PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evander Holyshit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shirahama comes into the arena with Fade To Black blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Holyshit's choice of entrance music: You're gonna die!. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Shirahama
vs
Holyshit

202 cm
34
240 lbs
29 - 13 - 1

196 cm
36
263 lbs
37 - 21 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
VIRAL COMBAT

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenichi Shirahama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Evander Holyshit!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Holyshit tries to land a leg kick but Shirahama saw it coming and moves away.
Holyshit misses with a left hand

and Shirahama counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Holyshit's guard now.
Holyshit is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shirahama has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shirahama pushing down on Holyshit's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Holyshit is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shirahama working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Holyshit's thigh. Holyshit counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Shirahama content to stall in guard here.
Shirahama wants to pass the guard but Holyshit is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyshit is pulling down on Shirahama's head to control his posture.
Shirahama missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Holyshit has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Holyshit keeping full guard, as Shirahama tries to pass.
Holyshit is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Evander Holyshit.
Holyshit tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Shirahama shoots in and bounces Holyshit off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Holyshit wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Holyshit wants to sweep here but Shirahama controlling him for the moment.
Shirahama looking to pass the guard.
Holyshit looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyshit is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Evander Holyshit has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Holyshit throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shirahama on the side of the head.
Shirahama takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Holyshit lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shirahama's sensitive parts.
Holyshit stuffs the takedown.
Shirahama on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Holyshit. Holyshit obviously looking to wear him down.
Evander Holyshit is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holyshit swings for the body but Shirahama moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Holyshit.
Holyshit throws a leg kick
and Shirahama counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama walks into a stiff left hand from Holyshit.
Holyshit misses with a low kick.
Holyshit throws a leg kick

so Shirahama counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Holyshit working a defensive guard here.
Shirahama being controlled here momentarily.
Holyshit not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holyshit keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Holyshit not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Evander Holyshit will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A low kick from Holyshit is predictable there

and Shirahama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shirahama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holyshit swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Holyshit looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shirahama postures up in Holyshit's guard and throws a big left but Holyshit blocks it.
Holyshit is adopting a defensive guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Holyshit preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shirahama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shirahama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shirahama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Holyshit works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shirahama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holyshit swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyshit controlling Shirahama's posture.
Shirahama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Holyshit is keeping the position for now.
Shirahama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shirahama lands a couple of elbows.
Kenichi Shirahama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shirahama throws a big right hand that misses.
Shirahama has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Shirahama scoring with some ground and pound.
Shirahama is in close to Holyshit's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyshit 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.
Holyshit is controlling Shirahama's posture.
Shirahama throws a big elbow that misses.
Shirahama is looking to work some ground and pound but Holyshit has wrist control.
Shirahama is looking to advance position but Holyshit has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Holyshit tries to control but Shirahama wriggling away.
Shirahama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Shirahama is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Holyshit.
Holyshit pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Holyshit content just to control the position here.
Shirahama is working to get back to half guard.
Holyshit scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Holyshit looking to control but Shirahama is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Shirahama is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shirahama is working hard here to advance position.
Holyshit looking to control but Shirahama is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Shirahama is wriggling around trying to escape.
Shirahama wants to control but Holyshit is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holyshit pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Shirahama slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Holyshit throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick by Holyshit misses

and Shirahama counters with a takedown into side control.
Holyshit is trying to improve his position.
Holyshit is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
An elbow from Shirahama crashes against the mat.

Shirahama thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Shirahama tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Holyshit is looking for a sweep.
Holyshit is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Shirahama off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holyshit trying to control momentarily.
Holyshit 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.
Shirahama is in bad spot here.
Holyshit lands shots from the back.
Shirahama rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Shirahama moves into full guard.
Holyshit's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shirahama wants to improve his position but instead Holyshit has moved into half guard.
Holyshit prevents Shirahama from improving his position.
Holyshit is looking to take a break and control but Shirahama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shirahama moves into full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holyshit wants to control from the top but Shirahama keeps moving.
Shirahama looking to hit a scissor sweep but Holyshit is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyshit trying to control but Shirahama is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Evander Holyshit was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Holyshit throws a body kick that misses.
Shirahama has his takedown stuffed
and Holyshit counters with a left to the body.
Shirahama closes the distance and clinches up with Holyshit, looking for a takedown. Shirahama pushes Holyshit against the cage but Holyshit circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Holyshit throws a hook to the side of Shirahama's head but Shirahama sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Holyshit throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Holyshit. That's going to slow Shirahama down.
Holyshit misses with a jab to the body

and Shirahama counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Holyshit wants to improve his position but Shirahama is controlling well.
Shirahama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Holyshit is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Holyshit won't allow Shirahama to pass to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holyshit keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Holyshit is looking for a sweep. Shirahama is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kenichi Shirahama did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Shirahama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Holyshit digs a good hook to Shirahama's body.
Holyshit looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Evander Holyshit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holyshit scores with a nice body kick.
Shirahama shoots and misses
and Holyshit counters with a low kick, right behind Shirahama 's knee.
Holyshit dips to his left and cracks Shirahama with an uppercut!
Shirahama takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A punch lands to the side of Shirahama 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Holyshit misses with a low kick.
Holyshit throws the kick towards the body but Shirahama avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Holyshit gets caught flat footed, as Shirahama shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Holyshit has control of Shirahama's left arm, preventing Shirahama from doing any damage.
Shirahama scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Holyshit utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shirahama throwing strikes but missing.
Shirahama stopping the sweep attempt from Holyshit.
Shirahama is in close to Holyshit's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama throws a big right hand that misses.
Holyshit working a defensive guard here.
Shirahama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Holyshit swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Holyshit is on top in guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Holyshit working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holyshit is stalling in the full guard.
Holyshit must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Holyshit wants to control from the top but Shirahama keeps moving.
Holyshit's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shirahama wants to improve his position but instead Holyshit has moved into half guard.
Shirahama is looking to control Holyshit's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shirahama avoid being mounted?
Shirahama is trying to get back to full guard.
Holyshit wants to pass the guard but Shirahama is defending well.
Shirahama is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holyshit thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shirahama's head.
Shirahama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Holyshit passes into side control, despite Shirahama's attempt to control the position.
Shirahama takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Holyshit in side control lands a decent elbow.
Shirahama tries to improve position but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Holyshit landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Shirahama sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Holyshit moves nicely into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Holyshit dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Holyshit lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Shirahama takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Holyshit misses with a low kick.
Shirahama moves out of range of the strikes.
Holyshit with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Holyshit tries to score with a low kick but Shirahama moves his leg out of the way.
Shirahama uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Holyshit.
Holyshit tries to bum rush Shirahama with a series of wild strikes but Shirahama uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Shirahama.
Holyshit throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Shirahama counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Holyshit's guard now.
Holyshit keeping full guard, as Shirahama tries to pass.
Holyshit avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shirahama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shirahama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Holyshit looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shirahama is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Holyshit managing to control the position.
Let's hope that Holyshit has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Holyshit keeping moving, preventing Shirahama from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shirahama on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Shirahama changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Holyshit tries to avoid it but Shirahama manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Holyshit to the ground. Holyshit escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shirahama keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Holyshit throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shirahama stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Holyshit throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Holyshit pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Holyshit throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Holyshit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Shirahama.
A looping hook to the body misses from Holyshit. Shirahama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Holyshit keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Shirahama closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Holyshit to the mat! Holyshit manages to get full guard.
Shirahama tries to free his leg and advance position but Holyshit is retaining full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Holyshit has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Shirahama passes Holyshit's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Evander Holyshit.
I think Holyshit 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Evander Holyshit!
Evander Holyshit is the new heavyweight champion!
Evander Holyshit decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.