PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Carlton Adesanya (ranked 6775 p4p, 238 weight class) and Nicolette Shea (ranked 24464 p4p, 256 weight class). Nicolette Shea will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Adesanya
vs
Shea

160 cm
19
147 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
134 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Sportivité
Helsinki Xtreme Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlton Adesanya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nicolette Shea!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shea tries to work over Adesanya's front leg with a kick but Adesanya checks it.
Adesanya checks a leg kick nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Adesanya.
A low kick from Shea is predictable there
and Shea takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Adesanya fakes the leg kick and cracks Shea in the body.
Adesanya lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Adesanya.
Shea tries to score with a low kick but Adesanya moves his leg out of the way.
Shea looks for the body kick but Adesanya saw that one coming.

Adesanya dives in and scores a takedown into Shea's guard.
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!
Shea has control of Adesanya's left arm, preventing Adesanya from doing any damage.
Adesanya stopping the sweep attempt from Shea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adesanya stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shea swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shea managing to control the position.
Shea keeping moving, preventing Adesanya from controlling successfully.
Adesanya controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Shea working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
We've been told by Adesanya's head coaches at Relentless Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nicolette Shea seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shea fails with the takedown
and Adesanya makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Adesanya tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shea paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Adesanya could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Adesanya looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Adesanya missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Adesanya trying to control from half guard but Shea is working away.
Adesanya trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya stalling away here and it's allowed Shea to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shea manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Adesanya manages to get himself to full guard.

Shea won't allow Adesanya to get back to his feet.
Adesanya is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Adesanya is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Shea is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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.
Adesanya wants to sweep here but Shea controlling him for the moment.
Adesanya is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Adesanya might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shea trying to control the position from guard on top but Adesanya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Adesanya not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlton Adesanya dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Adesanya changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shea looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Shea explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Shea throws a right and a left that Adesanya avoids nicely.
Shea throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shea fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Adesanya manages to avoid it.
Shea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Adesanya connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shea's hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shea forces Adesanya back against the cage and clinches.

Adesanya escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Adesanya feints and as Shea raises his hands in defense, Adesanya changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Adesanya wants to control from the top but Shea keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shea is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Adesanya's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Adesanya looking to pass the guard.
Adesanya lands a couple of elbows.
Shea is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Shea keeping moving, preventing Adesanya from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shea throws a head kick but Adesanya moves out of range.

Shea darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Adesanya looks like he's trying to stand up.
Adesanya is controlling Shea's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Adesanya is looking for a sweep. Shea is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Adesanya is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya wants to control but Shea is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Adesanya moves into full guard.
Shea trying to control but Adesanya is working from the bottom.
Adesanya 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Adesanya fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shea unleashes a big counter combination but Adesanya bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Shea tries a head kick but it misses.

Shea gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Carlton Adesanya overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shea keeping full guard, as Adesanya tries to pass.
Shea keeping moving, preventing Adesanya from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Adesanya passes Shea's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nicolette Shea will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Adesanya forces Shea back against the cage and clinches.
Shea goes for a takedown attempt but Adesanya pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Adesanya fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Shea misses with a leg kick
and Adesanya counters with a nice uppercut.
Adesanya is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shea wants to counter with a clinch but Adesanya pushes him away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shea throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shea tries to land a front kick but Adesanya steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Adesanya wants to clinch up but Shea keeps it at a distance.
Shea is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shea throws a push kick but Adesanya slaps the foot to one side.
Shea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Adesanya closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Adesanya tries to stand but Shea is controlling his head.
You can see the frustration on Shea's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Adesanya wants to stand but Shea has his arm trapped.
Adesanya controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya with the ground and pound but Shea regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Adesanya throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shea misses with a jab, cross combination.

Adesanya gets a takedown into half guard.
Adesanya wants to control but Shea is keeping him busy.
Shea blocking the ground and pound attempt from Adesanya.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya wants to free his trapped foot but Shea is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Shea tries to get to full guard but Adesanya has control of the leg.
Adesanya wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shea keeps working.
Adesanya wants to stand up but Shea has a hold of him and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Adesanya tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shea paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shea is looking for the big counter here.
Carlton Adesanya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Adesanya throws a nice head kick!

Adesanya looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Shea!
Adesanya sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Shea is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Shea is looking to reverse the position.
Adesanya wants to stand but Shea is controlling his arm.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Adesanya throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Carlton Adesanya showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Adesanya has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Carlton Adesanya!