PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Castle Irons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Shachner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Castle Irons has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Irons
vs
Shachner

176 cm
20
168 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

150 cm
24
162 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Juggernaut Fuel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Castle Irons!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rory Shachner!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Edson Gomes and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Irons there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Castle Irons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irons connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Irons throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Irons misses with a head kick.
Irons will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shachner ducks under a wild hook from Irons.
Irons tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shachner takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Shachner uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Irons.
Irons misses the shot to the body.
Irons connects with a single shot there.
Irons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shachner was well out of range. Poor timing from Irons.
Shachner wants to clinch.
Irons misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shachner closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Irons lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Irons.
Come on Irons - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Irons gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shachner.
Irons misses with a knee to the head.
Irons connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shachner's face.

It looks like Rory Shachner has been cut.
Irons misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shachner.
Irons manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Irons lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irons misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nice elbow from Irons.
Irons stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Irons unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Shachner looks gassed!
Irons landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Shachner takes a knee right on the jaw!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Irons lands a body punch.
Irons lands a knee to the body.
Irons lands with a left to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Irons creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Irons controlling the action here for a moment.
Irons connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shachner's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Irons.
Stalling in the clinch from Irons.
Irons is working Shachner over against the cage.
Irons connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shachner's face.
Irons lands with a light punch inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Irons.
Shachner tries to pull guard but Irons won't allow it.
Knees to the body from Irons.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Irons.
Irons with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Irons gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irons is working Shachner over against the cage.
Irons scores with a nice hook to the head.
Irons softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Irons lands with a short shot to the head.

Irons is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shachner is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Irons to the mat. Irons regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Irons looking for a sweep. Not yet Irons, not yet.
Irons is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shachner is controlling him.
Irons wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shachner wants to pass the guard but Irons is keeping the position.
Shachner looking to sit in guard and control but Irons gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Castle Irons dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Irons lands with a thumping leg kick.
Irons cracks the inside of Shachner's front leg.
Irons attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Irons explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Shachner steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Irons. That one must have hurt.
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!
Irons scores with a jab to the head.
Irons lands the left hand.
A solid leg kick lands there for Irons.
A big left from Irons misses.
Shachner is breathing heavily.
Irons throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shachner takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Irons is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irons throws a body punch but Shachner moves out of range.
Irons misses with a series of wild punches.
Irons is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Irons lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Shachner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Irons.
Irons connects with a high kick.
Shachner is trying hard to land a takedown here. Irons sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Irons pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shachner has a takedown stuffed.
Shachner looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A jab from Irons misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shachner takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Irons lands with a nice body punch.
Irons stuns Shachner with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Irons fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Irons chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A head kick misses from Irons.
Irons sizes up Shachner with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Irons scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Irons with a jab.
Irons throws a head kick but Shachner moves out of range.
Irons tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Castle Irons is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shachner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Irons is fending him off so far but Shachner persists. Nope, Irons circles away and we're back to standing.
Castle Irons has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Shachner.
Irons explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Irons is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shachner can do to turn this around?
Irons plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Shachner drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shachner advances position into side control!
Shachner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Irons keeps working.

Irons explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Irons looks to land a body kick but Shachner moved away.
Irons throws a right hand that Shachner ducks under and follows up with a left that Shachner also avoids with ease.

Shachner shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shachner prevents Irons from standing back up.

Shachner is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Irons slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Shachner has gone for a leg lock! Irons slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shachner's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Shachner working for a triangle but Irons defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Castle Irons dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner's cut.
That's time! Irons's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Irons throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shachner on the side of the head.
A jab from Irons misses.
Irons scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Irons is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Irons tries to bum rush Shachner with a series of wild strikes but Shachner uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Irons, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Irons misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Irons misses with a body kick.

Shachner shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shachner showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shachner is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Irons kicks Shachner off and gets back to his feet.
Shachner takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Irons explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A chopping leg kick lands by Irons.
Irons swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A good leg kick by Irons.
Castle Irons is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Irons throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irons lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Irons pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shachner misses with a takedown attempt - Irons sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shachner's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Irons moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Shachner takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shachner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Irons paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shachner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Irons as he jumps to the side.
Shachner gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Irons.
Shachner takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Irons lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irons connects with a crisp jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Irons.
Irons throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Shachner walks into a stiff left hand from Irons.
A solid leg kick lands there for Irons.
Shachner takes one to the chin there.
Irons jabs at Shachner's body.
Shachner has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Irons.
A cross from Irons lands.
Irons throws the left hand but Shachner avoids the punch easily.
Irons lands a jab to Shachner's midsection.
Irons lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shachner at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shachner on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Irons. Irons obviously looking to wear him down.
The fighters circle momentarily. Irons darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Irons throws a head kick that half lands.
An inside leg kick lands from Irons.
Irons misses with a low kick as Shachner jumps back.
Shachner fails with the takedown.
Castle Irons has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Shachner.
Irons lands with a slapping head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Irons throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Irons misses with a looping right.

Shachner shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Irons manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Irons holds on and takes a little breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Castle Irons clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Irons fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Irons throws a sloppy head kick and Shachner moves out of range easily.
Irons pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shachner wants to clinch.
Shachner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Irons lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Shachner avoids the body shot from Irons.
Irons swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Irons.
Irons misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Irons throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Irons throws a big shot that misses.
Shachner moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice takedown defense from Irons. No joy for Shachner on that attempt.
Some wild striking there from Irons.
Good leg kick by Irons there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Shachner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Irons avoids it really well and circles away.
Castle Irons has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Shachner.
Irons connects with a right hand. Shachner shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irons takes a swing at Shachner's ribcage but misses.
Irons with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Shachner takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Irons looks to land a combination but Shachner avoids it well.
Shachner blocks a leg kick.
Irons throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Irons thuds a left hand into Shachner's body.
Irons thumps Shachner with a low kick.
Shachner on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Irons misses the jab.
Shachner avoids the body shot from Irons.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irons looks to land a left hand but Shachner moved out of range nicely.
Shachner blocks a head kick by Irons.

Shachner drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Irons struggling a bit here.
Irons tries to bench press Shachner off him but Shachner keeps the position.
Irons can't do much from the bottom here.
Irons trying to control but Shachner flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Irons right now.

Shachner working for a choke but Irons is defending well.
Irons controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.

Irons is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Irons misses with a low kick as Shachner jumps back.

Irons gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Castle Irons will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rory Shachner's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A solid leg kick lands there for Irons.

Shachner scores a takedown into full mount!
Irons is wriggling around trying to escape.
Irons slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Irons is looking to improve his position.
Irons is trying to stand.
Shachner is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Irons is defending against the submission attempts here by Shachner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irons has his hands clasped together around Shachner's back. He's all about the action.
Irons manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Irons scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Irons lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irons tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Irons throws a solid leg kick but Shachner takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Irons.
Irons stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Irons wants it to stay on the feet.
Irons throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Shachner.
Irons swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shachner blocks the body kick.
Shachner shoots in but no luck this time.
Irons catches Shachner with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Shachner gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Irons misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shachner blocks the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shachner shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Irons manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Shachner preventing the sweep.
Shachner wants to pass the guard but Irons is keeping the position.
Irons is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Shachner trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Irons uses the cage to get back to his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Irons.
Irons lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shachner takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Irons throws a hook to the side of Shachner's head but Shachner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shachner moves out of range as Irons strikes.
Irons throws a right hand that Shachner ducks under and follows up with a left that Shachner also avoids with ease.
Irons takes a swing at Shachner's ribcage but misses.

Shachner shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Irons napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Irons's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rory Shachner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Shachner is trying to get an arm triangle but Irons is defending well.
Irons holding on.

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 Castle Irons.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Irons, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 50:45
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:45
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Castle Irons!
Castle Irons retains his lightweight title!