PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Shirahama (ranked 1359 p4p, 31 weight class) and Mr Joshua (ranked 1732 p4p, 37 weight class). Joshua is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Problem Child. Mr Joshua will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shirahama
vs
Joshua

198 cm
27
260 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

193 cm
25
255 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
RAGS of a RONIN

Vikai Gear
IniTech Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Carlos Shirahama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Joshua!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Alyssa Summers and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joshua cracks the inside of Shirahama's front leg.

Joshua has taken the fight to the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Joshua.

Shirahama breaks the clinch.
Shirahama connects with a jab.

It looks like Mr Joshua has been cut.
Joshua takes a swing at Shirahama's ribcage but misses.
Joshua scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Shirahama walks into a left hand.
A slow jab from Shirahama misses its intended target.
Joshua works Shirahama's body with a nice hook.
Joshua does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Shirahama connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shirahama fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Joshua looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Joshua fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Joshua clinches up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shirahama.
Joshua lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Joshua.
Shirahama misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joshua throws a punch but it's blocked by Shirahama.

Shirahama manages to break the clinch.
Shirahama wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Shirahama swinging wildly here.
Joshua throws a leg kick but Shirahama sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shirahama drops down looking for a counter takedown but Joshua sprawls and moves away.
Joshua lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Shirahama scores with a jab.
Shirahama lands with a cross.
Shirahama on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Joshua throws a shot to the body.
We've been hearing reports that Shirahama has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Shirahama on the wrong end of a nice hook.
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!
Joshua throws out a leg kick but Shirahama moves out of range and Joshua only half commits.

Joshua moves into range and clinches up with Shirahama.
Joshua lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Joshua misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Joshua scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shirahama misses with some punches.
Shirahama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shirahama tries to work over Joshua's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shirahama throws a punch but it's blocked by Joshua.
Shirahama blocking some punches.
Shirahama misses with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Shirahama.
A head punch on the inside from Joshua fails to land.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A head punch on the inside from Shirahama fails to land.
Shirahama misses with a body punch.
Shirahama lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Joshua looking to stall.
Joshua misses with the head strike.
Shirahama lands a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joshua works on Shirahama's body with a couple of short punches.
Shirahama lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shirahama.
Shirahama tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Joshua works on Shirahama's body with a couple of short punches.
Still in the clinch, Joshua scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shirahama lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch on the inside from Shirahama fails to land.
Shirahama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Joshua backwards.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shirahama as Joshua tries to tie him up.
Joshua lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Joshua taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Shirahama breaks the clinch.
Shirahama connects with a good right hand that stumbles Joshua. Joshua circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Joshua moves into range and clinches up with Shirahama.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Joshua stalling in the clinch.
Joshua is looking to control Shirahama's arms but Shirahama gets an underhook and turns him. Now Joshua has his back to the cage.
Joshua swings wildly with an uppercut but Shirahama uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joshua tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Joshua throws a punch but it's blocked by Shirahama.
Shirahama lands with a light punch inside.
Shirahama tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Joshua's elbow.
Joshua is pushing Shirahama up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Joshua tries to stall but Shirahama uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Joshua lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Joshua swings wildly with an uppercut but Shirahama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shirahama wants a takedown but no success here.
Joshua stalling the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Joshua goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shirahama blocks an uppercut.
Joshua stalling the fight.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mr Joshua will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mr Joshua's cut.
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.

Joshua catches Shirahama with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Shirahama looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joshua is fending him off so far but Shirahama persists. Nope, Joshua circles away and we're back to standing.
Shirahama walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Joshua tries to clinch but Shirahama moves out of range.
Shirahama throws a body shot but no joy.
Joshua lands a jab to the head.
Shirahama gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A lazy left from Shirahama finds it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joshua scores with a jab. Shirahama acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Joshua fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shirahama.
A jab from Shirahama misses.

Joshua closes the distance and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Joshua tries to work over Shirahama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shirahama lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joshua holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Joshua content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Shirahama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Joshua looking to slow down the pace here.
Joshua misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shirahama misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shirahama misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Joshua just leaning against Shirahama, taking a breather.
Joshua misses with a short punch on the inside.
Joshua trying to stall but Shirahama improves his position.
Shirahama prevents a body shot from Joshua.
Joshua has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shirahama lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Joshua trying to stall but Shirahama improves his position.
Joshua tries to work over Shirahama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Joshua lands a right hand.
Joshua struggles to land a body shot inside as Shirahama controls his hands.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mr Joshua.
A solid leg kick lands there for Joshua.
Shirahama misses with an uppercut. Joshua saw that one coming.
Shirahama wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Joshua misses with a body kick.
Joshua lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Shirahama swats away the attempt to clinch by Joshua.
Shirahama slips a straight right by Joshua.
Shirahama swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Joshua catches Shirahama with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shirahama misses with the combination.
Joshua throws a leg kick

and Shirahama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shirahama.

Joshua is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shirahama presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joshua stalls.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A short uppercut from Joshua.
Joshua scores with a shoulder strike.
Joshua's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Shirahama breaks from the clinch.
Joshua tries to clinch up.
Shirahama appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Joshua throws out a leg kick but Shirahama moves out of range and Joshua only half commits.
Shirahama lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Joshua backs up against the cage.
Shirahama misses with a double jab.
A clash of legs there as Shirahama blocks the low kick.
Shirahama appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mr Joshua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shirahama misses the jab.
A left lands for Shirahama.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joshua tries to close the distance and clinch but Shirahama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Joshua fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joshua lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Shirahama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Joshua.
Shirahama misses with a straight left.
Shirahama checks a leg kick.
Shirahama tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shirahama. Joshua does a little dance to reset his feet.
And Joshua tries to counter it with a takedown but Shirahama pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Joshua throws a leg kick but Shirahama sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Joshua lands with a shot to the body.
Joshua wants to clinch up but Shirahama keeps it at a distance.
Mr Joshua seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A nice inside leg kick there by Joshua. That's going to slow Shirahama down.
Shirahama needs to keep his hands up - Joshua had a free shot at his head there.
Nice straight punches there by Joshua. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Joshua.
Joshua misses with a looping right.
A solid body kick from Joshua.
Shirahama scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Joshua showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mr Joshua's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - 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.

Joshua smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Joshua lands a head kick. Shirahama smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Joshua misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Joshua tries to clinch but Shirahama is having none of it.
Good standup being displayed there by Joshua as he connects with a hook.

Joshua moves into the clinch.
Joshua blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shirahama.
Joshua stalling in the clinch but Shirahama improves position.
A short left from Joshua.
Shirahama throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Joshua blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mr Joshua seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Joshua is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Joshua misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Shirahama breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shirahama shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Shirahama was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Joshua defending against the ground and pound.
Shirahama looks up at the clock and then as Joshua takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Shirahama smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Shirahama in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Shirahama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Joshua, who protects the arm well.
Joshua takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Carlos Shirahama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Shirahama crashes against the mat.
An elbow from Shirahama crashes against the mat.

Shirahama is trying to get an arm triangle but Joshua is defending well.
Joshua is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama in side control, throwing shots but Joshua defends.
Shirahama in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Shirahama misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Joshua is not content to let Shirahama control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Joshua is trying to buck Shirahama off.
Shirahama creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Joshua sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mr Joshua is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Shirahama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Joshua, who protects the arm well.
Shirahama misses with the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The strikes coming from Shirahama are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

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 Carlos Shirahama.
I think Joshua has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Joshua!
Mr Joshua took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, IniTech Nutrition for their support in the buildup to the fight.