PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Echart Tolle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Shadow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tolle comes to the cage accompanied by Ask Eckhart. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tolle
vs
Shadow

180 cm
25
182 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Echart Tolle!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bill Shadow!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tolle is defended easily by Shadow.
Shadow lands with a nice body punch.
Tolle tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shadow swivels and escapes.
Shadow throws a poor cross that misses

so Tolle counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Tolle trying to control the position from guard on top but Shadow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shadow looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tolle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shadow swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shadow has his hands on Tolle's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolle passes Shadow's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Tolle wants to control but Shadow is keeping him busy.

Tolle is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Shadow is looking to escape.
Tolle content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Shadow won't allow Tolle to pass to mount.

Tolle is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shadow defends it well.
Tolle is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shadow is trying to get back to full guard.
Shadow trying to control but Tolle postures up.
Shadow is looking for a sweep. Tolle is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tolle wants to free his trapped foot but Shadow is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tolle is looking to take a break and control but Shadow is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tolle prevents Shadow from improving his position.
Tolle tries to pass to full mount but Shadow defends it.
Shadow has his hands clasped together around Tolle's back. He's all about the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow wants to get back to full guard.

Bill Shadow has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A swing and a miss from Tolle.
Tolle fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shadow avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Echart Tolle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shadow misses with a right hand
and Tolle counters with a stiff right hand.

Shadow takes the fight into the clinch.
Tolle is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolle jumps guard but Shadow turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Tolle letting Shadow take a breather here.
A nice left hand lands by Shadow.
Shadow lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Tolle backwards.
A short right from Shadow on the inside.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shadow is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Shadow misses with some punches.
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 Echart Tolle will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Tolle slips a jab and a cross from Shadow.
Shadow lands with a straight right. Tolle didn't see that one coming.
Tolle throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shadow's waist but Shadow gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tolle off to one side.
Tolle shoots in for a takedown but Shadow shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tolle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shadow manages to avoid it.
A big left from Tolle misses.
Shadow takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Tolle throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shadow's waist but Shadow gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tolle off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Echart Tolle. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolle avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tolle has a takedown stuffed.
Tolle moves away from the strike by Shadow.
Tolle will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shadow uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tolle.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Shadow manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tolle on his heels. He'll look to pass Tolle's guard now, I'm sure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shadow lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shadow working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shadow preventing the sweep.
Shadow content to stall in guard here.

Shadow got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tolle has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shadow has managed to get both his arms back between Tolle's legs - danger averted.
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!

Tolle looking for a guillotine here but Shadow defends easily.
Shadow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Echart Tolle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Tolle lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shadow!
Shadow keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Shadow wants to control but Tolle is having none of it.
Shadow blocking the ground and pound.

Tolle wants to finish this one by submission but Shadow is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Tolle.
Shadow gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow wants to improve his position but Tolle is controlling well.
Shadow manages to get to full guard.
Tolle stopping the sweep attempt from Shadow.
Shadow pulls Tolle in to control the position.
Tolle tries to free his leg and advance position but Shadow is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tolle drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tolle jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shadow seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tolle trying to control the position from guard on top but Shadow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Shadow 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.

Shadow misses with a looping left.
Jab from Shadow.
Tolle fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tolle tries to clinch up.
Tolle misses with a hook. Shadow ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tolle.
Shadow uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tolle.
Tolle slips under a jab.
Shadow thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tolle looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shadow is fending him off so far but Tolle persists. Nope, Shadow circles away and we're back to standing.
Shadow throws the left hand but Tolle avoids the punch easily.
Shadow throws a hook but Tolle blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tolle fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shadow, pushing him back against the cage.
Shadow lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Shadow gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Tolle regains guard.
Shadow throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Shadow avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tolle is trying to control the position but Shadow postures up.
Shadow throws an elbow that misses. Tolle uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shadow's guard. Nice move by Tolle!
Tolle wants to control from the top but Shadow keeps moving.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shadow is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shadow is pulling down on Tolle's head to control his posture.

Shadow is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tolle defends well.
Tolle throws a big elbow that misses.
Shadow keeping moving, preventing Tolle from controlling successfully.
Tolle stopping the sweep attempt from Shadow.
Tolle throwing strikes from guard but Shadow blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tolle is now in half guard.

Tolle is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shadow has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shadow preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Tolle is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tolle is trying to control the action in half guard but Shadow is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tolle keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Bill Shadow just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shadow lands a head shot.

Shadow has taken the fight to the clinch.
Tolle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shadow smiles and moves away.
Shadow throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shadow thows a body shot but no joy.
The fighters circling - Shadow throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Shadow.
Tolle walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Shadow throws a lazy uppercut
and Tolle counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tolle shoots in but Shadow avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Shadow rushes Tolle and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tolle successfully pulls guard.
Shadow trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tolle is trying to keep Shadow in close.
Tolle has a closed guard, preventing Shadow from standing up.
Tolle controls Shadow momentarily but Shadow frees himself.
Shadow trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bill Shadow was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Shadow throws a jab but it's blocked by Tolle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow misses with a series of wild punches.
Shadow stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shadow wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Echart Tolle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tolle shoots in looking for a takedown but Shadow manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Tolle's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shadow throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tolle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shadow.
Tolle fails to land the takedown.
Shadow scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tolle in his tracks.
Tolle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shadow sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tolle somewhat.
Tolle shoots and misses
and Shadow counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Tolle shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tolle showed some decent athleticism there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Shadow dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tolle uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shadow.

Shadow shoots in and bounces Tolle off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Shadow throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tolle works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tolle is trying to keep Shadow in close.
Shadow is pushing down on Tolle's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tolle is fighting to maintain full guard but Shadow has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolle is refusing to be controlled, as Shadow sits in half guard.
Shadow prevents Tolle from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Shadow seems content to control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tolle manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Shadow wants to control from the top but Tolle keeps moving.
Tolle keeping full guard, as Shadow tries to pass.
Tolle is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shadow trying to control the position from guard on top but Tolle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tolle throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Shadow stands over his opponent and dives in with a flying punch! Tolle throws up his legs and catches Shadow in a triangle! Oh this looks tight! Shadow tries to escape but he's forced to tap! Wow, fantastic work there by Tolle! That came out of nowhere!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:35 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Echart Tolle!
Echart Tolle retains his welterweight title!
Echart Tolle decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.