PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michael Shifflett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Swanson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Damian Marley-Road to Zion. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Shifflett
vs
Swanson

177 cm
23
195 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
27
195 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Michael Shifflett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Swanson!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Anthony Taglia and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Swanson throws a nice looking combination but Shifflett bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shifflett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Swanson circles away quickly and effectively.
Shifflett shoots in for a double leg but Swanson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shifflett fails with the takedown.
Shifflett tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Swanson swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Shifflett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shifflett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shifflett blocks the body kick.
Swanson tries a low kick but Shifflett avoids it.
Shifflett changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Swanson tries to avoid it but Shifflett manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Swanson to the ground. Swanson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Swanson misses with a body kick.

Shifflett pushes Swanson up against the cage in a clinch.
Shifflett using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Swanson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Swanson lands a body punch in the clinch.
Shifflett is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Swanson tries to throw a body punch but Shifflett avoids it by throwing Swanson back against the cage.
Swanson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shifflett can't break the clinch.
Shifflett has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Swanson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shifflett is breathing heavily.
Swanson lands a body shot.
Swanson is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The crowd are getting on Swanson's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joe Swanson.
Shifflett tries for a takedown but Swanson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shifflett dives in and grabs Swanson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Swanson pushes down on Shifflett's head and hops out.
Shifflett takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A big right from Swanson misses.
Shifflett walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Swanson lands a nice hook to Shifflett's body. Shifflett takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Swanson throws out a leg kick but Shifflett moves out of range and Swanson only half commits.
Swanson tries to bum rush Shifflett with a series of wild strikes but Shifflett uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Swanson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Swanson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swanson is looking to take a break and control but Shifflett is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shifflett could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Swanson stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Shifflett to get to his feet.

Swanson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Swanson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Shifflett tries to roll over but Swanson keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson working Shifflett over with strikes.
Swanson drops an elbow to the side of Shifflett's head.
Swanson is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Swanson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Shifflett hang on?
Swanson wants to control the pace but Shifflett is squirming around nicely.
BOOM! Swanson connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Swanson breaks from Shifflett's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Swanson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Swanson scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Shifflett?
Shifflett is wriggling around trying to escape.
Swanson scoring with strikes but Shifflett is staying in there.
Swanson landing shots from mount.
Shifflett is bucking up trying to escape but Swanson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shifflett tries to lock up and control but Swanson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Swanson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Swanson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Swanson misses with a hook. Shifflett ducked under it nicely.
Shifflett takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shifflett has his takedown stuffed

and Swanson counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Swanson wants to control from the top but Shifflett keeps moving.
Swanson throwing strikes but missing.
Shifflett looking to control.
Swanson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Swanson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shifflett's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Swanson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Swanson is trying to control. Shifflett wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Swanson is looking to stall here but Shifflett recovers full guard.
Shifflett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Swanson is one step ahead there.
Swanson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Swanson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Swanson thows a big elbow that misses.
Joe Swanson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shifflett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Swanson is one step ahead there.
Swanson lands a couple of elbows.
Swanson thows a big elbow that misses.
Shifflett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Swanson.
Shifflett can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Swanson controls the pace.
Swanson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shifflett's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson stopping the sweep attempt from Shifflett.
Swanson is pushing down on Shifflett's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shifflett is fighting to maintain full guard but Swanson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Swanson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Swanson takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Swanson is trying to control. Shifflett wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Swanson is just content to waste time from the top position. Shifflett takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Swanson stays in close to Shifflett's body and controls the position.
Shifflett might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Shifflett working a defensive guard here.
Swanson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Swanson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Swanson throwing strikes but missing.
Shifflett keeping moving, preventing Swanson from controlling successfully.
Swanson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Swanson trying to control but Shifflett is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Swanson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Shifflett with a lazy takedown attempt

and Swanson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Swanson.
Swanson trying to control but Shifflett is working from the bottom.
Shifflett manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Swanson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Shifflett moves to back control.

Shifflett has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shifflett is hanging on to Swanson's back as he tries to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson turns into Shifflett and is now in his guard.
Swanson trying to control the position from guard on top but Shifflett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shifflett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shifflett keeping moving, preventing Swanson from controlling successfully.
Swanson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shifflett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Swanson sitting in guard here, content to control.
Joe Swanson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.

Despite being in the dominant position, Joe Swanson just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shifflett shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown. Shifflett fights it but they end up in guard.
Swanson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Swanson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Swanson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Michael Shifflett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Swanson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shifflett can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Swanson controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swanson trying to control but Shifflett is working from the bottom.
Swanson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Shifflett looking for a sweep. Not yet Shifflett, not yet.

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.
Shifflett can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Swanson controls the pace.

Despite being in the dominant position, Joe Swanson just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shifflett misses with a takedown

and Swanson counters with a shoot takedown. Shifflett fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Shifflett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Swanson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Swanson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Swanson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 26:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Swanson!