PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tj Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Sifreddi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sifreddi has chosen I'm too sexy as his entrance music. Rocco Sifreddi will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Shields
vs
Sifreddi

167 cm
27
147 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
147 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Fury Nutrition Inc.
Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tj Shields!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rocco Sifreddi!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sifreddi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Shields's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sifreddi distracts Shields with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shields trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Sifreddi throwing strikes from guard but Shields blocks nicely.
Shields thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Sifreddi throws a big right hand that misses.
Shields trying to strike off his back.
Sifreddi looking to pass the guard.
Sifreddi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Shields avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sifreddi tries to free his leg and advance position but Shields is retaining full guard.
Sifreddi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sifreddi wants to stand but Shields is controlling his posture from full guard.
Shields 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.
Sifreddi prevents Shields from getting back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sifreddi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sifreddi is looking to work some ground and pound but Shields has wrist control.
Sifreddi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shields is keeping the position for now.
Sifreddi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shields's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sifreddi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sifreddi wants to control from the top but Shields keeps moving.
Sifreddi preventing the sweep.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sifreddi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Sifreddi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sifreddi is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Sifreddi is looking to work some ground and pound but Shields has wrist control.

Shields has his foot on Sifreddi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sifreddi works his way back into a safe position though.
Sifreddi throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sifreddi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Shields is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sifreddi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sifreddi passes Shields's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sifreddi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sifreddi frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sifreddi lands a big elbow.
Shields is wriggling around trying to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shields takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Sifreddi pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sifreddi lands a couple of good shots and Shields has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Shields is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Shields is taking damage to the body and head.
Sifreddi lands with a hammerfist to the side of Shields's head.
Shields rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Sifreddi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Sifreddi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Shields with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sifreddi is trying to control the action in half guard but Shields is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sifreddi passes to side control.
Sifreddi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Shields some visible discomfort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sifreddi connects with a decent elbow.
Sifreddi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shields keeps working.
Shields is looking to regain half guard here but Sifreddi keeps moving and retains side control.
Sifreddi scores with punches from side control.
Sifreddi advances nicely into full mount.
Shields is working to get back to half guard.
Shields manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Shields might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sifreddi trying to mount his opponent but Shields defends it.

Shields looking for submissions off his back.
Sifreddi winds up and cracks Shields with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sifreddi trying to mount his opponent but Shields defends it.
Shields tries to roll over but Sifreddi keeps him under control.
Sifreddi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shields defending well though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shields taking some punishment here, with Sifreddi in his half guard.
Sifreddi winds up and cracks Shields with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sifreddi working Shields over with strikes.
Sifreddi trying to mount his opponent but Shields defends it.
Shields is pressing down on Sifreddi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Shields keeping moving, preventing Sifreddi from controlling successfully.
Sifreddi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shields's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sifreddi throwing shots but Shields is blocking nicely.
Sifreddi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shields moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Shields is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sifreddi defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Sifreddi dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sifreddi lands a nice shot to the body.
Shields takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice sprawl there from Shields as Sifreddi shoots in.
Sifreddi misses with a wild body shot.
Sifreddi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shields circles away quickly and effectively.
Sifreddi throws a sloppy head kick and Shields moves out of range easily.
Shields takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sifreddi swings for the body but Shields moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sifreddi scores with a jab. Shields acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sifreddi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shields was well out of range. Poor timing from Sifreddi.
Sifreddi looks to score with a jab to the body but Shields is just out of range.
Rocco Sifreddi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sifreddi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sifreddi just misses with a punch to the body.
Sifreddi throws a series of punches but Shields avoids them all with ease.
Sifreddi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shields displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sifreddi.
Shields takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sifreddi.
Sifreddi scores with a head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sifreddi jabs Shields to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sifreddi throws a hook but Shields blocks it.
Sifreddi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Shields rather than just go for the knockout.
Sifreddi throws a body punch but Shields moves out of range.
Sifreddi swings for the body but Shields moves out of range.
Sifreddi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sifreddi throws a one two combo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sifreddi. Shields does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sifreddi fails with an attempt to clinch.

Sifreddi closes the distance and clinches.
Sifreddi prevents the takedown attempt.
Sifreddi lands a nice uppercut.
Sifreddi lands a shoulder strike.
Shields tries to score a body lock takedown but Sifreddi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shields drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sifreddi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tj Shields. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shields wants to take the fight to the mat but Sifreddi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shields changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sifreddi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sifreddi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Sifreddi.

Sifreddi clinches with his opponent.
Sifreddi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shields avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Shields has clasped his hands together around Sifreddi's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sifreddi is looking to reverse the position.
Sifreddi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Shields's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sifreddi wants to sweep but Shields has passed to side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sifreddi wants to control but Shields postures up.
Shields lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Sifreddi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sifreddi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shields manages to avoid it.
Sifreddi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Sifreddi clinches with his opponent.
Sifreddi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sifreddi is trying to stall.
Shields is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sifreddi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A short left from Sifreddi.
Shields is trying to drag Sifreddi to the mat but Sifreddi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sifreddi is pressed up against the cage. Shields has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sifreddi down to the mat. Sifreddi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tj Shields. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sifreddi connects with a right hand. Shields shakes it off.
Sifreddi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sifreddi jabs Shields to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sifreddi throws a body punch but Shields moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sifreddi throws a sloppy head kick and Shields moves out of range easily.
Sifreddi scores with a nice right hand.
Sifreddi lands with an uppercut that bounces Shields off the cage and back into range.

Sifreddi gets a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sifreddi.
A right hook to the body lands for Sifreddi.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sifreddi tries to throw a body punch but Shields avoids it by throwing Sifreddi back against the cage.
Sifreddi lands a shoulder strike.

Sifreddi turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Sifreddi lands an elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shields gets back to half guard.
Sifreddi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shields looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Shields wants to improve his position but Sifreddi is controlling well.
Sifreddi drops an elbow to the side of Shields's head.
Sifreddi working the head and body with strikes.
Shields taking some punishment here, with Sifreddi in his half guard.
Sifreddi working Shields over with strikes.
Sifreddi trying to pass the guard but Shields defending well.
Shields throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Shields slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Shields is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sifreddi wants to improve his position but Shields is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sifreddi trying to control here.
Sifreddi wants to improve his position but Shields is controlling well.
Shields is thwarting Sifreddi's attempts to control the position.
Tj Shields has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sifreddi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Shields scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sifreddi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rocco Sifreddi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sifreddi is pulling down on Shields's head. It's preventing any offense from Shields, at least for the moment.
Sifreddi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Shields postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sifreddi is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Shields, into his guard.
Rocco Sifreddi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sifreddi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shields looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Shields has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sifreddi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sifreddi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocco Sifreddi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sifreddi 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocco Sifreddi!
During a confident post fight interview, Rocco Sifreddi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.