PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Philip Gallagher (ranked 480 p4p, 59 weight class) and Papa Shango (ranked 579 p4p, 72 weight class). Gallagher comes to the cage accompanied by The Vindictives - Stupid Song. Philip Gallagher has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gallagher
vs
Shango

176 cm
28
162 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

177 cm
37
166 lbs
27 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Philip Gallagher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Papa Shango!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gallagher throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shango is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gallagher misses with a hook.
Shango wants to counter the offense by Gallagher and move into the clinch position.
Shango has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Gallagher is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Shango takes one on the button.
Shango on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gallagher. Gallagher obviously looking to wear him down.
Shango checks the leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gallagher. That's going to slow Shango down.
Gallagher lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shango keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shango drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gallagher defends it well.
Gallagher's jab looks to have found its range, popping Shango under the eye.
That kick from Gallagher tenderised Shango's leg. Shango is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shango was well out of range. Poor timing from Gallagher.
Shango tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gallagher throws a lazy uppercut

and Shango decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gallagher's guard.

Gallagher has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shango off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Gallagher just misses with a punch to the body.
Gallagher misses with a looping left.
Shango is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Jab by Gallagher.
Good exchange - Gallagher coming out on top.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gallagher throws a hook but Shango avoids it easily.
Shango is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gallagher throws a hook but Shango avoids it easily.
Shango changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gallagher rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Shango counters with a single leg into guard. Gallagher didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shango keeping moving, preventing Gallagher from controlling successfully.

Shango working for a triangle but Gallagher defends it easily.
Gallagher trying to control but Shango is working from the bottom.
Shango wants to sweep but no luck.
Shango is trying to keep Gallagher in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shango has a closed guard, preventing Gallagher from standing up.
Gallagher won't allow Shango to sweep him here.
Shango trying to control the position here.

Shango looking for a guillotine here but Gallagher defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Gallagher not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Shango keeping full guard, as Gallagher tries to pass.
Gallagher stopping the sweep attempt from Shango.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Shango has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
We've been told by Gallagher's head coaches at LOD: Contenders (Max ID290) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A jab from Gallagher misses.
Shango tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gallagher throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shango stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gallagher scores with a nice strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philip Gallagher dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gallagher swings for the body but Shango moves out of range.
Gallagher throws a front kick aimed at Shango's knee but Shango avoids it well.
Gallagher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gallagher pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Gallagher sets himself, and Shango steps forward looking for the clinch! Gallagher avoids it this time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gallagher. Shango does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gallagher uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Shango doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shango blocks a head kick by Gallagher.
Shango moves out of range of the strikes.
Shango tries to counter with a clinch but Gallagher shakes him off and moves away.
Gallagher waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shango.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shango steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gallagher.
Philip Gallagher is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gallagher throws a body punch but Shango moves out of range.
Gallagher scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gallagher misses with a body shot.
Shango tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gallagher throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shango stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gallagher scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shango uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gallagher.
Shango drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Gallagher defends it well.
Shango takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gallagher misses with a straight right.
Shango steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gallagher.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shango displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gallagher throws out the jab.
Gallagher throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shango tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gallagher is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shango can do to turn this around?
Good leg kick by Gallagher there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gallagher buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Gallagher fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Donk. Gallagher catches Shango right on the button with a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gallagher is looking to slow Shango down with leg kicks.
Gallagher thows a leg kick but Shango checks it

and Shango counters with a takedown into side control.

Gallagher explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher thows a leg kick but Shango checks it

and Shango counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shango.
Shango pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gallagher is keeping the position for now.
Gallagher is trying to keep Shango in close.
Shango with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shango engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shango postures up.
Shango wants to pass the guard but Gallagher is keeping the position.
Shango keeps trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gallagher throws a leg kick which misses Shango's front leg but catches the back leg as Shango tries to avoid it.
Gallagher throws a hook but Shango avoids it easily.
Gallagher lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Gallagher scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gallagher lands with an overhand left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philip Gallagher dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Shango takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gallagher throws a leg kick but Shango sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Gallagher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shango steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Gallagher.
Philip Gallagher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shango keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gallagher.
Shango with the counter takedown but Gallagher avoids it easily.
Gallagher throws a hook but Shango blocks it.
Gallagher goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Philip Gallagher is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shango checks the leg kick.
Shango tries to counter by closing the distance.
Gallagher misses with a wild body shot.
And Shango tries to counter it with a takedown but Gallagher pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gallagher throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher throws a leg kick

and Shango counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Gallagher!
Shango has control of an arm but Gallagher manages to advance to Shango's back!
Gallagher not allowing Shango to control his hands.
Gallagher controlling well, preventing Shango from escaping the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Gallagher's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Shango tries to roll but Gallagher sticks to his back.
Gallagher gets his hands free as Shango looks to control.
Gallagher tries to get the hooks in deep but Shango pushed the leg off.
Shango is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shango breaks Gallagher's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Papa Shango has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gallagher can't keep his opponent in guard - Shango advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Shango seems to be working for a kimura but Gallagher defends the submission attempt.
Shango working over Gallagher with some ground and pound. Gallagher looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Gallagher wants to control but Shango is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shango not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Gallagher is defending against the submission attempts here by Shango.
Shango is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher is holding on to half guard well.
Gallagher has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shango is working away from the top position though.
Shango trying to control the action but Gallagher is working from the bottom.
Shango wants to free his trapped foot but Gallagher is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gallagher looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gallagher trying to control but Shango postures up.
Papa Shango has got the better of the ground game so far.

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.
Gallagher moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Gallagher working a defensive guard here.
Shango tries to free his leg and advance position but Gallagher is retaining full guard.
Shango pushes down on Gallagher's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Shango prevents Gallagher from standing back up.

Shango is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Gallagher doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shango.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gallagher is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Philip Gallagher.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gallagher, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Philip Gallagher!
Philip Gallagher took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$) for their support in the buildup to the fight.