PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Oafz Halaholo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dj Shaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Halaholo
vs
Shaw

193 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Oafz Halaholo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dj Shaw!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Daniel Franklin and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Halaholo checks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Shaw.
Shaw stalks Halaholo and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Halaholo's face. Halaholo staggers backwards, shaken.
Halaholo slaps away a takedown attempt from Shaw, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Shaw closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shaw lands in his opponent's guard.

Halaholo has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Shaw has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shaw's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Shaw is trying to drag Halaholo to the mat but Halaholo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Halaholo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shaw is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw is trying to break the clinch but Halaholo is controlling him.
Shaw scores with a shoulder strike.
Halaholo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shaw to keep the fight standing.
Halaholo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oafz Halaholo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shaw looking to throw knees to the head but Halaholo is blocking nicely.
Shaw wants to get back to striking at distance but Halaholo won't allow it.

Halaholo jumps guard and drags Shaw to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Halaholo is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shaw presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Halaholo pulls guard effortlessly.

Halaholo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shaw postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halaholo wants to sweep but no luck.
Shaw trying to control but Halaholo is working from the bottom.

Halaholo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Halaholo has control of Shaw's left arm, preventing Shaw from doing any damage.
Halaholo keeping moving, preventing Shaw from controlling successfully.
Shaw forces his way into half guard.
Shaw wants to stand up but Halaholo is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw wants to control but Halaholo is keeping him busy.
Halaholo is looking to escape.
Halaholo wants to improve his position but Shaw is controlling well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shaw scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Halaholo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Halaholo trying to control but Shaw postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shaw fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Halaholo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shaw lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Shaw.

Shaw moves into range and clinches up with Halaholo.
Halaholo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shaw is trying to break the clinch but Halaholo has him pressed against the cage.

Shaw manages to break the clinch.
Shaw looks winded!
Shaw misses with a leg kick.
Shaw lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Shaw tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dj Shaw 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.

A head kick misses from Shaw.
As Shaw looks to move away, Halaholo throws a big counter combo bu Shaw just gets out of the way.
Halaholo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Halaholo blocks the body kick.
Shaw is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shaw throws a head kick that misses.
Shaw tries to bum rush Halaholo with a series of wild strikes but Halaholo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shaw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halaholo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Halaholo shoots for a double leg takedown but Shaw sprawls well. He's pushed Halaholo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shaw is breathing heavily.
Halaholo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shaw as he avoids it easily.
Shaw lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Halaholo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halaholo shoots in for a takedown but Shaw shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oafz Halaholo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halaholo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Halaholo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shaw sprawls well. Shaw wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Halaholo gets slowly back to his feet.
Halaholo throws a right and a left that Shaw avoids nicely.
Shaw feints the counter takedown.
Halaholo fails with the takedown.

Shaw gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Halaholo obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Halaholo is defending well.
Halaholo is looking for a takedown.

Halaholo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Halaholo shoots in looking for a takedown but Shaw manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Halaholo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shaw.
Shaw ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Halaholo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shaw looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Shaw closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Halaholo's guard.

Halaholo scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halaholo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shaw throws a counter combo.
Halaholo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shaw misses with a takedown attempt - Halaholo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Halaholo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shaw is fending him off so far but Halaholo persists. Nope, Shaw circles away and we're back to standing.
Shaw fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halaholo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shaw's waist but Shaw gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Halaholo off to one side.
Shaw appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

Shaw throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Halaholo was covering up waiting for the punch and Shaw finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Shaw's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shaw trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Halaholo pulls Shaw in close to prevent any damage.
Shaw stopping the sweep attempt from Halaholo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dj Shaw 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!

Halaholo wants to clinch.
Halaholo avoids the head kick by Shaw.
Shaw tries a head kick but it misses.
Halaholo blocks a head kick by Shaw.

Halaholo moves into the clinch.
Shaw prevents a takedown attempt there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaw wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shaw takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Halaholo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Halaholo tries to pull guard but Shaw holds him up against the cage and eventually Halaholo drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oafz Halaholo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halaholo fails to pull guard.

Halaholo drags the fight down to the ground.
Halaholo looking for a sweep. Not yet Halaholo, not yet.
Shaw must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shaw wanted to stand there but Halaholo had control of the position.
Shaw trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Halaholo controls Shaw momentarily but Shaw frees himself.
Shaw wants to control from the top but Halaholo keeps moving.
Halaholo looking to control.

That's two 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.

Shaw stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Shaw looking to score a takedown here. Halaholo is defending well but Shaw drives through and ends up in Halaholo's guard.

Halaholo is working an open guard so Shaw takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Shaw shoots in for a takedown but Halaholo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Halaholo.
Horrible takedown attempt by Shaw or perhaps it was just good defense by Halaholo, which made it look bad.
It looked like Halaholo was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Shaw looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Halaholo shoots for a takedown but Shaw saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Shaw shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Shaw was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Shaw trying to control the action but Halaholo is working from the bottom.
Halaholo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shaw's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shaw has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Halaholo works to full guard.

Halaholo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shaw can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shaw decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Halaholo, up you get!
The fight stays on the outside here - Shaw looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Halaholo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Halaholo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oafz Halaholo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dj Shaw is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shaw tries to score a power double leg takedown but Halaholo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shaw somewhat.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dj Shaw.
I've got Shaw 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dj Shaw!
After the fight, Dj Shaw was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.