PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dave Collins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arman Shaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Collins might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Beginning of the End. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Collins
vs
Shaker

178 cm
42
175 lbs
37 - 26 - 1

180 cm
23
182 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
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 37 - 26 - 1, fighting out of London, Dave Collins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arman Shaker!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shaker checks a leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shaker.
Collins works Shaker's body with a nice hook.
Shaker throws a leg kick

and Collins counters with a single leg into guard. Shaker didn't expect that.
Shaker wants to sweep but no luck.
Collins working some strikes from top position.
Collins with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaker trying to keep a closed guard but Collins is proving a slippery customer.
Shaker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shaker seems keen to control Collins's posture.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaker has his foot on Collins's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Collins works his way back into a safe position though.
Collins looking to pass the guard.
Shaker is trying to control the position but Collins postures up.

Shaker has his foot on Collins's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Collins works his way back into a safe position though.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shaker is on top in guard.

Shaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Collins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shaker throwing strikes from guard but Collins blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Collins pulls Shaker in to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shaker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shaker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Shaker throws a big right hand that misses.
Shaker won't allow Collins to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Collins gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Shaker to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Shaker is working Collins over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
My spies in Grappling Pro Helsinki inform me that Shaker has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaker throws a big right hand that misses.
Collins tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shaker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Collins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Collins controls Shaker momentarily but Shaker frees himself.
Collins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shaker is one step ahead there.
Shaker throws a big elbow that misses.
Shaker trying to control the position from guard on top but Collins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Collins wants to hit a switch here but Shaker passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Collins there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Collins is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Shaker is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Collins can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Shaker unloading with bombs!
Shaker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shaker working Collins over with strikes here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Collins takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Shaker controlling the pace for now.
Collins working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arman Shaker dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Collins ducks under a wild hook from Shaker.
Shaker misses with a looping left.
Good standup being displayed there by Shaker as he connects with a hook.
Collins takes a swing at Shaker's ribcage but misses.
Shaker doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A big left from Shaker misses.
Shaker misses with a body shot.
Collins seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A looping hook to the body misses from Collins. Shaker does a little dance to reset his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Collins.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That kick from Shaker tenderised Collins's leg. Collins is trying to keep his angry face on.
Collins shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shaker as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaker throws a leg kick which misses Collins's front leg but catches the back leg as Collins tries to avoid it.
Shaker walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Collins checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Shaker tries to land a leg kick but Collins saw it coming and moves away.
Shaker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Collins throws a predictable looking body shot

and Shaker counters with a shoot takedown. Collins fights it but they end up in guard.
Shaker stopping the sweep attempt from Collins.
Shaker postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Shaker drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shaker jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shaker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaker passes Collins's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Collins is not content to let Shaker control the position.
Shaker is thwarting Collins's attempts to control the position.
Shaker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Collins defending well though.
Collins moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Shaker wants to control from the top but Collins keeps moving.
Shaker is pushing down on Collins's leg trying to pass to half guard. Collins is fighting to maintain full guard but Shaker has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shaker is keen to just control but Collins is a slippery customer.
Shaker has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaker takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Shaker trying to control the action but Collins is working from the bottom.
Shaker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shaker thows a huge punch but Collins dodges it nicely.
Shaker seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Collins does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Collins blocks a leg kick.
Shaker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shaker punishes Collins's body with a nice straight punch.
Shaker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Collins was well out of range. Poor timing from Shaker.
Collins throws a head kick but Shaker moves out of range.
Shaker looks for the body kick but Collins saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaker misses with a low kick.
Collins throws a head kick that Shaker semi-blocks.
Shaker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Collins.
Dave Collins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Collins tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice side step and Shaker releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Shaker throws a hook but Collins blocks it.
Collins is looking to wear down Shaker with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Collins throws a head kick that misses.
Shaker missing with a left hand there. Collins was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shaker throws a hook but Collins avoids it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Collins ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shaker moves away.
Collins scores with a crisp jab that stopped Shaker in his tracks.
Shaker fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arman Shaker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Collins connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shaker looks for the body kick but Collins saw that one coming.
Collins attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Collins misses with a takedown attempt - Shaker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Collins swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Shaker counters with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Collins ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Collins avoids the head kick by Shaker.
Collins scores with a hook to the body. Shaker takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shaker throws a leg kick which misses Collins's front leg but catches the back leg as Collins tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Collins throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Shaker tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Collins is in Shaker's guard.

Collins avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Collins throwing strikes but missing.
Shaker is trying to control the position but Collins postures up.
Shaker is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Collins trying to control but Shaker is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins scoring with some ground and pound.
Shaker is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Shaker throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Collins is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Collins swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Collins with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shaker misses the body punch

and Collins counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Shaker looking for a sweep. Not yet Shaker, not yet.
Shaker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Collins working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shaker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shaker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Collins's guard.

Shaker wants to control from the top but Collins keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shaker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shaker throws a big elbow that misses.
Arman Shaker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Collins is looking to sweep but instead, Shaker has passed into half guard.
Shaker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dave Collins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Shaker in particular looking to stall.
Collins is trying to get back to full guard.
Shaker takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Collins wants to improve his position but Shaker is controlling well.
Collins won't allow Shaker to pass to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Collins is trying to maintain the position but Shaker is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Collins stuffs the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Collins showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shaker 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

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