PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dontae Sheldon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Colt McLaren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sheldon comes to the cage accompanied by Salmon Song. Colt McLaren told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Sheldon
vs
McLaren

175 cm
21
135 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
147 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dontae Sheldon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Colt McLaren!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheldon throws a body punch but McLaren moves out of range.
McLaren takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
McLaren tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sheldon was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaren.
McLaren takes one to the chin there.
Sheldon looks to score with a jab to the body but McLaren is just out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sheldon darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sheldon really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Sheldon looks to land a combination. McLaren sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
McLaren tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sheldon was well out of range. Poor timing from McLaren.
McLaren misses the shot to the body.
Sheldon misses with a wild body shot.
Sheldon throws a shot to the body.
Sheldon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sheldon scores with a nice strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sheldon lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheldon missing with a left hand there. McLaren was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McLaren ducks under a wild hook from Sheldon.
McLaren looks for a takedown but Sheldon sprawls well.
Sheldon defends well against a solid takedown attempt from McLaren.
Sheldon scores with a shot to the body.
McLaren fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dontae Sheldon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Colt McLaren.
Sheldon scores with a crisp jab that stopped McLaren in his tracks.
McLaren avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McLaren takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sheldon lands with a nice combination. McLaren backs away looking to recover.
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!
McLaren staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaren slips a straight right by Sheldon.
McLaren swings for the body but Sheldon moves out of range.
Sheldon ducks under a wild hook from McLaren.
McLaren slips a jab and a cross from Sheldon.
McLaren ducks right into an uppercut from Sheldon.
Sheldon stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sheldon wants it to stay on the feet.
Sheldon lands an overhand right.
Sheldon throws a right and a left that both miss.
McLaren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dontae Sheldon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McLaren moves away from the strike by Sheldon.
A telegraphed right hand from Sheldon misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Sheldon - just one landing.
McLaren throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Sheldon counter with a right hand.
Sheldon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McLaren sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jab by Sheldon.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McLaren tries to work over Sheldon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sheldon working aggressively here.
McLaren is trying desperately to land a takedown but Sheldon is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for McLaren.

McLaren breaks from the clinch.
Sheldon takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sheldon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sheldon is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
McLaren fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A cross from Sheldon lands.
McLaren is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sheldon rather than just go for the knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Sheldon misses.
McLaren moves out of range as Sheldon strikes.
Sheldon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McLaren counters with a nice body shot.
McLaren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Sheldon does it's job there.
McLaren throws a nice looking combination but Sheldon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McLaren throws a body punch but Sheldon moves out of range.
McLaren moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sheldon throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sheldon tries to bum rush McLaren with a series of wild strikes but McLaren uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McLaren shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sheldon as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dontae Sheldon dominated that round.
That's time! Sheldon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McLaren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sheldon.
Sheldon cracks a nice hook into McLaren's ribs.
Sheldon scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Good exchange - McLaren coming out on top.
No luck for McLaren with that takedown attempt.
Sheldon scores with a shot to the body.
McLaren defending well as Sheldon loads up on a big left hand.
Nice body punch from Sheldon.
McLaren thuds a left hand into Sheldon's body.
Sheldon uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaren misses the jab.
Sheldon throws a jab when McLaren was well out of range.
McLaren takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sheldon will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McLaren shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sheldon as he avoids it easily.
McLaren lands with a good body shot.
Sheldon connects with a right hand. McLaren shakes it off.
Sheldon scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

McLaren is rocked!
Sheldon misses with a telegraphed body shot

and McLaren counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McLaren.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McLaren leaning his opponent against the cage.
Sheldon misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaren scores with a hook to the body.
McLaren lands a body shot in the clinch.
McLaren scores with a shot to the side of Sheldon's head.
A frustrated look appears on Sheldon's face as he tries to break the clinch.
McLaren lands with a left to the head.
Sheldon struggles to land a body shot inside as McLaren controls his hands.
McLaren tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sheldon's elbow.
McLaren blocks a punch to the side of the head.

McLaren breaks from the clinch.
Sheldon misses with a looping right.
Sheldon misses with a looping left.
A looping hook to the body misses from McLaren. Sheldon does a little dance to reset his feet.
McLaren shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheldon shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. McLaren eats them both and turns towards Sheldon to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Sheldon throws a series of punches but McLaren avoids them all with ease.
Sheldon slips a straight right by McLaren.
McLaren takes a swing at Sheldon's ribcage but misses.
Sheldon misses with a few strikes there.
McLaren throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sheldon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaren manages to avoid it.
McLaren shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sheldon defends it nicely.
Dontae Sheldon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Colt McLaren.
Sheldon moves forwards but McLaren connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McLaren has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from McLaren there as he acknowledges the shot.
McLaren misses the shot to the body.
McLaren just misses with a punch to the body.
Sheldon swings away with a body shot that misses
and McLaren counters with a lovely shot to the body.
McLaren has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sheldon misses with a body shot.
Sheldon scores with a jab to the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sheldon connects with a crisp jab.
McLaren fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sheldon keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dontae Sheldon dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McLaren throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sheldon tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. McLaren is in Sheldon's guard.
McLaren postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sheldon has his hands on McLaren's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McLaren throws an elbow that misses. Sheldon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in McLaren's guard. Nice move by Sheldon!
Sheldon wanted to stand there but McLaren had control of the position.
McLaren looking for a sweep. Not yet McLaren, not yet.

McLaren had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sheldon defends it easily.
McLaren keeping moving, preventing Sheldon from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaren keeping full guard, as Sheldon tries to pass.

McLaren working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sheldon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sheldon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sheldon trying to control but McLaren is working from the bottom.

McLaren looking for subs off his back but Sheldon has passed one foot through into half guard.
McLaren wants to improve his position but Sheldon is controlling well.
Sheldon seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McLaren trying to control here.
Sheldon is trying to control the action in half guard but McLaren is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McLaren tries to roll over but Sheldon keeps him under control.

We're going to have a standup here because Dontae Sheldon wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McLaren displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sheldon throws out the jab.
Sheldon thuds a left hand into McLaren's body.
Sheldon will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sheldon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaren manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McLaren uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sheldon.
McLaren slips under a jab.

McLaren moves into the clinch.

McLaren's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McLaren avoids a punch combination nicely.
A slow jab from Sheldon misses its intended target.
McLaren slips under a jab from Sheldon.
McLaren misses with a two punch combination.
McLaren uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sheldon.
McLaren is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sheldon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sheldon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but McLaren manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheldon scores with a shot to the body.
The fighters circling - McLaren throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
McLaren misses with a hook
and Sheldon counters with a nice body shot.
Sheldon lands with a nice body punch.
McLaren on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Decent striking displayed by Sheldon there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sheldon misses with a jab, cross combination.
McLaren takes a body punch but keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McLaren swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McLaren pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dontae Sheldon clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McLaren throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sheldon's waist but Sheldon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McLaren off to one side.
McLaren misses with a takedown attempt - Sheldon sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sheldon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McLaren on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Sheldon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Sheldon lands a left and a right that send McLaren crashing to the mat, dazed. Sheldon thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
McLaren is still on wobbly legs! Can Sheldon finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sheldon ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sheldon scores with a body shot.
McLaren is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
McLaren on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McLaren doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McLaren throws a nice looking combination but Sheldon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McLaren moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sheldon connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt McLaren! He's out on his feet! Sheldon rushes in and drops McLaren with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:13 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Dontae Sheldon!
Dontae Sheldon retains his bantamweight title!
Dontae Sheldon decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.