PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Flores (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shape Shifter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flores's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The XX - Intro. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Flores
vs
Shifter

195 cm
25
212 lbs
9 - 4 - 1

192 cm
22
214 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rafael Flores!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Shape Shifter!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Chris Edwards and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shifter circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shifter appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

Shifter moves into range and clinches up with Flores.

Shifter gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Shifter is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Shifter is looking for a kimura but Flores is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shifter to get the leverage.
Shifter trying to pass the guard but Flores defending well.
Flores is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flores wants to improve his position but Shifter is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shifter is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Flores defends it well.
Shifter wants to pass the guard but Flores is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifter thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Flores is trying is best to control the position here.

Shifter seems to be looking for submissions.
Flores is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Vendetta Alliance London Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Flores gets full guard.
Flores 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.
Shifter being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Shifter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flores swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shifter trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Flores avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shifter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shifter throwing strikes from guard but Flores blocks nicely.
Shifter throwing strikes from guard but Flores blocks nicely.
Shifter tries to free his leg and advance position but Flores is retaining full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flores connects with a nice looking jab.
Flores misses the jab.

Flores clinches up with Shifter and pushes him back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Flores.
Flores is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Flores softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Shifter breaks the clinch.
Flores moves in looking to clinch but Shifter pushes him off.

Flores closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Flores throws a head punch that misses.
Shifter blocks a body shot from Flores.
Flores tries to throw a body punch but Shifter avoids it by throwing Flores back against the cage.
Flores scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shifter tries to land a knee to the head but Flores blocks with his arms.
Flores tries to circle away but Shifter has him pinned against the cage.

Shifter is trying to trip Flores. He has hold of a leg but Flores is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Shifter persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shifter is looking to work some ground and pound but Flores has wrist control.
Flores is trying to control the position but Shifter postures up.
Shifter stopping the sweep attempt from Flores.
Shifter looking to pass the guard.
Shifter forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shifter is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Flores avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shifter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shape Shifter dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Flores moves into the clinch successfully.
Flores lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Shifter lands a takedown into guard.
Flores is trying to keep Shifter in close.

Shifter is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Shape Shifter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shifter missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shifter stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Flores swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Flores looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shifter is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shifter with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shifter throws a big elbow that misses.
Flores looking to control.
Flores looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Flores fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rafael Flores is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Shifter scores with a takedown into Flores's guard.
Shifter looking to pass the guard.

Shifter postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Flores is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Shifter, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shifter throws his legs up looking for a submission but Flores uses it to pass to side control.
Shifter is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Shifter manages to get to full guard.
Flores looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Shifter tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shifter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Flores doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Flores manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Flores slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Shifter tries to bench press Flores off him but Flores keeps the position.
Shifter throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Shifter sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shifter tries to roll over but Flores keeps him under control.
Shifter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Shifter is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Flores pulls his head out easily.
Shifter is looking for a sweep. Flores is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shifter is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Flores's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Flores's back!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Flores trying to control the hands but Shifter won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shape Shifter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shifter shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Shifter was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Shifter is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Flores has escaped the position, nice work there.

Shifter is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Flores is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Shifter looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shifter goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Flores rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Shifter's guard! Nice work there by Flores!

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

Shifter looking for a guillotine here but Flores defends easily.

Shifter is looking for a triangle but Flores pushes his legs off easily.
Shifter wants to hit a switch here but Flores passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Shifter there!
Rafael Flores has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shifter is trying desperately to improve position.
Flores wants to take Shifter's back but he can't do it this time.
Shifter is trying to escape the mount.
Shifter gets back to half guard.
Shifter moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flores won't allow Shifter to sweep him here.

Shifter has an active guard here but Flores has managed to pass into half guard.
Flores passes to side control.
Flores controls the position from side control.
Shifter is looking to regain half guard here but Flores keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Shifter sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Shifter makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shifter.
Shifter looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shape Shifter is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Flores wants to get up but he can't break Shifter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Shifter working for a triangle but Flores defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shape Shifter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shifter winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shape Shifter!
After the big win, Shape Shifter made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$) and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
Rafael Flores was interviewed post fight and said 'I lost. This means you pulled guard from clinch and subbed me, right Johnny? '.