PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mavlet Batirov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batirov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Louna-Armageddon. Nick Shields will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Batirov
vs
Shields

158 cm
26
150 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
19
157 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mavlet Batirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nick Shields!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Dean Styles and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Batirov scores a takedown into full mount!
Shields is trying to escape the mount.

Batirov stands up from mount. Strange move.

Shields gets caught flat footed, as Batirov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Shields wants to sweep here but Batirov controlling him for the moment.

Shields working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Batirov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Batirov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Batirov wants to stand but Shields has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Shields looking for subs off his back but Batirov has passed one foot through into half guard.
Shields is looking for a sweep. Batirov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batirov tries to stand and escape but Shields is controlling the position.
Shields manages to get to full guard.
Batirov wants to stand but Shields has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Shields is working an open guard so Batirov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Shields checks the leg kick.
Batirov checks a leg kick.
Shields throws a front kick aimed at Batirov's knee but Batirov avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Shields misses the target.
Shields lands a body shot.
Shields shoots in and drives through. Batirov sprawls well.

Batirov closes the distance and clinches.
Batirov slows down the pace here.

Shields jumps guard.

Batirov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shields throws a jab when Batirov was well out of range.
Batirov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shields is out of range.
Shields throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Batirov feints a jab promting Shields to slip. Batirov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Shields slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Shields takes a swing at Batirov's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batirov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shields swivels and escapes.
Shields throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shields throws a leg kick but Batirov moved away.
Batirov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shields fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Batirov pushes Shields up against the cage in a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Batirov as the two fighters clinch.

Batirov has picked Shields up - he's going for a ride! Batirov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Shields is looking for a sweep. Batirov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shields moves into full guard.
Batirov wants to stand and escape but instead Shields has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Batirov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields advances position into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shields goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Batirov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Shields but great work by Batirov.
Shields gets back to half guard.
Shields regains full guard. Nicely done.
Shields lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shields is on top in guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shields pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Batirov is keeping the position for now.
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 Mavlet Batirov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shields misses with a hook.
Shields ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Batirov moves away.
Batirov fails with the takedown
and Shields counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Batirov avoids the body shot from Shields.
Shields ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Batirov moves away.
Shields throws the left hand but Batirov avoids the punch easily.
Batirov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shields.

Batirov scores with a takedown into Shields's guard.
Batirov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Shields is proving hard to escape from.

Shields looking for a guillotine here but Batirov defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Batirov gets to his feet. Shields looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A telegraphed right hand from Shields misses the target.
Shields's jab looks to have found its range, popping Batirov under the eye.
Shields swings for the body but Batirov moves out of range.

Batirov has Shields up against the cage in a clinch.
Shields is trying to pull guard but Batirov has him pressed against the cage.

Batirov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
It looks like Batirov is going to stand back up.
Shields moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields is looking to sweep but instead, Batirov has passed into half guard.
Shields slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shields bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Batirov's guard.
Shields looking to pass the guard.
Batirov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shields looking to pass the guard.
Batirov keeping moving, preventing Shields from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batirov keeping full guard, as Shields tries to pass.
Shields postures up in Batirov's guard and throws a big left but Batirov blocks it.
Shields throws a strike but Batirov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Shields is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Shields is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Shields pushes a forearm under Batirov's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Batirov is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nick Shields!
Our winner, Nick Shields, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.