PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cullen Castrello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeffery Shannon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Castrello comes to the cage accompanied by Jag ft Q6 - 848. Shannon is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Don't Tread On Me - Metallica. Jeffery Shannon has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Castrello
vs
Shannon

188 cm
21
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

AMPLIFY
:: Happy Pills ::

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Cullen Castrello!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jeffery Shannon!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shannon has a takedown stuffed.
Shannon doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Castrello counters with a solid body kick.
Shannon doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Castrello counters with a head kick that drops Shannon to the mat! Shannon scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Shannon is rocked!
Cullen Castrello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffery Shannon.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Castrello closes the distance and clinches.
Shannon is still on wobbly legs! Can Castrello finish him?
Castrello missing with knees to the body.
Castrello with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shannon seems to have recovered his senses.
Castrello pressing his opponent against the cage.
Castrello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shannon takes a knee right on the jaw!
Come on Castrello - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Castrello is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shannon has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Castrello putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Shannon in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Castrello misses with a knee strike.
Castrello tries to land knees in the clinch but Shannon avoids the damage to the body.
Castrello misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castrello is working Shannon over against the cage.
Castrello connects with a knee to the head.
Castrello tries to land knees in the clinch but Shannon avoids the damage to the body.
Shannon tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Castrello smiles and moves away.

Shannon closes the distance and pushes Castrello back into the cage.
Shannon wants to take the fight to the mat but Castrello manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shannon wants to get back to striking at distance but Castrello won't allow it.

Shannon manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Castrello stands up and waves to Shannon to follow him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shannon.
Shannon looks gassed!
Castrello fails with an attempt to clinch.
Castrello fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shannon throws a head kick but Castrello moves out of range.

Castrello lands a big head kick that sends Shannon tumbling to the mat! Castrello takes a step backwards and waves Shannon back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Castrello tries to clinch but Shannon is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castrello is looking to clinch but Shannon is avoiding it.
Shannon avoids the body shot from Castrello.
Shannon misses with a takedown attempt
and Castrello counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Shannon takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Castrello misses with a wild body shot.

Shannon pushes Castrello up against the cage in a clinch.
Castrello struggles to land a body shot inside as Shannon controls his hands.
Shannon tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Castrello smiles and moves away.
Castrello wants to clinch but Shannon slips to the side

and Shannon counters with a single leg into guard. Castrello didn't expect that.
Castrello knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shannon on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castrello is adopting a defensive guard.
Shannon stops Castrello from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrello looking for a sweep. Not yet Castrello, not yet.
Castrello lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shannon!
Castrello controlling his opponent.
Shannon keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Castrello stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cullen Castrello 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.

Castrello tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Shannon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Castrello takes the fight into the clinch.
Castrello using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shannon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Castrello stops a takedown attempt from Shannon.
Shannon drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Castrello looking to stall.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shannon is trying to force a seperation but Castrello has the dominant position.
Castrello with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shannon on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castrello lands a knee to the body.
Castrello misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shannon.
Castrello creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Castrello looking to throw knees to the head but Shannon is blocking nicely.
Castrello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shannon is defending well for now.
Castrello gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shannon.
Cullen Castrello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffery Shannon.
Castrello stalling in the clinch.
Castrello tries to land knees in the clinch but Shannon avoids the damage to the body.
Shannon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Castrello in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shannon drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Castrello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shannon is defending well for now.
Castrello misses with a knee to the head.
Castrello taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Castrello is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Castrello misses with a knee to the head.
Castrello throws a knee to the head but misses.
Castrello tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Castrello throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shannon blocks it with crossed arms.
Shannon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cullen Castrello has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castrello lands a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shannon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shannon throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Shannon lands a big head kick that sends Castrello tumbling to the mat! Shannon takes a step backwards and waves Castrello back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Castrello connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Shannon gets a double leg takedown into Castrello's guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Shannon pushes down on Castrello's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Shannon is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Shannon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Castrello keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shannon slips a nice elbow through Castrello's hands, connecting with Castrello's forehead.
Castrello is trying to control but can't.
Castrello is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shannon decides to return to a standing position.
Shannon looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shannon shoots in for a takedown but Castrello shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shannon fails to land with a series of punches.
Shannon swats away the attempt to clinch by Castrello.
Castrello wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeffery Shannon showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Castrello looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Castrello. Shannon does a little dance to reset his feet.

Castrello clinches up with Shannon and pushes him back against the cage.
Shannon avoiding damage as Castrello throws knees to the body.
Castrello scores with a knee to the head.
Castrello missing with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Castrello.
Castrello stops a takedown attempt from Shannon.

Shannon works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Shannon trying to control but Castrello is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shannon pushing down on Castrello's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Shannon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Castrello pushes Shannon off looking to stand but Shannon dives back in and keeps control.

Castrello has one foot on Shannon's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Shannon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Castrello tries to avoid it but Shannon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Castrello to the ground. Castrello escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Castrello is looking to wear down Shannon with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Castrello defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shannon.
Cullen Castrello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffery Shannon.
Castrello throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shannon shoots in for a takedown but Castrello shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Castrello jabs at Shannon's body.

Castrello fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shannon, pushing him back against the cage.
Castrello using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shannon has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castrello stalling in the clinch.
Castrello tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Castrello lands a damaging elbow.
Castrello tries to land knees in the clinch but Shannon avoids the damage to the body.
Castrello tries a knee to the head but Shannon blocks it.
Castrello leaning his opponent against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Castrello is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Shannon is keeping busy.
Shannon stalling against the cage.
Castrello trying to control the position but instead, Shannon has worked for underhooks and has pushed Castrello into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Castrello.

Shannon gets control of Castrello's arms and successfully pulls guard. Shannon will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Castrello gets to his feet - Shannon follows without any prompting.
Castrello tries to clinch but Shannon is having none of it.
Shannon lands a high kick!

Castrello rushes Shannon and presses him up against the cage.

Shannon has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Castrello uses from the top position.
Shannon has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrello tries to stand but Shannon is controlling from the bottom.
Shannon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jeffery Shannon hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Shannon digs a good hook to Castrello's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cullen Castrello clearly takes that round.
That's time! Castrello's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shannon fails to land the takedown.
Castrello tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Castrello tries to clinch there but Shannon circles away.
Shannon shoots in but Castrello avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shannon tries for a takedown but Castrello sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cullen Castrello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffery Shannon.
Shannon throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Castrello's waist but Castrello gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shannon off to one side.
Castrello tries to clinch there but Shannon circles away.
Castrello wants to clinch.
Castrello misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shannon is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castrello tries to clinch up.
Shannon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Castrello.
Shannon throws a big shot that misses.
Shannon misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Castrello tries to close the distance and clinch but Shannon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Castrello looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shannon pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Shannon moves into range and clinches up with Castrello.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castrello wants to stall.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Castrello obliges.
Castrello misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shannon.
Shannon tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Castrello softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Castrello lands a knee to the head.
Castrello is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Castrello missing with knees to the body.
Castrello is looking to control Shannon's arms but Shannon gets an underhook and turns him. Now Castrello has his back to the cage.
Shannon takes an elbow to the forehead.
Castrello misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shannon has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Castrello after a bit of a struggle.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Castrello using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Castrello misses with a knee to the head.
Shannon managing to block the knees to the body from Castrello.
Castrello misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shannon wants to take the fight to the mat but Castrello manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Castrello lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shannon is working for takedown but Castrello is calmly controlling the position for now.
Castrello misses with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrello throws an elbow but it misses.
Castrello lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shannon wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Castrello using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Castrello holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Castrello is looking to control Shannon's arms but Shannon gets an underhook and turns him. Now Castrello has his back to the cage.
Shannon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Shannon has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Castrello uses from the top position.

Castrello avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Castrello tries to stand but Shannon is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cullen Castrello had his way with Jeffery Shannon in that round.
That's time! Castrello's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Shannon closes the distance and clinches.
Castrello throws a punch but it's blocked by Shannon.
Castrello throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Castrello landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Shannon tries to pull guard but Castrello won't allow it.
Castrello scores a nice knee to the body.
Castrello working Shannon over with knees to the body.
Castrello leaning against his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castrello looking to throw knees to the head but Shannon is blocking nicely.
Castrello prevents Shannon from breaking the clinch.
Shannon is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Castrello misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castrello is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Shannon is keeping busy.
Castrello is pushing Shannon up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Castrello tries to land knees in the clinch but Shannon avoids the damage to the body.
Shannon wants a takedown.
Castrello looking to stall.
Castrello misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castrello prevents the takedown attempt.
Cullen Castrello has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeffery Shannon.
Castrello taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castrello scores with a knee to the head.
Castrello tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Castrello throws a knee to the head but misses.

Shannon breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shannon avoids the body shot from Castrello.
Castrello tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shannon paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Castrello takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Jeffery Shannon is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Castrello gets a clinch.
Castrello displaying some good clinch control by pressing Shannon up against the cage.
Castrello misses with an elbow over the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castrello is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Castrello trying to land knees to the body.
Shannon jumps guard but Castrello stands there with Shannon around his waist. Shannon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Castrello tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Shannon takes a knee right on the jaw!
Shannon can't get the takedown.
Shannon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shannon prevents a body shot from Castrello.
Castrello tries to land a knee to the head but Shannon blocks with his arms.
Cullen Castrello is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrello misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castrello taking a breather.
Shannon avoiding damage as Castrello throws knees to the body.
Castrello prevents the takedown attempt.
Castrello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shannon is defending well for now.
Shannon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Castrello tries to land knees in the clinch but Shannon avoids the damage to the body.
Castrello misses with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cullen Castrello showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Castrello 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 49:46
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 49:46
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cullen Castrello!
Cullen Castrello is the new light heavyweight champion!
Cullen Castrello tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.