PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nick Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Gallagher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gallagher has chosen Bloods & Crips - Steady Dippin as his entrance music. Frank Gallagher is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Shields
vs
Gallagher

170 cm
18
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Shields!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Gallagher!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jonathan Paton and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shields looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gallagher missing with a left hand there. Shields was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gallagher swings for the body but Shields moves out of range.
Shields swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gallagher connects with the punch.

Shields gets the takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Gallagher is trying to get back to half guard.
Gallagher sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Shields blocks the strikes from Gallagher.
Shields wants to control but Gallagher is keeping him busy.
Gallagher moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gallagher tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shields postures up in Gallagher's guard and throws a big left but Gallagher blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gallagher's guard.
Shields wants to pass to mount but Gallagher is defending the position.
Shields is keen to just control but Gallagher is a slippery customer.
Gallagher is looking for a sweep. Shields is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Shields is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gallagher is looking to improve his position.
Shields is taking a breather. Gallagher 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.
Shields wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gallagher keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher is looking to improve his position.
Gallagher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shields. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shields wants to control but Gallagher is keeping him busy.
Shields wants to pass to mount but Gallagher is defending the position.
Gallagher is controlling Shields's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Shields trying to control the action but Gallagher is working from the bottom.
Shields trying to pass the guard but Gallagher defending well.
Gallagher wants to get back to full guard.

Nick Shields has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Shields fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gallagher manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher throws a shot from downtown. Shields moves away and avoids it.
Gallagher waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shields.
Gallagher misses with a wild body shot.
Gallagher just misses with a punch to the body.

Shields shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shields showed some decent athleticism there.
Gallagher pushes Shields off but Shields dives into side control.
Gallagher looking for a sweep but Shields has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Gallagher working to try and regain half guard.
Shields throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Gallagher because Shields loaded up on that one.
Shields can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gallagher is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shields is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Gallagher has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Gallagher!
Shields looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shields is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gallagher trying to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shields preventing the sweep.
Gallagher manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shields manages to get himself to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nick Shields will probably get the nod.
That's time! Shields's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shields throws a looping overhand right but Gallagher ducks down to avoid it.
Gallagher lands with a cross.
Shields avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shields is looking to clinch but Gallagher is avoiding it.
Shields uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gallagher.
Gallagher looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Gallagher pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gallagher keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gallagher. Shields does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shields thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shields takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Gallagher decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Shields trying to hold on to Gallagher's head to control him but Gallagher postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields is staying active underneath Gallagher, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gallagher is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Gallagher controlling the pace.
Gallagher trying to pass the guard but Shields defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gallagher throwing shots but Shields is blocking nicely.
Gallagher throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Gallagher trying to control the action but Shields is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Frank Gallagher hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Gallagher connects with a body shot.
Gallagher scores with a jab to the jaw.

Gallagher bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Shields is trying to control Gallagher's posture but Gallagher avoids it.
Gallagher taking a breather here.
Frank Gallagher has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shields is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher throws a strike but Shields avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Shields is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Gallagher rolls with it to try and escape but Shields cranks on the arm and Gallagher is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nick Shields!
A victorious Nick Shields thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.