PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kal Shade (ranked 5825 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spas Spasov (ranked 22961 p4p, 0 weight class). Spas Spasov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shade
vs
Spasov

173 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
159 lbs
4 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight 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, Kal Shade!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Spas Spasov!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shade is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shade throws a jab but it's blocked by Spasov.
Spasov works over Shade's head and body with a nice combination.
Spasov swinging wildly here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shade. Spasov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spasov throws out a counter right but Shade avoids it with no problem.

Spasov has closed the distance and engaged Shade in a clinch.

Spasov breaks from the clinch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Spasov enables Shade to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Spasov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Spasov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shade presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shade is trying to drag Spasov to the mat but Spasov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Shade tries to pull guard but Spasov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Spasov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Shade can't fight it off and eventually Spasov manages to take the fight to the floor. Shade looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Shade not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shade looking for a guillotine here but Spasov defends easily.

Shade has his foot on Spasov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Spasov works his way back into a safe position though.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spasov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Shade is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Shade working for a triangle but Spasov defends it easily.

Shade is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Spasov defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shade looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shade is looking for a triangle here but Spasov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Shade tries to bench press Spasov off him but Spasov keeps the position.
Spasov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shade keeps working.
Shade avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Spasov.
Shade is looking to regain half guard here but Spasov keeps moving and retains side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Spasov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shade regains half guard.
Shade is looking for a sweep. Spasov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shade trying to control here.
Spasov controlling the action here.
Spasov tries to stand and escape but Shade is controlling the position.
Shade tries to roll over but Spasov keeps him under control.
Shade works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Spasov tries to free his leg and advance position but Shade is retaining full guard.
Spasov wants to control from the top but Shade keeps moving.
Shade wants to sweep but no luck.

Shade throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Shade is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Shade has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Spasov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Spasov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shade's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shade feints and as Spasov raises his hands in defense, Shade changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Spasov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shade passes into half guard.
Spasov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Shade is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Spasov!

Shade is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Spasov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Spasov shrugs it off.
Spasov regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shade is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Spasov is in trouble now - Shade has advanced to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shade wants to finish this one by submission but Spasov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Shade.

Shade swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Spasov is now in Shade's guard. A big mistake from Shade there, giving up the dominant position!
Shade trying to control the position.
Spasov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Spasov preventing the sweep.

Shade looking for a guillotine here but Spasov defends easily.

Shade looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Spasov passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shade wants to improve his position but Spasov is controlling well.
Shade regains full guard. Nicely done.
Spasov trying to control but Shade is working from the bottom.
Spasov wanted to stand there but Shade had control of the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shade is on top in guard.

Shade trying to control the position from guard on top but Spasov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shade drops back looking for a leg! Spasov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Spasov manages to kick Shade off! Shade jumps back into Spasov's guard.
Spasov being controlled here, momentarily.
Spasov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Shade trying to control the position from guard on top but Spasov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spasov is trying to keep Shade in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Shade drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shade jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shade pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spasov is keeping the position for now.
Spasov is trying to control the position but Shade postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shade keeps the fight on the outside.

Spasov forces Shade back against the cage and clinches.
Shade is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shade goes for a takedown in the clinch but Spasov prevents it.

Spasov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Spasov gets the takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kal Shade will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Shade shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Spasov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shade trying to control the action but Spasov is working from the bottom.

Shade wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Spasov, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Spasov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Shade is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Spasov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shade looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Spasov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shade is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Spasov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Shade goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Spasov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Shade but great work by Spasov.
Spasov cracks Shade with a big elbow.

Spasov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Shade to his feet.
Spasov cracks Shade with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Shade just misses with a punch to the body.

Shade fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Spasov sprawls well initially but Shade persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Spasov kicks Shade off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shade thows a left - swing and a miss!
A looping hook to the body misses from Shade. Spasov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spas Spasov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spasov misses with a jab, cross combination.

Shade scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Spasov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Shade has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Spasov is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Shade yanks on the arm and Spasov is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Shade.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:49 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kal Shade!