PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ken Shamrock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rulon Gardner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rulon Gardner has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shamrock
vs
Gardner

187 cm
23
256 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

195 cm
23
255 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Shamrock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rulon Gardner!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shamrock shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gardner napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gardner manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Shamrock actively working from the bottom here.
Gardner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Shamrock is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shamrock on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shamrock is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gardner scores with a couple of nice shots.

Shamrock looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Gardner is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shamrock doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gardner.
Shamrock on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shamrock tries to get out of the position.
Gardner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gardner trying to mount his opponent but Shamrock defends it.
Shamrock taking some punishment here, with Gardner in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gardner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shamrock has hold of Gardner's hands but Gardner slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Gardner lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Gardner is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Shamrock!
Gardner cracks Shamrock with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Shamrock keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Gardner blocks Shamrock's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Gardner punishing his opponent with strikes.
Gardner scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Shamrock?
Gardner looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shamrock is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gardner lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Shamrock is rocked!
Gardner with the ground and pound from mount.
Shamrock is desperately trying to improve his position but Gardner has a good base and remains in mount.
Gardner lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Shamrock hang on?
Oh Shamrock is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shamrock working to try and regain half guard.
Gardner has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gardner working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Shamrock seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock is bucking up trying to escape but Gardner cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Gardner lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gardner scoring with strikes but Shamrock is staying in there.
Shamrock working to try and regain half guard.
Shamrock gets back to half guard.
Shamrock has hold of Gardner's hands but Gardner slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Gardner tries to pass to full mount but Shamrock defends it.
Gardner not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shamrock lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Shamrock throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shamrock makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shamrock.

Shamrock has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gardner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gardner landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Gardner postures up in Shamrock's guard and throws a big left but Shamrock blocks it.
Gardner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Shamrock has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gardner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Shamrock had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Gardner is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Shamrock Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Gardner's back instead.
Gardner rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Shamrock passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Gardner!
Gardner is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shamrock jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Gardner manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Gardner is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Shamrock off and has taken his back!
Shamrock is trapped and Gardner is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Gardner doesn't have the hooks in and Shamrock manages to turn into his guard.
Shamrock passes into half guard.
Gardner is looking to improve his position.
Gardner is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shamrock drops an elbow to the side of Gardner's head.
Shamrock is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rulon Gardner dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shamrock shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gardner is trying to defend but Shamrock finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Gardner wants to improve his position but Shamrock is controlling well.
Gardner connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Gardner is looking to improve his position.

Shamrock is looking for a kimura here.
Gardner is pressing down on Shamrock's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gardner lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shamrock!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gardner throws some wild stikes that Shamrock manages to avoid easily.
Gardner has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Shamrock's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Shamrock blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gardner.
Shamrock is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shamrock moves into full guard.
Gardner works over Shamrock with some ground and pound from guard.
Gardner postures up in Shamrock's guard and throws a big left but Shamrock blocks it.

Shamrock is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gardner is aware though and is defending well.
Shamrock looking for a sweep. Not yet Shamrock, not yet.
Shamrock punching to the body, from the bottom.

Shamrock has his foot on Gardner's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gardner works his way back into a safe position though.

Shamrock looking for a guillotine here but Gardner defends easily.

Gardner got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shamrock has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gardner has managed to get both his arms back between Shamrock's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gardner accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gardner throws a big right hand that misses.
Gardner throws a big right hand that misses.
Rulon Gardner has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shamrock utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Shamrock working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gardner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gardner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shamrock throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Shamrock lands a decent shot there.
Gardner stands up over Shamrock, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shamrock manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gardner is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The referee warns Gardner that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gardner throwing punches from his back. He's mounted here but still fighting back.
Gardner is bucking up trying to escape but Shamrock cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Gardner working to try and regain half guard.
Gardner slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Gardner manages to get to full guard.
Shamrock works over Gardner with some ground and pound from guard.
Shamrock stopping the sweep attempt from Gardner.
Gardner throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Shamrock has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

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.
Gardner looking for a sweep. Not yet Gardner, not yet.
Shamrock content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Shamrock throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gardner's waist but Gardner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shamrock off to one side.
Gardner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Gardner tries for a takedown but Shamrock sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ken Shamrock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shamrock has his takedown stuffed

and Gardner counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shamrock won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ken Shamrock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gardner in side control lands a decent elbow.
Gardner lands a nice forearm strike.
Gardner lands a nice forearm strike.
Gardner cracks Shamrock with a big right hand but Shamrock just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Shamrock sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Shamrock dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Gardner has his takedown stuffed

and Shamrock counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gardner won't be happy with that.

Shamrock is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gardner knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Shamrock tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gardner gets back to half guard.
Gardner slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gardner lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Shamrock passes into half guard.
Shamrock takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Shamrock connects with a nice short shot to Gardner's temple.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gardner is pressing down on Shamrock's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Gardner throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Shamrock distracts Gardner with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shamrock preventing the sweep.
Shamrock advances position into side control!
Gardner is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Shamrock landing strikes.
Gardner striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Gardner manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Shamrock moves into full guard.
Gardner throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shamrock has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gardner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Shamrock looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Shamrock throwing short punches from the bottom.
Shamrock is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gardner is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shamrock scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gardner throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Shamrock connects with a nice short shot to Gardner's temple.
Gardner gets back to full guard.
Shamrock won't allow Gardner to sweep him here.
Shamrock stands up over Gardner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shamrock connects with a couple of short punches.
Gardner tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gardner doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Shamrock counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gardner's guard now.
Gardner has momentary wrist control but Shamrock slips an elbow through the middle.
Shamrock preventing the sweep.
Shamrock working some strikes from top position.
Gardner tries to strike from the bottom.
Shamrock keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gardner's head.
Gardner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shamrock manages to get himself to full guard.
Gardner scoring with some ground and pound.
Gardner with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gardner scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shamrock bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Gardner's guard.
Gardner is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Gardner lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gardner slips a nice elbow through Shamrock's hands, connecting with Shamrock's forehead.
Shamrock on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shamrock manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Shamrock has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gardner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shamrock utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gardner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Gardner tries to free his leg and advance position but Shamrock is retaining full guard.
Shamrock looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gardner's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shamrock utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gardner throwing strikes but missing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shamrock shoots and misses

and Gardner counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gardner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ken Shamrock showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shamrock has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Shamrock!