PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between LaVern Shirley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ted Mosby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mosby has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shirley
vs
Mosby

170 cm
27
160 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

190 cm
24
165 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry
Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags-$8 or less & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, LaVern Shirley!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ted Mosby!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Franklyn Lucas and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mosby lands a nice looking body shot.
A lazy left from Shirley finds it's target.
Mosby slips a straight right by Shirley.
Shirley tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mosby throws a body punch but Shirley moves out of range.
Shirley throws a nice looking combination but Mosby bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shirley misses with a head kick.
Mosby takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Shirley tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Mosby is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shirley tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mosby sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shirley somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirley tries to clinch up.

Shirley shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mosby napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shirley trying to control the action but Mosby is working from the bottom.
Check out the look on Shirley's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The referee asks Shirley politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Shirley prefers to stall for the moment though.
Shirley is looking to take a break and control but Mosby is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Shirley looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirley trying to control the position but Mosby is working away.
Mosby prevents Shirley from moving into mount.
Mosby parries the strikes from Shirley easily there. Shirley is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Mosby to escape.
Shirley trying to control the position but Mosby is working away.

Shirley is trying to get an arm triangle but Mosby is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirley trying to control the action but Mosby is working from the bottom.
Mosby is looking for a sweep.
Shirley is looking to take a break and control but Mosby is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mosby is working to avoid the ground and pound but Shirley connects with a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirley throwing strikes but Mosby manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Shirley is trying to improve his position.
Shirley can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shirley is looking to regain half guard here but Mosby keeps moving and retains side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaVern Shirley dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shirley swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Mosby counter with a right hand.
Shirley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shirley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mosby.
Shirley throws a push kick but Mosby slaps the foot to one side.
Shirley fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mosby looks to score with a jab to the body but Shirley is just out of range.
Mosby throws a right hand that misses
and Shirley counters with a series of strikes. Mosby will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mosby slips a jab from Shirley.
Shirley throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mosby keeps the fight on the outside.
Shirley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mosby sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LaVern Shirley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shirley throws a body punch but Mosby moves out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shirley is defended easily by Mosby.
Shirley misses with a two punch combination.
Shirley moves in looking to clinch but Mosby pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirley lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Shirley tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mosby swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shirley lands a nice looking body kick.
LaVern Shirley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shirley instigates a clinch.

Mosby breaks the clinch.
Shirley walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mosby checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Shirley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mosby sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mosby pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mosby takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shirley lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shirley throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mosby displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shirley.
Shirley tries to bum rush Mosby with a series of wild strikes but Mosby uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shirley jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shirley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mosby swivels and escapes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mosby looks to land a left hand but Shirley moved out of range nicely.
Horrible takedown by Shirley or perhaps it was just good defense by Mosby which made him look bad.
Mosby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shirley moves away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shirley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mosby.
Nice defenses there by Mosby.
Shirley swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaVern Shirley dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shirley pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mosby tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shirley was well out of range. Poor timing from Mosby.
Shirley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mosby avoids it really well and circles away.
Shirley shoots in looking for a takedown but Mosby manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shirley's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mosby pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Shirley does no damage.
Shirley tries for a takedown but Mosby sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LaVern Shirley. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shirley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
LaVern Shirley is winning the standup battle so far.
Shirley shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mosby defends it nicely.
Mosby throws a looping overhand right but Shirley ducks down to avoid it.
Shirley tries to clinch but Mosby moves away
and Mosby counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirley misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shirley throws the kick towards the body but Mosby avoids it.
Shirley throws a head kick that Mosby semi-blocks.
Shirley ducks under a wild hook from Mosby.
Shirley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shirley swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shirley, right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirley throws a right hand that Mosby ducks under and follows up with a left that Mosby also avoids with ease.
Mosby waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shirley.
Shirley loads up on a big right hand but Mosby slips the punch.
Shirley tries to clinch up.
Shirley throws a low kick but Mosby avoids it.
Shirley closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mosby counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shirley bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Shirley looking to control but instead Mosby has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Shirley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shirley wants to take a breather but Mosby is having none of it.

Shirley seems to be looking for submissions.

Shirley is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Shirley is nestled in close to Mosby, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaVern Shirley clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shirley moves in looking to clinch but Mosby pushes him off.
Shirley throws a sloppy head kick and Mosby moves out of range easily.
Shirley throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mosby thows a body shot but no joy.
Shirley misses with a hook
and Mosby connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shirley throws an overhand right that lands on Mosby's shoulder, as Mosby tries to avoid the shot.
Shirley lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sloppy strikes from Shirley. Those never looked like landing.
LaVern Shirley is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirley misses with a low kick as Mosby jumps back.
Shirley moves out of range of the strikes.
Shirley misses with a looping right.
Shirley with a jab.
Ted Mosby is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mosby throws a hook but Shirley avoids it easily.
Mosby ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mosby is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Shirley throws a body punch but Mosby moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirley tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mosby paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mosby avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Mosby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shirley moves away.
Sloppy strikes from Shirley. Those never looked like landing.
Shirley misses with a body kick.
Shirley moves in looking to clinch but Mosby pushes him off.
Shirley misses with a body shot.
No luck for Shirley with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Mosby gets caught flat footed, as Shirley shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Shirley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shirley tries to free his leg and advance position but Mosby is retaining full guard.
Shirley wants to control from the top but Mosby keeps moving.
Shirley passes into half guard.

Shirley is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mosby defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirley tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mosby knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Shirley seems to be looking for submissions.

Shirley is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mosby is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LaVern Shirley had his way with Ted Mosby in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Shirley tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Mosby to counter with a crisp jab.
Shirley throws a head kick that misses.
Mosby blocks a head kick by Shirley.
Shirley tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mosby stuffs the takedown attempt from Shirley. Shirley gets slowly back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from Shirley.
Shirley tries to land a front kick but Mosby steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirley misses with a looping left.
Shirley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mosby sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mosby uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Mosby is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Shirley swings widly with a right hand
and Mosby counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shirley thinking.
Shirley dodges the punch combination from Mosby.
Shirley is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mosby sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
LaVern Shirley is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for LaVern Shirley. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shirley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shirley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shirley misses with a few strikes there.
Shirley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mosby moves away.

Shirley drives through with a takedown into Mosby's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirley forces his way into half guard.
Shirley controlling the pace.
Shirley throwing shots but Mosby is blocking nicely.
Mosby tries to get to full guard but Shirley has control of the leg.
Shirley content to control rather than advance.
Mosby is staying active underneath Shirley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirley is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

LaVern Shirley has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Shirley shoots for a takedown but Mosby saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ted Mosby has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shirley swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Mosby. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mosby.
Shirley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mosby avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shirley waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mosby.

And that's the end of the fight!
LaVern Shirley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shirley has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 50:45
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 50:45
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... LaVern Shirley!
LaVern Shirley retains his lightweight title!