PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hans Lankari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lankari comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Shields has chosen Last Resort - Papa Roach as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lankari
vs
Shields

177 cm
27
142 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

172 cm
22
136 lbs
6 - 3 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

{xXx} iFight Nut. Energy Recovery 160 $55

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hans Lankari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Shields!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lankari connects with a high kick.
Shields stuffs the takedown attempt from Lankari. Lankari gets slowly back to his feet.
Lankari takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Shields circles away from the clinch attempt
and Shields counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Shields stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shields wants it to stay on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lankari.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hans Lankari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lankari shoots in and drives through. Shields sprawls well.
Shields misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankari looks for a takedown but Shields sprawls well.
Lankari thumps Shields with a low kick.
Lankari misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lankari throws a right and a left that Shields avoids nicely.
Lankari shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shields defends it nicely.
Lankari fails with a takedown attempt.
Michael Shields is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lankari ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lankari lands with a kick to the temple. Shields shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Lankari darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Lankari is trying to control. Shields wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lankari throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lankari prevents Shields from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lankari is figuring out what he wants to do next.

We're going to have a standup here because Hans Lankari wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Lankari throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shields.
Shields throws a hook but Lankari avoids it easily.
Lankari fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lankari.
Lankari tries to clinch there but Shields circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields stuffs the takedown.
Lankari fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shields misses with a hook. Lankari ducked under it nicely.
Shields thuds his right hand into Lankari's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Shields pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
No joy there for Lankari, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lankari.
Lankari tries for a takedown but Shields sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shields attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hans Lankari will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lankari.
Shields scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lankari tries to clinch but Shields moves out of range.
Shields pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lankari shoots in and drives through. Shields sprawls well.
Lankari shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shields counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hans Lankari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lankari shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shields pinned against the cage. Shields gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Lankari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Shields misses.
Lankari misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lankari shoots in for a takedown but Shields shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
No luck for Lankari with that takedown attempt.
Shields throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lankari fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Shields.
Lankari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lankari lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Shields keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shields doesn't manage to clinch there - Lankari circles away.
Hans Lankari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lankari shoots in for a takedown but Shields shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shields stuffs the takedown attempt from Lankari. Lankari gets slowly back to his feet.
Shields throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Lankari counters with a single leg into guard. Shields didn't expect that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lankari trying to control but Shields is working from the bottom.
Shields is adopting a defensive guard.
Shields's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Lankari won't allow Shields to sweep him here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Shields was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A swing and a miss from Shields.
Lankari tries to clinch but Shields moves away
enabling Shields to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields swats away the attempt to clinch by Lankari.

Lankari clinches with his opponent.
Shields avoids a wild elbow strike from Lankari.
Shields misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lankari tries to circle away but Shields has him pinned against the cage.
Nice body punch from Shields - that landed with a thud.
Lankari fails to pull guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lankari misses with a body punch.
Lankari drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Hans Lankari will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Shields lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Michael Shields has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hans Lankari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lankari shoots in for a takedown but Shields shows good takedown defense.
Lankari uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shields.
Shields takes a swing at Lankari's ribcage but misses.
Lankari throws a quick inside leg kick.

Lankari looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Shields!
Shields gets back to half guard.
Lankari wants to pass the guard but Shields is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shields can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lankari sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shields defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shields keeps working.
Shields tries to roll over but Lankari keeps him under control.
Shields controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hans Lankari wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Lankari tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Shields counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shields leaves Lankari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shields dips to his left and cracks Lankari with an uppercut!
Shields gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Lankari.
Lankari tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Shields counters with a good low kick that Lankari was not able to check.
Lankari misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hans Lankari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shields avoids the head kick by Lankari.
Hans Lankari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lankari is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shields sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lankari fails with the takedown
and Shields counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shields leaves Lankari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Shields cracks Lankari with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Shields has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Lankari to stand back up!

Lankari is rocked!
Michael Shields seems to be getting the better of the standup.
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!
Shields shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Oh Lankari is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shields fakes the leg kick and throws a superman punch. It's knocked Lankari out cold! Brutal finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Superman Punch). Michael Shields!
Michael Shields very nearly forgot to thank {xXx} iFight Nut. Energy Recovery 160 $55 amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.