PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jake Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Screech Morris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Shields
vs
Morris

200 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jake Shields!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Screech Morris!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morris tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shields sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Morris somewhat.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Morris.
Shields is looking to regain half guard here but Morris keeps moving and retains side control.
Morris cracks Shields with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Morris working the ground and pound.
Shields is trying to improve his position.
Shields prevents Morris from improving position.
Shields manages to work his way to half guard, despite Morris's best efforts.

Shields actively working from the bottom here.

Morris is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shields doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Morris.
Morris is nestled in close to Shields, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields tries to get to full guard but Morris has control of the leg.

Morris is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shields has managed to free his arm - good work.
Morris looks gassed!

Shields is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Morris pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shields looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shields looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Morris 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.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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.
Morris slips a nice elbow through Shields's hands, connecting with Shields's forehead.

Shields looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Morris thows a huge punch but Shields dodges it nicely.
Morris should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Shields looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Morris working Shields over with strikes.
Shields is looking for a sweep. Morris is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Morris scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morris is trying to work for a kimura but Shields is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Shields moves into the clinch.
Shields lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Morris blocks an elbow strike.
Morris tries to circle away but Shields has him pinned against the cage.
Shields creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Morris takes an elbow to the temple.
Shields throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Morris avoids a wild elbow strike from Shields.
Shields misses with an elbow strike.
Shields looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Shields lands an elbow inside that Morris shrugs off.
Shields creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Morris's defenses.
Shields lands an elbow that stopped Morris in his tracks for a moment.
Shields throws an elbow that misses.
Shields lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shields creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shields creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Morris's defenses.
Morris blocks an elbow strike.

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.
Morris blocks the elbow strike.
Shields creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shields lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Morris avoids a wild elbow strike from Shields.
Morris avoids a wild elbow strike from Shields.
Morris avoids the elbow strike from Shields, against the cage.
Shields throws an elbow but it misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shields throws an elbow but misses.
Morris wants to break the clinch but can't.
Morris dodges an elbow strike from Shields.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shields throws an elbow but misses.
Morris dodges an elbow strike from Shields.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shields throws an elbow but misses.
Shields throws an elbow but it misses.
Morris is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shields lands a nice elbow.
Shields looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shields creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shields throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Morris is trying to break the clinch but Shields is controlling him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shields just misses with a elbow thrown towards Morris's brow.
Morris can't get the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Screech Morris 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.

Morris changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shields looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Shields tries to buck Morris off but Morris is having none of it.

Morris thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Shields manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Shields looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Morris throwing shots but Shields is blocking nicely.
Morris wants to take a breather but Shields is having none of it.
Morris missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Shields looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Morris drops an elbow to the side of Shields's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shields actively working from the bottom here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Shields tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Morris looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Shields knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Morris on the ground.
Morris makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Shields is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Morris defends well.
Shields working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Morris.
Shields will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Morris trying to control the position from guard on top but Shields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morris looking to pass the guard.

Shields had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Morris defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shields had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Morris defends it easily.
Morris connects with a couple of short punches.
Morris trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.

Shields looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Morris trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.

Shields working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Morris doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Morris manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Morris with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shields working for a triangle but Morris defends it easily.
Morris scoring with punches to the head and body.
Morris makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Morris throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Shields working for a triangle but Morris defends it easily.
Morris postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Shields is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Shields looking for a guillotine here but Morris defends easily.

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.

Shields looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Morris cracks Shields with a solid left hand.

Shields is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Morris is aware though and is defending well.

Shields looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Morris passes into side control.
Shields sneaks back into half guard.
Morris is trying to control the action in half guard but Shields is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shields is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Morris pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Screech Morris will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Shields tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shields is looking to clinch.
Shields tries to clinch but Morris is having none of it.

Morris gets the takedown into side control.
Shields tries to improve position but can't.
Morris landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Shields tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Morris has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Morris scoring with punches and elbows.

Morris is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shields is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shields parries the strikes from Morris easily there. Morris is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Shields to escape.
Shields sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Shields looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shields actively working from the bottom here.
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. Morris connects with a nice short shot to Shields's temple.

Shields is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Morris pulls his head out easily.
Morris drops an elbow to the side of Shields's head.
Morris prevents Shields from improving his position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Morris tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shields swivels and escapes.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shields looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Morris drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shields working for a triangle but Morris defends it easily.
Morris stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shields swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Shields is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Shields is looking for a triangle but Morris pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shields throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shields has momentary wrist control but Morris slips an elbow through the middle.
Morris with a flurry of punches that miss.

Morris drops back looking for a leg! Shields is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shields manages to kick Morris off! Morris jumps back into Shields's guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Morris avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Morris shoots in for a takedown but Shields shows good takedown defense.
Morris avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shields fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shields tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

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.
Shields tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Morris paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shields tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Morris paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Morris swats away the attempt to clinch by Shields.
Shields fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jake Shields is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shields tries to close the distance and clinch but Morris swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Morris looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shields is fending him off so far but Morris persists. Nope, Shields circles away and we're back to standing.
Jake Shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Screech Morris.

Shields closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Shields creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shields lands an elbow just above Morris 's eye.
Shields prevents the takedown attempt.
Morris avoids a wild elbow strike from Shields.
Shields pushes off an throws an elbow but Morris leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Morris takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shields throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Morris jumps guard but Shields stands there with Morris around his waist. Morris gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Shields misses with an elbow over the top.
Jake Shields has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Screech Morris is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shields throws an elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Screech Morris.
I've got Morris winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Screech Morris!