PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Verson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and LaVern Shirley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Verson
vs
Shirley

173 cm
27
150 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

170 cm
30
152 lbs
17 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry
Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry

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 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodrigo Verson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, LaVern Shirley!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirley wants to clinch

and Verson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Verson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shirley dives on top into guard.

Verson is looking for a triangle but Shirley pushes his legs off easily.

Verson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shirley passes into side control.
Verson is looking for a sweep.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Verson is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Shirley is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Verson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Verson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Verson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verson wants to get back to full guard but Shirley has mounted him!
Verson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shirley moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Verson.
Verson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Verson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verson actively working from the bottom here.
Shirley takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shirley pulls his head out easily.

Verson actively working from the bottom here.
Verson gets back to full guard.

Verson throws his legs up looking for a submission but Shirley uses it to pass to side control.
Verson manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shirley pulls his head out easily.
Shirley is looking to take a break and control but Verson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Verson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Verson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shirley advances to half guard.
Verson wants to get back to full guard but Shirley has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Verson dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shirley closes the distance and pushes Verson back into the cage.

Verson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Verson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Verson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shirley dives on top into guard.

Verson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shirley passes into side control.
Shirley trying to control the position but Verson is working away.
Verson is looking to regain half guard here but Shirley keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verson sneaks back into half guard.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shirley pulls his head out easily.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shirley pulls his head out easily.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirley has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Shirley takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Verson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Shirley controlling his opponent.
Verson is desperately trying to improve his position but Shirley has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Verson has gone for a leg lock! Shirley slips out almost immediately though and dives into Verson's guard.

Verson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Shirley is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Verson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shirley's best efforts.
Shirley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Verson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Verson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Verson.

Verson has an active guard here but Shirley has managed to pass into half guard.
Rodrigo Verson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shirley is looking to take a break and control but Verson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Verson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Shirley has managed to clinch.

Verson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shirley manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Verson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Shirley is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Shirley has escaped and now he's on top!
Verson keeping full guard, as Shirley tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirley is looking to take a break and control but Verson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Verson is looking to reverse the position.
Verson tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Shirley presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Shirley prevents Verson from getting the reversal.
LaVern Shirley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rodrigo Verson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Verson working to try and regain half guard.
Verson tries to hold on but Shirley postures up.
Verson is looking to improve his position but Shirley isn't that keen on the idea.
Shirley trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shirley controlling his opponent.
Verson bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verson trying to control but Shirley is working from the bottom.
Verson looking to sit in guard and control but Shirley gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Verson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirley trying to control but Verson is working from the bottom.
Verson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shirley postures up in Verson's guard and throws a big left but Verson blocks it.
Verson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shirley trying to control the position from guard on top but Verson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

We're going to have a standup here because Rodrigo Verson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Shirley tries to clinch there but Verson circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rodrigo Verson.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Verson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodrigo Verson!
Rodrigo Verson seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.