PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Shawcross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antero Vipunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shawcross
vs
Vipunen

165 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arthur Shawcross!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antero Vipunen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vipunen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shawcross.
Vipunen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vipunen throws the left hand but Shawcross avoids the punch easily.
Some wild striking there from Vipunen.
Vipunen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shawcross.

Shawcross scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Shawcross is trying to get an arm triangle but Vipunen is defending well.

Shawcross swings around for an armbar but Vipunen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shawcross's guard.

Shawcross has his foot on Vipunen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vipunen works his way back into a safe position though.
Vipunen throws a big elbow that misses.
Vipunen stopping the sweep attempt from Shawcross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shawcross keeping moving, preventing Vipunen from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shawcross is looking for a triangle but Vipunen pushes his legs off easily.
Vipunen throwing strikes but missing.
Vipunen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vipunen throws a big elbow that misses.
Shawcross avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vipunen 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.

Shawcross working for submissions but it's allowed Vipunen to get to half guard.
Vipunen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vipunen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shawcross's head.
Vipunen thows a huge punch but Shawcross dodges it nicely.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shawcross manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Vipunen trying to control but Shawcross is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shawcross is looking for a triangle but Vipunen pushes his legs off easily.
Vipunen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Vipunen postures up in Shawcross's guard and throws a big left but Shawcross blocks it.
Shawcross working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vipunen.
Shawcross is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vipunen trying to control but Shawcross is working from the bottom.
Vipunen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Shawcross is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vipunen is aware though and is defending well.
Vipunen cracks Shawcross with a solid left hand.
Vipunen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vipunen postures up in Shawcross's guard and throws a big left but Shawcross blocks it.
Shawcross wants to improve his position but instead Vipunen has moved into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vipunen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Shawcross is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vipunen pulls his head out easily.
Shawcross is looking for a sweep. Vipunen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vipunen thows a huge punch but Shawcross dodges it nicely.
Vipunen lands with a punch from half guard.
Shawcross gets full guard.
Vipunen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shawcross wants to sweep but no luck.
Vipunen throws a big right hand that misses.
Vipunen trying to control but Shawcross is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vipunen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Shawcross haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Shawcross escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vipunen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vipunen trying to control but Shawcross is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shawcross drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Shawcross working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
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 Arthur Shawcross will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vipunen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Shawcross is trying to work for a sweep but Vipunen has mounted him!
Shawcross tries to hold on but Vipunen pushes him away.
Shawcross gets back to half guard.
Shawcross wants to control but Vipunen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Shawcross is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vipunen pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shawcross looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Shawcross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vipunen thows a huge punch but Shawcross dodges it nicely.
Vipunen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vipunen throwing shots but Shawcross is blocking nicely.
Vipunen is looking to take a break and control but Shawcross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shawcross wants to improve his position but Vipunen is controlling well.
Vipunen is looking to take a break and control but Shawcross is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vipunen tries to pass to full mount but Shawcross defends it.
Vipunen throwing shots but Shawcross is blocking nicely.

Shawcross is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vipunen pulls his head out easily.

Shawcross looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vipunen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shawcross defending well though.
Vipunen slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Vipunen wants to control but Shawcross is keeping him busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shawcross shoots in looking for a takedown but Vipunen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shawcross's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Vipunen scores with a takedown into Shawcross's guard.
Vipunen 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.
Vipunen trying to control but Shawcross is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vipunen throws a big right hand that misses.

Shawcross has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Vipunen doesn't defend quickly enough and Shawcross has managed to lock this one up! Can Vipunen escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Shawcross on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Arthur Shawcross!
Arthur Shawcross seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.