PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sam Shield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sho Shinjo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shinjo has chosen Theme of Sho as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shield
vs
Shinjo

182 cm
33
165 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

176 cm
30
171 lbs
19 - 14 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Affordable Quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Shield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sho Shinjo!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shield fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shinjo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shield.
Shinjo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shinjo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shield as he jumps to the side.

Shield has Shinjo up against the cage in a clinch.
Shield tries to throw a body punch but Shinjo avoids it by throwing Shield back against the cage.
Shield tries to circle away but Shinjo has him pinned against the cage.
Shinjo lands a body punch.
Shield misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shield blocks an uppercut.
Shinjo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shield tries to break free but Shinjo pushes him back against the cage.
Shinjo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shield tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shinjo avoids it.
Shield working aggressively here.
Shield tries to break the clinch but Shinjo is controlling the position.
Shinjo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shield's elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shield prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinjo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shinjo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shield's elbow.
Shield will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Shinjo up against the cage.
Shield pushes Shinjo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shinjo tries to work over Shield's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shinjo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shinjo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shield fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sam Shield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sho Shinjo.
Shield lands a nice shot that snaps Shinjo's head back.
Sam Shield is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shield on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shinjo. Shinjo obviously looking to wear him down.
Shield swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shield lands a nice looking body kick.
Shinjo throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shield is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shinjo.
Shield throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Shinjo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shield is trying to hold Shinjo in close to prevent damage but Shinjo has managed to pass into half guard.
Shield keeping control of the position.
Shield wants to control but Shinjo is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shinjo wants to take a breather but Shield is having none of it.
Shinjo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shinjo wants to control but Shield is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shield is looking to improve his position.
Shinjo tries to pass to full mount but Shield defends it.
Shinjo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shield is looking to improve his position.
Shield trying to control from the bottom.
Shield blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shinjo.
Shield is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shinjo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Shinjo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Shield is trying to control but can't.

Shinjo is looking for a kimura here.
Shinjo is stalling here. Shield is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Shinjo seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Shield has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinjo being controlled for a moment.
Shinjo is looking for a sweep.
Shield tries to move to mount but Shinjo blocks the move with his legs.
Shield wants to control but Shinjo is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shield moves into full mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shinjo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sho Shinjo will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shinjo misses with a series of wild punches.
Shield throws a series of punches but Shinjo avoids them all with ease.
Shinjo lands with a good body shot.
Sam Shield is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shinjo throws a low kick but Shield avoids it.
Shield throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Shinjo.
Shinjo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shinjo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Shinjo tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shield defends well and Shinjo ends up having to push Shield into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Shinjo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Shield uses from the top position.
Shield wants to control from the top but Shinjo keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shinjo looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Shield puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Shield escapes and gets back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Shield. No joy for Shinjo on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shield misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shield tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shinjo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A head kick misses from Shield.
Shield throws a sloppy head kick and Shinjo moves out of range easily.
Shield looks to clinch
and Shinjo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shinjo misses with a wild combination.
Shinjo is looking to land body kicks.
Shield misses with a low kick.
Shield lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shinjo circles away quickly and effectively.
Donk. Shield catches Shinjo right on the button with a cross.
Shield feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shinjos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Shield is looking to clinch but Shinjo is avoiding it.
Shinjo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shield lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shield throws a jab when Shinjo was well out of range.
Sam Shield seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shield shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Shinjo tries to keep at a distance but Shield has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Shinjo lands with a left to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Shield.
Shinjo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shinjo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shield is trying to push Shinjo away but Shinjo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shinjo stalling.
Shield throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shield misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shield goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shield makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shinjo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shield gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shinjo.
Sam Shield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sho Shinjo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinjo working aggressively here.
Shield missing with knees to the body.
Shield lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shinjo backwards.
Shinjo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shield's elbow.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shield.
Shinjo blocks an elbow strike from Shield.
A short uppercut from Shinjo.
Shield struggles to land a body shot inside as Shinjo controls his hands.

Shinjo gets control of Shield's arms and successfully pulls guard. Shinjo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Shinjo can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shield controls the pace.

Shinjo looking for subs off his back but Shield has passed one foot through into half guard.
Shinjo is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Shield jumps into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shield is looking to take a break and control but Shinjo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shinjo is looking for a sweep.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shield decides to stand back up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shield throws a shot to the body.
Shield scores with a body shot.

Shield closes the distance and pushes Shinjo back into the cage.
Shield scores with a nice hook to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shield dominated that second round.
That's time! Shield's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Shield lands with a thumping leg kick.
Shinjo misses with the combination.
Shield tries to close the distance and clinch but Shinjo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shinjo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Shinjo clinches.
Shinjo managing to block the knees to the body from Shield.
Shield pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shinjo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shinjo is looking for a takedown.
Shinjo is trying to maintain a safe position but Shield gets an underhook and turns Shinjo into the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Shinjo.
Shield being controlled against the cage.
Shinjo blocks an uppercut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinjo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shield struggles to land a body shot inside as Shinjo controls his hands.
Shield misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shinjo.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Shinjo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shield backwards.
Shinjo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shinjo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shield goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shinjo blocks an elbow strike.
Shield digs a right hand underneath Shinjo's ribcage. Shinjo let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shinjo tries a body shot but Shield blocks it.
Shinjo misses with some punches.
Shinjo prevents a body shot from Shield.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shield is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shield as Shinjo tries to tie him up.
Shinjo blocks an uppercut.
Shinjo dodges an elbow strike from Shield.
Shinjo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shield's efforts to push away.
Shinjo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shield's efforts to push away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shinjo lands a left hand.
Shinjo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shinjo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shield is defending well.
Sam Shield has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sho Shinjo.
Shield is leaning against Shinjo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shield softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shinjo misses with some punches.
Shield lands a hook that snaps the head of Shinjo backwards.
Shield throws a head punch that misses.
Shield swings wildly with an uppercut but Shinjo uses good head movement to avoid it.
A bit of stalling here from Shinjo.

Shield's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Shield rushes Shinjo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shield trying to land knees to the body.
Shinjo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Sam Shield has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shinjo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shield walks away with a smile on his face. Shinjo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Shinjo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shield sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shinjo somewhat.
Shield misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shield tries to close the distance and clinch but Shinjo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shinjo avoids the head kick by Shield.
Shield pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shield fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shield just misses with a punch to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shield lands a front kick.
Sam Shield is winning the standup battle so far.
Shield looks to land a combination but Shinjo avoids it well.

Shinjo has Shield up against the cage in a clinch.
Shinjo prevents a body shot from Shield.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shinjo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shinjo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shield fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shield misses the jab.

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 Sam Shield.
I think Shield has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

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