PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roadman Shaq (ranked 1642 p4p, 196 weight class) and Roy McDavid (ranked 961 p4p, 114 weight class). Shaq comes to the cage accompanied by Mans Not Hot. Roy McDavid will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shaq
vs
McDavid

170 cm
27
157 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

177 cm
27
163 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roadman Shaq!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roy McDavid!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shaq throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shaq looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shaq lands with a thumping leg kick.
McDavid blocks the body kick.
McDavid misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shaq fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shaq gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McDavid.
That kick from Shaq tenderised McDavid's leg. McDavid is trying to keep his angry face on.
McDavid on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shaq on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Shaq takes one to the side of the head.

Shaq gets a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shaq throws an elbow but it misses.
McDavid wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shaq pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shaq pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shaq throws an elbow but it misses.
Shaq throws an elbow that misses.
McDavid dodges an elbow strike from Shaq.
McDavid tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shaq lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDavid throws a punch but it's blocked by Shaq.
McDavid is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shaq misses with an elbow strike.
Shaq throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
McDavid scores with a nice hook to the head.
McDavid wants to break free but Shaq has control.
McDavid fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shaq throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
McDavid misses with a body punch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shaq as McDavid tries to tie him up.
Shaq pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shaq creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shaq misses with an elbow over the top.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shaq just misses with a elbow thrown towards McDavid's brow.
McDavid lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shaq backwards.
Shaq creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
McDavid avoids the elbow strike from Shaq, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shaq throws an elbow but misses.
McDavid wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McDavid's coach down at Russian Bears Training Center was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on McDavid's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDavid is trying to force a seperation but Shaq has the dominant position.
Shaq throws an elbow but it misses.
Shaq looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A right handed body shot lands from McDavid.
Shaq lands a damaging elbow.
Shaq creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McDavid.
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!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shaq just misses with a elbow thrown towards McDavid's brow.
McDavid misses with a hook from the clinch.

McDavid escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shaq dodges the punch combination from McDavid.
Shaq feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to McDavid's calf.
Shaq slips a jab and a cross from McDavid.
Roy McDavid seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice jab there from McDavid.
Shaq pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McDavid misses with a few strikes there.
Shaq shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

It looks like Roadman Shaq has been cut.
No joy there for McDavid, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaq throws a nice outside leg kick.
Shaq feints and then cracks McDavid's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McDavid down.
McDavid comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
McDavid misses with an uppercut. Shaq saw that one coming.
McDavid has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Shaq.
McDavid has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
McDavid misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
McDavid fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McDavid goes for a double leg but Shaq avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shaq continues to drive forward.
Roadman Shaq has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Roy McDavid.
An inside leg kick lands from Shaq.
McDavid throws a hook but Shaq avoids it easily.
McDavid throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shaq fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but McDavid is out of range.
McDavid throws a hook to the side of Shaq's head but Shaq sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Shaq fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McDavid, pushing him back against the cage.

McDavid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shaq throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A solid leg kick lands there for Shaq.
McDavid throws a jab when Shaq was well out of range.
McDavid swings for the body but Shaq moves out of range.
McDavid's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDavid swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McDavid misses with a looping left.
Shaq wants to land a leg kick but McDavid is out of range.

Shaq clinches.
McDavid misses with a hook from the clinch.
McDavid takes an elbow to the forehead.
McDavid avoids the elbow strike from Shaq, against the cage.
McDavid avoids a wild elbow strike from Shaq.
Shaq lands a damaging elbow.
McDavid is trying to maintain a safe position but Shaq gets an underhook and turns McDavid into the cage.
Shaq misses with an elbow strike.
Shaq throws an elbow but it's blocked.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shaq just misses with a elbow thrown towards McDavid's brow.
Shaq misses with an elbow strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shaq throws an elbow but it misses.
McDavid misses with a hook to the ribs.
McDavid tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McDavid throws a punch but it's blocked by Shaq.
McDavid lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shaq backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Roadman Shaq will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Roadman Shaq's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Good work by McDavid as he checks the leg kick.
A big right from McDavid misses.
Shaq connects with a leg kick. McDavid looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
McDavid misses with a hook.
McDavid lands a glancing blow to the side of Shaq's head.
Shaq connects with a solid leg kick.
Shaq throws a nice outside leg kick.
McDavid listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Shaq scores with a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Shaq.
McDavid misses with a body shot.

McDavid gets tackled into the cage by Shaq. Shaq maintains the clinch.
Shaq looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A short uppercut from McDavid.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDavid working aggressively here.
McDavid working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McDavid blocks the elbow strike.
Shaq creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shaq blocks an uppercut.
McDavid avoids a wild elbow strike from Shaq.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaq blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Roadman Shaq has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shaq pushes off an throws an elbow but McDavid leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

McDavid pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McDavid scores with a jab to the head.
Roy McDavid seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McDavid throws a sloppy body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Shaq.
Roadman Shaq is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDavid lands a glancing blow to the side of Shaq's head.

Shaq has McDavid up against the cage in a clinch.
McDavid has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shaq throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McDavid lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shaq backwards.
Shaq pushes off an throws an elbow but McDavid leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
McDavid wants to break free but Shaq has control.
McDavid lands a hook to the side of the head.
McDavid makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Shaq is rocked!
McDavid avoids a wild elbow strike from Shaq.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McDavid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McDavid throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shaq throws a low kick but McDavid avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaq throws out a leg kick but McDavid moves out of range and Shaq only half commits.
Shaq throws a low kick but McDavid moves out of range easily.
Shaq tries to land a front kick but McDavid steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McDavid jabs Shaq to the body, keeping him at a distance.
McDavid blocks the body kick.
Shaq chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McDavid throws a body shot but no joy.
McDavid closes the distance and clinches up with Shaq, looking for a takedown. McDavid pushes Shaq against the cage but Shaq circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shaq looks to land a body kick but McDavid moved away.

Shaq instigates a clinch.
McDavid avoids the elbow strike from Shaq, against the cage.
Shaq throws an elbow but it's blocked.
McDavid blocks an elbow strike from Shaq.
McDavid blocks an elbow strike from Shaq.
Shaq looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McDavid lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shaq backwards.
McDavid swings wildly with an uppercut but Shaq uses good head movement to avoid it.
McDavid dodges an elbow strike from Shaq.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDavid dodges an elbow strike from Shaq.
McDavid has a couple of punches blocked by Shaq.
Shaq looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nice body punch from McDavid - that landed with a thud.
A head punch on the inside from McDavid fails to land.
McDavid is trying to stall.
Shaq misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shaq.
McDavid dodges an elbow strike from Shaq.
McDavid dodges an elbow strike from Shaq.
McDavid lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McDavid tries to break free but Shaq pushes him back against the cage.
McDavid softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
McDavid blocks the elbow strike.
The referee calls for McDavid to work.

McDavid breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDavid looks to throw the jab but Shaq is out of range.
McDavid moves out of range as Shaq throws a body kick.
McDavid throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shaq is looking to counter the offense by McDavid and move into the clinch.

McDavid shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shaq is staying active underneath McDavid, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

McDavid is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McDavid is trying to work for a kimura but Shaq is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy McDavid showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roadman Shaq's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Shaq showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McDavid.
McDavid misses with a jab to the body
and Shaq counters with a solid body kick.
McDavid keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shaq tries to clinch but McDavid moves out of range.
Shaq scores with a leg kick.
McDavid throws a body punch but Shaq moves out of range.
As McDavid backs away, Shaq returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
McDavid throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McDavid throws an overhand right that lands on Shaq's shoulder, as Shaq tries to avoid the shot.
McDavid misses with a combination
and Shaq counters with a nice kick to the body.
McDavid ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shaq moves away.
McDavid lands with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McDavid loads up on a big right hand but Shaq slips the punch.
Shaq slips a jab and a cross from McDavid.
Shaq takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Shaq closes the distance and pushes McDavid back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

McDavid breaks the clinch.
Shaq attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaq gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows McDavid to score an easy takedown into full guard.
McDavid looking to pass the guard.
McDavid takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
McDavid being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDavid looking to sit in guard and control but Shaq gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shaq makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shaq lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shaq is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shaq has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
McDavid wants to control the position but Shaq says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
McDavid taking some punishment here, with Shaq in his half guard.
McDavid makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McDavid.
Shaq missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shaq postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDavid being controlled here, momentarily.
McDavid looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shaq is looking to work some ground and pound but McDavid has wrist control.
Shaq trying to control but McDavid is working from the bottom.
Shaq content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Roadman Shaq overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shaq with a nice head shot there.
Shaq working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McDavid looking for a sweep. Not yet McDavid, not yet.
Shaq lands a couple of digs.
McDavid wants to sweep here but Shaq controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaq scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Shaq postures up.
Shaq makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shaq landing some decent shots from guard.
Shaq stopping the sweep attempt from McDavid.
Shaq wants to stand but McDavid is controlling his posture from full guard.
Shaq trying to control the position from guard on top but McDavid is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shaq scoring with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roadman Shaq showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shaq 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Roadman Shaq!
Roadman Shaq is the new lightweight champion!
Roadman Shaq gave a mention to Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200) in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).