PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rickson Paiva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rusty Shackleford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paiva comes to the cage accompanied by 2001 : Oddysey. Rickson Paiva had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 186.9lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Rickson Paiva could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rusty Shackleford's chin.

Paiva
vs
Shackleford

180 cm
22
195 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

184 cm
22
184 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rickson Paiva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rusty Shackleford!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paiva changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shackleford tries to avoid it but Paiva manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shackleford to the ground. Shackleford escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paiva fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Shackleford as Paiva shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rickson Paiva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shackleford throws a head kick that misses.
Shackleford throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Paiva.

It looks like Rickson Paiva has been cut.

Paiva scores with a takedown into Shackleford's guard.
Paiva throws and elbow that misses. Shackleford uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Paiva's guard. Nice move by Shackleford!

Shackleford gets to his feet - Paiva follows without any prompting.
Rusty Shackleford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paiva showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shackleford.
Shackleford throws a right hand that Paiva ducks under and follows up with a left that Paiva also avoids with ease.
Paiva shoots for a takedown but Shackleford saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A head kick misses from Shackleford.

Paiva closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shackleford to the mat! Shackleford manages to get full guard.
Paiva is breathing heavily.
Shackleford wants to stand up but Paiva is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paiva tries to free his leg and advance position but Shackleford is retaining full guard.
Shackleford is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Paiva wants to improve his position but Shackleford is controlling well.
Shackleford trying to control the action but Paiva is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shackleford perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Paiva tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Shackleford has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shackleford tries to control but Paiva wriggling away.
Paiva bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Shackleford is looking to stand up but Paiva isn't so interested in that idea.

Paiva is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Shackleford is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Shackleford has escaped and now he's on top!
Paiva looking for a sweep. Not yet Paiva, not yet.

Paiva working for a triangle but Shackleford defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shackleford is posturing up here but Paiva has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Shackleford tries to roll out but it's too tight and Shackleford has to tap! Slick submission there by Paiva!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rickson Paiva!