PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Woodrow Stephenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deair Shaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shaw has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Woodrow Stephenson looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Stephenson
vs
Shaw

223 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

224 cm
25
300 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Woodrow Stephenson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Deair Shaw!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stephenson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shaw looks winded!
A left and a right from Shaw both land. Nice combination.

It looks like Woodrow Stephenson has been cut.

Shaw looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Stephenson wants to stand but Shaw is controlling the position.
Stephenson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Shaw looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephenson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw stops Stephenson from standing up.
Shaw wants to stand but Stephenson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Shaw wants to pass the guard but Stephenson is keeping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stephenson has a takedown stuffed.
Stephenson misses with the combination.
Shaw throws a series of punches but Stephenson moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stephenson closes the distance and clinches up with Shaw, looking for a takedown. Stephenson pushes Shaw against the cage but Shaw circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shaw misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Shaw looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Shaw wants to get up but he can't break Stephenson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Stephenson keeping full guard, as Shaw tries to pass.
Shaw would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Shaw trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson is trying to keep Shaw in close.
Shaw wanted to stand there but Stephenson had control of the position.

Shaw decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Stephenson, up you get!
Shaw throws a poor cross that misses

and Stephenson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Shaw's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stephenson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shaw sprawls well. Shaw wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stephenson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Woodrow Stephenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shaw fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stephenson, pushing him back against the cage.
Shaw with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Stephenson tries to pull guard but Shaw holds him up against the cage and eventually Stephenson drops back down to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shaw breaks from the clinch.
Shaw throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deair Shaw dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Woodrow Stephenson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Stephenson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Shaw rushes Stephenson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shaw leaning his opponent against the cage.

Stephenson decides to pull guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaw wants to stand but Stephenson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stephenson working for a triangle but Shaw defends it easily.
Shaw would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shaw in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shaw is looking to stand up but Stephenson won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stephenson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shaw swivels and escapes.
Woodrow Stephenson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stephenson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A right-left combo lands from Shaw.
Shaw misses with a looping left.
Stephenson wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Shaw shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Shaw tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw wants to pass to mount but Stephenson is defending the position.

Shaw is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Shaw wants to stand up but Stephenson has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Stephenson tries to kick Shaw off but Shaw keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Shaw tries to stand and escape but Stephenson is controlling the position.

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

Shaw rushes Stephenson and presses him up against the cage.
Stephenson tries to pull guard but Shaw won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Woodrow Stephenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shaw is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stephenson is defending well for now.
Stephenson is trying to pull guard but Shaw turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deair Shaw showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Woodrow Stephenson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shaw misses with a series of wild punches.
Stephenson looks for a takedown but Shaw sprawls well.
Shaw throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stephenson fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stephenson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shaw.
Stephenson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shaw.
As Shaw tries to get set, Stephenson tries to push him back and clinch up but Shaw manages to avoid the attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stephenson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shaw defends well and Stephenson ends up having to push Shaw into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Woodrow Stephenson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shaw misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Stephenson avoids a kick to the body.
Shaw tests Stephenson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sloppy strikes from Shaw. Those never looked like landing.
Stephenson seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Shaw will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stephenson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shaw.
Stephenson attempts a counter takedown but Shaw avoids it well and moves away.
Shaw connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Deair Shaw is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stephenson shoots in but Shaw avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shaw tried to score with a low kick but Stephenson checks it.

Shaw pushes Stephenson up against the cage in a clinch.

Stephenson gets control of Shaw's arms and successfully pulls guard. Stephenson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Shaw passes Stephenson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Shaw works his way into full mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shaw tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw lands a heavy elbow.
Shaw wants to get back to his feet but Stephenson is holding on tight.
Shaw landing strikes from the mount and Stephenson is in trouble!

Shaw moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Stephenson has worked his arm free - good work by Stephenson!
Shaw wants to stand but Stephenson has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaw wants to stand but Stephenson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Shaw is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Woodrow Stephenson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Deair Shaw comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shaw has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Deair Shaw!
Deair Shaw took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.