PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Chris Shaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Wellman Iv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Shaw
vs
Wellman Iv

183 cm
23
183 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
21
177 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Shaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shane Wellman Iv!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shaw.
Shaw throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wellman Iv.
Shane Wellman Iv seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shaw lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wellman Iv circles away quickly and effectively.
Wellman Iv loads up on a big right hand but Shaw slips the punch.
Shaw was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Wellman Iv throws a poor cross that misses
and Shaw counters with a straight right hand.
We've been informed that Wellman Iv has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Shaw avoids a kick to the body.
Wellman Iv fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaw ducks under a wild hook from Wellman Iv.
Shaw stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wellman Iv misses with a hook
and Shaw counters with a stiff right hand.
Wellman Iv throws a head kick but Shaw moves out of range.
Shaw attempts a counter takedown but Wellman Iv avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wellman Iv walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wellman Iv takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wellman Iv shoots and misses
and Shaw connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wellman Iv misses with a takedown attempt
and Shaw counters with a nice uppercut.
Chris Shaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Wellman Iv.
Nice cross by Shaw.
Wellman Iv misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shaw appears to be looking for a big counter.
Wellman Iv throws a poor cross that misses
and Shaw counters with a straight right hand.
Wellman Iv misses with a body shot
letting Shaw counter with a right hand.
Shaw is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Wellman Iv on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Wellman Iv misses with a left hand
letting Shaw counter with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wellman Iv tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shaw throwing a counter right hand but Wellman Iv manages to avoid it.
Wellman Iv misses with a hook. Shaw ducked under it nicely.
Shaw went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Wellman Iv.
Shaw slips under a jab from Wellman Iv.
Shaw slips a jab and a cross from Wellman Iv.
Wellman Iv takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Shaw connects with the punch.
Wellman Iv is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shaw sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shaw throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shaw is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Shaw's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Shaw duly obliges.

Shaw gets a takedown into half guard.
Wellman Iv won't allow Shaw to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wellman Iv is looking to control Shaw's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wellman Iv avoid being mounted?
Shaw controlling the pace.

Shaw seems to be looking for submissions.
Wellman Iv controlling the position for now.
Wellman Iv wants to get back to his feet.
Wellman Iv wants to get back to full guard.

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.

Shaw is working for a kimura but Wellman Iv is defending it quite comfortably.

Shaw is working for a submission of some sort.
Shaw wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wellman Iv keeps working.
Wellman Iv is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shaw is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris 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.

Wellman Iv clobbers Shaw with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Wellman Iv looks to throw a body kick
and Shaw counters with a nice uppercut.
Shaw jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Wellman Iv has his takedown stuffed
and Shaw cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Wellman Iv.
Shaw was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shaw misses with a hook. Wellman Iv ducked under it nicely.
Wellman Iv swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Chris Shaw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wellman Iv fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shaw avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wellman Iv fails with the takedown
and Shaw counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Chris Shaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Wellman Iv.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaw gets a takedown into half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wellman Iv pushes Shaw off and gets back to his feet.
Wellman Iv moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wellman Iv misses with a left hand
and Shaw counters with a stiff right hand.
Wellman Iv is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shaw sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shaw keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shaw is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wellman Iv's half guard.
Chris Shaw overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Shaw is looking for a kimura here.

Shaw is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Wellman Iv doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shaw.
Wellman Iv is pressing down on Shaw's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw wants to pass the guard but Wellman Iv is keeping the position.
Wellman Iv looking for a sweep. Not yet Wellman Iv, not yet.
Shaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Wellman Iv is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shaw is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Wellman Iv is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Wellman Iv has escaped and now he's on top!

Shaw is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Shaw gets underhooks to prevent Wellman Iv's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaw scores with a shot to the side of Wellman Iv's head.
Shaw pushes Wellman Iv back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shaw is looking to take this one to the mat.
I was talking to Shaw's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Shaw has Wellman Iv pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wellman Iv manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shaw tries to score a body lock takedown but Wellman Iv shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Wellman Iv has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Shaw is trying to keep an underhook but Wellman Iv manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Shaw has one foot on Wellman Iv's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jab by Wellman Iv.
Wellman Iv tries to clinch up
and Shaw cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wellman Iv connects with a good right hand that stumbles Shaw. Shaw circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Shaw dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shaw tests Wellman Iv's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wellman Iv throws an overhand right that lands on Shaw's shoulder, as Shaw tries to avoid the shot.
Wellman Iv fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shaw half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wellman Iv shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shaw as he jumps to the side.
Shaw was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Wellman Iv's jab looks to have found its range, popping Shaw under the eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wellman Iv shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shaw defends it nicely.
As Wellman Iv looks to move away, Shaw throws a big counter combo but Wellman Iv just gets out of the way.
Chris Shaw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Wellman Iv.
A jab from Shaw does it's job there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wellman Iv throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As Wellman Iv looks to move away, Shaw throws a big counter combo but Wellman Iv just gets out of the way.
Wellman Iv misses with an uppercut
and Shaw counters with a straight right hand.
Wellman Iv misses with a left hand
and Shaw counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wellman Iv misses with a lunging right hand
and Shaw counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wellman Iv shoots in for a takedown but Shaw shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
As Wellman Iv backs away, Shaw returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Shaw with a jab.
Wellman Iv doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Wellman Iv takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wellman Iv takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wellman Iv shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shaw as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wellman Iv pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Shaw back to the cage. Wellman Iv follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Wellman Iv rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shaw connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shaw works Wellman Iv's body with a nice hook.
Shaw looks to land a combination. Wellman Iv sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Wellman Iv swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice defenses there by Shaw.
Wellman Iv throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Shaw counter with a right hand.
Shaw connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Wellman Iv's hands.
Shaw connects with a good right hand that stumbles Wellman Iv. Wellman Iv circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wellman Iv misses the shot to the body.
Shaw drops down looking for a counter takedown but Wellman Iv sprawls and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shaw is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wellman Iv's half guard.
Wellman Iv is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Shaw is working for a submission of some sort.

Wellman Iv is defending against the submission attempts here by Shaw.
Wellman Iv is looking to control Shaw's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wellman Iv avoid being mounted?
Shane Wellman Iv has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shaw is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Shaw wants to control but Wellman Iv is keeping him busy.

Shaw is working for a submission of some sort.
Shaw wants to control but Wellman Iv is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Shaw showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shaw has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Shaw!