elbow to the side of Shirthouse's head.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shirthouse is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shirthouse looks gassed!
Luv winds up and cracks Shirthouse with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Luv landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Luv connects with a nice short shot to Shirthouse's temple.
Luv is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Luv sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shirthouse defending well though.
Luv thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shirthouse's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Luv.
Luv throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Luv looks to land a strike but Shirthouse avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Shirthouse is looking to stand up but Luv isn't so interested in that idea.
Luv scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Luv trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Luv with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Luv distracts Shirthouse with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Luv postures up in Shirthouse's guard and throws a big left but Shirthouse blocks it.
Luv throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shirthouse works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shirthouse utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Luv throws and elbow that misses. Shirthouse uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Luv's guard. Nice move by Shirthouse!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirthouse won't allow Luv to get back to his feet.
Shirthouse content to stall in guard here.

Luv kicks Shirthouse off and gets to his feet.
Shirthouse is looking to slow Luv down with leg kicks.
Shirthouse scores with a sloppy right hand. Luv should have avoided that one.

Luv closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Shirthouse did well to prevent Luv getting side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shirthouse taking some punishment here, with Luv in his half guard.
Shirthouse has hold of Luv's hands but Luv slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Luv is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russ Luv 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.

Luv shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shirthouse sprawls well. Shirthouse wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Luv gets slowly back to his feet.
Shirthouse keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shirthouse lands a high kick!
Shirthouse tries to clinch there but Luv circles away.
Shirthouse tries to clinch there but Luv circles away.
Luv shoots and misses
and Shirthouse counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russ Luv. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luv fails to land the takedown.
Shirthouse looks to clinch

and Luv counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shirthouse won't be happy with that.
Shirthouse parries the strikes from Luv easily there. Luv is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Shirthouse to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Luv looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Shirthouse is avoiding damage well.
You can see the frustration on Shirthouse's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Luv advances to full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luv lands a big shot there that rocks Shirthouse but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
BOOM! Luv connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Luv punishing his opponent with strikes.
Luv landing strikes from the mount.
Luv landing strikes, looking to finish!
Luv will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Luv working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Luv looking to finish Shirthouse with some ground and pound. This is bad for Shirthouse!
Shirthouse is desperately trying to improve his position but Luv has a good base and remains in mount.
Shirthouse is in a horrible position here. Luv smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Shirthouse is in a horrible position here. Luv smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirthouse taking shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Luv.
Luv is landing with some decent strikes but Shirthouse is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Luv has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Luv with shots to the head and body - Shirthouse looks very uncomfortable down there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Luv is landing with some decent strikes but Shirthouse is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Luv connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Shirthouse takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
A nice elbow there by Luv.
Luv with shots to the head and body - Shirthouse looks very uncomfortable down there.
Luv lands with some strikes.
Shirthouse tries to hold on but Luv pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirthouse is bucking up trying to escape but Luv cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Shirthouse in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Shirthouse is trying desperately to improve position.
Luv raining down shots from the mount!
The referee warns Shirthouse that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Luv lands a big elbow.
Luv has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Shirthouse's face.
Luv scoring with strikes but Shirthouse is staying in there.
Luv putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Russ Luv overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shirthouse taking shots to the head.
Shirthouse is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luv with the ground and pound from mount.
Luv punishing his opponent with strikes.
Luv postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Shirthouse looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Luv cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Luv is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Shirthouse can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Luv is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shirthouse can do to turn this around?
Luv working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Luv cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Luv cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shirthouse taking shots to the head.
Luv has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Shirthouse's face.
Luv lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Shirthouse hang on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russ Luv dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shirthouse tries to clinch but Luv moves out of range.
Rick Shirthouse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shirthouse leaves Luv with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Russ Luv is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Luv shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shirthouse but Shirthouse pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Shirthouse clinches up with Luv and pushes him back against the cage.
Shirthouse tries to break free but Luv pushes him back against the cage.
Shirthouse wants to stall.
Shirthouse is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shirthouse landing knees to the body.
Luv is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shirthouse gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Russ Luv. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luv changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shirthouse fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shirthouse clinches but Luv breaks the clinch

and Luv counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shirthouse won't be happy with that.
Luv throws a strike aimed at the side of Shirthouse's head but Shirthouse avoids it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Luv are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Shirthouse is looking for a sweep.
Luv scores with punches from side control.
Luv in side control, throwing shots but Shirthouse defends.
Shirthouse parries the strikes from Luv easily there. Luv is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Shirthouse to escape.
Luv cracks Shirthouse with a big elbow.
Shirthouse tries to buck Luv off but Luv is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Luv shoots in and bounces Shirthouse off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Shirthouse has momentary wrist control but Luv slips an elbow through the middle.
Shirthouse utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Luv throwing strikes from guard but Shirthouse blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luv is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Luv working some strikes from top position.
Luv thows a big elbow that misses.
Shirthouse is looking to stand up but Luv isn't so interested in that idea.
Luv working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Luv connects with a couple of short punches.
Luv scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Luv with a nice head shot there.
Luv loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Luv is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luv makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Luv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Luv postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Luv is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Luv with a nice head shot there.
Luv postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Luv throwing strikes from guard but Shirthouse blocks nicely.
Rick Shirthouse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shirthouse working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Luv.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Luv misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Left hook, right uppercut from Shirthouse.
Luv shoots and misses
enabling Shirthouse to counter with a crisp jab.

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.

Luv shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Luv sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shirthouse defending well though.
Luv is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Luv landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Luv lands strikes from half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Luv lands a nice short elbow.
Luv drops an elbow to the side of Shirthouse's head.
Luv is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Luv working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Russ Luv is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Luv slips a nice elbow through Shirthouse's hands, connecting with Shirthouse's forehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Russ Luv showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Luv, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Russ Luv!