PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaquille Oneal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raoul Duke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Duke has chosen Bat Country - Avenge Sevenfold as his entrance music. Raoul Duke has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Oneal
vs
Duke

213 cm
23
277 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

195 cm
28
270 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shaquille Oneal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Raoul Duke!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duke misses with a two punch combination.
Oneal moves out of range as Duke strikes.
A jab from Oneal finds it's way through Duke's defenses.
Oneal avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Duke tries to close the distance and clinch up but Oneal swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Oneal throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Duke tries to bum rush Oneal with a series of wild strikes but Oneal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Oneal connects with a body shot that sends Duke's belly button to the back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Duke blocks a head kick by Oneal.
Oneal is looking to land body kicks.
Duke rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oneal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Oneal closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Oneal not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Oneal is trying to control the action in half guard but Duke is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Oneal is really struggling to control Duke but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Oneal throwing shots but Duke is blocking nicely.
Oneal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duke taking some punishment here, with Oneal in his half guard.
Duke keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Oneal sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Duke defending well though.

Oneal looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Oneal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Duke's head.
Oneal wants to pass the guard but Duke is defending well.
Duke pushes Oneal off looking to stand but Oneal dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oneal is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Duke sees it coming and defends easily.

Oneal is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Oneal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Oneal has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Oneal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Oneal working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Oneal is nestled in close to Duke, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oneal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Oneal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oneal throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duke is staying active underneath Oneal, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Duke is trying is best to control the position here.
Oneal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Oneal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Oneal sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Duke defending well though.
Oneal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Duke is staying active underneath Oneal, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Oneal throwing shots but Duke is blocking nicely.
Oneal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Duke taking some punishment here, with Oneal in his half guard.
Oneal trying to control the action but Duke is working from the bottom.
Oneal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oneal throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Oneal connects with a nice short shot to Duke's temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Duke blocking the ground and pound attempt from Oneal.
Oneal scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Oneal wants to lay and pray for a moment but Duke keeps working.
Oneal throwing shots but Duke is blocking nicely.
Duke has hold of Oneal's hands but Oneal slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Duke keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oneal thows a huge punch but Duke dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oneal missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Duke on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaquille Oneal dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice body punch from Oneal.
Oneal cracks Duke with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Oneal connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Oneal bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A leg kick checked by Duke.
Oneal throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Duke is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Duke doesn't manage to clinch there - Oneal circles away.

Oneal throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Duke tumbling to the canvas!

Duke is rocked!
Oneal connects with a couple of short punches.
Duke is still in real trouble! Can Oneal finish him?
Oneal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Oneal trying to control the position from guard on top but Duke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Duke seems to have recovered his senses.
Oneal cracks Duke with a solid left hand.
Duke keeping moving, preventing Oneal from controlling successfully.
Oneal landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oneal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Duke works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Oneal tries to free his leg and advance position but Duke is retaining full guard.
Oneal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Oneal postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Oneal throws a big right hand that misses.
Oneal is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Oneal landing some decent shots from guard.
Oneal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Duke works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Duke is trying to control the position but Oneal postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oneal is fighting to break Duke's control of his arms but Duke is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Oneal makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Oneal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Duke is looking to stand up but Oneal isn't so interested in that idea.
Duke keeping moving, preventing Oneal from controlling successfully.
Oneal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Oneal trying to control but Duke is working from the bottom.
Duke utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oneal is looking to work some ground and pound but Duke has wrist control.
Duke looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Oneal wants to control from the top but Duke keeps moving.
Oneal chips away with some ground and pound.
Oneal trying to control the position from guard on top but Duke is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oneal connects with a couple of short punches.
Duke wants to stand up but Oneal is controlling him.
Oneal distracts Duke with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oneal scoring with some ground and pound.
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!
Oneal is looking to work some ground and pound but Duke has wrist control.
Oneal trying to control but Duke is working from the bottom.
Oneal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Oneal is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Duke can do to turn this around?
Oneal chips away with some ground and pound.
Oneal trying to control but Duke is working from the bottom.
Shaquille Oneal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Oneal working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oneal wants to control from the top but Duke keeps moving.
Oneal throws a strike but Duke rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaquille Oneal dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Oneal closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Oneal lands in his opponent's guard.
Duke keeping moving, preventing Oneal from controlling successfully.
Duke wants to stand but Oneal is controlling the position.
Oneal is looking to work some ground and pound but Duke has wrist control.
Oneal postures up.
Duke keeping moving, preventing Oneal from controlling successfully.
Oneal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oneal postures up in Duke's guard and throws a big left but Duke blocks it.
Oneal is working Duke over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Oneal stands up over Duke, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Oneal trying to control but Duke is working from the bottom.
Duke is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Duke takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oneal wants to control from the top but Duke keeps moving.
Oneal postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Duke is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oneal throws a big elbow that misses.
Oneal is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Duke avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Oneal passes Duke's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Duke is refusing to be controlled, as Oneal sits in half guard.
Duke blocking the ground and pound attempt from Oneal.
Oneal wants to control but Duke is keeping him busy.
Oneal seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Duke keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oneal is taking a breather. Duke says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Oneal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Oneal is trying to control the action in half guard but Duke is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Oneal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Oneal is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Duke regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Oneal.
Oneal trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Raoul Duke has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oneal wants to control from the top but Duke keeps moving.
Oneal throwing strikes but missing.
Oneal throwing strikes but missing.
Oneal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Oneal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shaquille Oneal is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Oneal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shaquille Oneal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Oneal has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Don Winkell scores the fight for Shaquille Oneal!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Shaquille Oneal!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Shaquille Oneal!

Shaquille Oneal wins by unanimous decision!
Shaquille Oneal decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.