PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antero Mela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shape Shifter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mela
vs
Shifter

175 cm
26
216 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

192 cm
25
214 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

DC Unrivaled
GREEN!160

Urban Fighter
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antero Mela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Shape Shifter!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mela throws a hook to the side of Shifter's head but Shifter sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mela throws a jab when Shifter was well out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Shifter 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.
Mela swats away the attempt to clinch by Shifter.
Mela scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Shifter tries to close the distance and clinch but Mela swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mela throws a body punch but Shifter moves out of range.
Mela shoots in but no luck this time.
Mela fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shifter manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mela looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mela lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shifter tries to clinch up but Mela circles away and keeps his distance.
Mela throws a hook to the side of Shifter's head but Shifter sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mela throws the left hand but Shifter avoids the punch easily.
Mela looks to land a combination but Shifter avoids it well.
Mela throws an overhand right that lands on Shifter's shoulder, as Shifter tries to avoid the shot.
It seemed like Shifter was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Mela blocks a low kick nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mela misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shifter.
Mela misses the jab.
Antero Mela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shifter shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shifter showed some decent athleticism there.
Shifter is looking to advance position but Mela won't allow it.

Shifter is looking for a kimura but Mela is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shifter to get the leverage.
Shifter tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mela knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mela gets full guard.
Mela manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shifter manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shifter wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shifter is looking for a triangle but Mela pushes his legs off easily.
Shifter keeping moving, preventing Mela from controlling successfully.
Mela tries to free his leg and advance position but Shifter is retaining full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Mela's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Shifter working for a triangle but Mela defends it easily.
Mela slips nicely into half guard.
Mela wants to pass to mount but Shifter is defending the position.

Mela is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shifter defends it well.

Mela seems to be working for a kimura but Shifter defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mela working the head and body with strikes.
Shifter throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Shifter gets full guard.

Shifter is looking for a triangle but Mela pushes his legs off easily.

Shifter has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Mela should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Shifter has tightened it up now! Mela should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Shape Shifter!
After the big win, Shape Shifter made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Urban Fighter and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.