PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Crush Bandicoot (ranked 727 p4p, 98 weight class) and Soul Shadow (ranked 1015 p4p, 126 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Bandicoot
vs
Shadow

173 cm
26
159 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
163 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Crush Bandicoot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Soul Shadow!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shadow tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Shadow has Bandicoot up against the cage in a clinch.
Shadow tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Bandicoot gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Bandicoot wants to take a breather but Shadow is having none of it.
Shadow is trying to stand.
Bandicoot lands strikes from half guard.
Shadow won't allow Bandicoot to pass to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shadow keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Bandicoot is working for a submission of some sort.
Bandicoot sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shadow defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bandicoot is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bandicoot thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bandicoot stops Shadow from getting back to his feet.
Bandicoot seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Shadow blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bandicoot.
Bandicoot is nestled in close to Shadow, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Bandicoot keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Bandicoot not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bandicoot landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bandicoot not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bandicoot trying to pass the guard but Shadow defending well.
Bandicoot is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bandicoot prevents Shadow from standing back up.
Shadow told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Bandicoot keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Bandicoot throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shadow pushes Bandicoot off looking to stand but Bandicoot dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bandicoot drops an elbow to the side of Shadow's head.
Bandicoot lands with a punch from half guard.
Bandicoot sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shadow defending well though.
Shadow is trying to stand up here but Bandicoot is controlling him well.
Bandicoot drops an elbow to the side of Shadow's head.
Shadow scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Bandicoot manages to mount him!
Bandicoot with good strikes from the mount here!
Bandicoot has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Shadow's face.
Bandicoot lands with some strikes.

Shadow is rocked!
Bandicoot won't let Shadow get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Bandicoot connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Shadow is still in real trouble! Can Bandicoot finish him?
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!
Bandicoot landing strikes from the mount and Shadow is in trouble!
Bandicoot unloading with bombs!
Bandicoot won't let Shadow get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Bandicoot swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Shadow is now in Bandicoot's guard. A big mistake from Bandicoot there, giving up the dominant position!
Bandicoot trying to control the position.
Bandicoot throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Shadow seems to have recovered his senses.
Bandicoot seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Bandicoot looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Bandicoot is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shadow is aware though and is defending well.

Bandicoot looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shadow passes into side control.

Shadow decides to stand back up. Shadow steps back and let's Bandicoot get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crush Bandicoot dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bandicoot throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shadow pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bandicoot throws a hook but Shadow avoids it easily.
Bandicoot lands a body shot.
Shadow takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like Soul Shadow has been cut.
Shadow doesn't manage to clinch there - Bandicoot circles away.
Shadow displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bandicoot throws out the jab.
Shadow ducks under a wild hook from Bandicoot.
Bandicoot throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shadow.
Bandicoot looks to throw the jab but Shadow is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shadow is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Shadow closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bandicoot stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Shadow gets through Bandicoot's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bandicoot makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shadow works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shadow misses with some punches.
Bandicoot blocks an elbow strike from Shadow.
Bandicoot lands a right hand.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bandicoot lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shadow backwards.
Bandicoot scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bandicoot is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shadow can do to turn this around?
Bandicoot can't find room to land a body shot as Shadow controls the action.
Bandicoot scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bandicoot makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shadow throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bandicoot blocks it with crossed arms.
Shadow swings wildly with an uppercut but Bandicoot uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shadow lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bandicoot lands with a short shot to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bandicoot creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bandicoot makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Bandicoot misses with the head strike.
Bandicoot misses with a body punch.
Bandicoot misses with the head strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shadow.

Bandicoot gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Shadow pushes Bandicoot off and gets back to his feet.
Shadow closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bandicoot counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Shadow has managed to clinch.
Bandicoot scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bandicoot swings wildly with an uppercut but Shadow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shadow trying to stall but Bandicoot improves his position.
Shadow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shadow swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bandicoot tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bandicoot can't find room to land a body shot as Shadow controls the action.
Shadow tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shadow.
Shadow tries to land a knee to the head but Bandicoot blocks with his arms.

Bandicoot manages to break the clinch.
Shadow doesn't manage to clinch there - Bandicoot circles away.
Bandicoot connects with a jab.
Soul Shadow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Shadow rushes Bandicoot and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Shadow.
Shadow blocks an uppercut.
Bandicoot blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shadow misses with a hook from the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Bandicoot misses with some punches.
Shadow tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow struggles to land a body shot inside as Bandicoot controls his hands.
Crush Bandicoot has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bandicoot.
Bandicoot blocks a body shot from Shadow.
Bandicoot tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shadow is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short right from Bandicoot.
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!
Bandicoot tries to pull guard but Shadow forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shadow creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bandicoot has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shadow avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shadow has a couple of punches blocked by Bandicoot.
Bandicoot can't find room to land a body shot as Shadow controls the action.
Bandicoot scores with a shoulder strike.
Bandicoot tries to pull guard but Shadow won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Crush Bandicoot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shadow.
Shadow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Bandicoot.
Bandicoot can't find room to land a body shot as Shadow controls the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shadow misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Crush Bandicoot dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Soul Shadow's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bandicoot circles away from the clinch attempt.

Shadow has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bandicoot can't find room to land a body shot as Shadow controls the action.
Shadow is trying to stall.
Bandicoot tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shadow misses with a knee to the head.
Shadow tries a knee to the head but Bandicoot blocks it.
Bandicoot blocking some punches.
Bandicoot lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Come on Bandicoot - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bandicoot lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shadow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shadow goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bandicoot prevents a body shot from Shadow.
Shadow with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shadow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bandicoots head.
Bandicoot lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow lands with a short shot to the head.

Bandicoot breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bandicoot throws a body shot but no joy.
Shadow on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shadow takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bandicoot is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Shadow.

Shadow instigates a clinch.
Bandicoot lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shadow backwards.
Bandicoot working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bandicoot tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Shadow misses with a punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bandicoot is trying to pull guard but Shadow turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Shadow takes a shot to the head.
Bandicoot throws a head punch that misses.
Shadow working aggressively here.
Shadow misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bandicoot manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

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

Shadow stands and steps away. Bandicoot gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Crush Bandicoot is winning the standup battle so far.
Shadow is looking to clinch but Bandicoot is avoiding it.

Shadow moves into the clinch.
Shadow blocking some punches.
Shadow lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bandicoot backwards.
Shadow misses with some punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Bandicoot manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Bandicoot not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bandicoot looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shadow wants to get up but he can't break Bandicoot's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Bandicoot looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shadow passes into side control.

Shadow stands up.
Bandicoot scores with a hook.
Crush Bandicoot is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shadow wants to clinch but Bandicoot slips to the side
and Bandicoot cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow is looking to clinch but Bandicoot is avoiding it.
A counter left hand to the body from Bandicoot misses its target.
Shadow closes the distance looking to clinch
and Bandicoot counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Shadow gets a clinch.
Shadow trying to land knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Bandicoot.
Shadow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Shadow swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bandicoot blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bandicoot tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shadow throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Soul Shadow has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shadow swings away with an uppercut that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Crush Bandicoot.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bandicoot, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Crush Bandicoot!
Crush Bandicoot seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.