PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tiaoali Lvavatai (ranked 2123 p4p, 2213 weight class) and Brett Shoenfeld (ranked 142 p4p, 148 weight class). Lvavatai comes to the cage accompanied by You Can Get It If You Really Want. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Lvavatai
vs
Shoenfeld

171 cm
31
144
16 - 16 - 1

166 cm
36
142
25 - 20 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tiaoali Lvavatai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 20 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brett Shoenfeld!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Francis DeMontford and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lvavatai throws a looping overhand right but Shoenfeld ducks down to avoid it.
Lvavatai misses with a looping right.
Shoenfeld tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lvavatai scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lvavatai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shoenfeld circles away quickly and effectively.
And Shoenfeld tries to counter it with a takedown but Lvavatai pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lvavatai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shoenfeld circles away quickly and effectively.
We've been told by Lvavatai 's head coaches at Kalashnikov ELITE MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A head kick misses from Lvavatai .
Tiaoali Lvavatai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai throws a head kick that misses.
Shoenfeld with the counter takedown but Lvavatai avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lvavatai throws a head kick that misses.
Shoenfeld drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lvavatai defends it well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lvavatai . Shoenfeld does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shoenfeld is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lvavatai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lvavatai misses with a head kick.
Shoenfeld with the counter takedown but Lvavatai avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lvavatai plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Lvavatai lands a nice shot to the body.
Lvavatai misses with a straight right.
Shoenfeld with the counter takedown but Lvavatai avoids it easily.
Lvavatai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shoenfeld.
Shoenfeld changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lvavatai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shoenfeld is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shoenfeld showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lvavatai .
Shoenfeld with the counter takedown but Lvavatai avoids it easily.
Shoenfeld moves out of range as Lvavatai strikes.
Shoenfeld takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lvavatai misses with a two punch combination.
Shoenfeld drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lvavatai defends it well.
Shoenfeld takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai throws a looping overhand right but Shoenfeld ducks down to avoid it.
Lvavatai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Shoenfeld counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shoenfeld.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shoenfeld pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lvavatai is keeping the position for now.
Shoenfeld passes Lvavatai 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Shoenfeld stops Lvavatai from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shoenfeld works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai prevents Shoenfeld from improving position.
Shoenfeld wants to control but Lvavatai is keeping him busy.
Shoenfeld tries to advance to mount but can't.
Lvavatai is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Shoenfeld is controlling him well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lvavatai connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shoenfeld uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai looks to land a body kick but Shoenfeld moved away.
Lvavatai throws a shot from downtown. Shoenfeld moves away and avoids it.
And Shoenfeld tries to counter it with a takedown but Lvavatai pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lvavatai swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shoenfeld defending well as Lvavatai loads up on a big left hand.
Shoenfeld has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shoenfeld sees it coming and avoids it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shoenfeld ducks under a wild hook from Lvavatai .
And Shoenfeld tries to counter it with a takedown but Lvavatai pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Shoenfeld takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Lvavatai scores with a hook to the body. Shoenfeld takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lvavatai 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 Shoenfeld has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Shoenfeld and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Shoenfeld tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Shoenfeld keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lvavatai .
Shoenfeld changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lvavatai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some bone on bone action there as Shoenfeld checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Shoenfeld avoids the body shot from Lvavatai .
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lvavatai misses with a leg kick

and Shoenfeld counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Lvavatai pushes Shoenfeld off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lvavatai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lvavatai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shoenfeld can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Lvavatai scores with a nice right hand.
Lvavatai with a hook.
Lvavatai takes a swing at Shoenfeld's ribcage but misses.
Lvavatai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shoenfeld checks a leg kick.
Shoenfeld slips under a jab from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai throws a leg kick that is checked

and Shoenfeld counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shoenfeld wants to free his trapped foot but Lvavatai is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Lvavatai pushes Shoenfeld off looking to stand but Shoenfeld dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shoenfeld is looking for a kimura here.

Shoenfeld is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lvavatai is just riding it out for now. Shoenfeld eventually gives up the hold.
Shoenfeld tries to pass to full mount but Lvavatai defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shoenfeld is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lvavatai defends it well.
Lvavatai is trying to stand.
Brett Shoenfeld has got the better of the ground game so far.

Shoenfeld is looking for a kimura but Lvavatai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shoenfeld to get the leverage.
Shoenfeld prevents Lvavatai from standing back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lvavatai smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
No joy there for Lvavatai , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shoenfeld drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lvavatai defends it well.
A telegraphed right hand from Lvavatai misses the target.
Lvavatai throws a series of punches but Shoenfeld moves out of range.
Lvavatai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tiaoali Lvavatai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lvavatai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shoenfeld with the counter takedown but Lvavatai avoids it easily.
Lvavatai jabs Shoenfeld to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Shoenfeld is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shoenfeld keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lvavatai .
Shoenfeld takes one to the chin there.
Lvavatai misses the jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tiaoali Lvavatai dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lvavatai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shoenfeld was well out of range. Poor timing from Lvavatai .
Lvavatai lands with a hook. Shoenfeld tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A big right from Lvavatai misses.
Shoenfeld is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Lvavatai misses the jab.
Shoenfeld tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lvavatai throws a body punch but Shoenfeld moves out of range.
Shoenfeld drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lvavatai defends it well.
Lvavatai pivots, looking for a leg kick but Shoenfeld is out of range and Lvavatai settles back down.
Shoenfeld is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shoenfeld on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lvavatai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Shoenfeld tries to counter it with a takedown but Lvavatai pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tiaoali Lvavatai is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lvavatai . Shoenfeld does a little dance to reset his feet.
A jab from Lvavatai misses.
Lvavatai throws an off balance right hand

and Shoenfeld counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shoenfeld.

Lvavatai uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lvavatai misses with a few strikes there.
Lvavatai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Lvavatai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shoenfeld moves away.
Shoenfeld changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lvavatai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lvavatai scores with a hook to the body. Shoenfeld takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lvavatai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lvavatai misses with a looping right.
Shoenfeld changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lvavatai misses with a wild body shot.
Shoenfeld feints the counter takedown.
Lvavatai throws a sloppy head kick and Shoenfeld moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tiaoali Lvavatai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shoenfeld walks into a left hand.
Nice jab there from Lvavatai .
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lvavatai misses with a hook. Shoenfeld ducked under it nicely.
Shoenfeld drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lvavatai defends it well.
A nice combination there by Lvavatai .
Lvavatai misses with a wild combination.
Shoenfeld with the counter takedown but Lvavatai avoids it easily.
Lvavatai misses with a low kick.
Shoenfeld changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lvavatai throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shoenfeld on the side of the head.
Shoenfeld dodges the punch combination from Lvavatai .
Shoenfeld changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai throws a looping overhand right but Shoenfeld ducks down to avoid it.
Lvavatai throws a series of strikes that have Shoenfeld backpedaling.
Lvavatai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shoenfeld with the counter takedown but Lvavatai avoids it easily.
Lvavatai throws out a loose jab but Shoenfeld uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shoenfeld drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lvavatai defends it well.
Lvavatai misses the shot to the body.
Lvavatai thows a leg kick but Shoenfeld checks it

and Shoenfeld counters with a single leg into guard. Lvavatai didn't expect that.
Lvavatai wants to stand up but Shoenfeld is controlling him.
Shoenfeld pushes down on Lvavatai 's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shoenfeld passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Lvavatai !
Lvavatai squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Tiaoali Lvavatai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lvavatai is squirming around, avoiding Shoenfeld's attempts to control the action.
Lvavatai is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Brett Shoenfeld has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shoenfeld throwing strikes but Lvavatai bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tiaoali Lvavatai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lvavatai , 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 Topper Green scores the fight 30:27
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tiaoali Lvavatai !
After winning the bout, Tiaoali Lvavatai thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.