PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonnie Boardwalk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michaels comes to the ring accompanied by Sexy Boy. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Michaels
vs
Boardwalk

174 cm
28
135 lbs
34 - 9 - 0

166 cm
29
141 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Fast

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 34 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shawn Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jonnie Boardwalk!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Michaels lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Boardwalk looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Boardwalk not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Boardwalk keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Boardwalk is keen to just control but Michaels is a slippery customer.
Michaels is trying to stand back up but Boardwalk is controlling him
Boardwalk seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jonnie Boardwalk.
Boardwalk ducks under a wild hook from Michaels.
Michaels misses with a combination
and Boardwalk connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Michaels throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Boardwalk to counter with a crisp jab.
Michaels lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Boardwalk backs up against the ropes.
Michaels throws a series of punches but Boardwalk moves out of range.
Boardwalk walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels thows a left - swing and a miss!
Michaels throws a jab but it's blocked by Boardwalk.
Michaels misses with a double jab

and Boardwalk counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Boardwalk has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Boardwalk with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
My spies in White Dragon Tactical inform me that Boardwalk has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Michaels wants to get back to his feet.
Boardwalk works his way into side control.
Boardwalk trying to control the action but Michaels is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Michaels is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boardwalk controlling from side mount.
Michaels wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Michaels trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Boardwalk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michaels keeps working.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Boardwalk taking a breather here.
Michaels wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels parries the strikes from Boardwalk easily there. Boardwalk is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Michaels to escape.
Michaels is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Boardwalk asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Boardwalk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michaels keeps working.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Michaels is trying to get back to his feet.
Boardwalk trying to control the action but Michaels is working from the bottom.
Michaels is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Boardwalk has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Boardwalk postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Boardwalk prevents Michaels from escaping the position.
Michaels takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
You can see the frustration on Michaels's face as Boardwalk controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boardwalk fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Boardwalk lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Michaels is trying to buck Boardwalk off.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Michaels takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Boardwalk scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Michaels to see if he's OK.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Michaels wants to get back to his feet but Boardwalk is dominant here and he's now got Michaels's back!
Boardwalk lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Michaels is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Boardwalk is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Boardwalk gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Boardwalk gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Boardwalk apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Michaels lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Michaels.
Shawn Michaels seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Michaels has a takedown stuffed.
Michaels throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Boardwalk counter with a right hand.
Michaels takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Michaels is breathing heavily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Michaels throws a series of punches but Boardwalk avoids them all with ease.
Michaels misses with a hook. Boardwalk ducked under it nicely.
A nice combination there by Michaels.
Michaels throws a lazy uppercut
and Boardwalk counters with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonnie Boardwalk dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Boardwalk scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Michaels is not content to let Boardwalk control the position.
Boardwalk throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Boardwalk working the body and head with strikes.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Michaels is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Boardwalk is controlling him well.
Boardwalk creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Michaels is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Boardwalk is controlling him well.
Boardwalk working the ground and pound.
Michaels taking punishment in the form of punches.
Michaels is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Boardwalk has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Boardwalk is staying tight to Michaels's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Michaels is pushing Boardwalk's head away, looking to escape. Boardwalk manages to hold on to the position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boardwalk lands an elbow.
Boardwalk controls the position from side control.
Michaels is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Boardwalk creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Michaels sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Michaels is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Boardwalk is controlling him well.
Boardwalk cracks Michaels with a big right hand but Michaels just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Michaels is being controlled here.
Boardwalk tries to advance to mount but can't.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Michaels wants to get back to his feet but Boardwalk drags him back down.
Boardwalk lands a nice forearm strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Boardwalk trying to control the action but Michaels is working from the bottom.
Boardwalk in side control lands a decent elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Michaels wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Michaels bucks up and tries to throw Boardwalk off but instead Boardwalk has got his back!
Michaels has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Boardwalk lands punches and elbows.
Michaels trying to get back to his feet but Boardwalk is in full control for now.
Michaels is trapped and Boardwalk is scoring with shots to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boardwalk is riding his opponent, not letting Michaels buck him off.
Michaels is covering up but some of the strikes from Boardwalk are getting through and doing damage.
Boardwalk punches Michaels on the ear.
Boardwalk controls the position.
The referee is taking a good look at Michaels as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Boardwalk!
Boardwalk controlling from the back.
Boardwalk is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Michaels has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Boardwalk biding his time, controlling Michaels.
Boardwalk lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Michaels hold on?!
Boardwalk scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Michaels is looking for a way out.
Boardwalk slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Boardwalk looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Michaels is trying to get back to his feet but Boardwalk has full control of the position and if anything, Michaels has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonnie Boardwalk 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 ring so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Michaels misses with a left hand
and Boardwalk counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Michaels throws a right and a left that Boardwalk avoids nicely.
Jab by Boardwalk.
Michaels swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Boardwalk counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Michaels throws a right hand that Boardwalk ducks under and follows up with a left that Boardwalk also avoids with ease.
Boardwalk works over Michaels's head and body with a nice combination.
Michaels missing with a left hand there. Boardwalk was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Boardwalk cracks Michaels with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Michaels throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Michaels throws a left and a right that both miss
and Boardwalk counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Michaels is rocked!
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!
Michaels misses with an uppercut
and Boardwalk counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Michaels looks to land a right hand but Boardwalk moved out of range.
Michaels drops his hands momentarily and Boardwalk takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Boardwalk shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Boardwalk was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Oh Michaels is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Boardwalk working the ground and pound but Michaels is defending the strikes.
Michaels seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boardwalk is working Michaels over with some ground and pound from side control.
Boardwalk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Michaels keeps working.
Boardwalk scores with a couple of short elbows.
Boardwalk scores with punches from side control.
Boardwalk in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Boardwalk controlling the position.
Michaels pushes Boardwalk away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Boardwalk gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Michaels is trying to escape the position but Boardwalk is controlling the position.
Boardwalk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boardwalk prevents Michaels from escaping the position.
Boardwalk working the ground and pound from side control.
Michaels bucks up and tries to throw Boardwalk off but instead Boardwalk has got his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels is taking damage to the body and head.
Boardwalk lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boardwalk has Michaels flattened out and is raining down punches.
Boardwalk lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Boardwalk. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
I would not like to be Michaels right now.
Michaels is keeping busy.
Boardwalk has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Michaels.
Michaels looking very determined here, making life difficult for Boardwalk.
Boardwalk might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Michaels haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Michaels controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
The referee is taking a good look at Michaels as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Boardwalk!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels staying busy and making it hard for Boardwalk to control.
Michaels holding both Boardwalk 's hands and preventing any damage.
Boardwalk struggling to keep hold of the position.
Michaels controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Well, with Boardwalk on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Michaels is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Boardwalk keeps control of the position easily here as Michaels tries to buck him off.
Boardwalk has Michaels flattened out and is raining down punches.
Jonnie Boardwalk has got the better of the ground game so far.
Michaels is trapped and Boardwalk is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Boardwalk biding his time, looking for the opening.
Jonnie Boardwalk is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boardwalk is punishing Michaels with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boardwalk lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Boardwalk is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Boardwalk's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boardwalk has Michaels flattened out and is raining down punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Boardwalk controlling the positon.
Michaels looking very determined here, making life difficult for Boardwalk.
Boardwalk is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Michaels wants to get back to his feet.
Shawn Michaels has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michaels is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonnie Boardwalk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Boardwalk 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonnie Boardwalk!
A relieved looking Jonnie Boardwalk thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.