PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Carwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergiou Figu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shane Carwin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Carwin
vs
Figu

190 cm
23
290 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

195 cm
20
280 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shane Carwin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergiou Figu!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Aafke Stam and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carwin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Figu.
Carwin misses with a takedown
and Figu counters with a one-two to the body.

Figu scores a takedown into full mount!
Figu has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Carwin's face.
Figu working Carwin over with strikes here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Figu landing strikes, looking to finish!
Carwin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Figu is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Carwin is trying desperately to improve position.
Carwin is working hard here to advance position.
Carwin wants to control but Figu is having none of it.
Figu raining down shots from the mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carwin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Figu scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The referee warns Carwin that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Carwin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Figu scores with a couple of good head shots there.
A nice elbow there by Figu.
Figu dominating with strikes here.
Carwin gets back to half guard.
Carwin wants to improve his position but Figu is controlling well.
Figu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Figu is taking a breather. Carwin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Figu is looking to take a break and control but Carwin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figu might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Carwin kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Carwin wants to improve his position but Figu is controlling well.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Figu content to control rather than advance.

Sergiou Figu has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Carwin looks to clinch

and Figu counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Carwin's guard now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Figu lands a couple of elbows.
Figu throwing strikes from guard but Carwin blocks nicely.
Carwin controls Figu momentarily but Figu frees himself.
Figu wants to control from the top but Carwin keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Figu looking to sit in guard and control but Carwin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figu is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Carwin dives into side control.
Figu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Figu pushes Carwin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Carwin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Carwin looks up at the clock and then as Figu takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Carwin smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Carwin working the strikes but Figu uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Figu is looking to escape.
Carwin trying to control the action but Figu is working from the bottom.
Carwin is pressing down on Figu's thigh, looking to free his foot. Figu is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Carwin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Figu is just riding it out for now. Carwin eventually gives up the hold.
Carwin perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Figu is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Carwin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Carwin's back!
Figu scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Carwin trying to control the hands but Figu won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiou Figu 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.

Carwin misses with a takedown attempt

and Figu counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Carwin!
Carwin is looking to improve his position but Figu isn't that keen on the idea.

Figu working for a submission but Carwin is keeping him at bay.
Carwin is bucking up trying to escape but Figu cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Figu scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Carwin?
Figu wants to control the pace but Carwin is squirming around nicely.
Figu landing punches.
Carwin takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Carwin is bucking up trying to escape but Figu cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Figu dominating with strikes here.
Carwin tries to hold on but Figu pushes him away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figu working Carwin over with strikes here.
Carwin is squirming around, avoiding Figu's attempts to control the action.
Figu fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Figu with a couple of short strikes.

Carwin is rocked!
Figu lands a big elbow.
Oh Carwin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Figu content just to control the position here.
Carwin seems to have got his legs back now.
A nice elbow there by Figu.
Figu punishing his opponent with strikes.

Figu goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Carwin turns into him and now he's in Figu's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Figu can do anything to dispel that myth.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Figu is trying to control the position but Carwin postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carwin looking to sit in guard and control but Figu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Figu controlling from the top position.

Carwin has his foot on Figu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Figu works his way back into a safe position though.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Figu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Figu trying to control the position from guard on top but Carwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Figu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figu looking to sit in guard and control but Carwin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Figu controlling Carwin's posture.
Carwin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Carwin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Figu pulls Carwin in close to prevent any damage.

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.
Carwin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Figu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Carwin postures up in Figu's guard and throws a big left but Figu blocks it.
Carwin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Carwin pushing down on Figu's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carwin thows a huge punch but Figu dodges it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carwin stalling away here and it's allowed Figu to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Carwin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiou Figu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Figu has a takedown stuffed.

Figu gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Carwin wants a takedown.
Figu tries to score a body lock takedown but Carwin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Figu stops a takedown attempt from Carwin.
Figu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Carwin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shane Carwin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergiou Figu.

Carwin drags the fight down to the ground.

Figu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Figu thows a big elbow that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Figu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Figu advances position into side control!
Figu scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figu scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sergiou Figu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Figu working the head with strikes.
Figu working away.
Figu scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Carwin to see if he's OK.

Figu tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Figu wants to control but Carwin is keeping him busy.
Carwin struggling a bit here.
Carwin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Figu is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Figu lands a few punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carwin is looking for a sweep.
Figu working the body and head with strikes.
Figu looks up at the clock and then as Carwin takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Figu smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Figu works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Figu works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Figu lands some shots froms side control.

Figu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Figu works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Figu trying to control the position but Carwin is working away.
Carwin is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figu working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Carwin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Figu is working for a submission of some sort.
Carwin wants to get back to his feet.
Carwin is staying active underneath Figu, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Figu keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Carwin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Figu scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Figu lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Carwin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Figu winds up and cracks Carwin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
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. Figu connects with a nice short shot to Carwin's temple.
Nice strikes from Figu there.
Figu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Figu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Figu scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Carwin is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Figu there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Figu is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Figu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiou Figu really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Figu fails with the takedown
and Carwin counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Carwin as Figu shoots in.
Figu fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shane Carwin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergiou Figu.
Carwin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Figu counters with a single leg into guard. Carwin didn't expect that.
Figu connects with a couple of short punches.
Carwin has Figu pulled in close to control his posture.
Figu preventing the sweep.
Figu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carwin is keeping the position for now.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Figu stops Carwin from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carwin looking to control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shane Carwin wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Carwin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Figu to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Carwin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Figu gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Figu is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Figu with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Figu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Figu looking to pass the guard.
Figu trying to control the position from guard on top but Carwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carwin 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Figu is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Figu is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Figu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Figu working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Carwin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Figu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Figu lands a couple of digs.
Carwin trying to control the position.
Carwin wants to sweep here but Figu controlling him for the moment.
Figu wants to control from the top but Carwin keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Figu trying to control the position from guard on top but Carwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Carwin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Figu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Figu controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Figu cracks Carwin with a solid left hand.
Figu passes Carwin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Figu is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figu is pressing down on Carwin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Carwin is holding on for now.
Carwin is trying to control but can't.
Figu trying to control from half guard but Carwin is working away.
Figu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Figu is looking to advance position but Carwin won't allow it.
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. Figu connects with a nice short shot to Carwin's temple.
Figu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Carwin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Carwin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Figu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Carwin taking some punishment here, with Figu in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergiou Figu dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Carwin tries for a takedown but Figu circles away easily

and Figu counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Figu.
Figu with a nice head shot there.
Carwin working a defensive guard here.
Figu is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Figu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Figu avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Figu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Figu scoring with some ground and pound.
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.
Figu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figu wants to control from the top but Carwin keeps moving.
Figu postures up.
Figu landing with the ground and pound.
Figu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Carwin keeping moving, preventing Figu from controlling successfully.
Figu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Figu lands a couple of digs.
Carwin working a defensive guard here.
Figu chips away with some ground and pound.
Carwin wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carwin keeping moving, preventing Figu from controlling successfully.
Figu working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Carwin's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Figu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Carwin keeping moving, preventing Figu from controlling successfully.
Figu slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Carwin takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Figu grinds an elbow into Carwin's temple.
Carwin is trying to control Figu's posture but Figu avoids it.
Figu working the body and head with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carwin is looking to regain half guard here but Figu keeps moving and retains side control.
Figu controlling the position from side mount.
Figu is looking to take a break and control but Carwin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shane Carwin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Figu lands some shots froms side control.
Figu is working Carwin over with some ground and pound from side control.
Figu trying to control the action but Carwin is working from the bottom.
Carwin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Figu stalling away here and it's allowed Carwin to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Figu works over Carwin with some ground and pound from guard.
Figu stopping the sweep attempt from Carwin.
Figu trying to control the position from guard on top but Carwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Figu working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Figu working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Carwin's head.
Figu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Carwin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Figu defends well.

Carwin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Figu defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergiou Figu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Figu has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 45:50
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 45:50
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergiou Figu!
Sergiou Figu is the new super heavyweight champion!