PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Calvin Brooks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Papa Shango (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brooks comes to the cage accompanied by 2nd Sucks - A Day To Remember. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Papa Shango was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Brooks
vs
Shango

175 cm
26
155 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

177 cm
27
166 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Vikai Gear

Alcatraz Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Calvin Brooks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Papa Shango!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Michael Johnstone and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shango bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shango moves away from the strike by Brooks.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Shango has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Brooks closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Shango's guard.
Shango wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shango looking for a guillotine here but Brooks defends easily.
Brooks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brooks trying to control the position from guard on top but Shango is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shango wants to sweep here but Brooks controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks trying to control but Shango is working from the bottom.
Brooks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shango swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Shango closes the distance and clinches.
Shango prevents Brooks from breaking the clinch.

Shango has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Brooks uses from the top position.
Shango working a defensive guard here.
Shango tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shango is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Brooks's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shango looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Brooks trying to control but Shango is working from the bottom.
Brooks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shango swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shango being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Brooks tries to keep at a distance but Shango has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shango successfully pulls guard.
Shango looking for a sweep. Not yet Shango, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shango is on top in guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shango is looking to advance position but Brooks has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Shango really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Shango gets back to half guard.
Brooks is thwarting Shango's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shango wants to get back to full guard.
Brooks works his way into side control.
Shango tries to buck Brooks off but Brooks is having none of it.
Brooks is looking to take a break and control but Shango is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shango manages to work his way to half guard, despite Brooks's best efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Papa Shango will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Brooks lands with an overhand left.
A combination from Brooks does no damage.
Shango fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Shango rushes Brooks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Brooks is pressed up against the cage. Shango has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Brooks down to the mat. Brooks avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shango uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Brooks.
Shango ducks under a wild hook from Brooks.
Brooks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shango.
Calvin Brooks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Papa Shango.
Shango shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Brooks but Brooks pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Shango.
Shango changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Brooks swings for the body but Shango moves out of range.
Brooks lands with a cross.
Brooks fails to land with a series of punches.
Shango shoots in looking for a takedown but Brooks manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shango's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brooks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shango.
Shango tries to counter with a clinch but Brooks shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks's corner calls for a 1-2. Brooks obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Brooks scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Brooks controlling the position.
Shango is looking for a sweep.
Shango manages to work his way to half guard, despite Brooks's best efforts.
Shango is trying to control but Brooks manages to pass to mount!
Shango wants to hold on but Brooks pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shango is desperately trying to improve his position but Brooks has a good base and remains in mount.
Shango keeps trying to improve his position.
Brooks controlling the position easily from mount.
Shango is looking to improve his position but Brooks isn't that keen on the idea.
Brooks tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shango regains half guard.
Shango wants to improve his position but Brooks is controlling well.
Well, if Brooks 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.
Brooks is looking to advance position but Shango won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shango is looking for a sweep. Brooks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Shango trying to control here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Brooks misses with a straight right.
Shango moves away from the strike by Brooks.
A left lands for Brooks.
Brooks swings for the body but Shango moves out of range.
Shango feints the counter takedown.
Calvin Brooks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shango shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Brooks sprawls well. Brooks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shango gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Brooks lands with an uppercut that bounces Shango off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Calvin Brooks dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shango staying out of range there.
Brooks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shango drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Brooks defends it well.
Papa Shango is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shango shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Brooks listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Brooks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Brooks moves into the clinch.
Shango jumps guard but Brooks stands there with Shango around his waist. Shango gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Shango pulls Brooks into guard.
Brooks trying to control the position from guard on top but Shango is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shango 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shango is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brooks wants to control from the top but Shango keeps moving.

Shango is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Brooks defends well.
Shango wants to sweep here but Brooks controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Brooks misses with a double jab.
Shango tries to counter with a clinch but Brooks shakes him off and moves away.
Papa Shango has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Brooks looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Brooks is keen to just control but Shango is a slippery customer.
Shango tries to get to full guard but Brooks has control of the leg.
Shango is pressing down on Brooks's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Brooks won't allow Shango to sweep him here.
Brooks is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shango can do to turn this around?
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Calvin Brooks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brooks is fighting to break Shango's control of his arms but Shango is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Some wild striking there from Brooks.
Brooks tries to bum rush Shango with a series of wild strikes but Shango uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shango fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shango moves into range and clinches up with Brooks.

Shango manages to pull guard.
Shango wants to improve his position but instead Brooks has moved into half guard.
Shango is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Shango actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brooks prevents Shango from improving his position.
Brooks is keen to just control but Shango is a slippery customer.
Brooks is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Brooks is trying to control. Shango wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Brooks stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Calvin Brooks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Brooks 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Calvin Brooks!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Calvin Brooks!
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight for Calvin Brooks!

Calvin Brooks wins by unanimous decision!
Calvin Brooks really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Vikai Gear logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.