PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Shemper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Mica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Mica struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Shemper
vs
Mica

175 cm
20
155 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

178 cm
25
165 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Shemper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, John Mica!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shemper closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Shemper is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mica knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Mica is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Shemper is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mica is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
You can see the frustration on Mica's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mica is not content to let Shemper control the position.

Shemper tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Mica holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mica controls the position for a moment.
Mica tries to bench press Shemper off him but Shemper keeps the position.
Mica is trying to control Shemper's posture but Shemper avoids it.

Shemper is trying to get an arm triangle but Mica is defending well.

Shemper tries for a kimura but Mica is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mica sneaks back into half guard.

Shemper is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Mica has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shemper is breathing heavily.
Mica makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mica.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shemper forces his way into half guard.
Mica makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mica.
Mica looking to control.
Shemper pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mica is keeping the position for now.
Mica seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Mica manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Shemper is desperately trying to improve his position but Mica has a good base and remains in mount.
Mica tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Shemper is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mica can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Shemper is looking to escape.
Mica controlling from the full mount.
Shemper is looking to get to half guard.
Mica controlling his opponent.
Shemper is looking to improve his position but Mica isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Mica thowing shots but they're missing.
Shemper is working to get back to half guard.
Mica thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Shemper is working to get back to half guard.
Mica takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Shemper is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shemper manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Mica looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Mica will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mica misses with a takedown attempt
and Shemper counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shemper shoots and misses

and Mica counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Mica tries to pass the half guard into mount. Shemper knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Shemper trying to hold on to Mica's head to control him but Mica postures up.
Shemper makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shemper.
Shemper keeping moving, preventing Mica from controlling successfully.

Shemper has his foot on Mica's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mica works his way back into a safe position though.
Shemper looking to control.
Shemper has Mica pulled in close to control his posture.
Shemper avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mica is breathing heavily.
Mica slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mica postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemper tries to buck Mica off but Mica is having none of it.
Mica working away.
Shemper is not content to let Mica control the position.
Mica is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Shemper will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Shemper sneaks back into half guard.
Shemper controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Shemper is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mica pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Shemper is staying active underneath Mica, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Shemper is looking for a sweep. Mica is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mica is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mica is pressing down on Shemper's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shemper is holding on for now.
Shemper is controlling Mica's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Shemper looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Shemper shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Mica is in trouble now - Shemper has advanced to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shemper looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mica is trying desperately to improve position.
Shemper trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Mica is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Shemper locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Mica is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Steve Shemper!