PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mario Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Shango (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rua comes into the arena with Metallica- Loverman blaring out of the sound system. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Rua
vs
Shango

183 cm
27
196 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

174 cm
25
195 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Charlie Wang's Nutrition and Laundry
Charlie Wang's Nutrition and Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Mario Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, David Shango!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Andrew Berry and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shango misses with a left hand
and Rua counters with a straight right hand.
Shango lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rua circles away quickly and effectively.
Rua tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shango paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shango waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rua.
Shango misses with a double jab
and Rua counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rua slips a jab and a cross from Shango.
Shango throws a series of punches but Rua avoids them all with ease.
Shango swings widly with a right hand
and Rua counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Rua fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shango, pushing him back against the cage.
Shango lands a body shot.
Shango pushes Rua back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shango takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shango lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shango scores with a hook to the body.
Rua keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shango's efforts to push away.
Rua is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shango is defending well for now.

Shango's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rua moves forwards but Shango connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Shango misses with a lunging right hand

and Rua counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rua.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shango lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shango lands with a light punch inside.
Shango presses Rua against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shango lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shango is trying to break the clinch but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rua pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shango lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rua backwards.
Rua looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A shot in the inside from Rua.
Shango taking a breather.
Shango working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rua stalling in the clinch.
Rua lands a damaging elbow.
Shango pushes Rua back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rua lands an elbow inside.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rua tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rua misses with an elbow over the top.
Shango misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rua scores with a knee to the head.
Shango digs a right hand into Rua's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rua's gas tank.
Shango content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shango taking a breather.
Shango is pushing Rua up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Shango lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shango's defenses.
Nice elbow from Rua.

Shango's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shango loads up on a big right hand but Rua slips the punch.
Shango moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Rua scores with a jab. Shango acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shango lands a left hand that snaps the head of Rua backwards.

Shango escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shango misses with a shot to the body
and Rua counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rua doesn't manage to clinch there - Shango circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Shango!
Shango throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rua counters with a nice body kick.
Shango connects with a nice looking jab.
Rua takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rua looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rua looks to score with a jab to the body but Shango is just out of range.
Shango is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shango misses with an uppercut

and Rua counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shango has had enough of the clinch but Rua keeps him there for the moment.
Shango trying to control the position but instead, Rua has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shango into the cage.
Shango wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Shango is looking to break free of the clinch but Rua has double underhooks.
Shango is trying to break the clinch but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua throws a knee to the head but misses.

Shango pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shango misses with a right hand
and Rua counters with a nice kick to the body.
Shango throws a right hand that misses
and Shango takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shango 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.
Shango throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Rua counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rua is looking to control Shango's arms but Shango gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rua has his back to the cage.
Shango fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Shango takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nice body punch from Shango - that landed with a thud.
Rua connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shango's face.
Shango lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rua stalling in the clinch.
Shango wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rua has him pressed against the cage.
Rua manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Shango looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shango's defenses.
Rua landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Shango is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shango tries to throw a body punch but Rua avoids it by throwing Shango back against the cage.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shango's defenses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shango scores with a shoulder strike.
Shango misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shango blocks the elbow strike.
Shango dodges an elbow strike from Rua.
Rua throws an elbow that misses.
Nice elbow from Rua.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A hook to the body from Shango.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Shango dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shango misses with a combination
and Rua counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shango misses with a hook
and Rua counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rua walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Shango lands a really nice looking cross but Rua seems unphased.
David Shango seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shango misses with a jab, cross combination.

Rua clinches up against the cage.
Rua lands an elbow inside.
Shango wants to stall.
Shango misses with the head strike.
A body shot lands from Shango.
Rua gets through Shango's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
David Shango seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shango avoids it.
Rua keeps control of Shango as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rua lands an elbow inside that Shango shrugs off.
Shango blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shango scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rua lands an elbow that stopped Shango in his tracks for a moment.
Rua gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shango scores with a nice hook to the head.
Shango takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shango avoids a wild elbow strike from Rua.
Knees in the clinch landing for Rua.
Shango is breathing heavily.
Rua lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shango's defenses.
Shango scores with a shot to the side of Rua's head.
Shango looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shango wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rua displaying some good clinch control by pressing Shango up against the cage.
Shango scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rua looking to throw knees to the head but Shango is blocking nicely.
Shango dodges an elbow strike from Rua.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shango misses with some punches.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Shango throws a punch but it's blocked by Rua.
Shango has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shango pushes Rua back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rua tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shango avoids it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shango pushes Rua back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rua tries a knee to the head but Shango blocks it.
Rua misses with a knee to the head.
Shango is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A left hand lands to the body for Shango.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shango has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shango tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rua as Shango tries to tie him up.
Shango pushes Rua back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rua throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shango lands with a short shot to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Shango blocks an elbow strike from Rua.
Shango lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rua backwards.

Shango pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rua rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shango moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shango throws a nice looking combination but Rua bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shango uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rua.
Mario Rua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shango throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rua counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shango thinking.
Rua fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shango throws a series of punches but Rua moves out of range.
Rua steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shango.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shango circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shango throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rua counters with a nice uppercut.
Rua tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shango lands a slapping body shot.
Shango misses with a shot to the body
and Rua counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rua tries to clinch up.
Shango throws a jab when Rua was well out of range.
Shango misses with a left hand
and Rua makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shango rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rua counters with a two punch combo.
Rua wants to clinch.
Shango swings widly with a right hand
and Rua counters with a left to the body.
Rua throws a head kick but Shango moves out of range.
Rua takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shango misses the body punch
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
Rua lands with a kick to the temple. Shango shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rua lands a head kick!
David Shango seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rua throws a head kick that Shango semi-blocks.
Shango scores with a one two! Rua had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Shango will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Rua moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shango taking a breather.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shango lands a shoulder strike.
Rua is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rua is trying to maintain a safe position but Shango gets an underhook and turns Rua into the cage.
Rua lands an elbow just above Shango 's eye.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Shango manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mario Rua will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shango just misses with a punch to the body.
Shango misses with a double jab
letting Rua counter with a right hand.
Rua ducks right into an uppercut from Shango.
Nice shot by Shango.
Shango misses with a shot to the body
and Rua counters with a stiff right hand.
Shango throws a sloppy body shot
and Rua counters with a stiff right hand.
Shango misses with a double jab.
A head kick misses from Rua.
Shango throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rua counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shango thinking.
Shango swats away the attempt to clinch by Rua.
Rua is looking to clinch but Shango is avoiding it.
Shango misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shango falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rua counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Shango takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shango keeps the fight on the outside.
Shango misses with a jab to the body
and Rua counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rua cracks Shango with a right hand to the side of the head.
Shango takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Shango throws a combination that misses
and Rua counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Shango misses with a shot to the body
and Rua counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Rua takes the fight into the clinch.
Rua lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like David Shango has been cut.
Rua throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shango blocks it with crossed arms.
Shango lands a right hand.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shango has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rua blocking some punches.
Shango is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shango misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rua blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rua looking to throw knees to the head but Shango is blocking nicely.
Rua lands an elbow just above Shango 's eye.
A short right from Rua on the inside.
Rua comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rua lands an elbow just above Shango 's eye.
Rua tries to stall but Shango uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Rua using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shango has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rua lands an elbow inside that Shango shrugs off.
Rua is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Shango wants to stall.
Rua looking to stall.
Rua crunches a lovely knee into Shango's ribcage.
Shango throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shango's defenses.

Shango breaks the clinch.
Shango is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rua.
Shango throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rua.
Shango takes a swing at Rua's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shango throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rua counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Shango is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Rua fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shango connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Shango throws a nice looking combination but Rua bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shango misses with a hook
and Rua counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rua lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Shango avoids the head kick by Rua.
A slow jab from Shango misses its intended target.
Rua lands a nice hook to Shango's body. Shango takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Rua closes the distance and clinches.
Shango is trying to stall.
Rua working Shango over with knees to the body.
Rua misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shango.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rua.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rua misses with an elbow strike.
Shango lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rua.
Shango working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Shango's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rua creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shango's defenses.
Good body shot from Shango.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shango as Rua tries to tie him up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rua.
Shango takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rua stalling in the clinch but Shango improves position.
Rua just leaning against Shango, taking a breather.
A short right from Shango.
Rua blocking some punches.
Shango blocks an elbow strike from Rua.
A right handed body shot lands from Shango.
Shango misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shango.
A hook to the body from Rua.
Shango is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rua is keeping busy.
Shango taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shango takes an elbow to the temple.
Shango blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shango is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shango misses with the head strike.
Rua is trying to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Rua showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rua 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mario Rua!