PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brandom Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Vera might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Master Of Puppets. The crowd seem to be enjoying Shields's choice of entrance music: In The End. Jake Shields has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Brandom Vera's chin.

Vera
vs
Shields

191 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

193 cm
26
200 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brandom Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jake Shields!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vera darts in trying to clinch

and Shields counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Vera!
Shields looking to finish with strikes here!
Vera is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Shields lands a big elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vera wants to control but Shields is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
It looks like Shields might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Shields misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields lands a big elbow.
Shields controlling the position easily from mount.
Vera wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Shields.
Shields looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Vera tries to lock up and control but Shields gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Shields seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Vera is holding on tight.
Vera is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields thowing shots but they're missing.
Vera is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Shields controlling his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Shields dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Vera tries to clinch but Shields moves away

and Shields counters by moving into the clinch.

Shields successfully pulls guard.
Jake Shields has got the better of the ground game so far.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shields looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Vera drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Shields manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vera has Shields in his guard.
Vera keeping moving, preventing Shields from controlling successfully.
Shields is looking to advance position but Vera has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vera working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Vera with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Vera moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Shields has worked his arm free - good work by Shields!
Vera working away.

Vera wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shields, who protects the arm well.
Shields is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vera looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Vera is trying to get an arm triangle but Shields is defending well.
Shields is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Vera's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Vera is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Shields wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Vera is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shields has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vera is looking for submissions but instead, Shields has regained full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vera tries to free his leg and advance position but Shields is retaining full guard.

Vera drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Shields manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vera has Shields in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shields controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields trying to control but Vera is working from the bottom.
Vera keeping full guard, as Shields tries to pass.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jake Shields was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Vera tries to keep at a distance but Shields has taken the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jake Shields will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Vera tries to clinch

and Shields counters by moving into the clinch.
Shields drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Shields wants the takedown. Vera is fighting it off but Shields persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Vera's guard against the cage.
Vera keeping full guard, as Shields tries to pass.
Vera has a closed guard, preventing Shields from standing up.
Shields with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields throws a strike but Vera rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Vera preventing the sweep.
Shields is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Vera drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shields looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shields looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shields!
Shields in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera wants to control but Shields postures up.

Shields decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Brandom Vera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vera tries to clinch

and Shields decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vera's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vera keeping full guard, as Shields tries to pass.
Shields takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shields working some strikes from top position.
Shields trying to control the position from guard on top but Vera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jake Shields has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Vera tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Shields moves into the clinch.
Vera is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shields is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shields stalling in the clinch.
Shields is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shields wants to take the fight to the mat but Vera manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Brandom Vera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Shields.
Shields takes an elbow to the forehead.
Vera tries a knee to the head but Shields blocks it.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vera tries to land knees in the clinch but Shields avoids the damage to the body.
Vera tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shields avoids it.
Vera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vera misses with a knee strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shields tries for a takedown but Vera manages to get underhooks.
Vera trying to land knees to the body.
Brandom Vera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jake Shields is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vera tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shields avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Shields comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shields 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Shields!
Post fight, Jake Shields took to the microphone: 'Who ever the Light Heavyweight champion is,i just wanna let you know that im coming for You!'.