PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nathaniel Razna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Razna is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. Shawn Michaels has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Razna
vs
Michaels

200 cm
24
265 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
225 lbs
7 - 16 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nathaniel Razna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shawn Michaels!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Michaels drives through and clinches with Razna against the cage.
Razna is breathing heavily.

Michaels ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Michaels no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Michaels looking for a guillotine here but Razna defends easily.
Michaels is controlling Razna's posture.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Michaels can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michaels looking to hit a scissor sweep but Razna is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michaels is adopting a defensive guard.
Michaels wants to stand and escape but Razna is having none of it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Michaels is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Michaels forces Razna back against the cage and clinches.

Michaels is trying to trip Razna. He has hold of a leg but Razna is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Michaels persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels postures up.
Michaels is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Michaels would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Michaels's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Michaels must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Michaels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Razna controls Michaels momentarily but Michaels frees himself.
Michaels would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michaels stays in close to Razna's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Michaels scores with a takedown into Razna's guard.
Michaels wants to control from the top but Razna keeps moving.
Razna being controlled here, momentarily.
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.
Razna trying to control the position.
Michaels is looking to work some ground and pound but Razna has wrist control.
Razna will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Michaels sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Michaels trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Michaels dominated that round.
That's time! Razna's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Michaels misses with a head kick.
Michaels misses with a body shot.

Michaels fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Razna sprawls well initially but Michaels persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Michaels slows the pace down in half guard.
Michaels thows a huge punch but Razna dodges it nicely.

Michaels is working for a submission of some sort.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michaels slows the pace down in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Michaels stands up from half guard.
Good exchange - Michaels coming out on top.
Razna stuffs the takedown.

Michaels closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Razna to the mat! Razna manages to get full guard.

Razna looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Michaels gets to his feet. Razna looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Michaels closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Michaels lands in his opponent's guard.
Razna seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Razna is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Razna keeping moving, preventing Michaels from controlling successfully.

Michaels stands up and waves to Razna to follow him.
Nice takedown defense from Razna. No joy for Michaels on that attempt.
Michaels has a takedown stuffed.
Nathaniel Razna has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Michaels.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Michaels forces Razna back against the cage and clinches.

Michaels works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Michaels trying to control the position from guard on top but Razna is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Razna trying to keep a closed guard but Michaels is proving a slippery customer.
Michaels showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Razna is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michaels wants to control from the top but Razna keeps moving.

Michaels stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Michaels fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nathaniel Razna is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Michaels closes the distance and clinches up with Razna, looking for a takedown. Michaels pushes Razna against the cage but Razna circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
It looked like Razna was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Good shot there by Michaels.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Michaels showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Michaels clinches.
Michaels pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Michaels working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Razna is rocked!
Michaels scores with a hook to the body.
Oh Razna is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Michaels gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Razna regains guard.
Michaels controls from within his opponent's guard.
Michaels's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Michaels trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Razna seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michaels controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Razna is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Michaels sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.

Michaels clinches up with Razna and pushes him back against the cage.

Michaels gets control of Razna's arms and successfully pulls guard. Michaels will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Michaels is controlling Razna's posture.
Michaels really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Razna. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Michaels looking to control.
Michaels pulls Razna in to control the position.
Razna won't allow Michaels to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Razna stops Michaels from standing up.
Michaels tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Michaels controlling Razna's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Razna tries to clinch but Michaels is having none of it.

Michaels closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Razna did well to prevent Michaels getting side control.
Razna is looking to improve his position.
Razna is trying to stand up here but Michaels is controlling him well.
Michaels not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Michaels is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Michaels is thwarting Razna's attempts to control the position.
Michaels keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Nathaniel Razna has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shawn Michaels is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Michaels is continuing to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shawn Michaels comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Michaels 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn Michaels!