PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Walter Shield (ranked 4516 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Wright (ranked 24195 p4p, 0 weight class). Wright has chosen Warped Mind as his entrance music. Alex Wright will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shield
vs
Wright

191 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

193 cm
19
218 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Walter Shield!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alex Wright!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Robert Douchet and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shield shoots in but Wright avoids the takedown attempt easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Shield enables Wright to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Shield manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Wright stops Shield from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shield looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Shield has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wright can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shield is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shield controls Wright momentarily but Wright frees himself.
Wright must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wright drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shield dives on top into guard.

Shield has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Wright is proving hard to escape from.
Wright can't keep his opponent in guard - Shield advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Shield throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shield seems to be working for a kimura but Wright defends the submission attempt.
Wright blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shield.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shield seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Shield missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Shield wants to pass to mount but Wright is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shield performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Shield missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shield controlling the action here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Shield wants to work for an arm triangle but Wright is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shield thows a huge punch but Wright dodges it nicely.

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.
Shield seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Shield is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Shield gets caught flat footed, as Wright shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Wright is looking to stand up but Shield won't let him.
Shield is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wright is in trouble now - Shield has advanced to mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shield trying to control but Wright is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Shield dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shield fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wright avoids it really well and circles away.
Shield looks for a takedown but Wright sprawls well.
Wright moves to clinch but Shield breaks away
and Shield counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shield avoids the body shot from Wright.
Shield misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wright is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shield sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Wright.

Wright throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Shield was covering up waiting for the punch and Wright finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Shield manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've been informed that Wright has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Wright feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Shield working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wright doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wright manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shield wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Shield bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Wright's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shield controlling from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shield accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shield wants to control from the top but Wright keeps moving.
Wright really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shield. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wright being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shield throwing strikes but missing.
Wright preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shield throws a big elbow that misses.
Shield is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Shield working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shield shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wright but Wright pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Shield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shield tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Shield takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wright shoots in for a double leg but Shield sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shield moves out of range as Wright throws a body kick.
Shield throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Walter Shield dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! 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.

Shield fails with a takedown attempt.
Wright moves out of range of the body kick.
Shield tries to clinch but Wright moves out of range.
Shield tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Wright counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Shield!
Walter Shield overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shield tries to bench press Wright off him but Wright keeps the position.
Shield is pushing Wright's head away, looking to escape. Wright manages to hold on to the position though.
Shield is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wright can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shield can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shield is looking for a sweep.
Wright working away.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Shield manages to work his way to half guard, despite Wright's best efforts.
Shield wants to get back to his feet.

Shield kicks Wright off and gets back to his feet.
A shot to the liver by Shield. Beautiful body shot.
Shield cracks Wright with an open hand slap.

It looks like Alex Wright has been cut.
Wright throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Shield's head.
A combination from Wright does no damage.
Wright takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shield shoots in looking for a takedown but Wright manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shield's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wright tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Wright.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wright shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shield as he avoids it easily.
Shield looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As Shield backs off Wright throws a huge counter combo but Shield manages to avoid it all.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Walter Shield. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shield throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wright's waist but Wright gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shield off to one side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shield is defended easily by Wright.
Shield has a takedown stuffed.
Wright throws out a counter right but Shield avoids it with no problem.
Wright scores with a one two! Shield had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Wright as Shield shoots in.

Wright scores with a takedown into Shield's guard.
Wright postures up.
Shield has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Shield throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Wright postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wright prevents Shield from getting back to his feet.
Shield has a closed guard, preventing Wright from standing up.
Shield is trying to keep Wright in close.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shield looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shield throws a body shot but no joy.
Wright avoids the head kick by Shield.
Wright unleashes a big counter combination but Shield bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Wright decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Alex Wright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Walter Shield is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shield blocking the ground and pound attempt from Wright.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Wright comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shield has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Walter Shield!
The defeated Alex Wright had this to say: 'When I sign a contract, I really want to give 180%. And if I can't give that, it's just not fair to the promotion and it's not fair to the fans and it's not fair to myself'.