PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Makoto Shibasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Bashor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shibasaki comes to the cage accompanied by Genki Sudo - 'Mind Shift'. Bashor has chosen Monster by Skillet as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shibasaki
vs
Bashor

172 cm
26
164 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

178 cm
26
170 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $140

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 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Makoto Shibasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Bashor!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bashor throws a lazy body kick
and Shibasaki counters with a low kick, right behind Bashor 's knee.
Shibasaki fails with the takedown.
Bashor blocks a head kick by Shibasaki.
Bashor connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Shibasaki drives through with a takedown into Bashor's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Shibasaki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bashor is keeping the position for now.
Shibasaki trying to control but Bashor is working from the bottom.

Bashor is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shibasaki defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashor is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shibasaki tries to free his leg and advance position but Bashor is retaining full guard.
Bashor wants to stand but Shibasaki is controlling the position.
Bashor tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shibasaki wants to pass the guard but Bashor is keeping the position.
Bashor keeping moving, preventing Shibasaki from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makoto Shibasaki has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Bashor misses with a jab, cross combination.

Shibasaki has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bashor pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bashor connects with a single shot there.
Shibasaki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bashor.
Bashor misses with a wild combination.
Shibasaki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bashor swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shibasaki fails with an attempt to clinch.
James Bashor is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shibasaki tries to work over Bashor's front leg with a kick but Bashor checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashor closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Shibasaki cracks the inside of Bashor's front leg.
Shibasaki blocks a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shibasaki.
Bashor pushes Shibasaki away with a front kick.
Bashor misses with a hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shibasaki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shibasaki misses with a kick to the body.
Bashor throws a nice looking combination but Shibasaki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bashor throws a hook but Shibasaki avoids it easily.
Bashor moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shibasaki, right into the meat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shibasaki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bashor thuds his right hand into Shibasaki's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shibasaki closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bashor's guard.

Bashor is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shibasaki presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Bashor avoiding damage as Shibasaki throws knees to the body.
Shibasaki is stalling here.

Shibasaki pulls guard.
Shibasaki trying to control the position.

Shibasaki looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Bashor has picked Shibasaki up and slammed him! Shibasaki can't keep hold of the triangle and Bashor manages to pass to side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shibasaki tries to buck Bashor off but Bashor is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shibasaki sneaks back into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Makoto Shibasaki will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shibasaki dodges the punch combination from Bashor.
Bashor misses with a few strikes there.
Shibasaki on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Bashor connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shibasaki momentarily.
Shibasaki bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shibasaki.
Shibasaki on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Shibasaki tries to clinch but Bashor moves out of range.
Shibasaki ducks under a wild hook from Bashor.
Bashor misses with a lunging right hand
and Shibasaki counters with a good, hard body kick but Bashor shrugs it off.
Shibasaki is looking to clinch.
Shibasaki looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bashor lands with a nice body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shibasaki avoids a kick to the body.
Shibasaki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bashor connects with a nice looking jab.
Bashor swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Shibasaki moves into range and clinches up with Bashor.
Bashor stops a takedown attempt from Shibasaki.

Shibasaki turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Shibasaki trying to control the action but Bashor is working from the bottom.
Shibasaki working the ground and pound but Bashor is defending the strikes.
Shibasaki wants to control but Bashor is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki tries to advance to mount but can't.
Shibasaki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bashor keeps working.
Bashor is trying to buck Shibasaki off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shibasaki trying to control the action but Bashor is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bashor pushes Shibasaki away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Shibasaki gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashor struggling a bit here.

Shibasaki working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shibasaki tries to score with some ground and pound. Bashor controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Bashor taking a bit of punishment here - Shibasaki scoring with strikes.
Bashor pushes Shibasaki away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Shibasaki gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki tries to advance to mount but Bashor denies him.

Shibasaki swings around for an armbar but Bashor sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shibasaki's guard.
Shibasaki wants to sweep here but Bashor controlling him for the moment.
Shibasaki working a defensive guard here.
Makoto Shibasaki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bashor won't allow Shibasaki to sweep him here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bashor slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Makoto Shibasaki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Shibasaki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bashor misses with a kick to the body
and Shibasaki counters with a good low kick that Bashor was not able to check.
Bashor fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shibasaki ducks under a wild hook from Bashor.
Bashor throws the kick towards the body but Shibasaki avoids it.
Shibasaki thumps Bashor with a low kick.
Shibasaki connects with a nice looking jab.
Shibasaki lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bashor looks to land a right hand but Shibasaki moved out of range.
Shibasaki tries to work over Bashor's front leg with a kick but Bashor checks it.
Bashor rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shibasaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shibasaki moves out of range as Bashor strikes.
Bashor misses with the combination.
Bashor tries to land a front kick but Shibasaki steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
James Bashor is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shibasaki keeps Bashor at a distance using the push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shibasaki shoots in for a double leg but Bashor sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bashor misses with a looping left.
Shibasaki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Shibasaki drives through and clinches with Bashor against the cage.
Bashor is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shibasaki goes for a takedown attempt but Bashor pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Bashor throws a good cross that connects.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shibasaki. That's going to slow Bashor down.
Bashor throws a shot from downtown. Shibasaki moves away and avoids it.
James Bashor seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bashor misses the jab.
Bashor's corner calls for a 1-2. Bashor obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bashor punishes Shibasaki's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bashor's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A swing and a miss from Bashor.
Shibasaki swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bashor looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bashor circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shibasaki throws a head kick that misses.
Bashor misses with a few strikes there.
Bashor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bashor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Shibasaki counters with a thumping low kick.
Bashor checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bashor tries to land a front kick but Shibasaki steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shibasaki fakes the leg kick and cracks Bashor in the body.
Bashor takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bashor takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bashor swats away the attempt to clinch by Shibasaki.
Shibasaki gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bashor counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Makoto Shibasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shibasaki chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shibasaki avoids a kick to the body.
Shibasaki shoots in but no luck this time.
Bashor thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shibasaki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Shibasaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Shibasaki shoots in and drives through. Bashor sprawls well.
Bashor throws a right hand that misses

and Shibasaki counters with a single leg into guard. Bashor didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shibasaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
James Bashor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bashor keeping full guard, as Shibasaki tries to pass.
Shibasaki throws a strike but Bashor rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Makoto Shibasaki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shibasaki trying to control the position.
Bashor trying to control the position from guard on top but Shibasaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bashor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bashor controls from within his opponent's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Makoto Shibasaki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shibasaki, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!