PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lauren Bray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jake Shields will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Bray
vs
Shields

151 cm
24
194 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lauren Bray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jake Shields !
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bray fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bray scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bray shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shields but Shields pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shields swats away the attempt to clinch by Bray.
Bray stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bray wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Shields . No joy for Bray on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lauren Bray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bray wants to clinch up but Shields keeps it at a distance.
Shields displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bray throws out the jab.
Shields is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bray sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shields throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bray tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shields is in Bray's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Shields throws an elbow that misses. Bray uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shields 's guard. Nice move by Bray!
Bray trying to control the position from guard on top but Shields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bray wants to get up but he can't break Shields 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Bray missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shields can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bray trying to control the position from guard on top but Shields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shields trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lauren Bray.
A nice combination there by Bray.
Bray shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Shields counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bray's guard now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shields scoring with punches to the head and body.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shields accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bray is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Shields lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bray's head.
Bray is pulling down on Shields 's head to control his posture.
Bray utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shields is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Shields drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bray looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bray looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bray!

Bray swings around for an armbar but Shields sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bray's guard.
Shields throws a big right hand that misses.
Shields landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shields accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shields has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields cracks Bray with a solid left hand.
Shields makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shields is working Bray over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bray might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shields looks winded!
Shields postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shields trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shields postures up.
Bray working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shields .
Bray looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shields throws a big right hand that misses.
Shields throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bray works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shields won't allow Bray to sweep him here.
Shields throws a big elbow that misses.
Bray lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shields !
Bray could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Shields tries to improve his position but instead Bray has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Shields dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bray throws a shot from downtown. Shields moves away and avoids it.
Bray misses with a head kick.
Bray misses with a takedown attempt

and Shields counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Shields scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bray on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Shields lands a nice short elbow.
Shields sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bray defending well though.
Shields working over Bray with some ground and pound. Bray looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice strikes from Shields there.
Shields throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bray is looking to control Shields 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bray avoid being mounted?
Shields working Bray over with strikes.

Shields is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bray looks like he's trying to stand up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shields lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Shields throwing shots but Bray is blocking nicely.
Shields landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Shields is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bray is just riding it out for now. Shields eventually gives up the hold.
Shields throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields is nestled in close to Bray, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bray wants to get back to full guard.
Bray taking some punishment here, with Shields in his half guard.
Bray keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bray is looking to improve his position.
Bray blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shields .
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Ground and pound from Shields .
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!
Bray gets back to full guard.
Shields lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields lands a couple of digs.
Shields lands a couple of digs.

Bray working for a triangle but Shields defends it easily.

Bray throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shields scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Shields is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bray is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bray has escaped and now he's on top!
Bray throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bray wants to control from the top but Shields keeps moving.
Bray wants to get up but he can't break Shields 's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Bray has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shields keeping moving, preventing Bray from controlling successfully.
Bray controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Shields showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shields shoots in but no luck this time.
Bray misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shields .
Bray wants to clinch up but Shields keeps it at a distance.
Bray misses with a takedown

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Shields looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bray with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Shields thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shields thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shields is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields winds up and cracks Bray with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Bray looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice strikes from Shields there.
Shields 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.
Bray won't allow Shields to pass to mount.
Shields missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bray is trying to maintain the position but Shields is very close to passing his half guard.
Shields wants to free his trapped foot but Bray is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Shields takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Shields working Bray over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bray wants to control but Shields is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nice strikes from Shields there.
Shields sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bray defending well though.
Shields looks to land a strike but Bray avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shields loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bray looking for a sweep. Not yet Bray, not yet.

Bray is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shields keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bray's head.
Shields scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bray is trying to control the position but Shields postures up.
Jake Shields has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shields is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Shields keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bray's head.
Shields lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields distracts Bray with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shields stands up over Bray, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shields content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shields works over Bray with some ground and pound from guard.
Shields missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shields is looking to work some ground and pound but Bray has wrist control.
Shields throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bray works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shields stands up over Bray, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shields throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shields postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shields with a nice head shot there.
Shields throws an elbow that misses. Bray uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shields 's guard. Nice move by Bray!
Bray wants to control from the top but Shields keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bray working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bray is looking to stand up but Shields won't let him.
Bray trying to control the position from guard on top but Shields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Shields comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shields winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Shields !