PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Li (ranked 5308 p4p, 0 weight class) and Earnie Shavers (ranked 4445 p4p, 0 weight class). Li's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Space Cowboy. Bruce Li had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Li
vs
Shavers

190 cm
21
217 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Bruce Li!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Earnie Shavers!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shavers cracks a nice hook into Li's ribs.

Shavers gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Li tries for a takedown but Shavers manages to get underhooks.
Shavers is trying to pull guard but Li turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Shavers manages to break the clinch.
Shavers shoots in looking for a takedown. Li tries to sprawl out of it but Shavers keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Li manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shavers blocks a head kick by Li.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Li.
Li fails with the takedown.
Shavers throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruce Li. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shavers clinches up against the cage.

Shavers manages to pull guard.
Li distracts Shavers with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Li stops Shavers from standing up.
Shavers is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Li stops Shavers from standing up.
Shavers keeping moving, preventing Li from controlling successfully.
Li preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shavers looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Li has picked Shavers up and slammed him! Shavers can't keep hold of the triangle and Li manages to pass to side control!
Shavers is trying to improve his position.
Shavers struggling a bit here.
Li looks up at the clock and then as Shavers takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Li smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Shavers tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shavers keeps trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice sprawl there from Shavers as Li shoots in.
Li is breathing heavily.

Shavers closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shavers lands in his opponent's guard.
Shavers sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Shavers wants to stand but Li is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Li is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shavers defends well.
Li working a defensive guard but Shavers passes into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shavers trying to pass the guard but Li defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Earnie Shavers dominated that round.
That's time! Li's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Li gets tackled into the cage by Shavers. Shavers maintains the clinch.
Shavers has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Li tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shavers just stands there and leans against the cage.

Shavers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Li takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bruce Li is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shavers cracks a nice hook into Li's ribs.
Li doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shavers gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shavers tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Li just stands there and leans against the cage.
Shavers tries for a takedown. No joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shavers throws a combination. Li tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A head kick misses from Shavers.
Shavers shoots in for a takedown but Li shows good takedown defense.
Bruce Li has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Earnie Shavers.
Shavers cracks a nice hook into Li's ribs.

Shavers gets a clinch.

Shavers breaks the clinch.

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

Shavers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shavers tries for a takedown but Li sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Li wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shavers moves into the clinch.

Shavers pulls guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shavers is adopting a defensive guard.
Let's hope that Shavers has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Li trying to control but Shavers is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to stand up but can't free himself from Shavers's guard.

Shavers is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Li is aware though and is defending well.
Shavers is pulling down on Li's head. It's preventing any offense from Li, at least for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Shavers rushes Li and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The referee is keeping an eye on Shavers - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Shavers is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Li gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Shavers jumps into guard, dragging Li to the mat.

Shavers working for a triangle but Li defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shavers looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Li has picked Shavers up and slammed him! Shavers can't keep hold of the triangle and Li manages to pass to side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Earnie Shavers showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Shavers looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Li is fending him off so far but Shavers persists. Nope, Li circles away and we're back to standing.

Li fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shavers, pushing him back against the cage.
Shavers stalling the fight.
Li being controlled against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Shavers's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

Li has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Shavers uses from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shavers wants to pass the guard but Li is keeping the position.
Li is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shavers trying to control the position from guard on top but Li is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shavers is looking to advance position but Li has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Shavers is squirming around, avoiding Li's attempts to control the action.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shavers is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shavers is squirming around, avoiding Li's attempts to control the action.
Li avoids the attempt from Shavers to control.
Li can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Shavers is looking to escape.
Shavers really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Li trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shavers is working to get back to half guard.
Shavers is still trying to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Li jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Shavers manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Shavers struggling a bit here.
Li working the head with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shavers is trying to control Li's posture but Li avoids it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bruce Li has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Earnie Shavers is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shavers throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Li showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shavers 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Earnie Shavers!
Bruce Li was interviewed post fight and said 'Hey, man, wait for me, we'll meet again. I have to rush back to a new training session.'.