PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Papa Shango (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Warren Parker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shango
vs
Parker

177 cm
33
166 lbs
21 - 11 - 0

175 cm
33
159 lbs
16 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Papa Shango!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of London, Warren Parker!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Parker misses with a wild body shot.
Shango is looking to counter the offense by Parker and move into the clinch.
Shango avoids the body shot from Parker.
Shango is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Parker.
Shango defending well as Parker loads up on a big left hand.
Parker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shango manages to avoid it.
Shango changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Parker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jab from Parker.
Parker misses with a lunging right hand

and Shango counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shango fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Parker misses with a hook from the clinch.

Shango has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Parker is trying to keep an underhook but Shango manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Shango is working for a kimura but Parker is defending it quite comfortably.
Shango is keen to just control but Parker is a slippery customer.

Shango is looking for a kimura but Parker is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shango to get the leverage.
Shango is thwarting Parker's attempts to control the position.
Parker preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Parker is looking to improve his position.
Shango seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Parker does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Shango is really struggling to control Parker but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shango wants to pass to mount but Parker is defending the position.
Parker is trying to get back to full guard.

Shango is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Parker doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shango.
Shango prevents Parker from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Parker controlling the position for now.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Parker is trying to control but can't.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shango uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Parker.
Shango changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Warren Parker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Parker turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A low kick from Parker is predictable there

and Shango counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shango.
Shango pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Parker is keeping the position for now.

Parker is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Shango pushes down on Parker's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shango is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Parker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shango's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shango's back!
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 Papa Shango will probably get the nod.
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.

Nice jab there from Parker.
Parker misses with a jab to the body

so Shango counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Shango controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Shango's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Parker working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Parker seems keen to control Shango's posture.
Parker keeping full guard, as Shango tries to pass.
Parker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shango postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shango is pushing down on Parker's leg trying to pass to half guard. Parker is fighting to maintain full guard but Shango has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shango wants to lay and pray for a moment but Parker keeps working.
Shango is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Parker can do to turn this around?

Shango is looking for a kimura here.
Shango moves into full mount! Parker won't be happy about that!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Parker gets back to half guard.
Parker makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Parker.
Parker working a defensive guard here.
Parker can't keep his opponent in guard - Shango advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Shango looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shango works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shango content just to control the position here.
Parker tries to lock up and control but Shango gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Shango trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shango looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Shango tries to control but Parker wriggling away.
Parker is looking to improve his position but Shango isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shango trying to control but Parker is having none of it.
Parker is looking to get to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shango is landing with some decent strikes but Parker is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Shango lands a heavy elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Papa Shango dominated that second round.
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!

Parker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shango manages to avoid it.
Shango keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Parker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shango moves away.
Shango tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Parker manages to circle out of the way.
Parker misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Shango decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Parker's guard.
Shango looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Parker is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shango defends well.
Papa Shango overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shango pushing down on Parker's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Parker regains full guard. Nicely done.
Shango advances position into side control!
Shango content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Shango working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Shango is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Parker is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shango trying to control the position but Parker is working away.
Warren Parker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shango tries to move into full mount but can't pass Parker's legs.
Shango wants to control but Parker is keeping him busy.
Parker takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Shango is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Parker knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shango is looking to take a break and control but Parker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shango tries to advance to mount but can't.

Shango is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Parker is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Shango tries to advance position but instead Parker slips a leg back in to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Parker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shango's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shango's back!
You can see the frustration on Shango's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Shango is working hard here to advance position.

Shango showing good submission defense here.

Parker looking to break Shango's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Shango remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Parker will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

And that's the end of the fight!
Papa Shango showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shango, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Papa Shango!
Papa Shango spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.