PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rustly Shackleford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Cristos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cristos has chosen Cypress Hill - Hand on the Pump as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Martin Cristos was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Shackleford
vs
Cristos

184 cm
24
180 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

178 cm
32
180 lbs
19 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rustly Shackleford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Martin Cristos!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Shackleford misses the target.
Cristos tries a low kick but Shackleford avoids it.
Shackleford ducks under a wild hook from Cristos.
Shackleford ducks under a wild hook from Cristos.
Cristos dodges the punch combination from Shackleford.
Shackleford avoids a punch combination nicely.
Martin Cristos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shackleford checks a leg kick.
Shackleford fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Shackleford fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

It looks like Martin Cristos has been cut.
Shackleford takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Shackleford throws a series of punches but Cristos avoids them all with ease.
Cristos is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shackleford wants to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cristos. Shackleford does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shackleford swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A good leg kick by Cristos.
Shackleford tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shackleford throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice body punch from Cristos.
Cristos throws a low kick, looking for Shackleford's leg but Shackleford calmly moves out of range.
Shackleford throws a half hearted mid kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cristos. Shackleford does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shackleford swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cristos thuds a left hand into Shackleford's body.
Shackleford moves in looking to clinch but Cristos pushes him off.
Cristos throws a body punch but Shackleford moves out of range.
A punch combination from Cristos misses.
Cristos lands a nice shot that snaps Shackleford's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cristos ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Shackleford takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shackleford tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cristos is able to avoid easily.
Cristos misses with a two punch combination.
Some wild striking there from Cristos.
Cristos throws a hook to the side of Shackleford's head but Shackleford sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shackleford thows a leg kick but Cristos checks it
and Cristos counters with a nice uppercut.
Cristos takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Shackleford lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Shackleford takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Cristos fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Shackleford on the side of the head.
Cristos looks to throw the jab but Shackleford is out of range.
Shackleford gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Shackleford scores with a jab to the jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Shackleford misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cristos swings for the body but Shackleford moves out of range.
Cristos lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cristos chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shackleford can pounce on him.
Shackleford connects with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cristos. Shackleford does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cristos misses with a looping right.
Shackleford thuds his right hand into Cristos's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cristos throws a head kick but Shackleford moves out of range.
Cristos scores with a punch to the head.
Shackleford ducks under a wild hook from Cristos.
Shackleford throws a hook but Cristos avoids it easily.
Shackleford ducks under a wild hook from Cristos.
Cristos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shackleford.
Cristos throws a right and a left that Shackleford avoids nicely.
Shackleford slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cristos lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
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!
Shackleford thows a left - swing and a miss!
A jab from Shackleford misses.
Cristos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shackleford.
Shackleford slips under a jab from Cristos.
Shackleford swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cristos.
Cristos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shackleford throws a low kick, looking for Cristos's leg but Cristos calmly moves out of range.
Cristos lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Cristos lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Cristos lands with an overhand left.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Cristos closes the distance and clinches.
Knees to the body from Cristos.
Cristos looking to slow down the pace here.
Cristos lands with a short punch from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Cristos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Martin Cristos's cut.
That's time! Shackleford's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shackleford takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cristos scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A jab from Shackleford misses.
Cristos checks a leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cristos misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Shackleford fails to land.
Cristos misses with some punches.
Shackleford wants to get back to striking at distance but Cristos won't allow it.
Cristos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Cristos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shackleford just misses with a punch to the body.
Shackleford throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shackleford bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cristos's head.
Shackleford throws a series of punches but Cristos avoids them all with ease.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cristos throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Martin Cristos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shackleford paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Shackleford throws a body punch but Cristos moves out of range.
Shackleford throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cristos scores with a punch to the head.
A combination from Shackleford does no damage.
Cristos is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shackleford.
Cristos scores with a hook to the body. Shackleford takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shackleford walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Shackleford tries to clinch there but Cristos circles away.
Cristos has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cristos drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
An inside leg kick lands from Cristos.
Shackleford throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cristos throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shackleford.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cristos tries to clinch up.
Cristos bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shackleford lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Shackleford has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Cristos.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cristos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cristos throws a head kick that misses.
Shackleford connects with a right hand. Cristos shakes it off.
Cristos tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shackleford is looking to chop away at Cristos's legs.

Cristos has Shackleford up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Cristos on the inside.
Cristos misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cristos tries to throw a body punch but Shackleford avoids it by throwing Cristos back against the cage.
Shackleford tries to stall but Cristos uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cristos lands with a right to the head.
Shackleford is working for takedown but Cristos is calmly controlling the position for now.
Shackleford's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cristos presses Shackleford against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cristos's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cristos throws a punch but it's blocked by Shackleford.
Still in the clinch, Shackleford scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shackleford is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cristos is defending well.
Cristos makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cristos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cristos prevents a body shot from Shackleford.
Shackleford swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Cristos.
Cristos misses with some punches.
Shackleford blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cristos stalling.
Shackleford misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Shackleford.
Cristos lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cristos throws a knee to the head but misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cristos misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shackleford tries to break free but Cristos pushes him back against the cage.
Cristos digs a right hand into Shackleford's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shackleford's gas tank.
A shot in the inside from Cristos.
Cristos leaning his opponent against the cage.
Cristos lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shackleford backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shackleford as Cristos tries to tie him up.
Shackleford working aggressively here.
Cristos tries to work over Shackleford's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A knee to the head by Cristos.
Martin Cristos seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shackleford is trying to force a seperation but Cristos has the dominant position.
Cristos on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Cristos misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Cristos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Martin Cristos's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Cristos tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A left and a right from Cristos both land. Nice combination.
Shackleford fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cristos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shackleford was well out of range. Poor timing from Cristos.
Cristos tries to clinch but Shackleford moves out of range.
Shackleford misses with the combination.
Shackleford tries to clinch up.
Cristos misses with a body punch
and Shackleford counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cristos thinking.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Cristos in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Cristos ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nice jab there from Shackleford.
Shackleford uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cristos.
Cristos swinging wildly here.
Shackleford tries to bum rush Cristos with a series of wild strikes but Cristos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cristos misses with a wild body shot.
Cristos lands a leg kick that knocks Shackleford off balance momentarily.
Cristos bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Shackleford's head backwards.
Shackleford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cristos lands a lovely overhand right.
Cristos misses with a head kick.
Cristos throws a chopping leg kick but Shackleford manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Shackleford takes a swing at Cristos's ribcage but misses.
Shackleford bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shackleford lands with an uppercut that bounces Cristos off the cage and back into range.
Cristos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cristos lands a jab to Shackleford's midsection.
Cristos looks to land a left hand but Shackleford moved out of range nicely.
Cristos thows a leg kick but Shackleford checks it
and Shackleford counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice inside leg kick there by Cristos. That's going to slow Shackleford down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shackleford tries to bum rush Cristos with a series of wild strikes but Cristos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shackleford fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shackleford thows a body shot but no joy.
Shackleford tries to land a leg kick but Cristos saw it coming and moves away.
Cristos is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shackleford.
Cristos throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shackleford stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cristos misses with a head kick.
Cristos scores with a three punch combo!
Shackleford fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cristos looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cristos scoring well with a low kick there.
Cristos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shackleford was well out of range. Poor timing from Cristos.

Cristos clinches up with Shackleford and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shackleford tries to pull guard but Cristos holds him up against the cage and eventually Shackleford drops back down to his feet.
Cristos throws a punch but it's blocked by Shackleford.
Cristos lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shackleford backwards.
Shackleford blocks the elbow strike.
Cristos is looking to break free of the clinch but Shackleford has double underhooks.
Shackleford scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cristos misses with a punch on the inside.
Cristos wants to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shackleford.
Cristos just leaning against Shackleford, taking a breather.
Cristos trying to control the position but instead, Shackleford has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cristos into the cage.
Cristos keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shackleford's efforts to push away.
Cristos scores a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Cristos on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cristos.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cristos goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Martin Cristos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cristos swings wildly with an uppercut but Shackleford uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shackleford controlling the action here for a moment.
Shackleford tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cristos just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shackleford takes an elbow to the forehead.
A short body shot lands from Cristos as the two fighters clinch.
Rustly Shackleford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shackleford tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cristos just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustly Shackleford. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cristos lands with a left to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Cristos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cristos has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Cristos!
After winning the bout, Martin Cristos thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.