PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Arman Shaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phoenix Miyamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Phoenix Miyamoto told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Shaker
vs
Miyamoto

180 cm
23
182 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

180 cm
38
185 lbs
24 - 22 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arman Shaker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Phoenix Miyamoto!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shaker feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Shaker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Miyamoto wants to get back to his feet but Shaker is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shaker 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.
Miyamoto bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shaker's guard.

Shaker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Miyamoto can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Miyamoto throws a strike but Shaker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Shaker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Miyamoto's head.
Shaker wants to control from the top but Miyamoto keeps moving.
Miyamoto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shaker. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shaker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Miyamoto is keeping the position for now.
Shaker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miyamoto is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Miyamoto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shaker's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shaker prevents Miyamoto from getting back to his feet.
Shaker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Miyamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Miyamoto has momentary wrist control but Shaker slips an elbow through the middle.
Miyamoto has his hands on Shaker's head, controlling the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Shaker's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Shaker won't allow Miyamoto to sweep him here.
Miyamoto wants to get back to his feet but Shaker is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shaker trying to control but Miyamoto is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Shaker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Miyamoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shaker trying to control but Miyamoto is working from the bottom.
Shaker passes Miyamoto's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miyamoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shaker seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Miyamoto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Miyamoto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shaker.
Ground and pound from Shaker.
Shaker throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Well, if Shaker is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Miyamoto looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miyamoto won't allow Shaker to pass to mount.
Miyamoto is staying active underneath Shaker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Miyamoto kicks Shaker off and gets back to his feet.
Miyamoto tries to clinch there but Shaker circles away.
Miyamoto tries to clinch up

and Shaker counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Miyamoto!
Shaker tries to move into full mount but can't pass Miyamoto's legs.
Shaker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Miyamoto keeps working.

Shaker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Shaker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Miyamoto keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miyamoto takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Shaker in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Shaker is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Miyamoto is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shaker lands a few punches from side control.
Miyamoto prevents Shaker from moving into mount.
Shaker trying to control the position but Miyamoto is working away.
Shaker happy to just control the position for now.
Miyamoto is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arman Shaker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Miyamoto throws a right and a left that Shaker avoids nicely.
A head kick misses from Shaker.
Miyamoto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shaker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shaker throws a sloppy head kick and Miyamoto moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Miyamoto works on Shaker's body with a couple of short punches.

Shaker gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Miyamoto wants to stand up but Shaker is controlling him.
Miyamoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shaker is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shaker is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miyamoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shaker.
Shaker is looking to work some ground and pound but Miyamoto has wrist control.
Miyamoto is pulling down on Shaker's head to control his posture.
Shaker postures up.
Shaker wants to pass the guard but Miyamoto is keeping the position.
Miyamoto wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Shaker manages to pass to side control.
Miyamoto tries to kick Shaker off but Shaker keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shaker seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Shaker is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Miyamoto defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaker drops an elbow to the side of Miyamoto's head.
Miyamoto is looking to escape.
Shaker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shaker working over Miyamoto with some ground and pound. Miyamoto looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Arman Shaker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Miyamoto is not content to let Shaker control the position.
Miyamoto wants to get back to his feet.
Shaker wants to pass the guard but Miyamoto is defending well.
Miyamoto is trying to stand back up but Shaker is controlling him

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miyamoto dodges the punch combination from Shaker.
Miyamoto tries to clinch but Shaker is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Miyamoto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shaker feinted with a counter takedown.
Phoenix Miyamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Miyamoto wants to clinch up but Shaker keeps it at a distance.

Miyamoto gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Miyamoto misses with a hook from the clinch.
Miyamoto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Miyamoto misses with an elbow over the top.
Miyamoto tries a body shot but Shaker blocks it.
Shaker wants to get back to striking at distance but Miyamoto won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaker changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Miyamoto fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Miyamoto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shaker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shaker appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Shaker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shaker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shaker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Miyamoto tries to avoid it but Shaker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Miyamoto to the ground. Miyamoto escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arman Shaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miyamoto throws a series of punches but Shaker moves out of range.
Phoenix Miyamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Miyamoto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shaker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Miyamoto wants to clinch.
Shaker changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arman Shaker dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Shaker looks to score with a jab to the body but Miyamoto is just out of range.
Miyamoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shaker half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Shaker tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice defenses there by Shaker.
Shaker fails with the takedown
and Miyamoto counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Shaker shoots in for a double leg but Miyamoto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Miyamoto tries to clinch up but Shaker circles away and keeps his distance.
Shaker was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Miyamoto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shaker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shaker seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Miyamoto throws a nice looking combination but Shaker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Miyamoto has Shaker up against the cage in a clinch.
Shaker letting Miyamoto take a breather here.
Shaker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Miyamoto can do to turn this around?
Miyamoto lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaker being controlled against the cage.
Miyamoto just leaning against Shaker, taking a breather.
Miyamoto continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Miyamoto throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Miyamoto digs a right hand underneath Shaker's ribcage. Shaker let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Miyamoto is stalling here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Miyamoto.
Miyamoto gets through Shaker's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Miyamoto.

Shaker pulls guard effortlessly.
Shaker wants to sweep here but Miyamoto controlling him for the moment.
Miyamoto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaker is trying to control the position but Miyamoto postures up.
Miyamoto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Shaker is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miyamoto defends well.
Shaker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shaker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Miyamoto in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Miyamoto gets to his feet - Shaker follows without any prompting.
Miyamoto looks to land a combination but Shaker avoids it well.
Phoenix Miyamoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Miyamoto gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miyamoto leaning his opponent against the cage.
Miyamoto looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Miyamoto pushes off an throws an elbow but Shaker leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Miyamoto lands with a right to the head.
Miyamoto misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shaker as Miyamoto tries to tie him up.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Miyamoto.
Shaker is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Miyamoto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Arman Shaker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arman Shaker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Miyamoto throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Miyamoto is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaker avoids a wild elbow strike from Miyamoto.
Miyamoto missing with knees to the body.
Miyamoto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Miyamoto softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Miyamoto tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shaker avoids it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Miyamoto throws an elbow but misses.
Miyamoto lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Miyamoto misses with some punches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Miyamoto prevents the takedown attempt.
Phoenix Miyamoto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A body shot lands from Miyamoto.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Miyamoto misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phoenix Miyamoto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shaker 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arman Shaker!