PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuya Shimizu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mick Gerrard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shimizu kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Negative - Still Alive. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shimizu
vs
Gerrard

168 cm
24
145 lbs
14 - 4 - 1

175 cm
28
158 lbs
18 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

V-Mask Clothing + 70% laundry

Beaver Jooce!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yuya Shimizu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of London, Mick Gerrard!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Daniel Bishop and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shimizu throws a low kick, looking for Gerrard's leg but Gerrard calmly moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gerrard. Shimizu does a little dance to reset his feet.
A head kick misses from Gerrard.
Gerrard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gerrard takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Mick Gerrard has been cut.
Shimizu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gerrard.
Shimizu checks a leg kick.
Gerrard has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Shimizu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gerrard. That did some damage!
Shimizu misses with a body kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Shimizu. Gerrard shrugs it off though.
Gerrard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gerrard looking to land some kicks to the body here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shimizu explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Gerrard throws a body shot but no joy.
Gerrard swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gerrard misses the jab.
Shimizu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gerrard.

Shimizu takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard throws a punch but it's blocked by Shimizu.

Shimizu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shimizu is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shimizu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Gerrard connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shimizu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gerrard is out of range.
Shimizu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gerrard throws a head kick that misses.
Gerrard misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shimizu has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gangsterdamage in the buildup to the fight.

Shimizu instigates a clinch.
Shimizu lands a shoulder strike.
Shimizu lands a body shot.
Shimizu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shimizu lands a nice uppercut.
Gerrard blocks an uppercut.
Gerrard blocks an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gerrard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Gerrards head.
Gerrard misses with a punch on the inside.
Gerrard misses with some punches.
Gerrard working aggressively here.
Gerrard tries to throw a body punch but Shimizu avoids it by throwing Gerrard back against the cage.
Shimizu can't break the clinch.
Shimizu lands a shot to the body.
Gerrard throws a head punch that misses.
Shimizu swings wildly with an uppercut but Gerrard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gerrard lands a shot to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gerrard.
Shimizu throws a head punch that misses.
Gerrard tries to throw a body punch but Shimizu avoids it by throwing Gerrard back against the cage.
A short right from Shimizu.

Shimizu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shimizu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shimizu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Shimizu blocks the body kick.
Shimizu swats away the attempt to clinch by Gerrard.

Gerrard takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shimizu tries to break the clinch but Gerrard is controlling the position.

Gerrard's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shimizu takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gerrard. Shimizu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gerrard scores with a head kick. Shimizu tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gerrard throws a jab when Shimizu was well out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Shimizu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Gerrard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gerrard takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gerrard lands a head kick!
Shimizu ducks under a wild hook from Gerrard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shimizu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shimizu tries to bum rush Gerrard with a series of wild strikes but Gerrard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Gerrard drives through and clinches with Shimizu against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Gerrard.
Gerrard lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shimizu working aggressively here.
Gerrard lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shimizu backwards.
Gerrard blocks a body shot from Shimizu.
Shimizu is trying to force a seperation but Gerrard has the dominant position.
Shimizu cracks Gerrard with a nice body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shimizu.
A short uppercut from Shimizu.
Gerrard can't find room to land a body shot as Shimizu controls the action.
A short left from Shimizu.

Gerrard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gerrard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shimizu works Gerrard's body with a nice hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shimizu misses with a low kick.
Gerrard checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yuya Shimizu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mick Gerrard's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gerrard throws a low kick, looking for Shimizu's leg but Shimizu calmly moves out of range.
Gerrard walks into a jab.
Gerrard throws a looping overhand right but Shimizu ducks down to avoid it.
Shimizu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gerrard looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shimizu avoids the head kick by Gerrard.
Gerrard blocks a leg kick.
Shimizu fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gerrard does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gerrard throws a big shot that misses.
Gerrard fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shimizu throws a sloppy head kick and Gerrard moves out of range easily.
Gerrard dips to his left and cracks Shimizu with an uppercut!
Gerrard scores with a head kick. Shimizu tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Shimizu scores with a push kick.
Gerrard throws a poor cross that misses

and Shimizu counters with a shoot takedown. Gerrard fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gerrard is looking to sweep but instead, Shimizu has passed into half guard.
Shimizu slips a nice elbow through Gerrard's hands, connecting with Gerrard's forehead.
Gerrard is refusing to be controlled, as Shimizu sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shimizu looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shimizu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Gerrard is not content to let Shimizu control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu is thwarting Gerrard's attempts to control the position.
Gerrard keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shimizu wants to pass the guard but Gerrard is defending well.
Shimizu working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Gerrard's thigh. Gerrard counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Shimizu connects with a couple of short punches.
Gerrard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shimizu is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard looking to control.
Shimizu advances position into side control!
Shimizu misses with the ground and pound.
Shimizu working the ground and pound but Gerrard is defending the strikes.
Gerrard parries the strikes from Shimizu easily there. Shimizu is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Gerrard to escape.
Shimizu tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Shimizu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gerrard can do to turn this around?
Shimizu lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gerrard down.

Shimizu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gerrard knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu wants to control but Gerrard is keeping him busy.
Shimizu throws an elbow but Gerrard slips to the side and avoids it well.
Shimizu wants to control but Gerrard is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gerrard manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shimizu's best efforts.
Shimizu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuya Shimizu dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mick Gerrard's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gerrard takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shimizu takes one to the side of the head.
Shimizu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gerrard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shimizu.
Gerrard misses with an uppercut.
Shimizu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gerrard moves away.

Gerrard has Shimizu up against the cage in a clinch.
Yuya Shimizu has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shimizu has a couple of punches blocked by Gerrard.
Shimizu blocking some punches.
Shimizu blocking some punches.

Gerrard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crunch! Gerrard slams his shin into Shimizu's torso.
Shimizu cracks the inside of Gerrard's front leg.
Gerrard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shimizu.

Shimizu gets tackled into the cage by Gerrard. Gerrard maintains the clinch.
Shimizu throws a punch but it's blocked by Gerrard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shimizu.
Shimizu takes a shot to the head.

Shimizu manages to break the clinch.
Gerrard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gerrard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shimizu.
Gerrard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shimizu throws a leg kick but Gerrard sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gerrard throws out a powerful jab.
Gerrard lands a jab to the nose.
Shimizu on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shimizu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gerrard.
Gerrard tries to clinch but Shimizu moves out of range.
Shimizu swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shimizu uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu swinging wildly here.
Gerrard lands a head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shimizu slips under a jab.
Mick Gerrard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gerrard gets a clinch.
Shimizu misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gerrard.
Gerrard wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Gerrard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gerrard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shimizu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shimizu shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Shimizu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gerrard.
Gerrard throws a hook but Shimizu avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Gerrard.
Gerrard scores with a nice right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shimizu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shimizu with a jab.
No joy there for Gerrard, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gerrard drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Gerrard throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gerrard throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd cheers as Shimizu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gerrard doesn't seem phased though.
Gerrard throws an off balance right hand

and Shimizu decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gerrard's guard.
Shimizu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gerrard looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shimizu is one step ahead there.
Gerrard keeping moving, preventing Shimizu from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gerrard is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shimizu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gerrard's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gerrard pulls Shimizu in to control the position.
Shimizu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shimizu landing with the ground and pound.
Shimizu wants to pass the guard but Gerrard is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Gerrard really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mick Gerrard's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gerrard throws a head kick that half lands.
Mick Gerrard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gerrard throws a right hand that Shimizu ducks under and follows up with a left that Shimizu also avoids with ease.
Gerrard moves out of range as Shimizu throws a body kick.
Shimizu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Gerrard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shimizu scores with a kick to the body.
Gerrard throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shimizu on the side of the head.
Shimizu misses with a wild body shot.
Gerrard tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shimizu throws a low kick but Gerrard avoids it.
Gerrard blocks the body kick.
Shimizu fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shimizu ducks under a wild hook from Gerrard.
Gerrard throws a looping overhand right but Shimizu ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerrard misses with an uppercut.
Shimizu lands a nice shot to the body.
Shimizu tries to clinch but Gerrard is having none of it.
Shimizu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Good work by Gerrard as he checks the leg kick.
Gerrard misses with a head kick.
The crowd cheers as Gerrard lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shimizu doesn't seem phased though.
Shimizu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gerrard.
Shimizu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Shimizu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gerrard goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Shimizu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gerrard can pounce on him.
Shimizu doesn't manage to clinch there - Gerrard circles away.

Shimizu clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shimizu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shimizu is trying to force a seperation but Gerrard has the dominant position.
Gerrard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Gerrard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Gerrard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shimizu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Gerrard comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Gerrard is looking to clinch.
Gerrard moves out of range of the body kick.
Shimizu needs to keep his hands up - Gerrard had a free shot at his head there.
Gerrard tries to clinch but Shimizu is having none of it.
No joy there for Gerrard, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gerrard avoids the head kick by Shimizu.
Gerrard misses with a few strikes there.
Shimizu tries a low kick but Gerrard avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard ducks under a wild hook from Shimizu.
Gerrard misses with a kick to the body.
Gerrard tries to clinch up.
Gerrard thuds a left hand into Shimizu's body.
An inside leg kick from Shimizu misses.
Shimizu misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shimizu wants to land a leg kick but Gerrard is out of range.
Shimizu walks into a stiff left hand from Gerrard.
Shimizu avoids the head kick by Gerrard.
Shimizu throws a low kick but Gerrard moves out of range easily.

Shimizu moves into range and clinches up with Gerrard.

Gerrard breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gerrard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gerrard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shimizu has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shimizu wants to clinch
and Gerrard counters with a solid body kick.
Shimizu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gerrard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shimizu works Gerrard's body with a nice hook.
Gerrard throws a head kick but Shimizu moves out of range.
Gerrard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shimizu.
Gerrard lands the left hand.
Shimizu lands a head kick!
Gerrard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shimizu's hands.
Shimizu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gerrard manages to avoid it.
Shimizu slips under a jab.
Shimizu thuds his shin into the meat of Gerrard's side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Gerrard dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Mick Gerrard's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gerrard checks a low kick from Shimizu.
Shimizu scores with a nice strike.
Gerrard tries to close the distance and clinch but Shimizu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gerrard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shimizu.
Shimizu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gerrard misses with a straight right.
An inside leg kick lands from Shimizu.
A combination from Shimizu does no damage.
An inside leg kick lands from Shimizu.
Nice jab there from Gerrard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shimizu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gerrard doesn't seem bothered though.
Shimizu avoids the head kick by Gerrard.
Shimizu takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Shimizu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Gerrard. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gerrard.
Gerrard closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Shimizu throws a nice looking combination but Gerrard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shimizu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Gerrard lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shimizu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gerrard connects with a jab.
Shimizu lands a jab to the nose.
Gerrard wants to clinch.
Gerrard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shimizu misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gerrard has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shimizu is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Gerrard to keep the fight standing.
Gerrard's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shimizu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Gerrard working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gerrard wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shimizu has him pressed against the cage.
Shimizu misses with the head strike.
Shimizu has a couple of punches blocked by Gerrard.
Shimizu looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Shimizu blocks an uppercut.
Gerrard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shimizu digs a right hand into Gerrard's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gerrard's gas tank.
Shimizu tries to pull guard but Gerrard holds him up against the cage and eventually Shimizu drops back down to his feet.
Gerrard misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shimizu blocks the elbow strike.
Gerrard wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shimizu.
Shimizu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shimizu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu blocking some punches.
Shimizu throws a punch but it's blocked by Gerrard.
Gerrard misses with a punch to the body.
Shimizu blocking some punches.
Shimizu misses with some punches.
Gerrard blocking some punches.

Gerrard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gerrard throws a leg kick but Shimizu checks it.
Shimizu takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Shimizu - that will leave a mark!
Shimizu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Gerrard manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Gerrard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gerrard throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Shimizu decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gerrard's guard.
Gerrard is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Shimizu wants to control from the top but Gerrard keeps moving.
Shimizu throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gerrard wants to sweep here but Shimizu controlling him for the moment.
Shimizu throws a big right hand that misses.
Shimizu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shimizu chips away with some ground and pound.
Shimizu sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Gerrard's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shimizu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Gerrard's head.
Gerrard wants to improve his position but Shimizu is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yuya Shimizu.
I think Shimizu has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 48:47
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuya Shimizu!
Post fight, an emotional Yuya Shimizu said 'Bloody hell, I actually won? YEAH, I AM THE GREATEST! Watashi wa saidai!'.