PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jake Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Vimes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shields
vs
Vimes

183 cm
38
170 lbs
33 - 25 - 0

175 cm
36
161 lbs
28 - 12 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jake Shields!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Samuel Vimes!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Francis DeMontford and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vimes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shields.
Shields moves out of range of the strikes.
Vimes misses with a few strikes there.
Shields feinted with a counter takedown.
Shields avoids the head kick by Vimes.
Vimes tried to score with a low kick but Shields checks it.
Shields keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vimes.
Shields feinted with a counter takedown.
A slow jab from Vimes misses its intended target.
Shields half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Shields slips a jab and a cross from Vimes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vimes throws a shot from downtown. Shields moves away and avoids it.
Vimes tries to land a front kick but Shields steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vimes throws a hook but Shields blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vimes jabs Shields to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A jab from Vimes misses.
Vimes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shields half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Vimes is looking to land body kicks.
Vimes looks to land a combination but Shields avoids it well.
Shields drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vimes sprawls and moves away.
Shields displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vimes throws out the jab.
Vimes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shields moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shields avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice defenses there by Shields.
Vimes throws a low kick, looking for Shields's leg but Shields calmly moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vimes sizes up Shields with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Vimes is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Vimes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Samuel Vimes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vimes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Shields.
Vimes throws a left and a right that both miss

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Vimes manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Vimes breaks the clinch.
Vimes misses the shot to the body.
Shields takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A low kick from Vimes misses

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Shields trying to control but Vimes is working from the bottom.

Shields drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vimes dives on top into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields keeping full guard, as Vimes tries to pass.
Shields can't keep his opponent in guard - Vimes advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Vimes wants to pass the guard but Shields is defending well.
Shields wants to get back to full guard.
Vimes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shields keeps working.
Shields has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Vimes is working away from the top position though.
Vimes wants to free his trapped foot but Shields is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Shields is pressing down on Vimes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Vimes stopping the sweep attempt from Shields.
Shields looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Vimes slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shields trying to control the position.
Vimes stopping the sweep attempt from Shields.
Vimes would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Shields keeping moving, preventing Vimes from controlling successfully.

Vimes got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shields has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vimes has managed to get both his arms back between Shields's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vimes stays in close to Shields's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Vimes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A lazy left from Vimes finds it's target.
The fighters circling - Vimes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shields attempts a counter takedown but Vimes avoids it well and moves away.
Vimes misses with a double jab

so Shields counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Shields works over Vimes with some ground and pound from guard.
Shields trying to move into half guard but instead Vimes has managed to sweep!

Vimes trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vimes is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Vimes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vimes thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shields bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Vimes's guard.

Shields controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shields trying to control the position from guard on top but Vimes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shields won't allow Vimes to get back to his feet.
Shields in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Shields has gone for a leg lock! Vimes slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shields's guard.

Shields keeping moving, preventing Vimes from controlling successfully.
Vimes preventing the sweep.
Vimes trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.

Shields is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shields trying to keep a closed guard but Vimes is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vimes trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shields is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vimes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shields is keeping the position for now.

Shields isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Vimes stacks Shields on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Vimes!
Shields is trying to improve his position.

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.

Vimes decides to stand back up.
Vimes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shields moves away.
Shields changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vimes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shields drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vimes sprawls and moves away.
Vimes throws a leg kick but Shields moved away.
Vimes swings for the body but Shields moves out of range.
A jab from Vimes misses.
Shields half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Vimes lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shields's sensitive parts.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shields ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shields slips a jab and a cross from Vimes.
Shields attempts a counter takedown but Vimes avoids it well and moves away.
Vimes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A low kick from Vimes is predictable there

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Vimes manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Vimes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vimes throws a lazy right hand but Shields sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shields attempts a counter takedown but Vimes avoids it well and moves away.
Vimes throws a jab but it's blocked by Shields.
Shields appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vimes cracks Shields with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vimes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice shot by Vimes.
Samuel Vimes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vimes cracks Shields with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vimes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shields manages to avoid it.
Shields feinted with a counter takedown.
Vimes looks to throw the jab but Shields is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vimes.
Vimes throws a right hand that Shields ducks under and follows up with a left that Shields also avoids with ease.
Vimes throws a head kick that misses.
Shields attempts a counter takedown but Vimes avoids it well and moves away.
Shields displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vimes throws out the jab.
Shields changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vimes misses with a hook

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vimes won't be happy with that.

Shields goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Vimes has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Shields but great work by Vimes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Vimes decides to stand up, so the ref orders Shields to his feet.
Vimes looks to land a combination but Shields avoids it well.
Shields drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vimes sprawls and moves away.
Vimes throws a jab but it's blocked by Shields.
Vimes throws out a powerful jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Vimes misses the target.
Vimes connects with a good right hand that stumbles Shields. Shields circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Vimes looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shields appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vimes swings widly with a right hand

and Shields counters with a takedown into side control.
Shields controls the position.

Shields swings around for an armbar but Vimes sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shields's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shields is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vimes defends well.

Shields looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vimes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vimes sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shields's guard.
Nice strikes from Vimes there.
Shields wants to get back to full guard.
Samuel Vimes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vimes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shields keeps working.
Shields is pressing down on Vimes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Vimes stands and steps away. Shields gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Vimes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Jake Shields has been cut.
Shields tries to move into range but Vimes moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vimes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shields drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vimes sprawls and moves away.
Vimes throws a body kick that misses

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Vimes is looking to stand back up but Shields counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Vimes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Shields is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vimes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shields.
Shields missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Shields is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Vimes has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shields trying to control from Vimes's half guard. Vimes has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Vimes really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Shields's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Vimes buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Shields moves away from the strike by Vimes.
Shields tries to counter with a takedown but Vimes is quick to defend against it.
Shields checks a low kick from Vimes.
Shields half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Vimes fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Shields checks it well.
Shields changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vimes looks to score with a jab to the body but Shields is just out of range.
Shields drops down looking for a counter takedown but Vimes sprawls and moves away.
A bone on bone clash there as Shields blocks the leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vimes throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Shields counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vimes is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Shields dives into side control.

Vimes is not content to let Shields control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shields thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Shields throws an elbow but Vimes slips to the side and avoids it well.

Shields is trying to get an arm triangle but Vimes is defending well.
Vimes is being controlled here.

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.
Shields misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Shields working the strikes but Vimes uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Shields is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Shields trying to pass the guard but Vimes defending well.
Shields wants to control but Vimes is keeping him busy.

Vimes is defending against the submission attempts here by Shields.

Shields is looking for a kimura but Vimes is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shields to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vimes is trying to stand.
Shields not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vimes wants to improve his position but Shields is controlling well.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shields with the ground and pound but Vimes uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Shields stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vimes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shields looking to sit in guard and control but Vimes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shields looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vimes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shields swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Shields is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Shields throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Vimes escapes and throws Shields's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vimes wants to control for a moment but Shields uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Jake Shields will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jake Shields's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Vimes scores with a nice body kick.
Samuel Vimes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vimes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shields.
Shields half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Vimes misses the shot to the body.
Shields changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Vimes throws a leg kick that is checked

and Shields counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Vimes has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Shields is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vimes misses with a body punch.
Vimes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shields.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Shields jumps guard and drags Vimes to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shields throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Vimes escapes and throws Shields's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields is not content to let Vimes control the position.
Shields trying to remain calm as Vimes controls from the top position.
Vimes in side control, throwing shots but Shields defends.
Vimes is looking to take a break and control but Shields is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shields tries to bench press Vimes off him but Vimes keeps the position.
Vimes controls the position.
Vimes working away.

That's two 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.
Vimes trying to control the action but Shields is working from the bottom.
Shields is looking to regain half guard here but Vimes keeps moving and retains side control.
Shields struggling a bit here.
Shields manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Shields gets full guard.
Vimes trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.
Vimes pushes down on Shields's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Shields looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vimes trying to control from half guard but Shields is working away.
Vimes stalling away here and it's allowed Shields to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Shields looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Vimes passes into half guard.

Vimes stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
A swing and a miss from Vimes.
Shields attempts a counter takedown but Vimes avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Vimes works the jab nicely.
Vimes cracks the inside of Shields's front leg.
Vimes scores with a punch to the head.
Vimes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shields keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vimes.
A low kick from Vimes is predictable there

and Shields decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vimes's guard.
Shields wants to control from the top but Vimes keeps moving.
Shields looking to sit in guard and control but Vimes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Jake Shields has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vimes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shields swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Vimes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vimes 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 46:49
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 46:50
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Vimes!
Samuel Vimes is the new lightweight champion!
Samuel Vimes managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Hilo Nutrition, into his post fight interview.