PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard Shaffer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Pettis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shaffer
vs
Pettis

202 cm
24
346 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Richard Shaffer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anthony Pettis!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shaffer leaves Pettis with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Pettis fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shaffer avoids it really well and circles away.
Pettis scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pettis darts in looking for a takedown but Shaffer gets double underhooks and turns Pettis into the cage.
Richard Shaffer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Pettis.
Shaffer keeps control of Pettis as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pettis lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Pettis wants a takedown.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Shaffer manages to pull guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Shaffer has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Pettis trying to control but Shaffer is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaffer seems keen to control Pettis's posture.

We're going to have a standup here because Richard Shaffer wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Shaffer moves into the clinch.
Shaffer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shaffer lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Shaffer jumps guard and drags Pettis to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaffer wants to sweep here but Pettis controlling him for the moment.
Pettis must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shaffer has his hands on Pettis's head, controlling the position.
Shaffer tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shaffer trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Shaffer bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pettis's guard.

Pettis is working an open guard so Shaffer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pettis throws a head kick but Shaffer moves out of range.
Shaffer misses with the body kick
and Pettis counters with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pettis.
Pettis looks winded!
Shaffer dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shaffer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Shaffer moves into the clinch.

Shaffer pulls guard successfully.

Shaffer looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Shaffer has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pettis can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shaffer pulls Pettis in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shaffer has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Pettis is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
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!

Shaffer manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shaffer controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shaffer is on top in guard.
Shaffer 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shaffer seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Pettis for as long as he can get away with.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Shaffer dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shaffer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pettis tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Shaffer counters by clinching up.
Shaffer has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Pettis after a bit of a struggle.

Shaffer pulls guard effortlessly.

Shaffer escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pettis gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pettis trying to control the position from guard on top but Shaffer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaffer is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Shaffer uses his free foot to push down on Pettis's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Pettis.
Shaffer sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Pettis tries to hold on but Shaffer postures up.
Shaffer content just to control the position here.
Pettis keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Pettis is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaffer controlling from mount.

Shaffer is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Pettis can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Pettis is arching his back trying to strike from the bottom but Shaffer turns him over and now has his back.
Shaffer biding his time, controlling Pettis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shaffer is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Pettis knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Pettis for a finish.
Pettis really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shaffer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Shaffer is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Pettis has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Shaffer is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pettis is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Shaffer gets his way!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Pettis defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Shaffer's arms.
Shaffer missing with strikes from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Shaffer dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shaffer shoots in but Pettis avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Shaffer has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pettis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Pettis has eaten all the pies!
Pettis jumps guard but Shaffer turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Shaffer tries to break the clinch but Pettis is controlling the position.
Pettis tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A frustrated look appears on Pettis's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pettis is trying to drag Shaffer to the mat but Shaffer just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Richard Shaffer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Pettis.
Pettis tries to break free but Shaffer pushes him back against the cage.
Pettis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shaffer walks away with a smile on his face. Pettis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shaffer throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Pettis tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shaffer is in Pettis's guard.
Pettis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Shaffer drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shaffer jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shaffer stays in close to Pettis's body and controls the position.

Shaffer gets to his feet. Pettis looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Pettis shoots in but Shaffer avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Pettis gets caught flat footed, as Shaffer shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaffer controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shaffer throws a big elbow that misses.
Shaffer advances position into side control!
Shaffer throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Shaffer controlling the position.
Shaffer moves into full mount!
Pettis is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaffer takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Shaffer wants to finish this one by submission but Pettis is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Shaffer.
Shaffer controlling his opponent.
Pettis avoids a series of strikes thrown by Shaffer.
Pettis avoids a series of strikes thrown by Shaffer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pettis has given up his back here. Will Shaffer look for the submission or keep pounding away?
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

Shaffer looking to break Pettis's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Pettis remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Shaffer will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Shaffer missing with punches from the back.
Pettis is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shaffer somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Richard Shaffer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shaffer 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Shaffer!