PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ray Shifflett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johan Elia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johan Elia has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ray Shifflett's chin.

Shifflett
vs
Elia

187 cm
19
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

189 cm
19
170 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ray Shifflett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Johan Elia!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elia lands a nice looking body shot.

Elia shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Shifflett manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shifflett wants to stand up but Elia is controlling him.
Elia tries to free his leg and advance position but Shifflett is retaining full guard.
Shifflett looking for a sweep. Not yet Shifflett, not yet.

Elia has gone for a leg lock! Shifflett slips out almost immediately though and dives into Elia's guard.

Elia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shifflett in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Elia keeping moving, preventing Shifflett from controlling successfully.
Shifflett trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Elia throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shifflett 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.
Elia keeping moving, preventing Shifflett from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifflett wants to pass the guard but Elia is keeping the position.

Shifflett got a little sloppy there for a moment and Elia has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shifflett has managed to get both his arms back between Elia's legs - danger averted.

Elia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shifflett doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shifflett manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shifflett stands and throws Elia's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Shifflett sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Elia is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Elia takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Elia is looking to regain half guard here but Shifflett keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Elia prevents Shifflett from improving position.
Shifflett trying to control the action but Elia is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elia is trying to improve his position.
Shifflett trying to control the position but Elia is working away.
Elia is working to avoid the ground and pound but Shifflett connects with a decent elbow.
Shifflett trying to control the position but Elia is working away.
Elia is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Shifflett off and has taken his back!
Shifflett rolls, trying to escape but Elia keeps control of the position.

Shifflett is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Shifflett is trying to get back to his feet but Elia has full control of the position and if anything, Shifflett has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elia looking for the choke but no joy.
You can see the frustration on Shifflett's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Shifflett preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Elia.

Elia is looking for a choke. Shifflett gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Shifflett manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Shifflett slips nicely into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shifflett winds up and cracks Elia with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Elia moves into full guard.
Shifflett with a flurry of punches that miss.
Elia keeping full guard, as Shifflett tries to pass.
Shifflett trying to control but Elia is working from the bottom.

Elia is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shifflett is in close to Elia's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Elia keeping moving, preventing Shifflett from controlling successfully.
Shifflett is really struggling to control Elia but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Elia looking for a sweep. Not yet Elia, not yet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Elia keeps the fight on the outside.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Elia is defended easily by Shifflett.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shifflett ducks under a wild hook from Elia.
Shifflett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shifflett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ray Shifflett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Elia misses with a looping right.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shifflett tries to close the distance and clinch but Elia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Elia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shifflett.
Shifflett tries to clinch up but Elia circles away and keeps his distance.
Elia misses with a double jab.
Elia circles away from the clinch attempt.
Elia throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shifflett delivers a nice body kick.
Elia throws out a loose jab but Shifflett uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shifflett sprawls well. Shifflett wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Elia gets slowly back to his feet.
Elia showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shifflett.

Elia tries to keep at a distance but Shifflett has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Elia pulls guard successfully.

Elia is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shifflett is aware though and is defending well.
Elia is breathing heavily.
Shifflett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shifflett wants to control from the top but Elia keeps moving.
Shifflett looking to pass the guard.
Elia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shifflett is one step ahead there.
Shifflett wants to control from the top but Elia keeps moving.
Shifflett controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shifflett trying to control but Elia is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Elia bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Elia.
Johan Elia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Shifflett, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shifflett throws a push kick but Elia slaps the foot to one side.
Elia walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shifflett checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nice body punch from Shifflett.
Elia falls off balance throwing a combination
and Shifflett makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Elia misses with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Elia lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shifflett doesn't seem phased though.
Shifflett tries to close the distance and clinch up but Elia swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shifflett stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shifflett wants it to stay on the feet.
Shifflett tries to clinch up but Elia circles away and keeps his distance.
Elia throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shifflett sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shifflett displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Elia.
Ray Shifflett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johan Elia.

Shifflett moves into the clinch.
Elia jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shifflett walks away with a smile on his face. Elia gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Shifflett fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shifflett is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shifflett throws a shot from downtown. Elia moves away and avoids it.
Shifflett is looking to clinch but Elia is avoiding it.

Elia shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Elia wants to pass the guard but Shifflett is keeping the position.
Elia preventing the sweep.
Elia pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shifflett is keeping the position for now.
Shifflett is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shifflett keeping full guard, as Elia tries to pass.

Elia drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shifflett dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shifflett pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Elia is keeping the position for now.
Elia looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shifflett is one step ahead there.
Shifflett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shifflett working some strikes from top position.
Shifflett wants to control from the top but Elia keeps moving.

Shifflett drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shifflett jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shifflett trying to control the position from guard on top but Elia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Elia is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Shifflett scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Shifflett dominated that second round.
That's time! Shifflett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Elia scores with a hook.
Shifflett doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shifflett tries to move into range but Elia moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Shifflett wants to clinch.
Elia keeps the fight on the outside.
Shifflett scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shifflett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Elia misses with a straight left.

Elia shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Elia was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Shifflett has given up his back.

Shifflett is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Despite being in a bad position, Shifflett is controlling the hands, preventing any submission attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifflett is in bad spot here.
Shifflett holding both Elia 's hands and preventing any damage.
Shifflett looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Elia working for a choke but Shifflett is defending well.

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.

Elia tightening his grip on Shifflett, looking for the choke.
Shifflett rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Shifflett trying to control but Elia postures up.
Johan Elia has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elia wants to pass the guard but Shifflett is defending well.
Shifflett manages to get to full guard.
Shifflett can't keep his opponent in guard - Elia advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Shifflett regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shifflett keeping full guard, as Elia tries to pass.
Elia won't allow Shifflett to sweep him here.
Shifflett pulls Elia in close to his closed guard and prevents Elia from doing any damage or advancing position.
Elia tries to free his leg and advance position but Shifflett is retaining full guard.

Elia drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shifflett dives on top into guard.
Elia can't keep his opponent in guard - Shifflett advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Elia gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Elia really dominated that round.
That's time! Shifflett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Elia swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shifflett tries to clinch up.
Elia throws a hook but Shifflett avoids it easily.
Shifflett ducks right into an uppercut from Elia.
Elia takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Elia waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shifflett.
Elia might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Shifflett tries to clinch there but Elia circles away.
Shifflett tries to clinch but Elia moves out of range.
Elia misses with a looping left.
Shifflett tries to clinch there but Elia circles away.
Shifflett connects with a looping right hand.
Shifflett wants to clinch up but Elia keeps it at a distance.

Elia scores a takedown into full mount!

Elia swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Shifflett is now in Elia's guard. A big mistake from Elia there, giving up the dominant position!
Elia keeping moving, preventing Shifflett from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Elia is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shifflett defends well.
Elia is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Shifflett sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Shifflett tries to free his leg and advance position but Elia is retaining full guard.
Shifflett forces his way into half guard.
Elia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shifflett wants to take a breather but Elia is having none of it.
Elia is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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.
Shifflett trying to control from half guard but Elia is working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Elia looks to land a right hand but Shifflett moved out of range.
Shifflett takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Shifflett wants to clinch.
Shifflett drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Elia dives in and grabs Shifflett's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shifflett pushes down on Elia's head and hops out.
Shifflett throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jab by Elia.
Shifflett throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shifflett tries to clinch up.
Shifflett doesn't manage to clinch there - Elia circles away.
Shifflett swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Elia counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shifflett tries to close the distance and clinch but Elia swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Elia feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Elia tries to free his leg and advance position but Shifflett is retaining full guard.
Shifflett working a defensive guard here.
Shifflett keeping full guard, as Elia tries to pass.
Elia is looking to advance position but Shifflett has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Shifflett wants to control the pace but Elia is squirming around nicely.
Shifflett working Elia over with strikes here.
Shifflett lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shifflett wants to control the pace but Elia is squirming around nicely.
Elia is working to get back to half guard.
Shifflett working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Shifflett pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Elia is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Elia bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Shifflett wants to stand but Elia is controlling the position.
Elia is looking to advance position but Shifflett has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Elia is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Elia dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Elia closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shifflett circles away.
Shifflett keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Elia.
Shifflett tries to clinch but Elia moves out of range.
Shifflett throws a quick inside leg kick.
Elia misses with an uppercut. Shifflett saw that one coming.
Elia circles away from the clinch attempt

so Elia counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Elia drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Shifflett manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Elia has Shifflett in his guard.
Shifflett sitting in guard here, content to control.
Shifflett has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Elia is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Elia tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifflett trying to control the position from guard on top but Elia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shifflett won't allow Elia to sweep him here.
Shifflett tries to free his leg and advance position but Elia is retaining full guard.
Shifflett passes Elia's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Shifflett looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Elia is looking for a sweep. Shifflett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shifflett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Elia keeps working.

Elia looking for submissions off his back.
Elia tries to get to full guard but Shifflett has control of the leg.
Shifflett is controlling the pace.
Elia is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shifflett scores with a couple of nice shots.

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.
Shifflett is keen to just control but Elia is a slippery customer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Shifflett darts in trying to clinch
and Elia counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shifflett thinking.
Shifflett lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Elia throws a good cross that connects.
Elia walks into a straight right hand from Shifflett.
Shifflett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shifflett slips under a jab.
Shifflett slips under a jab from Elia.
Shifflett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

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

Elia drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Shifflett manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Elia has Shifflett in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elia looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shifflett lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shifflett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Elia looking for a guillotine here but Shifflett defends easily.

Shifflett stands up and waves to Elia to follow him.

Shifflett fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Elia, pushing him back against the cage.

Shifflett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shifflett tries to clinch up
and Shifflett takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shifflett wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ray Shifflett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shifflett throws a right hand that Elia ducks under and follows up with a left that Elia also avoids with ease.

Elia closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Elia has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Elia goes for an armbar but Shifflett turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Shifflett.
Elia throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Shifflett advances position into side control!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shifflett works to advance to full mount. Elia defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Elia is in all sorts of trouble here.
Shifflett landing shots from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Johan Elia.
I think Elia has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 46:49
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 46:49
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johan Elia!