PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Fernando Araujo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Shakespeare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Araujo
vs
Shakespeare

180 cm
18
163 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

174 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Malicious Intent Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fernando Araujo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rich Shakespeare!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Araujo gets a takedown into half guard.
Araujo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Shakespeare won't allow Araujo to pass to mount.
Araujo is keen to just control but Shakespeare is a slippery customer.
Shakespeare is trying to control but can't.
Araujo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Araujo trying to control the action but Shakespeare is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Araujo takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Shakespeare keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shakespeare is refusing to be controlled, as Araujo sits in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Araujo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Araujo won't allow Shakespeare to sweep him here.
Araujo trying to move into half guard but instead Shakespeare has managed to sweep!
Araujo looking for a sweep. Not yet Araujo, not yet.
Araujo is trying to control the position but Shakespeare postures up.
Shakespeare passes Araujo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Shakespeare lands with a punch from half guard.
Araujo trying to control but Shakespeare postures up.

Shakespeare is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Shakespeare content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Araujo tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shakespeare is working away from the top position though.
Araujo tries to roll over but Shakespeare keeps him under control.
Shakespeare scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Araujo has hold of Shakespeare's hands but Shakespeare slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Araujo wants to get back to his feet.
Araujo tries to roll over but Shakespeare keeps him under control.
Araujo moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Araujo is breathing heavily.
Araujo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shakespeare is one step ahead there.
Shakespeare wants to control from the top but Araujo keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shakespeare would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Araujo is looking for a triangle here but Shakespeare uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Araujo is trying to get back to half guard.
Shakespeare moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Araujo tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Shakespeare looks up at the clock and then as Araujo takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Shakespeare smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Shakespeare tries to move into full mount but can't pass Araujo's legs.
Araujo is trying to get back to half guard.

Araujo sneaks out the side door and pushes Shakespeare away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Araujo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shakespeare misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shakespeare misses with a takedown

and Araujo counters with a single leg into guard. Shakespeare didn't expect that.
Araujo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Araujo wants to take a breather but Shakespeare is having none of it.
Araujo not doing much here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fernando Araujo dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Araujo gets the takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Shakespeare's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Araujo stands up.
Araujo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shakespeare as he avoids it easily.

Araujo drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Shakespeare looking for a guillotine here but Araujo defends easily.
Fernando Araujo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shakespeare keeping moving, preventing Araujo from controlling successfully.
Araujo postures up in Shakespeare's guard and throws a big left but Shakespeare blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shakespeare scrambles and gets back to his feet.
A left and a right from Araujo both land. Nice combination.
Araujo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shakespeare as he jumps to the side.
Fernando Araujo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Araujo throws a series of strikes that have Shakespeare backpedaling.
Araujo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Araujo thows a body shot but no joy.
Shakespeare tries for a takedown but Araujo circles away easily

and Araujo counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Shakespeare!
Shakespeare tries to improve his position but instead Araujo has taken his back!
Araujo trying to control.

Araujo has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Araujo lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Even with his hooks in, Araujo manages to miss with strikes from the back.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Araujo's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Araujo sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Shakespeare taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Fernando Araujo!