PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Iaspero Yalixqua (ranked 22704 p4p, 6258 weight class) and Tavon Shebu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yalixqua's entrance music is Stop This Flame. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Yalixqua
vs
Shebu

183 cm
28
182
21 - 11 - 2

180 cm
32
180
11 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 21 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Iaspero Yalixqua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tavon Shebu!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Yalixqua checks a leg kick.
Shebu is looking to clinch.
Yalixqua connects with a leg kick.

Shebu drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shebu postures up in Yalixqua's guard and throws a big left but Yalixqua blocks it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shebu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Shebu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shebu 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.
Yalixqua knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shebu on the ground.
Shebu cracks Yalixqua with a solid left hand.
Shebu postures up in Yalixqua's guard and throws a big left but Yalixqua blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yalixqua working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shebu.
Yalixqua avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shebu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu throwing strikes but missing.
Shebu throws a big elbow that misses.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Yalixqua. Those never looked like landing.
Shebu misses the shot to the body.
Iaspero Yalixqua is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Shebu shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Shebu winds up and cracks Yalixqua with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shebu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yalixqua defending well though.
Shebu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ground and pound from Shebu.
Shebu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yalixqua defending well though.
Yalixqua is trying to stand up here but Shebu is controlling him well.
Shebu is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shebu thows a huge punch but Yalixqua dodges it nicely.
Yalixqua on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Yalixqua tries to get out of the position.
Shebu drops an elbow to the side of Yalixqua's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shebu working over Yalixqua with some ground and pound. Yalixqua looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Shebu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Yalixqua wants to get back to his feet.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Shebu lands a nice short elbow.
Shebu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shebu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yalixqua defending well though.
Yalixqua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shebu.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Shebu 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.
Yalixqua throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shebu.

Shebu closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Yalixqua to the mat! Yalixqua manages to get full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shebu throwing strikes but missing.
Shebu won't allow Yalixqua to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Yalixqua's head.
Shebu throws a big elbow that misses.
Shebu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

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

Shebu gets a double leg takedown into Yalixqua's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shebu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shebu is looking to work some ground and pound but Yalixqua has wrist control.
Shebu postures up in Yalixqua's guard and throws a big left but Yalixqua blocks it.
Shebu throws a big right hand that misses.
Shebu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shebu lands a couple of elbows.
Shebu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shebu throwing strikes but missing.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yalixqua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shebu scores with a kick to the body.

Yalixqua pushes Shebu up against the cage in a clinch.
Shebu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Yalixqua is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shebu tries to score a body lock takedown but Yalixqua shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
I was talking to Yalixqua's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Yalixqua is pressed up against the cage. Shebu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Yalixqua down to the mat. Yalixqua avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Iaspero Yalixqua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tavon Shebu.
A head kick misses from Yalixqua.

Yalixqua moves into the clinch.
Yalixqua avoiding damage.
Yalixqua has Shebu pushed against the cage.
Shebu is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yalixqua pulls him back up using the underhooks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tavon Shebu dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shebu looks for a takedown but Yalixqua sprawls well.
Yalixqua throws a shot to the body.
Iaspero Yalixqua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yalixqua wants to clinch.
Shebu looks for a takedown but Yalixqua sprawls well.
Yalixqua wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Yalixqua lands with a thumping leg kick.
Shebu tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Yalixqua clinches up with Shebu and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yalixqua blocks an uppercut.
Shebu wants a takedown but no success here.
Iaspero Yalixqua has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tavon Shebu.
Shebu tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shebu has Yalixqua pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yalixqua manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shebu drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Come on Yalixqua - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Shebu wants to stall.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yalixqua takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Shebu is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Yalixqua can't fight it off and eventually Shebu manages to take the fight to the floor. Yalixqua looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Shebu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shebu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yalixqua wants to get back to his feet but Shebu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shebu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shebu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shebu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shebu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Yalixqua's head.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yalixqua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shebu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Yalixqua tries to avoid it but Shebu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Yalixqua to the ground. Yalixqua escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Shebu feints and as Yalixqua raises his hands in defense, Shebu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shebu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shebu throwing strikes but missing.
Shebu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shebu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yalixqua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shebu postures up in Yalixqua's guard and throws a big left but Yalixqua blocks it.
Shebu stands up over Yalixqua, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yalixqua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Shebu doesn't manage to clinch there - Yalixqua circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Yalixqua throws a head kick but Shebu moves out of range.

Shebu closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Yalixqua to the mat! Yalixqua manages to get full guard.
Yalixqua avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shebu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shebu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shebu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Yalixqua preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yalixqua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Shebu scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Shebu winds up and cracks Yalixqua with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shebu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shebu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Yalixqua's head.
Yalixqua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shebu.
Shebu thows a huge punch but Yalixqua dodges it nicely.
Shebu slips a nice elbow through Yalixqua's hands, connecting with Yalixqua's forehead.
Yalixqua wants to get back to his feet.
Shebu is nestled in close to Yalixqua, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shebu looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Yalixqua with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Shebu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yalixqua defending well though.
Shebu landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tavon Shebu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shebu closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Shebu lands in his opponent's guard.
Tavon Shebu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shebu landing some decent shots from guard.
Yalixqua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shebu is looking to work some ground and pound but Yalixqua has wrist control.
Shebu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yalixqua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu postures up and lands a big shot to Yalixqua's brow.
Shebu cracks Yalixqua with a solid left hand.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Yalixqua working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shebu.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Shebu shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Yalixqua napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shebu looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Yalixqua is avoiding damage well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shebu misses with the ground and pound.
Shebu looks up at the clock and then as Yalixqua takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Shebu smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Shebu creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Shebu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shebu scores with a couple of short elbows.
Shebu in side control, throwing shots but Yalixqua defends.
Shebu working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Shebu lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Yalixqua down.
Shebu in side control, throwing shots but Yalixqua defends.
Shebu in side control, throwing shots but Yalixqua defends.
Shebu working the ground and pound.
An elbow from Shebu crashes against the mat.
Shebu tries to move to mount but Yalixqua blocks the move with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shebu working the ground and pound but Yalixqua is defending the strikes.
Shebu misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Yalixqua is working to avoid the ground and pound but Shebu connects with a decent elbow.
Shebu is putting a hurting on Yalixqua here, landing some big shots from side control.
Shebu looks up at the clock and then as Yalixqua takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Shebu smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Shebu looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Yalixqua is avoiding damage well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Yalixqua does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Shebu tries to clinch there but Yalixqua circles away.
Yalixqua scores with a jab to the jaw.
Yalixqua is looking to clinch.

Shebu scores with a takedown into Yalixqua's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shebu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yalixqua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yalixqua preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yalixqua wants to get back to his feet but Shebu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shebu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Yalixqua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shebu working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Yalixqua's head.
Shebu works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Shebu drops an elbow to the side of Yalixqua's head.
Shebu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Yalixqua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shebu.
Shebu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yalixqua misses with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Shebu scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Shebu thows a huge punch but Yalixqua dodges it nicely.
Yalixqua avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shebu.
Yalixqua avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shebu.
Shebu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yalixqua defending well though.
Yalixqua blocking the ground and pound attempt from Shebu.
Yalixqua avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shebu.
Shebu throwing shots but Yalixqua is blocking nicely.
Shebu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Shebu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A low kick from Yalixqua is predictable there
and Shebu counters with a thumping low kick.
Shebu tries to clinch up.
Yalixqua seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Iaspero Yalixqua has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shebu avoids the head kick by Yalixqua.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tavon Shebu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shebu winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tavon Shebu!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Tavon Shebu made sure he mentioned Knock Out Clothing, along with how happy he was to win his fight.