PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mac Avelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rusty Shackleford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shackleford has chosen The Godfather as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Avelli
vs
Shackleford

180 cm
25
184 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

184 cm
26
184 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Bushido Clothing
Bushido Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Mac Avelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Rusty Shackleford!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shackleford throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shackleford throws a left and a right that both miss
and Avelli counters with a series of strikes. Shackleford will be more careful next time no doubt.
Shackleford shoots in and drives through. Avelli sprawls well.
Avelli avoids the head kick by Shackleford.
Horrible takedown by Shackleford or perhaps it was just good defense by Avelli which made him look bad.
Shackleford misses with a leg kick.
Avelli throws a right and a left that Shackleford avoids nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shackleford is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Avelli.
Shackleford misses with a body shot.
Avelli tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Shackleford counters with a thumping low kick.
Shackleford keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avelli pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shackleford fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Avelli checks it well.
Avelli avoids the head kick by Shackleford.
Shackleford throws the left hand but Avelli avoids the punch easily.
A big left from Avelli misses.
Shackleford throws a lazy head kick
and Avelli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Shackleford jabs Avelli right on the nose. Avelli blinks but takes it well.
Avelli lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Shackleford backs up against the cage.
Shackleford throws a push kick but Avelli slaps the foot to one side.
Rusty Shackleford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shackleford misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Good shot there by Shackleford.
Avelli moves out of range of the body kick from Shackleford.
Shackleford scores with a jab to the jaw.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shackleford is defended easily by Avelli.
Mac Avelli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rusty Shackleford.
Avelli just misses with a punch to the body.
Shackleford is trying hard to land a takedown here. Avelli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice uppercut lands for Avelli. That snapped Shackleford's head back.

Shackleford shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avelli is desperately trying to improve his position but Shackleford has a good base and remains in mount.
Shackleford thowing shots but they're missing.
Shackleford is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Shackleford controlling from the full mount.
Avelli manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Shackleford wants to pass the guard but Avelli is defending well.
Avelli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Avelli wants to control but Shackleford is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Avelli knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shackleford on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shackleford missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Avelli tries to get to full guard but Shackleford has control of the leg.
Shackleford content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Shackleford thows a huge punch but Avelli dodges it nicely.
Shackleford tries to pass the half guard into mount. Avelli knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Shackleford thows a huge punch but Avelli dodges it nicely.
Avelli trying to control from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rusty Shackleford will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shackleford swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Avelli.
Shackleford throws a hook but Avelli avoids it easily.
Avelli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shackleford.
The fighters circling - Shackleford throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A punch combination from Avelli misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shackleford throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shackleford thows a body shot but no joy.
Jab, jab by Avelli - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shackleford.
Avelli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shackleford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Avelli avoids the head kick by Shackleford.
Shackleford swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shackleford throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Avelli misses with a wild combination.
Avelli scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Avelli.
Shackleford is looking to slow Avelli down with leg kicks.
Shackleford throws a hook to the side of Avelli's head but Avelli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shackleford throws a lazy uppercut
and Avelli counters with a left and a right that stings Shackleford.
Shackleford throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Avelli.
Avelli takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A bone on bone clash there as Avelli blocks the leg kick.
Avelli leaves Shackleford with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Avelli throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Avelli takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shackleford rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Avelli moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mac Avelli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shackleford throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shackleford scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A head kick misses from Shackleford.
Horrible takedown by Shackleford or perhaps it was just good defense by Avelli which made him look bad.
Mac Avelli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rusty Shackleford.
Shackleford misses with a head kick.
Shackleford shoots for a double leg takedown but Avelli sprawls well. He's pushed Shackleford's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

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.
Avelli swinging wildly here.
Shackleford misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Avelli throws a hook but Shackleford avoids it easily.
Shackleford cracks Avelli with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Shackleford misses with a low kick.
Avelli stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Avelli wants it to stay on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shackleford scores with a shot to the body.
Shackleford fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Avelli manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rusty Shackleford showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Shackleford misses with a body kick.
Shackleford throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Avelli's waist but Avelli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shackleford off to one side.
Shackleford misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Avelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick by Shackleford misses
and Avelli counters with a three punch combo that has Shackleford backing up. Shackleford nods at Avelli to acknowledge the strikes.
Shackleford fails to land the takedown.
Shackleford throws a head kick but Avelli moves out of range.
Avelli misses the jab.
Avelli falls off balance throwing a combination
and Shackleford counters with a head kick. That will keep Avelli thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shackleford, right into the meat.
Shackleford pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shackleford lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Shackleford swings widly with a right hand
and Avelli counters with a left and a right that stings Shackleford.
Shackleford fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Avelli has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shackleford tries to land a body kick

and Avelli counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Avelli doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Shackleford - that landed with a thud.
Shackleford prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shackleford is working Avelli over against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shackleford blocks an uppercut.
Shackleford lands an elbow that stopped Avelli in his tracks for a moment.
Avelli working aggressively here.
Shackleford misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shackleford cracks Avelli with a nice body shot.
Avelli has a couple of punches blocked by Shackleford.

Shackleford lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Shackleford prevents Avelli from improving his position.
Shackleford working over Avelli with some ground and pound. Avelli looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Avelli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shackleford.
Avelli is trying to control but can't.
Avelli wants to get back to full guard.
Shackleford wants to free his trapped foot but Avelli is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shackleford is looking to take a break and control but Avelli is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shackleford not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Avelli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shackleford has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Shackleford landing strikes from the mount.
Shackleford controlling the position easily from mount.
Avelli trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avelli is squirming around, avoiding Shackleford's attempts to control the action.
Shackleford avoids the attempt from Avelli to control.
Shackleford putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Avelli tries to hold on but Shackleford pushes him away.
Shackleford working the ground and pound effectively.
Shackleford has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Avelli's face.
Mac Avelli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shackleford has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shackleford trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shackleford landing strikes, looking to finish!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rusty Shackleford comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shackleford 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rusty Shackleford!