PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Engelhard (ranked 6662 p4p, 659 weight class) and Hardis Shidoku (ranked 6463 p4p, 651 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Engelhard
vs
Shidoku

205 cm
18
216 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Randy Engelhard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hardis Shidoku!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shidoku takes a jab right on the kisser.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shidoku looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Shidoku shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Engelhard manages to get to full guard.

Engelhard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shidoku defends well.
Engelhard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Engelhard wants to sweep here but Shidoku controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Engelhard is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shidoku defends well.
Shidoku distracts Engelhard with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shidoku lands a couple of elbows.
Shidoku distracts Engelhard with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shidoku won't allow Engelhard to sweep him here.
Shidoku tries to free his leg and advance position but Engelhard is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shidoku wants to get up but he can't break Engelhard's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Engelhard lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Engelhard is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Shidoku is trying to hold Engelhard in close to prevent damage but Engelhard has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Engelhard is thwarting Shidoku's attempts to control the position.
Shidoku has hold of Engelhard's hands but Engelhard slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Engelhard seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shidoku is not content to let Engelhard control the position.
Engelhard looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shidoku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Engelhard is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Engelhard trying to control from half guard but Shidoku is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shidoku wants to get back to his feet.
Shidoku is staying active underneath Engelhard, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Engelhard lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Shidoku looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Engelhard can't keep his opponent in guard - Shidoku advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shidoku not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hardis Shidoku will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Engelhard just misses with a punch to the body.

Engelhard 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.
Shidoku wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Engelhard manages to pass to side control.

Engelhard trying to control the action but Shidoku is working from the bottom.
Shidoku pushes Engelhard off looking to stand but Engelhard dives back in and keeps control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Engelhard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Engelhard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shidoku's head.

Engelhard is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Still in half guard, Engelhard seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engelhard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shidoku keeps working.

Engelhard wants to work for an arm triangle but Shidoku is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Engelhard sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shidoku defending well though.
Engelhard wants to free his trapped foot but Shidoku is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Engelhard is trying to control the action in half guard but Shidoku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Engelhard is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shidoku doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Engelhard.
Engelhard is controlling the pace.

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.
Shidoku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Engelhard slows the pace down in half guard.
Engelhard is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Shidoku!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shidoku is looking to improve his position but Engelhard isn't that keen on the idea.
Engelhard avoids the attempt from Shidoku to control.
Shidoku is looking to improve his position but Engelhard isn't that keen on the idea.
Shidoku is still trying to improve position.
Engelhard lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Shidoku manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Shidoku tries to roll over but Engelhard keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Engelhard seems to be looking for submissions.
Engelhard trying to control from half guard but Shidoku is working away.
Engelhard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shidoku can do to turn this around?
Engelhard drops an elbow to the side of Shidoku's head.
Shidoku trying to control from the bottom.
Shidoku is looking to escape.

Shidoku manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Engelhard keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Engelhard breaks from the clinch.
Engelhard avoids the head kick by Shidoku.
Shidoku ducks under a wild hook from Engelhard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Engelhard dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Shidoku tries to bum rush Engelhard with a series of wild strikes but Engelhard uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shidoku tests Engelhard's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Engelhard bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Shidoku tries to sprawl but Engelhard drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Engelhard is thwarting Shidoku's attempts to control the position.
Engelhard prevents Shidoku from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Engelhard throwing shots but Shidoku is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Engelhard looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Engelhard trying to control the action but Shidoku is working from the bottom.
Engelhard throwing shots but Shidoku is blocking nicely.
Engelhard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Engelhard prevents Shidoku from improving his position.
Engelhard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Engelhard thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Engelhard looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Engelhard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shidoku keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Engelhard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shidoku keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Engelhard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Engelhard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shidoku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Shidoku shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Engelhard's guard.
Engelhard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shidoku.
Shidoku not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Engelhard is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shidoku content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Shidoku stands up and waves to Engelhard to follow him.
Engelhard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Shidoku drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shidoku is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Engelhard looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shidoku advances to half guard.

Engelhard is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shidoku pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Engelhard tries to get to full guard but Shidoku has control of the leg.
Shidoku looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Engelhard with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Shidoku is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shidoku stalling away here and it's allowed Engelhard to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hardis Shidoku comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shidoku 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Randy Engelhard!