PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Umar Petrov (ranked 4208 p4p, 2902 weight class) and Tavon Shebu (ranked 535 p4p, 388 weight class). Tavon Shebu told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Petrov
vs
Shebu

190 cm
20
175
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
29
180
9 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
KO power

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Umar Petrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tavon Shebu!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shebu.
Petrov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Shebu counters with a leg kick.
Shebu slips a straight right by Petrov.
Shebu throws a body kick that misses.
Shebu fails to land the takedown.
Shebu fakes the leg kick and cracks Petrov in the body.
Shebu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Petrov.
Petrov moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Petrov leaves Shebu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Umar Petrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tavon Shebu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Petrov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shebu was well out of range. Poor timing from Petrov.
Petrov throws a looping overhand right but Shebu ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shebu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Petrov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Petrov tries to bum rush Shebu with a series of wild strikes but Shebu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shebu is defended easily by Petrov.
Nice cross by Petrov.
Petrov lands a right hook to the body.
Petrov throws a nice looking combination but Shebu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shebu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Petrov.
Shebu shoots in but no luck this time.
Petrov works the jab nicely.

Shebu closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Petrov did well to prevent Shebu getting side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Shebu connects with a nice short shot to Petrov's temple.
Shebu looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shebu stops Petrov from getting back to his feet.
Shebu lands with a punch from half guard.
Shebu is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shebu lands with a punch from half guard.
Shebu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Petrov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Shebu working the head and body with strikes.
Shebu working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Petrov's thigh. Petrov counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Shebu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Petrov is keeping the position for now.

Petrov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shebu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu chips away with some ground and pound.
Shebu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Shebu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Shebu with a nice head shot there.
Shebu chips away with some ground and pound.

Petrov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shebu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shebu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shebu lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shebu makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Shebu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Petrov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shebu has managed to get both his arms back between Petrov's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shebu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shebu looking to pass the guard.
Petrov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shebu manages to get himself to full guard.

Shebu pulls Petrov in close to prevent any damage.
Shebu 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.
Shebu pulls Petrov in close to prevent any damage.
Shebu is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Petrov has hold of Shebu's hands but Shebu slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shebu landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Petrov throws a sloppy body shot
and Shebu counters with a straight right hand.
Petrov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shebu.
Shebu avoids a punch combination nicely.

Shebu closes the distance and clinches.
Shebu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Petrovs head.
Shebu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petrov's elbow.
Shebu is working for takedown but Petrov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Petrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu tries to score a body lock takedown but Petrov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Umar Petrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tavon Shebu.
Petrov struggles to land a body shot inside as Shebu controls his hands.
Shebu presses Petrov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shebu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shebu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shebu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Petrov backwards.
Petrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shebu's elbow.
Shebu has Petrov pushed against the cage.
Shebu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
I was talking to Petrov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Shebu drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Petrov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Petrov has a couple of punches blocked by Shebu.
Shebu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Petrov managing to block the knees to the body from Shebu.
Petrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shebu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shebu drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shebu wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Shebu.
Shebu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shebu wants to take the fight to the mat but Petrov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Petrov fails to land.
Petrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shebu lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shebu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shebu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Petrov backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petrov.
Still in the clinch, Shebu scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nice body punch from Shebu.
Shebu tries to work over Petrov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shebu is looking for a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Petrov fails to land.
Shebu using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Shebu has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Petrov after a bit of a struggle.
Petrov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Tavon Shebu seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shebu is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Petrov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shebu is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shebu drops down looking for an ankle pick but Petrov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shebu blocks a jab.
Shebu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Petrov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Shebu defending well as Petrov loads up on a big left hand.
Petrov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shebu.
Petrov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Petrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Shebu.
Shebu dodges the punch combination from Petrov.
Shebu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Petrov.
Shebu looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Petrov misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Petrov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Shebu in his tracks.

Petrov tries to keep at a distance but Shebu has taken the fight into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Petrov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Petrov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shebu avoids it.
Petrov can't find room to land a body shot as Shebu controls the action.

Shebu has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Petrov clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shebu connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Petrov to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shebu lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Shebu lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Petrov.
Petrov is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Shebu lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Shebu lands punches and elbows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tavon Shebu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Shebu fails with a takedown attempt.
Shebu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Petrov tries to avoid it but Shebu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Petrov to the ground. Petrov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Petrov throws a shot from downtown. Shebu moves away and avoids it.
Petrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shebu.
Shebu misses with a takedown attempt
and Petrov counters with a nice body shot.
Umar Petrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tavon Shebu.

Shebu closes the distance and clinches.
Petrov gets underhooks to prevent Shebu's takedown attempt.
Shebu pushes Petrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Petrov working aggressively here.
Shebu lands a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu blocking some punches.
Petrov takes a knee to the side of the body.

Shebu gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
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!
Shebu working over Petrov with some ground and pound. Petrov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Shebu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shebu is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Shebu.
Petrov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shebu landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Petrov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Tavon Shebu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shebu scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Petrov is rocked!

Petrov actively working from the bottom here.
Shebu is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Oh Petrov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shebu is nestled in close to Petrov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Shebu winds up and cracks Petrov with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shebu lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt Petrov quite badly. Petrov pulls Shebu in close trying to recover. Shebu postures up and lands two really hard shots that put Petrov on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but Petrov doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tavon Shebu!
After the big win, Tavon Shebu made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Knock Out Clothing and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.