PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Kershaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claudio Demaestri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Claudio Demaestri is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kershaw
vs
Demaestri

191 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
20
192 lbs
2 - 4 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, James Kershaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Claudio Demaestri!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Demaestri as Kershaw shoots in.
Kershaw throws a right and a left that Demaestri avoids nicely.

Demaestri closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Still in half guard, Demaestri seems content to control.
Demaestri passes to side control.
Demaestri is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Kershaw will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Kershaw is looking for a sweep.
Demaestri content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Kershaw is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demaestri staying calm.
Kershaw definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kershaw is looking to regain half guard here but Demaestri keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri taking a breather here.
Kershaw is trying to improve his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Claudio Demaestri.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kershaw 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 Demaestri has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Demaestri and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Demaestri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kershaw throws a head kick that half lands.
Kershaw misses with a head kick.
Kershaw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Demaestri shoots in but no luck this time.
A head kick misses from Kershaw.
Kershaw is breathing heavily.

Demaestri looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kershaw wants to sweep here but Demaestri controlling him for the moment.
Demaestri is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Demaestri forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri tries to pass to full mount but Kershaw defends it.
Kershaw preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Demaestri content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Demaestri works his foot free and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claudio Demaestri dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Demaestri shoots in and drives through. Kershaw sprawls well.
Kershaw wants to slow Demaestri down by chopping away at his legs.

Demaestri shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kershaw is trying to defend but Demaestri finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Demaestri sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Claudio Demaestri has got the better of the ground game so far.
Demaestri wants to free his trapped foot but Kershaw is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Demaestri is taking a breather. Kershaw says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Demaestri trying to pass the guard but Kershaw defending well.
Demaestri stalling.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Claudio Demaestri wasn't active enough on the ground.
Demaestri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kershaw throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kershaw misses with a few strikes there.
Demaestri shoots in looking for a takedown but Kershaw manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Demaestri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Demaestri darts in and clinches Kershaw up against the cage.
Demaestri landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head.
Demaestri tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Demaestri misses with a knee to the head.
Demaestri landing knees to the body.
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!
Knees in the clinch landing for Demaestri.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head.
Demaestri utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Demaestri lands a knee to the body.
Demaestri with a knee to the head.
Kershaw takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head.
Demaestri landing knees to the head.
Kershaw is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Demaestri is keeping busy.
Demaestri utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Demaestri connects with a knee to the head.
Demaestri misses with a knee to the head.
Kershaw managing to block the knees to the body from Demaestri.
Kershaw missing with knees to the body.
Demaestri with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Demaestri with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kershaw is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Demaestri is keeping busy.
Kershaw goes for a takedown in the clinch but Demaestri prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri working Kershaw over with knees to the body.
Demaestri putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kershaw in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head.
Demaestri landing knees to the head.
Kershaw trying to control the position but instead, Demaestri has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kershaw into the cage.
Claudio Demaestri seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Demaestri putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kershaw in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Demaestri unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kershaw lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Demaestri is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kershaw tries to land knees in the clinch but Demaestri avoids the damage to the body.
Demaestri scores with a knee to the head.
Kershaw takes a knee right on the jaw!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claudio Demaestri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Demaestri is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kershaw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Demaestri forces Kershaw back against the cage and clinches.
Kershaw is trying to stall.
Demaestri with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Demaestri connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kershaw's face.
Knees in the clinch landing for Demaestri.
Demaestri unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kershaw lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Demaestri utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Demaestri landing knees to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Demaestri connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kershaw takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kershaw throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Demaestri is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Demaestri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Demaestri tries to land a knee to the head but Kershaw blocks with his arms.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Demaestri.
Knees in the clinch landing for Demaestri.
Kershaw jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Demaestri walks away with a smile on his face. Kershaw gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kershaw misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Demaestri closes the distance and clinches up with Kershaw, looking for a takedown. Demaestri pushes Kershaw against the cage but Kershaw circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kershaw tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Demaestri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Demaestri shoots in for a takedown but Kershaw shows good takedown defense.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kershaw.

Demaestri moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Demaestri.
Kershaw jumps guard but Demaestri turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Demaestri landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Demaestri with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Demaestri throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kershaw blocks it with crossed arms.
Demaestri misses with a knee to the head.
Kershaw throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Demaestri unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kershaw lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Demaestri looking to throw knees to the head but Kershaw is blocking nicely.
Demaestri has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kershaw tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Demaestri just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Kershaw. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Demaestri with a knee to the head.
Demaestri throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kershaw blocks it with crossed arms.
Demaestri looking to throw knees to the head but Kershaw is blocking nicely.
Demaestri misses with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Demaestri.
Kershaw is trying to break the clinch but Demaestri is controlling him.
Kershaw tries a knee to the head but Demaestri blocks it.
Demaestri with a knee to the head.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kershaw misses with a punch on the inside.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head.
Demaestri lands a knee to the head.
Kershaw is trying to pull guard but Demaestri turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kershaw takes a knee right on the jaw!
Demaestri using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kershaw has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Demaestri with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kershaw tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Demaestri's elbow.
Kershaw is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kershaw tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Demaestri smiles and moves away.
Demaestri shoots in but Kershaw avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Demaestri feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
James Kershaw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kershaw wants to sweep here but Demaestri controlling him for the moment.
Demaestri passes Kershaw's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Demaestri trying to pass the guard but Kershaw defending well.
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!
Demaestri uses his free foot to push down on Kershaw's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kershaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kershaw wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Claudio Demaestri comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Demaestri 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for Claudio Demaestri!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Claudio Demaestri!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Claudio Demaestri!

Claudio Demaestri wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Claudio Demaestri thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.