PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nobero Shimasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ava Mullen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shimasaki
vs
Mullen

184 cm
22
211 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
265 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very confident

Knox Energy

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nobero Shimasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ava Mullen!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mullen keeps the fight on the outside.
Shimasaki is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mullen dives in for a single leg takedown but Shimasaki sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Shimasaki gets control of Mullen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Shimasaki will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Shimasaki wants to sweep but no luck.
Mullen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mullen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shimasaki keeping full guard, as Mullen tries to pass.
Mullen throws a strike but Shimasaki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mullen working for a triangle but Shimasaki defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shimasaki is looking to stand up but Mullen won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimasaki advances position into side control!
Mullen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shimasaki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Shimasaki sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Mullen is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Shimasaki tries to move to mount but Mullen blocks the move with his legs.
Mullen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shimasaki's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Mullen is trying to stand.
Mullen gets full guard.
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.

Shimasaki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mullen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shimasaki has managed to get both his arms back between Mullen's legs - danger averted.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shimasaki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mullen is keeping the position for now.

Mullen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Mullen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shimasaki!

Mullen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Shimasaki working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimasaki definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Mullen has control of Shimasaki's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Shimasaki regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Mullen is working for a guillotine from mount but Shimasaki frees his head quite easily.

Mullen moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Shimasaki has worked his arm free - good work by Shimasaki!
Shimasaki knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mullen on the ground.
Mullen advances to full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mullen trying to control but Shimasaki is having none of it.
Shimasaki manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Shimasaki is defending against the submission attempts here by Mullen.

Mullen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mullen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shimasaki sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ava Mullen dominated that round.
That's time! Shimasaki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shimasaki is looking to clinch.
Shimasaki dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Mullen. That did some damage!
Shimasaki fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mullen on the side of the head.
Good leg kick by Shimasaki there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mullen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Shimasaki gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mullen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Shimasaki after a bit of a struggle.

Mullen lands a takedown into guard.
Shimasaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Shimasaki, not yet.
Mullen wants to control from the top but Shimasaki keeps moving.

Mullen gets to his feet. Shimasaki looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shimasaki instigates a clinch.

Shimasaki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shimasaki, right into the meat.
Shimasaki scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shimasaki tries to clinch there but Mullen circles away.
Mullen shoots for a double leg takedown but Shimasaki sprawls well. He's pushed Mullen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nobero Shimasaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ava Mullen.

Shimasaki moves into the clinch successfully.
Shimasaki misses with a knee strike.
Mullen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shimasaki prevents it.

Shimasaki lands a takedown into guard.
Mullen is breathing heavily.

Mullen has his foot on Shimasaki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shimasaki works his way back into a safe position though.
Shimasaki throws an elbow that misses. Mullen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shimasaki's guard. Nice move by Mullen!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shimasaki wants to stand and escape but Mullen is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mullen wants to pass the guard but Shimasaki is keeping the position.
Mullen stopping the sweep attempt from Shimasaki.
Mullen wants to pass the guard but Shimasaki is keeping the position.
Shimasaki is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shimasaki keeping full guard, as Mullen tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mullen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shimasaki dives on top into guard.
Mullen has a closed guard, preventing Shimasaki from standing up.

Mullen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shimasaki defends it easily.
Our spies down at at Personal Training inform us that Mullen has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Shimasaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Mullen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mullen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shimasaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shimasaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mullen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
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!
Shimasaki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shimasaki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mullen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mullen keeping moving, preventing Shimasaki from controlling successfully.
Shimasaki tries to free his leg and advance position but Mullen is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mullen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shimasaki.

Mullen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shimasaki defends it easily.
Shimasaki wants to stand but Mullen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
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 Nobero Shimasaki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mullen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Shimasaki.
Shimasaki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shimasaki misses with a few strikes there.
Shimasaki throws a low kick, looking for Mullen's leg but Mullen calmly moves out of range.

Shimasaki has Mullen up against the cage in a clinch.
Shimasaki misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Mullen.

Shimasaki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shimasaki throws out a powerful jab.
Shimasaki looks to throw the jab but Mullen is out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shimasaki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shimasaki throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Mullen's head.

Mullen forces Shimasaki back against the cage and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mullen tries for a takedown but Shimasaki manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shimasaki lands a takedown into guard.

Mullen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Mullen has his foot on Shimasaki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shimasaki works his way back into a safe position though.

Mullen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shimasaki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shimasaki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shimasaki postures up in Mullen's guard and throws a big left but Mullen blocks it.

Mullen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mullen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mullen looking for a guillotine here but Shimasaki defends easily.
Shimasaki wanted to stand there but Mullen had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mullen is on top in guard.
Mullen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mullen should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Mullen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shimasaki dives on top into guard.
Shimasaki slips nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shimasaki is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Mullen is refusing to be controlled, as Shimasaki sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimasaki tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Mullen.
Shimasaki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Mullen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mullen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mullen trying to strike off his back.

Mullen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shimasaki tries to stand but Mullen is controlling from the bottom.

Mullen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shimasaki defends well.
Ava Mullen has got the better of the ground game so far.

Mullen is looking for a triangle here but Shimasaki uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shimasaki working the head with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mullen tries to buck Shimasaki off but Shimasaki is having none of it.
Mullen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Shimasaki is looking to improve his position.
Shimasaki missing with punches from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shimasaki is not content to let Mullen control the position.
Mullen passes the guard and advances to mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ava Mullen.
I think Mullen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ava Mullen!
An out of breath Ava Mullen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Nobero Shimasaki was interviewed post fight and said 'Battle Lost but the War continues Team Goroshi - Tokyo United Fightwear - Zombie Nutrition'.