PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between rahsheed shakur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chuck Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). rahsheed shakur has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

shakur
vs
Bird

190 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

196 cm
20
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Dangerous GnP
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, rahsheed shakur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chuck Bird!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Lou da Vinci and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
shakur is looking to clinch but Bird is avoiding it.
Bird closes the distance and clinches up with shakur, looking for a takedown. Bird pushes shakur against the cage but shakur circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
shakur is looking to clinch.

Bird looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
shakur trying to hold on to Bird's head to control him but Bird postures up.
shakur on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bird 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.
Bird takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bird 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.
shakur manages to get to full guard.
Bird throwing strikes but missing.
shakur looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
shakur is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
shakur working a defensive guard here.
Bird really doesn't want to stay on the ground with shakur. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bird is looking to work some ground and pound but shakur has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bird accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
shakur trying to keep a closed guard but Bird is proving a slippery customer.
Bird must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
shakur will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
shakur fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Bird shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bird looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
shakur is looking to improve his position.
Bird lands strikes from half guard.
shakur is breathing heavily.
Bird is thwarting shakur's attempts to control the position.
shakur wants to get back to full guard.
Bird slips a nice elbow through shakur's hands, connecting with shakur's forehead.
Bird passes to full mount!
Bird is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. shakur can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Bird with shots to the head and body - shakur looks very uncomfortable down there.
Bird landing strikes, looking to finish!
Bird postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. shakur looks a forlorn figure.
shakur slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
shakur wants to get back to full guard.
shakur is trying to stand up here but Bird is controlling him well.
Bird 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.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bird connects with a nice short shot to shakur's temple.
shakur is trying to maintain the position but Bird is very close to passing his half guard.
shakur is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bird scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bird connects with a nice short shot to shakur's temple.
shakur keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Bird slips a nice elbow through shakur's hands, connecting with shakur's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bird thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
shakur has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bird is working away from the top position though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bird connects with a nice short shot to shakur's temple.
Bird blocks the strikes from shakur.
Bird tries to pass the half guard into mount. shakur knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
shakur is trying to stand up here but Bird is controlling him well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
shakur tries for a takedown but Bird circles away easily

and Bird counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for shakur!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for rahsheed shakur. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bird lands a big shot there that rocks shakur but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
shakur is looking to improve his position but Bird isn't that keen on the idea.
Bird lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Bird dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bird darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
shakur trying to control from the bottom.
shakur slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
shakur seems keen to control Bird's posture.
shakur working a defensive guard here.
Bird scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bird is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.
shakur throws a couple of heel strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
shakur throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Bird lands a couple of elbows.
Bird pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. shakur is keeping the position for now.
shakur looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bird takes a decent strike to the side of the head.
Bird landing some decent shots from guard.
shakur is trying to control the position from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
shakur throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
shakur closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bird circles away.
Bird takes a swing at shakur's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Bird closes the distance and clinches.
shakur gets underhooks to prevent Bird's takedown attempt.
shakur is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bird pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Bird gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, shakur regains guard.
Bird wants to pass the guard but shakur is keeping the position.
Bird in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
shakur 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.
Chuck Bird has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bird is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bird with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bird throws and elbow that misses. shakur uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bird's guard. Nice move by shakur!
Bird trying to strike off his back.
Bird looking to hit a scissor sweep but shakur is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bird keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for rahsheed shakur. That's going to take a lot out of him.
shakur looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Bird closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bird lands in his opponent's guard.
Bird keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of shakur's head.
Bird stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. shakur swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bird advances to half guard.
shakur is looking for a sweep. Bird is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird drops an elbow to the side of shakur's head.
shakur is looking for a sweep. Bird is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bird wants to pass the guard but shakur is defending well.
Bird missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nice strikes from Bird there.

shakur is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Bird pulls his head out easily.
Bird working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on shakur's thigh. shakur counters though and makes it back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
shakur circles away from the clinch attempt
and Bird takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

shakur has managed to clinch.
shakur crunches a lovely knee into Bird's ribcage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chuck Bird showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bird tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but shakur swivels and escapes.
shakur tries to clinch up but Bird circles away and keeps his distance.

shakur drives through and clinches with Bird against the cage.
shakur gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bird.

shakur successfully pulls guard.
Bird won't allow shakur to sweep him here.
shakur is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bird is controlling him.
shakur looking for a sweep. Not yet shakur, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bird tries to free his leg and advance position but shakur is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
shakur is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bird misses with a takedown

and shakur counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by shakur.
rahsheed shakur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chuck Bird.
shakur is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bird drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bird goes for a takedown in the clinch but shakur prevents it.
shakur tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bird is trying to work for a single leg takedown but shakur pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Bird is working for takedown but shakur is calmly controlling the position for now.

shakur pulls guard.
shakur looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

shakur scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Chuck Bird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
shakur tries to clinch but Bird is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bird shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
shakur controls Bird momentarily but Bird frees himself.
shakur lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Bird!
shakur is looking to stand but shakur has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Bird tries to reverse the position but shakur maintains control.

shakur looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Bird tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird has given up his back.

shakur is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Bird is defending well though. shakur let's go of the attempt for now.
Oooh a big shot gets through from shakur. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
shakur controlling well, preventing Bird from escaping the position.
Bird is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bird is taking damage to the body and head.
Bird tries to escape the position.
Bird breaks shakur's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
shakur is looking to stand up but Bird isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
shakur with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bird counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ground and pound from Bird.
shakur trying to control but Bird postures up.
shakur on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bird wants to free his trapped foot but shakur is holding on for dear life with his legs.
shakur is looking to improve his position.
Bird lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
rahsheed shakur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

shakur actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chuck Bird.
I've got Bird winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chuck Bird!