PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Les Richards (ranked 25753 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Shawcross (ranked 25759 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Richards
vs
Shawcross

195 cm
21
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
24
200 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Les Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryan Shawcross!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shawcross.
Shawcross darts in looking for a takedown but Richards gets double underhooks and turns Shawcross into the cage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Richards breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Richards changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shawcross tries to avoid it but Richards manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shawcross to the ground. Shawcross escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Richards goes for a double leg but Shawcross avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shawcross continues to drive forward.
Shawcross misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ryan Shawcross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shawcross takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shawcross is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Les Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shawcross pulls Richards into guard.
Richards throws an elbow that misses. Shawcross uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Richards's guard. Nice move by Shawcross!

Richards is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shawcross defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Richards is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Richards keeping full guard, as Shawcross tries to pass.

Shawcross got a little sloppy there for a moment and Richards has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shawcross has managed to get both his arms back between Richards's legs - danger averted.

Shawcross stands up and waves to Richards to follow him.
Shawcross pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Shawcross moves into the clinch.
Shawcross keeps control of Richards as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Richards is trying to drag Shawcross to the mat but Shawcross just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Richards is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Shawcross has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Richards clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Richards is trying to stand back up.
Shawcross has the hooks in. Richards is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Richards trying to control the hands but Shawcross won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Shawcross is not going to allow Richards to sit and survive in this position.
Richards is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Richards trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Richards is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

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.

Shawcross is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Richards knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Richards for a finish.
Shawcross controls the action.
Richards looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Shawcross controlling from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richards is really stuck here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Shawcross dominated that 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.

Shawcross moves into the clinch successfully.
Richards is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shawcross can't break the clinch.
Shawcross has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Richards jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shawcross walks away with a smile on his face. Richards gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Les Richards is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shawcross throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Richards's waist but Richards gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shawcross off to one side.
Richards appears to be looking for a big counter.
Richards closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
No joy there for Richards, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And Shawcross tries to counter it with a takedown but Richards pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Shawcross closes the distance and clinches.
Richards is trying to pull guard but Shawcross has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Les Richards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Richards tries to pull guard but Shawcross holds him up against the cage and eventually Richards drops back down to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shawcross tries to break free but Richards pushes him back against the cage.

Shawcross pulls guard successfully.
Richards loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Richards postures up in Shawcross's guard and throws a big left but Shawcross blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shawcross looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Richards tries to stand but Shawcross is controlling from the bottom.

Richards gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Richards looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Richards darts in trying to clinch
and Shawcross counters with a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nice takedown defense from Richards. No joy for Shawcross on that attempt.
Richards is looking to slow Shawcross down with leg kicks.
Shawcross misses with a head kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Richards darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Shawcross misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Richards shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shawcross defends it nicely.
Shawcross misses with a few strikes there.
Shawcross stuffs the takedown.

Shawcross has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shawcross pulls guard successfully.
Richards throws an elbow that misses. Shawcross uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Richards's guard. Nice move by Shawcross!

Shawcross engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Richards looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shawcross passes into half guard.
Richards keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shawcross not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shawcross looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Shawcross is looking for a kimura but Richards is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shawcross to get the leverage.
Still in half guard, Shawcross seems content to control.

Richards looking for submissions off his back.
Richards trying to hold on to Shawcross's head to control him but Shawcross postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shawcross is looking for a kimura but Richards is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shawcross to get the leverage.

Richards has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Shawcross escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Shawcross!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Shawcross showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shawcross tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Richards defends well and Shawcross ends up having to push Richards into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Shawcross drives through and clinches with Richards against the cage.

Richards has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Shawcross uses from the top position.

Richards has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Shawcross is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Richards.
Richards can't do much from the bottom here.
Shawcross working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards bucks up and tries to throw Shawcross off but instead Shawcross has got his back!
You can see the frustration on Richards's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shawcross controlling from the back.

Shawcross is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Shawcross gets his hands free as Richards looks to control.
Richards wants to get back to his feet.
Richards avoids the strikes from Shawcross.

Shawcross working for a choke but Richards is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Richards is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Richards covering up well under a barage of strikes.

Shawcross is looking for the choke from the back position but Richards is controlling his hands well.
Richards tries to break free.

Richards showing good submission defense here.

Shawcross working for a choke but Richards is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards just trying to survive but Shawcross is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Shawcross is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Shawcross gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Shawcross gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Shawcross apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Richards slaps away a takedown attempt from Shawcross, before circling back to the center of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Richards.

Shawcross has Richards up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shawcross has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Richards uses from the top position.
Shawcross pulls Richards in close to prevent any damage.
Richards throws a strike but Shawcross rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Shawcross is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Richards escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shawcross gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shawcross throwing strikes but missing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Shawcross comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shawcross 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Shawcross!