PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kyo Kurosaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Shanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kurosaki comes to the cage accompanied by Different Sense - Dir En Grey. Shanks is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Dethklok - The Cyborg Slayers. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Michael Shanks was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kurosaki
vs
Shanks

190 cm
31
203 lbs
21 - 14 - 0

190 cm
32
188 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 21 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kyo Kurosaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Shanks!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shanks avoids the head kick by Kurosaki.
Shanks tries to clinch but Kurosaki moves out of range.

Kurosaki dives in and scores a takedown into Shanks's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kurosaki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kurosaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shanks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kurosaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kurosaki wants to control from the top but Shanks keeps moving.
Shanks looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kurosaki is one step ahead there.
Shanks pulls Kurosaki in to control the position.
Kurosaki wants to pass the guard but Shanks is keeping the position.
Kurosaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shanks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurosaki throwing strikes from guard but Shanks blocks nicely.
Shanks has his hands on Kurosaki's head, controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanks looking to control.
Kurosaki is looking to work some ground and pound but Shanks has wrist control.
Kurosaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kurosaki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shanks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kurosaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shanks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurosaki.
Shanks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurosaki.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kurosaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kurosaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shanks is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurosaki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shanks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki being controlled here momentarily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kurosaki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kurosaki throwing strikes from guard but Shanks blocks nicely.
Kurosaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shanks wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kurosaki is stalling in the full guard.
Shanks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks keeping moving, preventing Kurosaki from controlling successfully.
Kurosaki being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shanks jabs at Kurosaki's body.
Kurosaki misses with a body shot.
Kurosaki lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shanks's sensitive parts.
Kurosaki checks a low kick from Shanks.
Kurosaki scores with a hook to the body. Shanks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shanks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kurosaki.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shanks.
Kurosaki fails to land with a series of punches.

Kurosaki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shanks wants to improve his position but Kurosaki is controlling well.
Kurosaki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kurosaki.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kurosaki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kurosaki drops an elbow to the side of Shanks's head.
Shanks taking some punishment here, with Kurosaki in his half guard.
Shanks has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kurosaki is working away from the top position though.
Shanks wants to improve his position but Kurosaki is controlling well.
Kurosaki trying to mount his opponent but Shanks defends it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shanks is looking to improve his position.
Kurosaki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyo Kurosaki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shanks connects with a right hand. Kurosaki shakes it off.
Shanks gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Horrible takedown by Kurosaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Shanks which made him look bad.
Kurosaki tries to clinch up.

Shanks closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Shanks lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shanks using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kurosaki effectively controlling the action here.
Shanks taking a breather.
Shanks trying to land knees to the body.
Kurosaki trying to control the position but instead, Shanks has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kurosaki into the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kurosaki tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shanks's elbow.
Kurosaki controlling the action here for a moment.
Shanks scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kurosaki.
Shanks digs a right hand into Kurosaki's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kurosaki's gas tank.
Shanks lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kurosaki.
Shanks lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shanks scores with a hook to the body.
Shanks tries to throw a body punch but Kurosaki avoids it by throwing Shanks back against the cage.
Kurosaki tries to pull guard but Shanks won't allow it.
Shanks is stalling here.
A nice left hand lands by Shanks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shanks with a knee to the head.
Shanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shanks landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Shanks scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shanks lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Kyo Kurosaki has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks lands a nice uppercut.
Kurosaki prevents a body shot from Shanks.
Kurosaki is trying to pull guard but Shanks has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyo Kurosaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kurosaki is trying to pull guard but Shanks has him pressed against the cage.
Kurosaki lands a body shot.
Kurosaki prevents a body shot from Shanks.
Kurosaki tries to pull guard but Shanks won't allow it.
Shanks putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kurosaki in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Shanks lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kurosaki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kurosaki drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shanks pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shanks scores with a decent looking hook.
Kurosaki looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shanks lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kurosaki takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kurosaki misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kurosaki will feel that in the morning.
Shanks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Shanks connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shanks thuds his shin into the meat of Kurosaki's side.
Kurosaki tries to clinch up.
Shanks connects with a leg kick. Kurosaki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kurosaki.
Kurosaki swings for the body but Shanks moves out of range.
Kurosaki blocks the body kick.
Shanks thuds his right hand into Kurosaki's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kurosaki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Shanks.
Kurosaki takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Shanks avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kurosaki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kurosaki throws a lazy uppercut
and Shanks counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks scores with a nice body kick.
Shanks bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Shanks changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kurosaki slips a jab and a cross from Shanks.
Kurosaki is looking to wear down Shanks with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Shanks rushes Kurosaki and presses him up against the cage.
Shanks misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Kurosaki.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kurosaki.
Kurosaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Shanks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shanks.
Kurosaki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shanks smiles and moves away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kurosaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shanks works Kurosaki's body with a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Shanks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kyo Kurosaki's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shanks.
Kurosaki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Shanks throws a hook but Kurosaki blocks it.
Kurosaki loads up on a big right hand but Shanks slips the punch.
A jab lands there for Kurosaki.
Shanks buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A combination from Kurosaki does no damage.
Shanks throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Shanks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kurosaki.
Shanks scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kurosaki looks to land a right hand but Shanks moved out of range.
Shanks wants to clinch but Kurosaki slips to the side
and Kurosaki counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Shanks gets a clinch.
Shanks tries a body shot but Kurosaki blocks it.
Kurosaki is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shanks to keep the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kurosaki blocks a body shot from Shanks.
Shanks misses with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurosaki presses Shanks against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shanks lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kurosaki backwards.
Shanks lands with a left to the head.
Shanks tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kurosaki avoids it.
Kurosaki tries a body shot but Shanks blocks it.

Kurosaki jumps guard and drags Shanks to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Shanks seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kurosaki looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Michael Shanks wasn't active enough on the ground.
Kurosaki is looking to clinch.
Shanks keeps Kurosaki at a distance using the push kick.
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!
Shanks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kurosaki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kurosaki throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kurosaki tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Shanks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kurosaki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shanks walks away with a smile on his face. Kurosaki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kurosaki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kurosaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyo Kurosaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kurosaki lands a leg kick that knocks Shanks off balance momentarily.
Shanks lands a body shot.
Shanks thows a body kick. Kurosaki tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kurosaki motions for Shanks to come forward. Kurosaki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shanks cracks Kurosaki with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kurosaki under the eye.
Shanks with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shanks scores with a decent looking hook.
Kurosaki throws a body kick that misses.
Shanks lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kurosaki takes a step back to recover.

Shanks instigates a clinch.
Shanks tries to land a knee to the head but Kurosaki blocks with his arms.
Michael Shanks seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shanks is working Kurosaki over against the cage.
Kurosaki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A right handed body shot lands from Shanks.
Shanks unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kurosaki lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kurosaki will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurosaki prevents a body shot from Shanks.
Shanks lands a body shot in the clinch.
Shanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shanks has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shanks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kurosaki tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shanks just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kurosaki's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shanks.
A left hand lands to the body for Shanks.
Shanks scores with a shoulder strike.
Kurosaki tries to pull guard but Shanks holds him up against the cage and eventually Kurosaki drops back down to his feet.
Shanks is working Kurosaki over against the cage.
Shanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shanks lands a shoulder strike.
Kurosaki prevents a body shot from Shanks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kurosaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Shanks gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shanks lands a body punch.
Shanks lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Shanks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shanks 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Shanks!
After winning the bout, Michael Shanks thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.