PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Shannon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kingen Ciuchten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Shannon
vs
Ciuchten

196 cm
26
282 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

189 cm
26
267 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mike Shannon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kingen Ciuchten!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Patrick Alders and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shannon throws a body punch but Ciuchten moves out of range.
Shannon rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ciuchten counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Shannon!

Ciuchten working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shannon definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Ciuchten tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ciuchten has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Shannon tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ciuchten wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ciuchten tries to move into full mount but can't pass Shannon's legs.
Shannon sneaks back into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shannon trying to control but Ciuchten postures up.
Shannon manages to get to full guard.
Ciuchten wants to control from the top but Shannon keeps moving.

Ciuchten thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shannon lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ciuchten looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shannon showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Shannon looking to sit in guard and control but Ciuchten gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shannon looking for a sweep. Not yet Shannon, not yet.

Ciuchten thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Ciuchten thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shannon is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shannon is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shannon not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ciuchten preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shannon trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Shannon is looking to stand up but Ciuchten isn't so interested in that idea.
Shannon wants to sweep here but Ciuchten controlling him for the moment.

Ciuchten stands up and waves to Shannon to follow him.
Good exchange - Shannon coming out on top.
A telegraphed right hand from Shannon misses the target.
Shannon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ciuchten ducks under a wild hook from Shannon.
Ciuchten feints the counter takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shannon throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ciuchten.
Shannon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ciuchten moves away.
Shannon works Ciuchten's body with a nice hook.
Shannon stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shannon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ciuchten drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shannon defends it well.
Shannon cracks Ciuchten with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Mike Shannon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ciuchten checks a leg kick.
Ciuchten tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A jab from Shannon misses.
Ciuchten is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A solid body kick from Shannon.
Shannon throws a hook but Ciuchten avoids it easily.
Ciuchten is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ciuchten uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shannon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shannon fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ciuchten, pushing him back against the cage.
Shannon lands a body punch.
Ciuchten drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shannon pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shannon with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shannon misses with a hook. Ciuchten ducked under it nicely.
Ciuchten with the counter takedown but Shannon avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shannon swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Shannon moves into the clinch successfully.
Shannon working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Shannon pushes Ciuchten back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Shannon dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shannon just misses with a punch to the body.
Ciuchten feints the counter takedown.
Shannon moves in looking to clinch but Ciuchten pushes him off.
Ciuchten drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shannon defends it well.
Ciuchten displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shannon throws out the jab.
Shannon attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Shannon just misses with a punch to the body.
Ciuchten drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shannon defends it well.
Ciuchten ducks under a wild hook from Shannon.
Ciuchten changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've been informed that Ciuchten has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Shannon is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ciuchten drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shannon defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shannon rushes Ciuchten and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Shannon.
Shannon presses Ciuchten against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ciuchten is breathing heavily.
Shannon scores with a shot to the side of Ciuchten's head.
Shannon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shannon lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ciuchten or not.
Shannon pushes Ciuchten back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shannon is leaning against Ciuchten and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A body shot lands from Shannon.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shannon.
A left hand lands to the body for Shannon.
Shannon scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shannon.
Shannon pushes Ciuchten back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Shannon.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shannon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shannon lands a body shot.
Shannon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ciuchten can do to turn this around?
Shannon avoiding damage.
A hook to the body from Shannon.
Shannon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ciuchten backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Shannon - that landed with a thud.
Shannon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shannon lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ciuchten backwards.
Shannon is leaning against Ciuchten and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shannon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A hook to the body from Shannon.
Mike Shannon has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shannon lands a nice shot to the body.
Shannon lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ciuchten.
Nice body punch from Shannon - that landed with a thud.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shannon.
Shannon lands a body punch.
Shannon lands a body shot.
Shannon works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shannon lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Shannon.
Ciuchten is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shannon working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Shannon is leaning against Ciuchten and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Shannon.
Shannon lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Shannon.
A body shot lands from Shannon.
Shannon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shannon is pressed up against the cage. Ciuchten has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shannon down to the mat. Shannon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shannon moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shannon lands with a cross.
Shannon takes a swing at Ciuchten's ribcage but misses.
Ciuchten tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ciuchten takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice body punch from Shannon.
Shannon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shannon lands the left hand.

Shannon closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shannon scores with a nice hook to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shannon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shannon lands a shoulder strike.
Shannon is pressed up against the cage. Ciuchten has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shannon down to the mat. Shannon avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mike Shannon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kingen Ciuchten.
Shannon digs a good hook to Ciuchten's body.
Ciuchten takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shannon tries to bum rush Ciuchten with a series of wild strikes but Ciuchten uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ciuchten slips under a jab.
Ciuchten feints the counter takedown.
Shannon shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ciuchten changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Shannon closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Shannon lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ciuchten backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Shannon dominated that second round.
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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Shannon is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ciuchten avoids the body shot from Shannon.
Shannon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And Ciuchten tries to counter it with a takedown but Shannon pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ciuchten moves out of range as Shannon strikes.
Shannon connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shannon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ciuchten sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ciuchten feints the counter takedown.
Ciuchten shoots in for a takedown but Shannon shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shannon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ciuchten.
Shannon throws a hook but Ciuchten blocks it.
Ciuchten with the counter takedown but Shannon avoids it easily.
Shannon throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ciuchten steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Shannon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shannon goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ciuchten defending well as Shannon loads up on a big left hand.
Ciuchten feints the counter takedown.
Shannon with a jab.
Shannon tries to work over Ciuchten's front leg with a kick but Ciuchten checks it.
Shannon scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ciuchten uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shannon.
Shannon cracks a nice hook into Ciuchten's ribs.
Ciuchten takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shannon connects with a body shot.

Shannon has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shannon lands with a light punch inside.
Ciuchten has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shannon is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shannon lands with a right to the head.
Ciuchten is working for takedown but Shannon is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mike Shannon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kingen Ciuchten.
Shannon pushes Ciuchten back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shannon lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ciuchten.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shannon scores with a shot to the side of Ciuchten's head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shannon.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shannon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shannon works on Ciuchten's body with a couple of short punches.
Shannon pressing his opponent against the cage.
Shannon lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shannon presses Ciuchten against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shannon lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ciuchten backwards.
Shannon lands a nice shot to the body.
Shannon gets through Ciuchten's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Shannon.
Shannon lands a shoulder strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Shannon.
Shannon digs a right hand underneath Ciuchten's ribcage. Ciuchten let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shannon lands a body shot in the clinch.
Shannon is leaning against Ciuchten and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short left from Shannon.
A short body shot lands from Shannon as the two fighters clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shannon.
Mike Shannon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shannon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from Shannon.
Shannon lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Ciuchten to his knees! Shannon keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike Shannon!
An out of breath Mike Shannon thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.