PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Galt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Shopionus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shopionus has chosen Truck stop - Baja maja as his entrance music. Ricky Shopionus told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Galt
vs
Shopionus

186 cm
24
189 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

186 cm
30
200 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Machine Fight Gear
Dauntless

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Galt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ricky Shopionus!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Franklyn Lucas and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shopionus swings for the body but Galt moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Shopionus as Galt shoots in.
Galt connects with a right hand. Shopionus shakes it off.
Shopionus throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot lands for Galt.
Shopionus ducks under a wild hook from Galt.
Galt tries to clinch but Shopionus moves away
and Shopionus counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Shopionus moves away from the strike by Galt.
Galt cracks Shopionus with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Shopionus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Galt throws out the jab.

Galt closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Shopionus quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shopionus is looking to improve his position.
Galt thows a huge punch but Shopionus dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Galt wants to work for an arm triangle but Shopionus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shopionus tries to roll over but Galt keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galt seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shopionus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Galt thows a huge punch but Shopionus dodges it nicely.
Galt wants to pass the guard but Shopionus is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shopionus can do anything to dispel that myth.
Galt is thwarting Shopionus's attempts to control the position.

Galt is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shopionus defends it well.
Shopionus is positioning himself well to prevent Galt advancing to mount.
Shopionus tries to roll over but Galt keeps him under control.
Galt looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Shopionus with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two 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.
Galt is looking to advance position but Shopionus won't allow it.

Galt is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Shopionus is looking to improve his position.
Galt has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Galt is looking to take a break and control but Shopionus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shopionus really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Galt. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shopionus keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Galt throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Galt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Galt prevents Shopionus from improving his position.
Galt wants to pass to mount but Shopionus is defending the position.
Shopionus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Galt is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shopionus sees it coming and defends easily.

Galt seems to be looking for submissions.
Shopionus avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Galt.
Shopionus controlling the position well.

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.

Galt is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Galt thows a huge punch but Shopionus dodges it nicely.
Shopionus wants to control but Galt is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shopionus might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Galt haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Galt is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Galt is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Galt extends the arm and Shopionus is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). John Galt!
After winning the bout, John Galt thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.