PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cheik Imbula (ranked 141 p4p, 21 weight class) and Lao Shin (ranked 156 p4p, 23 weight class). Imbula comes to the cage accompanied by ~Apache~. Shin has chosen Shaolin Chamber of Death as his entrance music. Lao Shin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Imbula
vs
Shin

185 cm
31
180 lbs
25 - 13 - 1

182 cm
37
176 lbs
40 - 16 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cheik Imbula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 40 - 16 - 1, fighting out of London, Lao Shin!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imbula throws a leg kick which misses Shin's front leg but catches the back leg as Shin tries to avoid it.
Imbula missing with a left hand there. Shin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shin scores with a leg kick.
Shin has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Imbula looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shin counters with a body kick.
Shin misses with a hook. Imbula ducked under it nicely.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shin.
Shin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Imbula throwing a counter right hand but Shin manages to avoid it.
Shin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Imbula counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imbula misses with an uppercut.
Imbula has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Wild Beasts Zoo in the buildup to the fight.
Imbula ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shin moves away.
Imbula connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Imbula tries to land a body kick
and Imbula takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shin avoids a kick to the body.
Imbula throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Imbula walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shin.
Imbula tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Shin is able to avoid easily.
Imbula misses with a looping left.
Imbula looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Imbula doesn't seem bothered though.
Shin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Shin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nice shot by Imbula.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shin lands a jab.
That kick from Shin tenderised Imbula's leg. Imbula is trying to keep his angry face on.
A swing and a miss from Imbula.
Shin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Shin moves into the clinch successfully.
Shin swings wildly with an uppercut but Imbula uses good head movement to avoid it.
Imbula misses with a hook from the clinch.
Imbula lands a body shot in the clinch.
Shin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shin blocks an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Imbula scores with a nice short uppercut.
Imbula is leaning against Shin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shin struggles to land a body shot inside as Imbula controls his hands.
Shin blocks an uppercut.
Shin misses with some punches.
Imbula tries a body shot but Shin blocks it.
Imbula blocking some punches.
Imbula lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Imbula as the two fighters clinch.
Shin tries a body shot but Imbula blocks it.
Shin throws a punch but it's blocked by Imbula.
A short right from Imbula.
Imbula has a couple of punches blocked by Shin.
Imbula tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shin's elbow.
Shin can't find room to land a body shot as Imbula controls the action.
Shin prevents a body shot from Imbula.
Imbula misses with some punches.
Good body shot from Imbula.
Shin struggles to land a body shot inside as Imbula controls his hands.
Shin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Imbula lands with a light punch inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Imbula tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shin lands a right hand.
Shin struggles to land a body shot inside as Imbula controls his hands.
Imbula throws a punch but it's blocked by Shin.
A head punch on the inside from Imbula fails to land.
Imbula prevents a body shot from Shin.
Imbula fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Imbula pushes Shin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right from Imbula on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Imbula creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Imbula's elbow.
Imbula has a couple of punches blocked by Shin.
Shin misses with a body punch.
Shin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Imbula misses with some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Imbula.
Shin blocking some punches.
Shin blocks a body shot from Imbula.
Shin struggles to land a body shot inside as Imbula controls his hands.
Shin throws a head punch that misses.
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 Cheik Imbula will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shin misses with a wild body shot.
Imbula tried to counter with a leg kick but Shin avoided it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shin.
Imbula half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Good leg kick by Imbula there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Imbula dips to his left and cracks Shin with an uppercut!
Shin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Imbula's head backwards.
Shin lands a nice shot that snaps Imbula's head back.
Imbula drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Imbulas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Shin blocks the body kick.

Imbula has closed the distance and engaged Shin in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shin lands a right hand.
Shin blocks a body shot from Imbula.
Shin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Imbula.
A head punch on the inside from Imbula fails to land.
Imbula blocks an elbow strike.
Shin struggles to land a body shot inside as Imbula controls his hands.
Shin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Imbula scores with a shoulder strike.
Shin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shin lands with a light punch inside.
Imbula blocks a body shot from Shin.
Shin misses with a punch on the inside.
Imbula lands with a light punch inside.
Imbula blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Imbula misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shin can't find room to land a body shot as Imbula controls the action.
Imbula is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Imbula lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shin tries to work over Imbula's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Imbula.
Nice body punch from Shin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Imbula swings wildly with an uppercut but Shin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice left hand lands by Imbula.
Shin throws a head punch that misses.
Shin lands a shot to the body.
Imbula misses with a punch on the inside.
Shin blocks a body shot from Imbula.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
Shin blocks an uppercut.
Shin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Imbula doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shin digs a right hand underneath Imbula's ribcage. Imbula let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cheik Imbula has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Imbula goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
Shin digs a right hand underneath Imbula's ribcage. Imbula let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Imbula throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Imbula or not.
Shin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Shin.
Imbula swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shin tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Imbula is leaning against Shin and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Imbula.
Nice body punch from Shin.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shin lands an elbow just above Imbula 's eye.
Shin blocks a body shot from Imbula.
Imbula tries a body shot but Shin blocks it.
Imbula has a couple of punches blocked by Shin.
Shin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Imbula prevents a body shot from Shin.
Shin misses with a punch to the body.
Imbula misses with some punches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Shin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Shin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Imbula throws a head punch that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbula is working Shin over against the cage.
Imbula throws a head punch that misses.
Shin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shin prevents a body shot from Imbula.
Imbula tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shin can't find room to land a body shot as Imbula controls the action.
Shin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shin misses with a body punch.
Imbula misses with a punch to the body.
Shin prevents a body shot from Imbula.

Imbula turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Imbula manages to end up in side control.

Imbula tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Imbula has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Imbula looks up at the clock and then as Shin takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Imbula smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Shin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Imbula off and has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lao Shin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A low kick from Imbula misses
and Shin counters with a nice low kick that buckles Imbula's knee momentarily.
Imbula looks to throw a body kick
and Shin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shin gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Imbula counters with an inside leg kick.
That kick from Imbula tenderised Shin's leg. Shin is trying to keep his angry face on.
Imbula waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shin.
A little jabbing left from Shin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A clash of legs there as Shin blocks the low kick.
Imbula has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Shin finds it's way round the side to connect with Imbula's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shin is looking to chop away at Imbula's legs.
Imbula connects with an inside leg kick.
Shin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imbula looks to score with a jab to the body but Shin is just out of range.
Imbula goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Shin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Imbula throws a leg kick
and Shin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Imbula thinking.
Imbula lands with an overhand left.
A low kick from Imbula misses
and Shin counters with an outside leg kick.
Imbula swings for the body but Shin moves out of range.
Lao Shin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut lands for Shin. That snapped Imbula's head back.
Imbula takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Imbula is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shin misses with a body shot.
Imbula thinks about countering with a head kick.
Oh Imbula is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Imbula seems to have got his legs back now.
Shin takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shin misses with an uppercut. Imbula saw that one coming.
Shin scores with the left hand. Imbula knows he should have avoided that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Imbula bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Imbula takes a jab right on the kisser.
Imbula scores with a head kick. Shin tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Imbula advances to half guard.
Imbula has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Imbula tries to pass to full mount but Shin defends it.
Shin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Imbula's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Imbula's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Imbula tries to roll but Shin sticks to his back.
Imbula is working hard here to advance position.

Shin is looking for the choke from the back position but Imbula is controlling his hands well.

Shin is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Imbula knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Imbula for a finish.

Imbula fending off the submission attempt from Shin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imbula is trying to break free.

Shin working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shin tightening his grip on Imbula, looking for the choke.
Shin keeps control of the position as Imbula tries to break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lao Shin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shin 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!