PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sam Shaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penn has chosen Heavier than metal as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shaw
vs
Penn

175 cm
21
157 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

178 cm
21
158 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Chuck my Norris Ninja Viking Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sam Shaw!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, BJ Penn!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shaw lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Penn circles away quickly and effectively.
Shaw swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shaw misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Penn.
Penn throws a hook but Shaw avoids it easily.
Shaw shoots in looking for a takedown. Penn tries to sprawl out of it but Shaw keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Penn manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Shaw closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shaw lands in his opponent's guard.
Shaw postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shaw stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Penn swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shaw not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw wants to pass the guard but Penn is keeping the position.
Shaw trying to control but Penn is working from the bottom.
Shaw being controlled here momentarily.
Penn can't keep his opponent in guard - Shaw advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Shaw stops Penn from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Penn wants to control but Shaw is keeping busy.

Shaw is looking for a kimura here.
Penn blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shaw.
Shaw trying to control from half guard but Penn is working away.
Penn won't allow Shaw to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw looks to land a strike but Penn avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shaw stops Penn from standing up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shaw misses with a wild body shot.
BJ Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shaw shoots in but no luck this time.
A big right from Penn misses.
Penn misses with a looping right.
Penn drops his hands momentarily and Shaw takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shaw misses with a straight right.
Shaw with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Penn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shaw moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Penn ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Penn misses the jab.

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.
Shaw scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Penn avoids the body shot from Shaw.
Sam Shaw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penn misses with a series of wild punches.
Shaw misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Penn.
Penn slaps away a takedown attempt from Shaw, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Shaw. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Penn takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A slow jab from Penn misses its intended target.
Penn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Penn.
Shaw misses with a combination
and Penn counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Penn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shaw. Penn does a little dance to reset his feet.
Penn bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Shaw's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sam Shaw will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A jab from Shaw finds it's way through Penn's defenses.
Shaw throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
No joy there for Penn, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Penn throws a shot from downtown. Shaw moves away and avoids it.
Shaw is looking to wear down Penn with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Penn swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Shaw shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Shaw was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Shaw thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Penn wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Shaw.
Shaw controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaw working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Shaw can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Penn is looking to escape.
Penn keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Shaw trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Shaw with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Shaw moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Penn has worked his arm free - good work by Penn!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shaw tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Shaw has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Penn manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shaw's best efforts.

Penn is defending against the submission attempts here by Shaw.
Penn looks like he's trying to stand up.

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.
Shaw is keen to just control but Penn is a slippery customer.
Shaw tries to pass to full mount but Penn defends it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Penn is trying to maintain the position but Shaw is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shaw dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shaw fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Penn manages to avoid it.
Sam Shaw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shaw ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Penn moves away.
Shaw scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Shaw changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Penn looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Shaw fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Shaw tries to advance to mount but can't.
Penn can't do much from the bottom here.
Penn is looking for a sweep.
Shaw takes a little break here. Penn wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw wants to lay and pray for a moment but Penn keeps working.

Shaw is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Penn has escaped the position, nice work there.
Penn can't do much from the bottom here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Penn misses with a looping right.

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.

Shaw shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Penn's guard.
Shaw stopping the sweep attempt from Penn.
Shaw loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Shaw drops back, looking for a kneebar! Penn looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Penn looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Penn!
Shaw is looking to regain half guard here but Penn keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn tries to move into full mount but can't pass Shaw's legs.
Shaw is trying to improve his position.
Shaw is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Penn's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shaw tries to get to full guard but Penn has control of the leg.
Penn frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shaw tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shaw tries to lock up and control but Penn gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Shaw is looking to get to half guard.
Penn manages to capitalize on a mistake by Shaw to take his back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shaw trying to control but not successfully.
Shaw tries to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shaw clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Penn. No joy for Shaw on that attempt.
Penn scores with a hook to the body. Shaw takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shaw throws a big shot that misses.
Shaw throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Penn fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shaw manages to avoid it.
Penn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Penn.
Penn throws a body punch but Shaw moves out of range.
Penn missing with a left hand there. Shaw was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Penn throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shaw closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Penn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shaw was well out of range. Poor timing from Penn.
Jab by Penn.

Shaw scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Shaw wants to control but Penn is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw laying and praying for a moment but Penn takes advantage and regains half guard.
Penn is not content to let Shaw control the position.

Shaw is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Penn moves into full guard.

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.
Shaw is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Shaw wants to control from the top but Penn keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shaw works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shaw wants to work for an arm triangle but Penn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shaw passes the guard and advances to mount!
Penn is trying to escape the mount.
Shaw moves to take his opponent's back.

Shaw working for a choke but Penn is defending well.

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

Shaw looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Penn is controlling Shaw 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.

Shaw working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Penn doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Penn manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but BJ Penn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Shaw rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Penn moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shaw is trying hard to land a takedown here. Penn sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shaw swinging wildly here.
Danga de danga de dang - Penn scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Sam Shaw has been cut.
Shaw missing with a left hand there. Penn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shaw steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Penn.
Good standup being displayed there by Shaw as he connects with a hook.
Penn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shaw ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Penn moves away.
Penn misses with a body shot.
Shaw misses with a jab to the body
and Penn counters with a series of strikes. Shaw will be more careful next time no doubt.
Penn lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn scores with a jab.

Shaw is rocked!
Penn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Penn swings for the body but Shaw moves out of range.
Shaw takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Shaw fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Penn avoids it really well and circles away.
Shaw misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shaw uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Penn.
Shaw walks into a left hand.
Shaw misses with a jab to the body
and Shaw takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Oh Shaw is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Penn works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Shaw uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Penn.
Shaw misses with an uppercut.
BJ Penn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shaw seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Penn throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shaw sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Penn just misses with a punch to the body.
Penn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Penn ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Shaw jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shaw lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Shaw.

Shaw shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Penn is trying to defend but Shaw finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shaw has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Shaw tries to control but Penn wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Shaw throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Shaw misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Shaw sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sam Shaw overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Shaw is looking to work his way around to Penn's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

Shaw moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Penn has worked his arm free - good work by Penn!
Penn tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shaw wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Sam Shaw is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Penn wants to get back to his feet but Shaw drags him back down.
Shaw moves into full mount!
Shaw thowing shots but they're missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
BJ Penn comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shaw 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 49:47
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Shaw!
Sam Shaw is the new featherweight champion!