PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Neely (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shirahama kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Fade To Black. Neely has chosen Cracker - Low as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shirahama
vs
Neely

202 cm
33
240 lbs
27 - 11 - 1

195 cm
30
273 lbs
29 - 11 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenichi Shirahama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Neely!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Donald Grub and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Neely bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Neely looks to score with a jab to the body but Shirahama is just out of range.

Neely fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Shirahama sprawls well initially but Neely persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Shirahama trying to control here.
Neely scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Neely working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Shirahama is looking for a sweep. Neely is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neely thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shirahama's head.
Neely not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shirahama is trying to control but can't.
Shirahama is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Neely scores with a couple of nice shots.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Neely is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shirahama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Neely's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Neely's back!
Shirahama controls the position.

Neely won't enjoy being in this position. Shirahama looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Neely is tapping - it's over boys! Shirahama picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kenichi Shirahama!
Our winner, Kenichi Shirahama, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
In defeat, Jack Neely stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll be back.'.