PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between LaVern Shirley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derek Laplaglia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). LaVern Shirley has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Shirley
vs
Laplaglia

170 cm
34
152 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

170 cm
21
153 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, LaVern Shirley!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Derek Laplaglia!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirley throws a combination that misses

and Laplaglia counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shirley lands a right hand.
Shirley working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Laplaglia swings wildly with an uppercut but Shirley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Laplaglia working aggressively here.
Shirley blocks an elbow strike from Laplaglia.
Shirley lands a damaging elbow.
Shirley lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Laplaglia goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shirley effectively controlling the action here.
Shirley is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shirley is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Laplaglia gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Shirley lands a takedown into guard.
Shirley wants to pass the guard but Laplaglia is keeping the position.

Shirley drops back looking for a leg! Laplaglia is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Laplaglia manages to kick Shirley off! Shirley jumps back into Laplaglia's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shirley drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shirley jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirley preventing the sweep.
Shirley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shirley has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Shirley won't allow Laplaglia to get back to his feet.
Shirley throwing strikes but missing.
Shirley throws a big right hand that misses.
Shirley throwing strikes but missing.
Laplaglia really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shirley. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shirley with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirley scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shirley looking to pass the guard.
Shirley sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Laplaglia's guard.

Shirley maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Laplaglia could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Shirley has cracked it and Laplaglia is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Shirley!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). LaVern Shirley!
LaVern Shirley retains his lightweight title!