PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Taras Shevchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sylvester Ritter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sylvester Ritter will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shevchenko
vs
Ritter

190 cm
27
265 lbs
22 - 2 - 0

190 cm
24
278 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Hellbent
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taras Shevchenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sylvester Ritter!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ritter looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shevchenko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ritter throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shevchenko stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A big right from Ritter misses.
Nice takedown defense from Ritter. No joy for Shevchenko on that attempt.
Shevchenko backing away here, and Ritter unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Ritter connects with a body shot.
Good exchange - Ritter coming out on top.

It looks like Taras Shevchenko has been cut.

Shevchenko closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Ritter isn't going anywhere.
Shevchenko working the body and head with strikes.
Ritter told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Shevchenko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ritter is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ritter struggling a bit here.
Sloppy strikes there by Shevchenko.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shevchenko cracks Ritter with a big elbow.
Shevchenko working the ground and pound from side control.

It looks like Sylvester Ritter has been cut.
Shevchenko landing strikes.
Ritter is looking for a sweep.
Shevchenko working the ground and pound from side control.
Shevchenko working the body and head with strikes.
Ritter dodges the ground and pound from Shevchenko.
Ritter is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shevchenko's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Shevchenko with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Shevchenko is looking for a kimura here.
Ritter controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko trying to control from half guard but Ritter is working away.
Ritter is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shevchenko perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Shevchenko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Ritter gets back to full guard.
Ritter keeping moving, preventing Shevchenko from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ritter is on top in guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ritter won't allow Shevchenko to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ritter wanted to stand there but Shevchenko had control of the position.

Shevchenko is working an open guard so Ritter takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Shevchenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ritter defends it nicely.
Ritter misses with a leg kick

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

Ritter has one foot on Shevchenko's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Ritter walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shevchenko checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ritter attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ritter fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shevchenko manages to avoid it.
Shevchenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ritter.
Ritter keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taras Shevchenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ritter jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ritter throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ritter misses the shot to the body.
Ritter takes a swing at Shevchenko's ribcage but misses.
Shevchenko appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Shevchenko slips under a jab from Ritter.
Ritter pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ritter misses with a double jab.
Ritter is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shevchenko.

Shevchenko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ritter was covering up waiting for the punch and Shevchenko finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ritter keeping moving, preventing Shevchenko from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvester Ritter dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ritter works over Shevchenko's head and body with a nice combination.
Ritter lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ritter.

Taras Shevchenko's cut is getting worse.
Ritter cracks Shevchenko with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ritter just misses with a punch to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Shevchenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sylvester Ritter seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ritter throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ritter throws a leg kick but Shevchenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shevchenko went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Ritter lands a left and a right that send Shevchenko crashing to the mat, dazed. Ritter thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
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!
Ritter throws a leg kick

so Shevchenko counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ritter has control of Shevchenko's left arm, preventing Shevchenko from doing any damage.
Shevchenko lands a couple of digs.
Shevchenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shevchenko throwing strikes but missing.
Shevchenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Shevchenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shevchenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ritter pulls Shevchenko in close to prevent any damage.
Shevchenko wants to control from the top but Ritter keeps moving.
Shevchenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ritter wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Shevchenko postures up and lands a big shot to Ritter's brow.
Shevchenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ritter working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shevchenko.
Ritter has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ritter is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Ritter has wrist control.
Shevchenko works over Ritter with some ground and pound from guard.
Ritter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shevchenko forces his way into half guard.
Shevchenko is thwarting Ritter's attempts to control the position.
Shevchenko prevents Ritter from improving his position.

Shevchenko is trying to work for a kimura but Ritter is defending well.
Ritter trying to control from the bottom.
Shevchenko is taking a breather. Ritter says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Shevchenko is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ritter is trying to control but can't.
Shevchenko winds up and cracks Ritter with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ritter gets full guard.
Taras Shevchenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shevchenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ritter controls Shevchenko momentarily but Shevchenko frees himself.
Shevchenko won't allow Ritter to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shevchenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shevchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shevchenko controlling from the top position.
Ritter is pulling down on Shevchenko's head to control his posture.

Shevchenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shevchenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ritter controls Shevchenko momentarily but Shevchenko frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko preventing the sweep.
Shevchenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shevchenko with a flurry of punches that miss.

Ritter has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shevchenko off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Ritter works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Taras Shevchenko's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Ritter tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shevchenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It looked like Shevchenko wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ritter. Shevchenko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shevchenko is looking to counter punch.
Ritter connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ritter swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Some wild striking there from Ritter.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvester Ritter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shevchenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ritter.
Ritter ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ritter throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shevchenko attempts a counter takedown but Ritter avoids it well and moves away.
Ritter swings for the body but Shevchenko moves out of range.
Shevchenko drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ritter sprawls and moves away.
Shevchenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ritter as he jumps to the side.
Shevchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ritter tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shevchenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Ritter.
Shevchenko appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ritter throws a body shot but no joy.
Ritter tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ritter throws a right and a left that Shevchenko avoids nicely.
Shevchenko dives in for a single leg takedown but Ritter sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ritter now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ritter loads up on a big right hand but Shevchenko slips the punch.
Ritter fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ritter fails to land with a series of punches.
Ritter misses with a wild body shot.
Shevchenko attempts a counter takedown but Ritter avoids it well and moves away.
Sloppy strikes from Ritter. Those never looked like landing.
Sylvester Ritter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shevchenko closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shevchenko lands in his opponent's guard.

Ritter pushes Shevchenko off and gets back to his feet.
Sylvester Ritter is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ritter tries to bum rush Shevchenko with a series of wild strikes but Shevchenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
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!
Ritter misses with a body shot.
Ritter misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shevchenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ritter gets caught flat footed, as Shevchenko shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ritter is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Shevchenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ritter lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shevchenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ritter is aware though and is defending well.
Shevchenko wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ritter has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Shevchenko is proving hard to escape from.

Shevchenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ritter defends it easily.

Shevchenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ritter defends well.
Shevchenko seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Shevchenko is trying to control the position but Ritter postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ritter's guard.

Ritter trying to keep a closed guard but Shevchenko is proving a slippery customer.
Ritter has momentary wrist control but Shevchenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Ritter wants to sweep but no luck.
Ritter has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Shevchenko has passed into side control.
Ritter tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shevchenko wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ritter takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shevchenko remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Shevchenko working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Shevchenko scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ritter to see if he's OK.
Ritter on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko trying to control the action but Ritter is working from the bottom.
Shevchenko lands a few punches from side control.
Shevchenko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ritter some visible discomfort.
Shevchenko working the ground and pound from side control.
Ritter is looking to reverse the position.

Shevchenko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ritter has escaped the position, nice work there.
Shevchenko landing a few strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
You can see the frustration on Ritter's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ritter is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shevchenko tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Taras Shevchenko did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ritter thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shevchenko was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Ritter fails to land with a series of punches.

Shevchenko scores with a takedown into Ritter's guard.
Shevchenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ritter is trying to keep Shevchenko in close.
Shevchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shevchenko wants to pass the guard but Ritter is keeping the position.
Shevchenko is fighting to break Ritter's control of his arms but Ritter is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shevchenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shevchenko works over Ritter with some ground and pound from guard.
Shevchenko being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shevchenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ritter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ritter working a defensive guard here.
Shevchenko stopping the sweep attempt from Ritter.
Shevchenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shevchenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shevchenko won't allow Ritter to sweep him here.
Shevchenko postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Ritter covers up, he's hurt! Shevchenko keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Shevchenko and the ref steps in to end the fight! Shevchenko can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Taras Shevchenko!
Taras Shevchenko retains his super heavyweight title!