PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karvaranteiden Kuningas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shields
vs
Kuningas

191 cm
27
217 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

200 cm
25
218 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Skinshop (LOTS OF GIF`S!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mike Shields!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Karvaranteiden Kuningas!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shields closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Shields is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shields is keen to just control but Kuningas is a slippery customer.
Shields 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.
Shields trying to control the action but Kuningas is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shields wants to pass the guard but Kuningas is defending well.
Kuningas trying to hold on to Shields's head to control him but Shields postures up.

Kuningas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shields thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuningas's head.
Shields trying to control from half guard but Kuningas is working away.

Kuningas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kuningas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Shields bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Shields wants to control but Kuningas is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuningas takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Shields creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kuningas sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Kuningas is trying to buck Shields off.
Shields wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kuningas keeps working.
Shields is really struggling to control Kuningas but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Shields seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Shields lands some shots froms side control.
Shields lands a decent elbow from side control.
Shields scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Kuningas to see if he's OK.
Kuningas is looking for a sweep.
Shields is chipping away with strikes.
Shields working the body and head with strikes.
Kuningas is not content to let Shields control the position.
Kuningas struggling a bit here.
Shields is working Kuningas over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kuningas can't do much from the bottom here.
Kuningas takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields working the body and head with strikes.
Shields in side control lands a decent elbow.
You can see the frustration on Kuningas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kuningas taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kuningas struggling a bit here.
Shields is working Kuningas over with some ground and pound from side control.
Shields throws a strike aimed at the side of Kuningas's head but Kuningas avoids it well.
Shields creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Shields cracks Kuningas with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kuningas on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Shields lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kuningas regains half guard, as Shields was trying to land strikes.
Shields drops an elbow to the side of Kuningas's head.
Kuningas is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuningas trying to hold on to Shields's head to control him but Shields postures up.
Shields trying to control the action but Kuningas is working from the bottom.
Shields thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shields lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shields lands with a punch from half guard.
Shields tries to pass to full mount but Kuningas defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Shields dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shields is looking to slow Kuningas down with leg kicks.
Karvaranteiden Kuningas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shields throws a sloppy head kick and Kuningas moves out of range easily.
Shields misses with a hook. Kuningas ducked under it nicely.
Shields uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuningas.

Shields darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Kuningas looking for submissions off his back.
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Shields takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kuningas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shields.
Shields thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuningas's head.
Kuningas is looking to improve his position.
Kuningas tries to kick Shields off but Shields keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Shields thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kuningas to regain full guard.
Shields trying to control but Kuningas is working from the bottom.
Shields throwing strikes but missing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shields shoots in but no luck this time.
Kuningas throws a big shot that misses.

Shields closes the distance and pushes Kuningas back into the cage.
Shields changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuningas fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kuningas cracks Shields with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Shields steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuningas.
Kuningas blocks a head kick by Shields.
Kuningas scores with the left hand. Shields knows he should have avoided that one.
Kuningas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Shields shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Shields was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields with the ground and pound from mount.
Kuningas can't escape the position.
Shields fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Shields lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Shields with good strikes from the mount here!
Kuningas sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuningas wants to control but Shields is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shields thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kuningas works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kuningas is breathing heavily.

Kuningas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kuningas 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.
Shields landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuningas working for a triangle but Shields defends it easily.

Kuningas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shields defends it easily.
Shields wants to control from the top but Kuningas keeps moving.
Shields trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shields connects with a couple of short punches.
Shields trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shields passes Kuningas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kuningas is trying to get back to full guard.
Shields stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuningas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shields.
Kuningas is staying active underneath Shields, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kuningas is trying to control but can't.
Shields working the head and body with strikes.
Shields takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kuningas trying to control but Shields postures up.
Shields is nestled in close to Kuningas, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuningas wants to improve his position but Shields is controlling well.
Shields working over Kuningas with some ground and pound. Kuningas looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Shields is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Shields dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kuningas blocks the body kick.
Shields moves in looking to clinch but Kuningas pushes him off.

Shields feints and as Kuningas raises his hands in defense, Shields changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kuningas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Shields works over Kuningas with some ground and pound from guard.
Shields trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuningas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shields in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuningas keeping moving, preventing Shields from controlling successfully.
Shields throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kuningas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuningas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuningas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shields 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.
Shields cracks Kuningas with a solid left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shields tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kuningas swivels and escapes.
Kuningas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Shields shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kuningas napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Shields lands some shots froms side control.
Kuningas struggling a bit here.
Shields controlling the position from side mount.
Kuningas manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Kuningas actively working from the bottom here.
Shields 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.

Kuningas looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Shields takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kuningas manages to get to full guard.
Shields makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kuningas keeping full guard, as Shields tries to pass.

Kuningas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shields is aware though and is defending well.
Shields's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Shields chips away with some ground and pound.
Kuningas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shields is one step ahead there.
Shields tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuningas is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields is looking to work some ground and pound but Kuningas has wrist control.
Shields controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shields makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shields is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Shields won't allow Kuningas to sweep him here.
Kuningas is trying to keep Shields in close.
Shields has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shields working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kuningas keeping moving, preventing Shields from controlling successfully.

Kuningas has an active guard here but Shields has managed to pass into half guard.
Mike Shields is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shields is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuningas can do to turn this around?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields is taking a breather. Kuningas 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.
Karvaranteiden Kuningas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shields slips a nice elbow through Kuningas's hands, connecting with Kuningas's forehead.
Ground and pound from Shields.
Kuningas wants to control but Shields is keeping busy.
Shields content to control rather than advance.
Kuningas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shields is working away from the top position though.
Shields is trying to control. Kuningas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Shields showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shields, 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Shields!