PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tetsuo Shima (ranked 1524 p4p, 4191 weight class) and Romega Vartanein (ranked 192 p4p, 441 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Shima might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The HU - Yuve Yuve Yu. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Shima
vs
Vartanein

167 cm
22
159
14 - 4 - 0

179 cm
24
130
4 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tetsuo Shima!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Romega Vartanein!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shima tries to clinch but Vartanein moves out of range.
Shima on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Vartanein's coach down at Canucks Combat Club was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Vartanein's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Vartanein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shima sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Romega Vartanein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shima getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vartanein is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Shima, as that shot connected.
Shima on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Shima takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Vartanein thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vartanein takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Shima moves into range and clinches up with Vartanein.
Shima lands a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shima lands with a short punch from the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shima creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shima can't find room to land a body shot as Vartanein controls the action.
Shima has a couple of punches blocked by Vartanein.
Vartanein stalling in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shima swings wildly with an uppercut but Vartanein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shima swings wildly with an uppercut but Vartanein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shima misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Shima.

Vartanein's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vartanein moves into range and connects with a jab.
Vartanein wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Shima has Vartanein up against the cage in a clinch.
Shima lands with a light punch inside.
Vartanein taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shima can't find room to land a body shot as Vartanein controls the action.
Vartanein prevents a body shot from Shima.
Vartanein blocks an uppercut.
Vartanein unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shima lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Shima lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shima misses with some punches.
Shima blocks an uppercut.
Shima tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vartanein's elbow.
Shima swings wildly with an uppercut but Vartanein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shima tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shima throws a punch but it's blocked by Vartanein.
Vartanein lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Shima.
Shima misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vartanein takes a shot to the head.
Shima effectively controlling the action here.
Vartanein lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shima backwards.
Shima goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shima can't find room to land a body shot as Vartanein controls the action.
Vartanein lands with a short shot to the head.
Shima tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vartanein's elbow.
Vartanein blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shima fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Shima.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Vartanein on the inside.
Shima fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shima has Vartanein pressed against the cage, preventing Vartanein from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A left hand lands to the body for Vartanein.
Shima has Vartanein pushed against the cage.

Vartanein breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vartanein misses the shot to the body.
Vartanein scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vartanein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shima moves away.
Vartanein punishes Shima's body with a nice straight punch.
Vartanein just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Vartanein. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Vartanein.
Vartanein looks to land a left hand but Shima moved out of range nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Tetsuo Shima will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shima tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Vartanein manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Vartanein misses the target.
Vartanein is looking to score with low kicks.
Vartanein throws a looping overhand right but Shima ducks down to avoid it.
Shima fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vartanein on the side of the head.
Vartanein throws a body shot but no joy.
Vartanein misses the shot to the body.
Shima changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Vartanein misses with a hook. Shima ducked under it nicely.
Good standup being displayed there by Shima as he connects with a hook.
Vartanein uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vartanein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Vartanein jabs Shima to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Vartanein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shima moves away.
Shima swings for the body but Vartanein moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vartanein walks into a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanein misses the shot to the body.
Shima was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shima connects with a body shot that sends Vartanein's belly button to the back.
Vartanein throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shima misses with a body shot.
Shima cracks Vartanein with a good jab.
Shima lands with a good body shot.
Vartanein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shima.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shima. Vartanein does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vartanein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shima tries to clinch but Vartanein moves out of range.
Shima pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shima throws an off balance right hand
and Vartanein counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shima looks to score with a jab to the body but Vartanein is just out of range.
Romega Vartanein seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vartanein cracks Shima with a good jab.
Shima lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vartanein displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shima throws out the jab.
Vartanein moves out of range of the strikes.
Shima slips a jab from Vartanein.
Shima was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Vartanein keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shima.
Shima takes one on the button.
Vartanein avoids the body shot from Shima.
Vartanein keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vartanein has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Vartanein misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Shima holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vartanein doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shima stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Vartanein wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shima has him pressed against the cage.
Vartanein tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shima's elbow.
Shima working aggressively here.
Tetsuo Shima has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shima is struggling to control the position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vartanein.
Vartanein with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A right hook to the body lands for Shima.
Shima tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shima cracks Vartanein with a nice body shot.
Shima lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vartanein backwards.
Vartanein lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shima throws a head punch that misses.
Shima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shima lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein blocks an uppercut.
Shima misses with the head strike.
Shima trying to stall but Vartanein improves his position.
Vartanein working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Shima swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Vartanein breaks from the clinch.
Vartanein connects with a single shot there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vartanein connects with a body shot that sends Shima's belly button to the back.
Decent striking displayed by Vartanein there.

Shima drives through and clinches with Vartanein against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tetsuo Shima will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Shima walks into a left hand.
Vartanein takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Vartanein is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Vartanein takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Shima looks to score with a jab to the body but Vartanein is just out of range.
Vartanein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vartanein fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Shima tries to clinch there but Vartanein circles away.
Shima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vartanein.
Vartanein scores with a shot to the body.
Shima keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Shima moves into the clinch.
Shima misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shima has a couple of punches blocked by Vartanein.
Vartanein digs a right hand into Shima's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shima's gas tank.
A short uppercut from Vartanein.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vartanein.
Shima misses with the head strike.
Shima throws a punch but it's blocked by Vartanein.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shima.
Shima tries to throw a body punch but Vartanein avoids it by throwing Shima back against the cage.
Shima misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vartanein taking a breather.
Shima makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vartanein blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vartanein blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shima tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shima lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vartanein.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein has had enough of the clinch but Shima keeps him there for the moment.
Shima working aggressively here.
Vartanein tries to land a knee to the head but Shima blocks with his arms.
Shima lands an uppercut.
Shima misses with some punches.
Shima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vartanein taking a breather.
Shima tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vartanein blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vartanein blocks an uppercut.
The referee calls for Shima to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shima misses with the head strike.
Shima struggles to land a body shot inside as Vartanein controls his hands.
Vartanein swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shima misses with a punch to the body.
Shima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shima works on Vartanein's body with a couple of short punches.
Shima stalling the fight.
Shima misses with some punches.
Shima tries to work over Vartanein's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shima struggles to land a body shot inside as Vartanein controls his hands.
Shima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shima throws a head punch that misses.
Shima misses with a punch on the inside.
Shima blocks an elbow strike from Vartanein.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Shima tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shima misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shima fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shima tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vartanein's elbow.
Shima working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tetsuo Shima clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vartanein misses with a right hand
and Shima counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shima misses the body punch
and Vartanein counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vartanein scores with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Shima misses the target.
Vartanein throws a hook but Shima blocks it.
Vartanein bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Vartanein ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shima moves away.
Shima fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Shima misses with a body shot
and Vartanein counters with a nice uppercut.
Shima takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Shima rushes Vartanein and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
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!
Vartanein blocking some punches.
Shima tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vartanein connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shima's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shima swings wildly with an uppercut but Vartanein uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vartanein wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shima has a couple of punches blocked by Vartanein.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vartanein creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shima pressing his opponent against the cage.
Shima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shima's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Vartanein blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vartanein blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Shima.
Shima misses with some punches.
Vartanein tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shima's elbow.
Shima has a couple of punches blocked by Vartanein.
Vartanein swings wildly with an uppercut but Shima uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shima pushes Vartanein back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vartanein prevents a body shot from Shima.
Vartanein prevents a body shot from Shima.
Shima tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Vartanein blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Shima fails to land.
Vartanein lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Shima scores with a nice short uppercut.

Vartanein is rocked!
Shima scores with a nice hook to the head.
Vartanein is still on wobbly legs! Can Shima finish him?
Vartanein is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shima digs a right hand into Vartanein's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vartanein's gas tank.
Shima tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shima tries to work over Vartanein's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vartanein seems to have recovered his senses.
Come on Vartanein - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Shima throws a head punch that misses.
Vartanein is pushing Shima up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Vartanein misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vartanein.
Vartanein misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shima tries a body shot but Vartanein blocks it.
Shima tries a body shot but Vartanein blocks it.
Shima swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shima struggles to land a body shot inside as Vartanein controls his hands.
Shima misses with a hook to the ribs.
Vartanein blocks an uppercut.
Vartanein has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Tetsuo Shima will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Vartanein throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vartanein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shima manages to avoid it.
Vartanein on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Vartanein connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shima bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vartanein just misses with a punch to the body.
Vartanein looks to land a left hand but Shima moved out of range nicely.
Shima tries to clinch up but Vartanein circles away and keeps his distance.
Shima avoids the body shot from Vartanein.
Vartanein on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shima fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vartanein manages to avoid it.
Shima avoids the body shot from Vartanein.
Shima misses with a lunging right hand
and Vartanein cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shima tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vartanein was well out of range. Poor timing from Shima.
Shima lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanein looks to score with a jab to the body but Shima is just out of range.
Vartanein throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shima avoids the body shot from Vartanein.
Shima throws a body shot but no joy.
Vartanein throws a hook but Shima blocks it.
Shima wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Vartanein throws a hook but Shima avoids it easily.
Shima ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vartanein moves away.
Shima avoids the body shot from Vartanein.
Vartanein throws a right hand that misses
and Shima connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shima tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vartanein swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vartanein swings for the body but Shima moves out of range.
Shima slips a straight right by Vartanein.
Vartanein uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shima.
Shima ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shima checks a leg kick.
Vartanein uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shima.
Vartanein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shima manages to avoid it.
Shima works Vartanein's body with a nice hook.
Vartanein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shima was well out of range. Poor timing from Vartanein.
As Vartanein tries to get set, Shima tries to push him back and clinch up but Vartanein manages to avoid the attempt.
Shima misses with a body shot.
Vartanein misses with a body shot.
Shima thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shima misses with an uppercut.
Vartanein tests Shima's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vartanein misses with a body shot
and Shima cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vartanein misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Shima counters with a left to the body.
Vartanein misses with a lunging right hand
and Shima counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vartanein pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanein ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vartanein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shima.
Shima misses with a looping right.

Shima has Vartanein up against the cage in a clinch.
Shima misses with some punches.

Vartanein manages to break the clinch.
Shima lands with a straight right. Vartanein didn't see that one coming.
A nice inside leg kick there by Vartanein. That's going to slow Shima down.
Vartanein scores with the left hand. Shima knows he should have avoided that one.
Shima throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vartanein sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shima uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vartanein.
Shima tries to counter by clinching up but Vartanein breaks away and moves out of range.
Vartanein throws a jab when Shima was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vartanein. Shima does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big left from Vartanein misses.
Shima misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vartanein.

Shima forces Vartanein back against the cage and clinches.
Tetsuo Shima is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vartanein tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
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!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shima.
Shima lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vartanein controlling the action here for a moment.

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

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 Tetsuo Shima.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shima, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 50:45
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 47:48
Judge William Peck scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tetsuo Shima!
Tetsuo Shima is the new lightweight champion!
Tetsuo Shima thanked the fans post fight for their support.