PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Shouse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and bj Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Shouse
vs
Ferguson

162 cm
25
116 lbs
18 - 18 - 0

164 cm
32
135 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joshua Shouse !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, bj Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shouse tries to clinch but Ferguson is having none of it.
Shouse avoids a punch combination nicely.
A combination from Shouse does no damage.
Shouse tries to clinch there but Ferguson circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shouse .
Shouse tries to clinch up

and Ferguson moves into the clinch.
Shouse jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ferguson walks away with a smile on his face. Shouse gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ferguson dives in and grabs Shouse 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shouse pushes down on Ferguson's head and hops out.

Shouse throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ferguson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shouse is in Ferguson's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Ferguson is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Ferguson pulls guard successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shouse tries to free his leg and advance position but Ferguson is retaining full guard.
Shouse wants to control from the top but Ferguson keeps moving.
Shouse is really struggling to control Ferguson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Joshua Shouse has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ferguson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shouse was well out of range. Poor timing from Ferguson.
Shouse tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shouse throws a head kick but Ferguson moves out of range.
Shouse shoots and misses

and Ferguson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shouse 's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Shouse . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shouse is looking for a triangle but Ferguson pushes his legs off easily.
Shouse is breathing heavily.
Shouse doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ferguson scoring with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shouse tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ferguson looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ferguson drops back looking for a leg! Shouse is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shouse manages to kick Ferguson off! Ferguson jumps back into Shouse 's guard.
Ferguson throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shouse keeping moving, preventing Ferguson from controlling successfully.
Ferguson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Shouse on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shouse tries to get out of the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. bj Ferguson was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard but Shouse defending well.

Shouse looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shouse trying to control but Ferguson postures up.

Shouse makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ferguson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ferguson lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson trying to control but Shouse is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ferguson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shouse sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ferguson misses with a wild body shot.

Ferguson rushes Shouse and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shouse can't break the clinch.
Shouse drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ferguson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ferguson tries a head kick but it misses.

Ferguson shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ferguson showed some decent athleticism there.
Ferguson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shouse wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy.
Ferguson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ground and pound from Ferguson.
Ferguson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Shouse with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Ferguson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Shouse takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shouse tries a low kick but Ferguson avoids it.

Ferguson clinches up against the cage.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shouse shoots in and drives through. Ferguson sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shouse has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Shouse . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shouse wants to clinch

and Ferguson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ferguson.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ferguson slaps away a takedown attempt from Shouse , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shouse shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ferguson counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd cheers as Ferguson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shouse doesn't seem phased though.

Ferguson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Shouse tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ferguson is in Shouse 's guard.
Ferguson passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Shouse tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ferguson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shouse looking for a sweep but Ferguson has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Ferguson landing shots from mount.

Shouse is rocked!

Ferguson looking to secure an arm triangle but Shouse defends it well.
Ferguson wants to control the pace but Shouse is squirming around nicely.
Ferguson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Shouse can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Ferguson content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Ferguson jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Shouse is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Shouse and Ferguson has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
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!
Shouse can't do much from the bottom here.
Shouse takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Ferguson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson in side control, just content to control the action for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shouse has closed the distance and engaged Ferguson in a clinch.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson tries a head kick but it misses.
Ferguson circles away from the clinch attempt

so Ferguson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Ferguson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Shouse , up you get!
Shouse tries to clinch but Ferguson moves out of range.
Ferguson misses with a leg kick.
A punch combination from Ferguson misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a front kick aimed at Shouse 's knee but Shouse avoids it well.
Shouse is looking to clinch but Ferguson is avoiding it.

Ferguson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Ferguson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Shouse as Ferguson shoots in.
Shouse throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shouse throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shouse misses with a takedown

and Ferguson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shouse misses with a punch to the body.
Shouse wants a takedown but no success here.

Ferguson has clasped his hands together around Shouse 's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
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!

Ferguson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Shouse to his feet.
Ferguson keeps the fight on the outside.
Shouse throws the kick towards the body but Ferguson avoids it.
Ferguson throws a body kick that misses.
Shouse closes the distance but Ferguson moves to the side
and Ferguson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ferguson looks to land a combination but Shouse avoids it well.
Shouse wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shouse shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ferguson counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Shouse . That's going to take a lot out of him.
A clash of legs there as Ferguson blocks the low kick.
Ferguson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shouse .

Ferguson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Ferguson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shouse has escaped the position, nice work there.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
A control attempt from Shouse but he's now mounted!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson controlling from mount.

Ferguson with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Shouse is desperately trying to improve his position but Ferguson has a good base and remains in mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ferguson wants to finish this one by submission but Shouse is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Ferguson.
Joshua Shouse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
bj Ferguson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shouse in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
bj Ferguson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ferguson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... bj Ferguson!
bj Ferguson opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.