PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Emeka Shakur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Staal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shakur kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Tatanka - Africa. John Staal has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Shakur
vs
Staal

195 cm
34
255 lbs
29 - 7 - 1

195 cm
30
230 lbs
25 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Perkele!
Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Emeka Shakur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Staal!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shakur takes a swing at Staal's ribcage but misses.
Sloppy strikes from Shakur. Those never looked like landing.
Shakur scores with a body shot.
Shakur pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Staal back to the cage. Shakur follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like John Staal has been cut.
Shakur is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Staal.
Staal looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shakur tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Staal lands a nice looking kick to the body. Shakur takes a step back to recover.
Emeka Shakur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shakur throws the kick towards the body but Staal avoids it.
Good standup being displayed there by Shakur as he connects with a hook.
Shakur stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shakur on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Staal. Staal obviously looking to wear him down.
Staal takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shakur takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Shakur tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Staal lands a big head kick that sends Shakur tumbling to the mat! Staal takes a step backwards and waves Shakur back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Emeka Shakur has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal scores with a leg kick.
Shakur is breathing heavily.
Staal tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shakur sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Staal somewhat.
Shakur takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Staal checks the leg kick nicely there.
A nice leg kick lands there from Staal.
Staal thumps Shakur with a low kick.
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!
Shakur needs to keep his hands up - Staal had a free shot at his head there.
Shakur gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Staal.
Shakur misses with a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Shakur. Those never looked like landing.
Shakur misses with a hook
enabling Staal to counter with a crisp jab.

Emeka Shakur's cut is getting worse.
Staal moves out of range of the body kick.
Staal walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shakur checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Staal shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Shakur's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Staal engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Staal looking to pass the guard.
Staal trying to control but Shakur is working from the bottom.
Staal stands up over Shakur, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shakur looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shakur controlling Staal's posture.
Staal looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shakur wants to sweep but no luck.
Staal throws a big right hand that misses.
Staal in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shakur not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Staal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Staal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shakur is keeping the position for now.
Shakur looking to hit a scissor sweep but Staal is one step ahead there.
Staal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shakur working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Staal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staal pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shakur is keeping the position for now.
Staal seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Staal wants to control from the top but Shakur keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A clash of legs there as Shakur blocks the low kick.
Shakur buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Staal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Staal misses with a looping left.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shakur slips a straight right by Staal.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Staal thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shakur throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Staal stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Staal dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Shakur just misses with a punch to the body.
Staal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shakur throws a hook but Staal avoids it easily.
Shakur fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Staal on the side of the head.
Shakur ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Shakur with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Staal throws a leg kick but Shakur sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shakur throws a leg kick that is checked
and Staal makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shakur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shakur on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shakur ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Staal moves away.
Shakur has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Staal.
Staal lands a really nice looking cross but Shakur seems unphased.
Shakur misses with a body shot.
Staal throws the left hand but Shakur avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakur thuds his right hand into Staal's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Shakur looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shakur dips to his left and cracks Staal with an uppercut!
Staal throws a head kick but Shakur moves out of range.
Shakur blocks a head kick by Staal.
A head kick misses from Shakur.
The fighters circling - Staal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shakur staying out of range there.
Shakur thuds a left hand into Staal's body.
Shakur blocks a jab.
Nice defenses there by Staal.
Staal dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Staal defending well as Shakur loads up on a big left hand.
Staal avoids the body shot from Shakur.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Shakur misses the target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shakur lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Staal has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Staal and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Shakur checks a leg kick.
Staal lands a slapping body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shakur lands a jab to Staal's midsection.
Staal scores with a punch to the head.
A shot to the liver by Staal. Beautiful body shot.
Good exchange - Staal coming out on top.
Shakur fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Staal manages to avoid it.
Shakur throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shakur moves out of range as Staal throws a body kick.
Shakur lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A head kick misses from Shakur.
Staal keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shakur.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Staal.
Shakur throws a front kick aimed at Staal's knee but Staal avoids it well.
Staal throws a wild body kick that Shakur sees coming a mile off.
Shakur rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Staal counters with a nice body shot.
Shakur tried to score with a low kick but Staal checks it.
Staal lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Shakur walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Staal checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Staal lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Staal lands a right hook to the body.
Nice cross by Staal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shakur blocks a head kick by Staal.

Staal drives through with a takedown into guard.
Staal wants to control from the top but Shakur keeps moving.
Shakur is trying to keep Staal in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shakur is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Staal throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shakur avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shakur preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Staal is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Staal throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Staal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Staal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shakur looks to score with a jab to the body but Staal is just out of range.
Shakur throws a body kick that misses.
Staal checks a leg kick nicely.
Staal checks a leg kick nicely.
Staal throws a sloppy head kick and Shakur moves out of range easily.
Shakur throws a sloppy head kick and Staal moves out of range easily.
Staal moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice body punch from Shakur.
Shakur throws a sloppy head kick and Staal moves out of range easily.
Nice shot lands for Staal.
Shakur keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shakur fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Staal.
Staal scores with a jab to the jaw.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Shakur.
Shakur tries to land a leg kick but Staal saw it coming and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakur thows a body shot but no joy.
Staal lands a high kick!
Staal scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Shakur doesn't seem bothered though.
Staal scoring well with a low kick there.
Staal misses with a head kick.
Staal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shakur moves away.
Shakur throws a leg kick but Staal moved away.
Shakur throws a low kick, looking for Staal's leg but Staal calmly moves out of range.
Staal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Staal ducks under a wild hook from Shakur.
Staal tries a head kick but it misses.
Shakur throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Staal throws a body kick that misses.
Shakur misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staal checks a leg kick.
Staal chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shakur takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Staal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shakur stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Staal lands a left and a right that send Shakur crashing to the mat, dazed. Staal thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Staal buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Staal shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shakur but Shakur pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shakur tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Staal was well out of range. Poor timing from Shakur.
A head kick by Shakur misses
and Staal makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Staal misses with a low kick as Shakur jumps back.
Shakur connects with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Emeka Shakur's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Shakur takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shakur fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Staal is out of range.
Staal lands a jab to the head.
Staal scoring well with a low kick there.
Staal staying out of range there.
Nice shot lands for Staal.

Jeez, Emeka Shakur's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Staal lands a body shot.
Shakur avoids the head kick by Staal.
Shakur throws a head kick but Staal moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Shakur checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Staal finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Staal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shakur is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shakur slips a jab from Staal.
Good work by Staal as he checks the leg kick.
A jab from Shakur finds it's way through Staal's defenses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shakur takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Staal tries a head kick but it misses.
Shakur throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A clash of legs there as Staal blocks the low kick.
Nice shot lands for Shakur.
Shakur avoids the head kick by Staal.
A nice leg kick lands there from Staal.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Staal throws a head kick that Shakur semi-blocks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shakur. Staal does a little dance to reset his feet.
Staal chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shakur scores with the left hand. Staal knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Staal really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shakur cracks Staal with a good jab.
Shakur throws a body punch but Staal moves out of range.
Staal throws a head kick but Shakur moves out of range.
John Staal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shakur falls off balance throwing a combination
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Shakur slaps away a takedown attempt from Staal, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Staal uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shakur.
Staal avoids the head kick by Shakur.
Shakur just misses with a punch to the body.
Shakur scoring well with a low kick there.
Shakur takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Shakur slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Shakur lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal throws a leg kick but Shakur sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shakur thumps Staal with a low kick.
Shakur throws a body kick that misses.
Shakur connects with a single shot there.
Shakur wants to slow Staal down by chopping away at his legs.
A head kick misses from Shakur.
Shakur tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shakur throws a body kick that misses.
Shakur punishes Staal's body with a nice straight punch.
Shakur misses with a double jab.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shakur.
Nice body kick from Shakur.
Shakur ducks under a wild hook from Staal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staal cracks the inside of Shakur's front leg.
Shakur takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Staal throws a nice head kick!
Emeka Shakur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Shakur takes a swing at Staal's ribcage but misses.
Shakur throws a predictable looking body shot
and Staal counters with a leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Staal finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Staal looks for a takedown but Shakur sprawls well.
Staal throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Staal feints and then cracks Shakur's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Shakur down.
Staal connects with a leg kick. Shakur looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Shakur with a hook.
Shakur ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shakur scores with a head kick.
Shakur throws a big shot that misses.
Shakur throws a lazy uppercut
and Staal counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Staal just misses with a punch to the body.
Staal throws a leg kick which misses Shakur's front leg but catches the back leg as Shakur tries to avoid it.
Staal swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Staal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shakur counters with an outside leg kick.
Emeka Shakur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Staal.
Shakur avoids the head kick by Staal.
Shakur thumps Staal with a low kick.
Shakur feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Staal's calf.
Shakur pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Staal lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shakur scores with a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Staal goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Shakur with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shakur motions for Staal to come forward. Shakur throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Staal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice sprawl there from Shakur as Staal shoots in.
Staal tries to land a front kick but Shakur steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big left from Staal misses.
Shakur takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shakur connects with a single shot there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shakur throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shakur thuds a left hand into Staal's body.
Shakur thumps Staal with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emeka Shakur had his way with John Staal in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Staal takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Staal throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Shakur swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Staal counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Shakur misses with a head kick.
Shakur misses with a body shot.
Staal throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shakur on the side of the head.
Shakur throws a predictable looking body shot
and Staal counters with an inside leg kick.
Staal looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shakur connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shakur finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Shakur throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Staal.
Staal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Staal tries a head kick but it misses.
A swing and a miss from Shakur.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakur stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Staal.
A leg kick checked by Shakur.
Both fighters circling a little - Shakur finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Shakur lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Staal connects with a body shot.
Staal connects with a high kick.
Shakur tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Staal paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shakur swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Shakur blocks the leg kick.
Staal motions for Shakur to come forward. Staal throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shakur looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Shakur throws a solid leg kick but Staal takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Shakur.
Staal misses the jab.
A punch lands to the side of Staal 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Emeka Shakur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shakur feints a jab promting Staal to slip. Shakur then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Staal slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Staal throws a leg kick but Shakur checks it.
Staal ducks under a wild hook from Shakur.
Shakur misses with a head kick.
Good leg kick by Staal there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Staal misses with a leg kick.
Staal scores with a body shot.
Shakur throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A telegraphed right hand from Shakur misses the target.
Staal fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shakur has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Staal cracks the inside of Shakur's front leg.
Staal delivers a nice body kick.
John Staal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Staal tenderised Shakur's leg. Shakur is trying to keep his angry face on.
Staal dips to his left and cracks Shakur with an uppercut!
Staal slips under a jab.
A punch lands to the side of Shakur 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A head kick from Staal lands but Shakur takes it in his stride.
Staal thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Shakur if he has to take too many more of those.
Staal misses with a head kick.
Shakur with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Staal motions for Shakur to come forward. Staal throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Staal lands with a thumping leg kick.
Staal moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shakur misses with a low kick.
Shakur misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shakur just misses with a punch to the body.
A clash of legs there as Staal blocks the low kick.
Shakur ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Staal moves away.
Staal avoids the head kick by Shakur.
Staal throws a head kick but Shakur moves out of range.
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!
Staal avoids the head kick by Shakur.
Shakur looks to score with a jab to the body but Staal is just out of range.
Shakur goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Shakur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Staal uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shakur has time to react.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Staal throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shakur thows a body shot but no joy.
Staal moves out of range of the strikes.
Shakur takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Staal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Staal has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Staal!