PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sam Shaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Kurken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kurken is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Serbian national anthem . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shaw
vs
Kurken

175 cm
22
157 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

170 cm
23
152 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sam Shaw!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Simon Kurken!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shaw moves out of range of the body kick from Kurken.
Kurken shoots in but no luck this time.
Kurken slips a jab and a cross from Shaw.
Kurken pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kurken shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shaw as he jumps to the side.

Shaw changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kurken looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Shaw takes a little break here. Kurken wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kurken tries to bench press Shaw off him but Shaw keeps the position.
Kurken takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Shaw working the strikes but Kurken uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shaw thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kurken wants to improve his position but Shaw is controlling well.

Shaw is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw trying to control from half guard but Kurken is working away.
Shaw stops Kurken from getting back to his feet.
Kurken is refusing to be controlled, as Shaw sits in half guard.
Shaw is really struggling to control Kurken but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shaw fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kurken looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Kurken gets caught flat footed, as Shaw shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw looking to pass the guard.
Kurken looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Kurken is looking for a triangle but Shaw pushes his legs off easily.
Kurken tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shaw stands and throws Kurken's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kurken manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kurken wants to pass to mount but Shaw is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw gets back to full guard.
Shaw is trying to keep Kurken in close.
Shaw lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kurken!

Shaw is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kurken has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kurken!
Kurken is pushing down on Shaw's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shaw is fighting to maintain full guard but Kurken has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kurken is thwarting Shaw's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaw wants to improve his position but Kurken is controlling well.
Kurken looks to land a strike but Shaw avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kurken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shaw swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shaw has control of Kurken's left arm, preventing Kurken from doing any damage.

Kurken drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shaw looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shaw looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shaw!
Shaw passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Kurken!

Shaw jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Kurken is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Kurken and Shaw has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Kurken is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shaw dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kurken shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Shaw counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Kurken feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kurken looking to pass the guard.
Shaw has his hands on Kurken's head, controlling the position.

Kurken is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kurken stopping the sweep attempt from Shaw.
Kurken pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shaw is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw looking for a sweep. Not yet Shaw, not yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shaw lands a body shot.

Kurken gets caught flat footed, as Shaw shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kurken working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Shaw.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kurken escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shaw gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Shaw looking to sit in guard and control but Kurken gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kurken is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw is adopting a defensive guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shaw has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Shaw's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sam Shaw.

Shaw scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sam Shaw overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw wants to control but Kurken is keeping him busy.
Kurken sneaks back into half guard.
Kurken wants to improve his position but Shaw is controlling well.
Shaw is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kurken is looking for a sweep. Shaw is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Shaw is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kurken doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shaw.
Kurken is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shaw trying to control the action but Kurken is working from the bottom.

Shaw is working for a submission of some sort.
Shaw is taking a breather. Kurken says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shaw dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A head kick misses from Kurken.
Shaw lands a jab to the nose.
Shaw avoids the head kick by Kurken.
Kurken throws a right and a left that Shaw avoids nicely.
Simon Kurken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kurken misses with a head kick.
Shaw thuds his right hand into Kurken's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kurken gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kurken takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Shaw bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Shaw throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kurken sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kurken.
Shaw connects with a nice looking jab.

Shaw looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kurken looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shaw is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shaw trying to control the position from guard on top but Kurken is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw throwing strikes but missing.
Kurken 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.
Shaw advances position into side control!
Kurken prevents Shaw from moving into mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Check out the look on Shaw's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Shaw goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kurken rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Shaw's guard! Nice work there by Kurken!
Shaw looking to control.
Shaw keeping full guard, as Kurken tries to pass.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kurken passes into half guard.
Shaw trying to control from the bottom.
Kurken is pressing down on Shaw's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shaw is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kurken is looking for a kimura here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kurken throws a left and a right that both miss
and Shaw counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shaw catches Kurken with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kurken misses with a body kick.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Shaw!
Shaw connects with the punch.
Kurken closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shaw circles away.
Sam Shaw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kurken throws a head kick that misses.
Shaw punishes Kurken's body with a nice straight punch.
Kurken misses with a head kick.
Shaw lands a body shot.
Shaw cracks Kurken with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A jab lands there for Shaw.
Kurken takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kurken dodges the punch combination from Shaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaw dips to his left and cracks Kurken with an uppercut!
Kurken takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Shaw decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Shaw seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kurken does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Shaw with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kurken manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kurken is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shaw defends well.
Kurken keeping full guard, as Shaw tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Shaw clearly takes that round.
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.

Shaw throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shaw avoids a punch combination nicely.

Kurken shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Shaw napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shaw is looking to reverse the position.
Shaw gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Shaw is trying to get back to full guard.

Kurken is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shaw sees it coming and defends easily.

Kurken is trying to work for a kimura but Shaw is defending well.
Shaw controlling the position for now.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw tries to get to full guard but Kurken has control of the leg.
Shaw trying to hold on to Kurken's head to control him but Kurken postures up.
Shaw moves into full guard.
Shaw looking to control.
Shaw keeping full guard, as Kurken tries to pass.
Kurken stopping the sweep attempt from Shaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kurken advances position into side control!
Shaw struggling a bit here.
Kurken works to advance to full mount. Shaw defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

Kurken is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Shaw is surviving well by controlling Kurken's body position as best he can.
Kurken throwing strikes here but Shaw is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Shaw wants to hold on but Kurken pushes him away.
Kurken prevents Shaw from getting the reversal.

Kurken working for a submission but Shaw is keeping him at bay.

Kurken swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Shaw is now in Kurken's guard. A big mistake from Kurken there, giving up the dominant position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaw's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kurken keeping moving, preventing Shaw from controlling successfully.
Shaw trying to move into half guard but instead Kurken has managed to sweep!
Shaw has control of Kurken's left arm, preventing Kurken from doing any damage.
Shaw manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kurken is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Kurken gets back to half guard.
Shaw is trying to control. Kurken wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shaw looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Kurken looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kurken taking some punishment here, with Shaw in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Kurken dominated that fourth round.
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!

Kurken misses with a takedown
and Shaw counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Shaw moves out of range as Kurken strikes.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Shaw.

Shaw tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Shaw has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Shaw wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kurken keeps working.
Kurken tries to improve position but can't.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Kurken is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shaw's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kurken is looking for a sweep. Shaw is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shaw passes to full mount!
Shaw wants to control the pace but Kurken is squirming around nicely.
Kurken is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two 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.
Shaw wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Kurken really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kurken has given up his back here. Will Shaw look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Shaw is riding his opponent, not letting Kurken buck him off.

Shaw is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kurken is defending well though. Shaw let's go of the attempt for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Will Shaw go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Kurken breaks Shaw's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Kurken trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kurken working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shaw seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

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.
Shaw looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kurken is one step ahead there.
Sam Shaw is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shaw wants to control but Kurken passes easily into half guard.
Shaw trying to hold on to Kurken's head to control him but Kurken postures up.
Simon Kurken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shaw won't allow Kurken to pass to mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shaw has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kurken is working away from the top position though.
Shaw keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kurken with the ground and pound but Shaw uses the opportunity to regain guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Shaw showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shaw has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 49:46
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Shaw!
Sam Shaw retains his featherweight title!