PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Neely (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Neely comes to the cage accompanied by Cracker - Low. The crowd seem to be enjoying Shirahama's choice of entrance music: Fade To Black. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Neely
vs
Shirahama

195 cm
28
274 lbs
24 - 8 - 0

202 cm
31
240 lbs
22 - 9 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Hellbent

Reaper Combatwear
Merciless Gladiators

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Neely!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenichi Shirahama!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirahama slips a jab and a cross from Neely.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Shirahama has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Neely gets a double leg takedown into Shirahama's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Neely trying to control the position from guard on top but Shirahama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shirahama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Neely is aware though and is defending well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shirahama is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shirahama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Neely works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shirahama throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shirahama looking to pass the guard.
Neely not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Neely's head.
Shirahama throwing strikes from guard but Neely blocks nicely.
Neely keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.
Shirahama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shirahama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shirahama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Neely pulls Shirahama in to control the position.
Shirahama throwing strikes but missing.
Neely keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.
Shirahama with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama postures up and lands a big shot to Neely's brow.
Shirahama in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shirahama lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shirahama throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shirahama looking to pass the guard.
Shirahama wants to control from the top but Neely keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama throwing strikes from guard but Neely blocks nicely.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Neely working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shirahama.
Neely seems keen to control Shirahama's posture.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shirahama won't allow Neely to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Neely connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Neely shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Neely is stalling here. Shirahama is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Neely seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Shirahama has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Neely's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Neely is looking for a sweep.
Shirahama in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama working the strikes but Neely uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Shirahama is pressing down on Neely's thigh, looking to free his foot. Neely is holding on for now.
Shirahama content to control rather than advance.
Shirahama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Neely's head.
Shirahama wants to control but Neely is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama slips a nice elbow through Neely's hands, connecting with Neely's forehead.
Shirahama trying to control the action but Neely is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Shirahama drops an elbow to the side of Neely's head.
Shirahama is looking to advance position but Neely won't allow it.
Shirahama working Neely over with strikes.
Shirahama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama is trying to control. Neely wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Shirahama. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Neely makes his way to full guard, as Shirahama worked for a kimura.
Shirahama is pushing down on Neely's leg trying to pass to half guard. Neely is fighting to maintain full guard but Shirahama has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shirahama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shirahama throwing shots but Neely is blocking nicely.
Shirahama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama wants to take a breather but Neely is having none of it.

Shirahama is looking for a kimura here.
Neely tries to get to full guard but Shirahama has control of the leg.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Neely is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Neely's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Neely throws a leg kick but Shirahama checks it.
Neely throws a lazy right hand but Shirahama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Neely fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shirahama moves out of range of the strikes.
Neely throws a front kick aimed at Shirahama's knee but Shirahama avoids it well.
Neely throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Neely looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Neely tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shirahama swivels and escapes.
Neely misses with a leg kick
and Shirahama counters with a good low kick that Neely was not able to check.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shirahama blocks a head kick by Neely.
Neely misses the shot to the body.
Neely looks to land a right hand but Shirahama moved out of range.
Neely misses with a wild body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shirahama.
Neely throws a sloppy body shot
and Shirahama counters with a body kick.
Neely fails in his attempt to clinch.
Neely throws a body kick that misses.
Shirahama bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shirahama moves out of range as Neely strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neely falls off balance throwing a combination

and Shirahama counters with a takedown into side control.
Shirahama is trying to ground and pound but Neely uses the momentary lack of control by Shirahama to regain half guard.
Neely keeping his head moving to avoid the 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!
Shirahama landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Shirahama is keen to just control but Neely is a slippery customer.
Shirahama might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Neely haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama is looking to advance position but Neely won't allow it.
Neely avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shirahama.

Shirahama seems to be looking for submissions.
Neely is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama is looking to advance position but Neely won't allow it.
Shirahama throwing shots but Neely is blocking nicely.
Shirahama is looking to take a break and control but Neely is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Shirahama is working for a kimura but Neely is defending it quite comfortably.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shirahama trying to mount his opponent but Neely defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Neely throws an overhand right that lands on Shirahama's shoulder, as Shirahama tries to avoid the shot.
Neely misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shirahama slips a jab and a cross from Neely.
Shirahama avoids the body shot from Neely.
Neely lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shirahama's sensitive parts.
Neely swinging wildly here.
A low kick from Neely is predictable there
and Shirahama counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Shirahama uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Neely.
Jack Neely seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Neely throws a jab when Shirahama was well out of range.
Neely is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Neely shoots in but Shirahama avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shirahama takes a kick to the side of the head.
Neely looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Neely misses with a series of wild punches.
Neely misses with a hook.
Neely tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Neely misses with an uppercut. Shirahama saw that one coming.
Neely throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shirahama bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Neely throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jack Neely is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neely misses with a leg kick
and Shirahama counters with a thumping low kick.
A slow jab from Neely misses its intended target.
Neely throws a sloppy head kick
and Shirahama counters with a straight right hand.
Shirahama blocks a leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Neely is defended easily by Shirahama.
Neely throws a leg kick
and Neely takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Neely throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shirahama.
Neely tried to score with a low kick but Shirahama checks it.
Shirahama darts in looking for a takedown but Neely gets double underhooks and turns Shirahama into the cage.

Shirahama turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama wants to control but Neely is keeping him busy.
Shirahama tries to advance to mount but Neely denies him.
Shirahama tries to score with some ground and pound. Neely controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Shirahama misses with the ground and pound.
Shirahama wants to control but Neely is keeping him busy.

Shirahama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Neely knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama working the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Shirahama looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Shirahama working the strikes but Neely uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Kenichi Shirahama will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Neely fails with an attempt to clinch.
Neely moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Neely misses with an uppercut.
Neely loads up on a big right hand but Shirahama slips the punch.
Neely misses with an uppercut
and Shirahama counters with a nice low kick that buckles Neely's knee momentarily.
Neely throws a series of punches but Shirahama avoids them all with ease.
Neely misses with a leg kick.
A punch combination from Neely misses.
Neely swings for the body but Shirahama moves out of range.
Neely fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Neely throws a lazy uppercut

and Shirahama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shirahama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama looking to pass the guard.
Neely manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Neely avoids the attempt from Shirahama to control.
Neely in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Shirahama gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Jack Neely has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Neely wants to control from the top but Shirahama keeps moving.
Shirahama is trying to keep Neely in close.

Shirahama is looking for a triangle but Neely pushes his legs off easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Neely trying to control but Shirahama is working from the bottom.
Neely scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Shirahama has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neely working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shirahama's head.
Neely wants to control from the top but Shirahama keeps moving.

Shirahama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Neely can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shirahama keeping moving, preventing Neely from controlling successfully.
Neely throws an elbow that misses. Shirahama uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Neely's guard. Nice move by Shirahama!
Neely tries to strike from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kenichi Shirahama is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shirahama connects with a couple of short punches.
Shirahama looking to sit in guard and control but Neely gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Neely 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.
Neely stopping the sweep attempt from Shirahama.

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 Jack Neely.
I think Shirahama has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 46:50
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 45:50
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 47:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenichi Shirahama!
Kenichi Shirahama seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Jack Neely spoke after the fight, saying 'I'll be back.'.