PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hannibal King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mort Shula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hannibal King had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.7lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

King
vs
Shula

180 cm
37
182 lbs
9 - 11 - 0

189 cm
32
179 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hannibal King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mort Shula!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Russell Pearce and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
King changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shula tries to avoid it but King manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shula to the ground. Shula escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
King shoots for a double leg takedown but Shula sprawls well. He's pushed King's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannibal King. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King is breathing heavily.
King fails with the takedown
and Shula cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Hannibal King has been cut.
King gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Shula holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Shula prevents King from breaking the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from King.
King misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shula blocks a punch to the side of the head.

King breaks the clinch.
King throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King shoots in for a takedown but Shula shows good takedown defense.
No luck for King with that takedown attempt.
King shoots in for a takedown but Shula shows good takedown defense.
King misses with a takedown attempt
and Shula counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
King throws a right hand that Shula ducks under and follows up with a left that Shula also avoids with ease.
King swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Shula counters with a right hand to the body.
King shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shula defends it nicely.
King shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shula but Shula pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King misses with a series of wild punches.
Shula stuffs the takedown.
King shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shula as he jumps to the side.
King fails with a takedown attempt.
King fails with the takedown.
King shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shula but Shula pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shula ducks under a wild hook from King.
King dives in and grabs Shula's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shula pushes down on King's head and hops out.
King looks for a takedown but Shula sprawls well.
King dives in and grabs Shula's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shula pushes down on King's head and hops out.
Shula leaves King with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by King or perhaps it was just good defense by Shula which made him look bad.
King shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shula as he jumps to the side.
King shoots in looking for a takedown. Shula tries to sprawl out of it but King keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shula manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mort Shula is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King has a takedown stuffed.
King shoots for a takedown but Shula saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
King throws the left hand but Shula avoids the punch easily.
King shoots for a double leg takedown but Shula sprawls well. He's pushed King's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice sprawl there from Shula as King shoots in.
King doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shula counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mort Shula will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hannibal King's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Shula. No joy for King on that attempt.
Shula slaps away a takedown attempt from King, before circling back to the center of the mat.
King changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shula tries to avoid it but King manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shula to the ground. Shula escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannibal King. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King shoots in for a takedown but Shula shows good takedown defense.
King fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
King shoots in looking for a takedown but Shula manages to keep the fight standing, pushing King's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
King shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shula as he avoids it easily.
King is looking to clinch but Shula is avoiding it.
Shula defends well against a solid takedown attempt from King.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
King gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Shula connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hannibal King is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King shoots in looking for a takedown but Shula manages to keep the fight standing, pushing King's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
King shoots in looking for a takedown but Shula manages to keep the fight standing, pushing King's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
King has his takedown stuffed
and Shula counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
King fails to land the takedown.
Shula showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from King.
Shula displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from King.
Hannibal King seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
King shoots in for a double leg but Shula sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shula circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice defenses there by Shula.
King shoots for a takedown but Shula saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Shula displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from King.
King dives in for a single leg takedown but Shula sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Shula breaks from the clinch.
King tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shula swats him away and circles back towards the center.
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!
Horrible takedown by King or perhaps it was just good defense by Shula which made him look bad.
King is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shula sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King fails with the takedown
and Shula cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
King fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
King looks for a takedown but Shula sprawls well.
King will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
King tries to clinch up.
King shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shula sprawls well. Shula wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. King gets slowly back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from King.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King shoots in for a takedown but Shula shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
King closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shula circles away.
Shula leaves King with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
King shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shula pinned against the cage. Shula gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
King fails with the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
King closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shula circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mort Shula will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Hannibal King's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

King has a takedown stuffed.
King tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shula was well out of range. Poor timing from King.
King shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
King shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shula pinned against the cage. Shula gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannibal King. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shula stuffs the takedown.
A swing and a miss from King.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

King scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Shula manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. King keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
King tries to break the clinch but Shula is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shula's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
King fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shula avoids it really well and circles away.
King shoots in for a double leg but Shula sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
King is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
King will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
King closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shula circles away.
King is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shula sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
King is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shula sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hannibal King has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Shula enables King to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Shula manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Shula wants to get back to his feet but King is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

King drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shula dives on top into guard.

Shula decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
King shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shula pinned against the cage. Shula gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
King darts in looking for a takedown but Shula gets double underhooks and turns King into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shula's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

King closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - King lands in his opponent's guard.
Shula wants to stand and escape but King is having none of it.
Shula is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

King is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Shula is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Shula has escaped and now he's on top!
Mort Shula is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shula tries to stand but King is controlling from the bottom.

King is working an open guard so Shula takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Some wild striking there from King.
King fails with the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
King fails with a takedown attempt.
King misses with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hannibal King.
I think Shula has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mort Shula!