PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Shellenberger (ranked 4432 p4p, 5590 weight class) and Rasmus Koivu (ranked 544 p4p, 602 weight class). Shellenberger's entrance music is Can't be touched. A fine choice. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Rasmus Koivu was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Shellenberger
vs
Koivu

186 cm
21
176
1 - 2 - 0

181 cm
22
167
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

Convicted Trap House

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jack Shellenberger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rasmus Koivu!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koivu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Koivu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shellenberger seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Koivu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shellenberger pinned against the cage. Shellenberger gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shellenberger looks to land a left hand but Koivu moved out of range nicely.
No luck for Shellenberger with that takedown attempt.
Koivu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jack Shellenberger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rasmus Koivu.
Shellenberger lands with a nice combination. Koivu backs away looking to recover.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koivu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Koivu moves into the clinch.
Koivu is trying to break free.

Shellenberger escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Koivu is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivu fails with the takedown.
Koivu moves to clinch but Shellenberger breaks away
and Shellenberger counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Koivu is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Koivu throws a one two combo.
Shellenberger fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Koivu avoids it really well and circles away.
Shellenberger shoots in for a takedown but Koivu shows good takedown defense.
Shellenberger misses with a takedown

and Koivu counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Koivu.

Shellenberger working for a triangle but Koivu defends it easily.
Shellenberger manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Koivu manages to get himself to full guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koivu pulls Shellenberger in to control the position.
Koivu is trying to keep Shellenberger in close.
Shellenberger looking to sit in guard and control but Koivu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Koivu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shellenberger is trying to control the position but Koivu postures up.

Shellenberger looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Koivu has picked Shellenberger up and slammed him! Shellenberger can't keep hold of the triangle and Koivu manages to pass to side control!
Shellenberger defending against the ground and pound.
Koivu trying to control the action but Shellenberger is working from the bottom.
Shellenberger seems a little lost for a moment, as Koivu dominates the positioning.
Koivu working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Koivu is staying tight to Shellenberger's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Koivu is looking to take a break and control but Shellenberger is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koivu tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Koivu trying to control the action but Shellenberger is working from the bottom.

Koivu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shellenberger knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shellenberger wants to control but Koivu postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rasmus Koivu will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Koivu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Shellenberger closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Koivu to the mat! Koivu manages to get full guard.
Koivu wants to get back to his feet but Shellenberger passes into half guard.

Shellenberger is looking to take a break and control but Koivu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rasmus Koivu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koivu wants to control but Shellenberger is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Koivu has a hand on Shellenberger's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Shellenberger takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koivu wants to hold on but Shellenberger pushes him away.
Koivu is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Shellenberger is staying active.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shellenberger scoring with strikes but Koivu is staying in there.
Shellenberger is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Koivu can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Shellenberger can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Koivu is looking to escape.
Koivu takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Koivu gets back to half guard.
Shellenberger trying to control from Koivu's half guard. Koivu has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Koivu looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shellenberger stands up from Koivu's guard - Shellenberger perhaps looking for a knockout.

Koivu gets tackled into the cage by Shellenberger. Shellenberger maintains the clinch.
Koivu wants to get back to striking at distance but Shellenberger won't allow it.

Shellenberger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Koivu misses with a head kick.
Shellenberger tries to counter by clinching up but Koivu breaks away and moves out of range.
Shellenberger wants to clinch up but Koivu keeps it at a distance.
Koivu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shellenberger throws a big counter combination but Koivu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Shellenberger throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Shellenberger throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Koivu tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shellenberger is in Koivu's guard.

Koivu is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shellenberger presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shellenberger throws a punch but it's blocked by Koivu.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shellenberger.
Shellenberger tries to pull guard but Koivu won't allow it.
Koivu looking to slow down the pace here.

Shellenberger breaks from the clinch.
Koivu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shellenberger defends it nicely.
Koivu fails with the takedown.
Koivu is breathing heavily.
Koivu keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shellenberger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Koivu works over Shellenberger's head and body with a nice combination.
Shellenberger throws a lazy head kick
and Koivu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Shellenberger closes the distance and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koivu goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shellenberger prevents it.
Jack Shellenberger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rasmus Koivu.
Shellenberger prevents a body shot from Koivu.
Shellenberger drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shellenberger is pressed up against the cage. Koivu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shellenberger down to the mat. Shellenberger avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shellenberger swings for the body but Koivu moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Shellenberger dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Koivu circles away from the clinch attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koivu.
Shellenberger tries to clinch up but Koivu circles away and keeps his distance.
Koivu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shellenberger avoids it really well and circles away.
Shellenberger throws a right and a left that both miss.
Koivu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Koivu wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koivu darts in looking for a takedown but Shellenberger gets double underhooks and turns Koivu into the cage.
Jack Shellenberger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rasmus Koivu.
Koivu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Koivu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shellenberger's waist but Shellenberger gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Koivu off to one side.
Koivu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koivu gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Shellenberger to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Shellenberger seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Shellenberger throws an elbow that misses. Koivu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Shellenberger's guard. Nice move by Koivu!

Shellenberger keeping moving, preventing Koivu from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Shellenberger holds on and takes a little breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shellenberger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Koivu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Koivu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shellenberger pulls Koivu in close to prevent any damage.

Shellenberger is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Koivu defends well.
Shellenberger controls Koivu momentarily but Koivu frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koivu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Koivu tries to free his leg and advance position but Shellenberger is retaining full guard.

Shellenberger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shellenberger is looking to sweep but instead, Koivu has passed into half guard.
Koivu trying to advance position but Shellenberger counters by regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Koivu trying to control but Shellenberger is working from the bottom.
Koivu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Koivu tries to free his leg and advance position but Shellenberger is retaining full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Koivu with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shellenberger counters with a stiff right hand.
Jack Shellenberger is winning the standup battle so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shellenberger shoots in for a takedown but Koivu shows good takedown defense.
A combination from Shellenberger does no damage.

Shellenberger drives through with a takedown into Koivu's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Shellenberger showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shellenberger 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Shellenberger!
In his post fight interview, Jack Shellenberger started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.