PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Papa Shango (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Garrick Head (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garrick Head will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shango
vs
Head

177 cm
28
166 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

157 cm
20
154 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Spartan Nutrition
KAISER

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 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Papa Shango!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Garrick Head!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Head throws a half hearted mid kick.
Head looks to score with a jab to the body but Shango is just out of range.
Head looks to land a combination. Shango sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Head wants to slow Shango down by chopping away at his legs.
Head misses with a body kick.
Head leaves Shango with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shango on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Head. Head obviously looking to wear him down.
Shango keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shango fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Head's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shango tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Head swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Papa Shango. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Head fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shango manages to avoid it.
Shango feinted with a counter takedown.
Shango goes for a double leg but Head avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Head continues to drive forward.
Shango shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Head sprawls well. Head wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shango gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shango shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Head's guard.

Head is looking for a triangle but Shango pushes his legs off easily.
Shango trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shango postures up.
Head wants to sweep but no luck.
Shango pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Head is keeping the position for now.
Shango trying to control but Head is working from the bottom.
Shango pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Head is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shango wants to control from the top but Head keeps moving.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Head pulls Shango in close to his closed guard and prevents Shango from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Head works Shango's body with a nice hook.
Head lands a nice hook to Shango's body. Shango takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Head plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Head misses with a hook.
Head looks for the body kick but Shango saw that one coming.
Head lands with an overhand left.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice combination there by Head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Head. Shango does a little dance to reset his feet.
Head lands a front kick.
Head is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Shango rather than just go for the knockout.
Shango shoots in for a takedown but Head shows good takedown defense.
A big left from Head misses.

Shango looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Shango is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Shango pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Head is keeping the position for now.
Shango trying to control but Head is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shango tries to free his leg and advance position but Head is retaining full guard.
Shango looking to sit in guard and control but Head gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shango avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Head slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Head stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shango swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shango trying to control the position.
Head must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Head trying to control but Shango is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garrick Head dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shango shoots in for a double leg but Head sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Head throws the kick towards the body but Shango avoids it.
Shango tries to close the distance and clinch but Head swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shango misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Head throws a leg kick but Shango sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Garrick Head seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Head scores with a hook to the body. Shango takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Head lands with a cross.
Head circles away from the clinch attempt.
Head tries a low kick but Shango avoids it.
Shango wants to clinch up but Head keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shango shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Papa Shango. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shango moves out of range of the strikes.

Head moves into the clinch.
Head lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shango tries to pull guard but Head holds him up against the cage and eventually Shango drops back down to his feet.
Head struggles to land a body shot inside as Shango controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head presses Shango against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Head stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Head cracks Shango with a nice body shot.
Head lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Head tries a knee to the head but Shango blocks it.
Head can't find room to land a body shot as Shango controls the action.
Head working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Head tries to throw a body punch but Shango avoids it by throwing Head back against the cage.
Head prevents the takedown attempt.
Head lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A shot in the inside from Head.
A hook to the body from Head.
Shango tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Head just stands there and leans against the cage.
Shango goes for a takedown attempt but Head pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Head lands a right hook to the body.

Head drops Shango with a beautiful combination! Shango stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Head is looking for the KO!

Shango is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Head sees an opening and throws a straight punch right through Shango's defenses. It connects perfectly with Shango's jaw and knocks him out cold! Wow - that's a contender for knockout of the year - absolutely brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:08 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Garrick Head!
A less than humble Garrick Head misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.