PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Julian Shields (ranked 7948 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jean Roger Leboulanger (ranked 7711 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Julian Shields has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Shields
vs
Roger Leboulanger

197 cm
24
346 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

225 cm
22
300 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Julian Shields!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jean Roger Leboulanger!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shields closes the distance and clinches.

Shields manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Leboulanger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shields works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shields managing to control the position.
Shields looking to control.
Leboulanger throws an elbow that misses. Shields uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Leboulanger's guard. Nice move by Shields!

Shields being controlled here momentarily.
Shields loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Leboulanger manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Shields content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Leboulanger obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leboulanger is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Shields has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Leboulanger is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Leboulanger content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Leboulanger - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Leboulanger wants to take the fight to the mat but Shields manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Leboulanger stalling the fight.
Leboulanger gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shields.
Shields could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Leboulanger gets control of Shields's arms and successfully pulls guard. Leboulanger will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leboulanger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shields stays in close to Leboulanger's body and controls the position.
Leboulanger wants to sweep but no luck.
Leboulanger controls Shields momentarily but Shields frees himself.
Shields is looking to work some ground and pound but Leboulanger has wrist control.
Shields is looking to stand up but Leboulanger won't let him.
Leboulanger looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Leboulanger shoots in for a takedown but Shields shows good takedown defense.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Leboulanger.
Julian Shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jean Roger Leboulanger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leboulanger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Shields's guard.
Shields might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shields 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.
Leboulanger showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Shields 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.
Leboulanger not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields keeping moving, preventing Leboulanger from controlling successfully.
Leboulanger trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shields tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Leboulanger.

Leboulanger clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jean Roger Leboulanger dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Leboulanger clinches up against the cage.
Shields is pressed up against the cage. Leboulanger has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shields down to the mat. Shields avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Leboulanger moves into the clinch.
Leboulanger is looking to take this one to the mat.

Leboulanger turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Shields explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Leboulanger gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shields dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Shields has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Leboulanger avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Shields has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Leboulanger is trying to keep an underhook but Shields manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Shields seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Leboulanger is looking for a sweep. Shields is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Julian Shields overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leboulanger tries to get to full guard but Shields has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shields is looking for a kimura but Leboulanger is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shields to get the leverage.
Leboulanger regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Shields.
Leboulanger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Leboulanger is on top in guard.

Leboulanger is looking to work some ground and pound but Shields has wrist control.
Shields wants to sweep but no luck.
Leboulanger trying to control the position from guard on top but Shields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields wants to sweep but no luck.
Leboulanger trying to control the position from guard on top but Shields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shields tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Leboulanger trying to control the position from guard on top but Shields is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Leboulanger is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Shields managing to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Leboulanger fails to land the takedown.
Julian Shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jean Roger Leboulanger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leboulanger closes the distance and clinches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Leboulanger is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shields gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Leboulanger manages to pull guard.

Shields thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shields lands a couple of digs.
Leboulanger seems keen to control Shields's posture.
Let's hope that Leboulanger has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields connects with a couple of short punches.
Shields won't allow Leboulanger to sweep him here.
Shields content to stall in guard here.
Shields throwing strikes but missing.

Shields postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Leboulanger is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Shields, into his guard.

Shields preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jean Roger Leboulanger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

The fighters circling - Leboulanger throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Leboulanger misses with a takedown attempt - Shields sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Leboulanger closes the distance and clinches.
Shields goes for a takedown in the clinch but Leboulanger prevents it.
Shields is trying to maintain a safe position but Leboulanger gets an underhook and turns Shields into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leboulanger has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Shields after a bit of a struggle.
Shields is working for takedown but Leboulanger is calmly controlling the position for now.

Shields gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Leboulanger is defending against the submission attempts here by Shields.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Leboulanger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leboulanger keeps trying to improve his position.
Shields takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Shields keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Leboulanger tries to roll over but Shields keeps him under control.
Shields thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Leboulanger's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Leboulanger is trying to get back to full guard.
Shields with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Shields is working for a submission of some sort.
Shields missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shields throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Leboulanger to regain full guard.
Leboulanger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shields's guard.

Leboulanger stands up and waves to Shields to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields misses with a head kick.

Leboulanger moves into the clinch successfully.
Leboulanger is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shields to keep the fight standing.
Julian Shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jean Roger Leboulanger.
Shields is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shields has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Leboulanger after a bit of a struggle.
Leboulanger pressing his opponent against the cage.

Shields has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Leboulanger regains guard immediately.

Leboulanger is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shields presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Shields prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields goes for a takedown in the clinch but Leboulanger prevents it.

Leboulanger breaks the clinch.
Shields defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Leboulanger.
Shields half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Leboulanger instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leboulanger changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shields fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Shields shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Shields was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Leboulanger struggling a bit here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jean Roger Leboulanger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Leboulanger 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jean Roger Leboulanger!