PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dontae Sheldon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pol Cuaresma Iiii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sheldon kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Salmon Song. The crowd seem to be enjoying Cuaresma Iiii's choice of entrance music: All of the lights!. Dontae Sheldon has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Sheldon
vs
Cuaresma Iiii

175 cm
27
149 lbs
21 - 6 - 0

160 cm
25
140 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dontae Sheldon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pol Cuaresma Iiii!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheldon keeps the fight on the outside.
Sheldon lands a nice shot to the body.
Sheldon misses with a low kick as Cuaresma Iiii jumps back.
Cuaresma Iiii is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cuaresma Iiii is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sheldon seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Cuaresma Iiii wants to clinch
and Sheldon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Cuaresma Iiii instigates a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Cuaresma Iiii.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cuaresma Iiii.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cuaresma Iiii can't find room to land a body shot as Sheldon controls the action.
Cuaresma Iiii digs a right hand into Sheldon's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sheldon's gas tank.
Sheldon has a couple of punches blocked by Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii has Sheldon pressed against the cage, preventing Sheldon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sheldon misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sheldon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuaresma Iiii throws a punch but it's blocked by Sheldon.
Cuaresma Iiii doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cuaresma Iiii scores with a shoulder strike.
Sheldon has a couple of punches blocked by Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to throw a body punch but Sheldon avoids it by throwing Cuaresma Iiii back against the cage.
Cuaresma Iiii blocks an uppercut.
Sheldon throws a head punch that misses.
Sheldon tries a body shot but Cuaresma Iiii blocks it.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a left to the head.
Sheldon lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Sheldon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cuaresma Iiii has him pressed against the cage.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a hook from the clinch.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cuaresma Iiii goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sheldon misses with the head strike.
A short right from Cuaresma Iiii on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cuaresma Iiii blocks a body shot from Sheldon.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sheldon or not.
Cuaresma Iiii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sheldon's elbow.
Cuaresma Iiii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sheldon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cuaresma Iiii swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sheldon jumps guard but Cuaresma Iiii stands there with Sheldon around his waist. Sheldon gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sheldon.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii throws a head punch that misses.
Sheldon blocks a body shot from Cuaresma Iiii.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Cuaresma Iiii.
Sheldon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Sheldon blocks a body shot from Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a left to the head.
Cuaresma Iiii is leaning against Sheldon and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a right to the head.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to work over Sheldon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sheldon or not.
Cuaresma Iiii can't find room to land a body shot as Sheldon controls the action.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short uppercut from Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with some punches.
Sheldon tries to pull guard but Cuaresma Iiii won't allow it.
Sheldon jumps guard but Cuaresma Iiii turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dontae Sheldon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Sheldon's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cuaresma Iiii prevents a body shot from Sheldon.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Cuaresma Iiii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sheldon's elbow.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a body punch.
Sheldon misses with a body punch.
Sheldon blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sheldon blocking some punches.
Cuaresma Iiii blocking some punches.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a hook that snaps the head of Sheldon backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sheldon.
Cuaresma Iiii scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right from Sheldon on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sheldon backwards.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a light punch inside.
Cuaresma Iiii working aggressively here.
Cuaresma Iiii tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cuaresma Iiii working aggressively here.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a right to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sheldon creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sheldon backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pol Cuaresma Iiii dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cuaresma Iiii wants to clinch up but Sheldon keeps it at a distance.
Pol Cuaresma Iiii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sheldon takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Good work by Cuaresma Iiii as he checks the leg kick.
Cuaresma Iiii takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Cuaresma Iiii checks the leg kick nicely there.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sheldon swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cuaresma Iiii moves in looking to clinch but Sheldon pushes him off.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sheldon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sheldon cracks Cuaresma Iiii with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheldon looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to close the distance and clinch but Sheldon swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cuaresma Iiii fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cuaresma Iiii's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sheldon connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cuaresma Iiii scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Cuaresma Iiii scores with a four punch combination!

Cuaresma Iiii forces Sheldon back against the cage and clinches.
A right handed body shot lands from Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii can't find room to land a body shot as Sheldon controls the action.
Cuaresma Iiii lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Cuaresma Iiii in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a body punch in the clinch.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to throw a body punch but Sheldon avoids it by throwing Cuaresma Iiii back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Cuaresma Iiii.
Sheldon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cuaresma Iiii just stands there and leans against the cage.
Cuaresma Iiii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sheldon's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Cuaresma Iiii fails to land.
Cuaresma Iiii swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sheldon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cuaresma Iiii tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuaresma Iiii can't find room to land a body shot as Sheldon controls the action.
A right hook to the body lands for Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cuaresma Iiii misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii throws a head punch that misses.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nice body punch from Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii has Sheldon pressed against the cage, preventing Sheldon from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch on the inside from Cuaresma Iiii fails to land.
A short left from Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to throw a body punch but Sheldon avoids it by throwing Cuaresma Iiii back against the cage.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a punch to the body.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cuaresma Iiii scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cuaresma Iiii gets through Sheldon's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Cuaresma Iiii tries a body shot but Sheldon blocks it.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pol Cuaresma Iiii seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sheldon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Cuaresma Iiii - that landed with a thud.
Cuaresma Iiii works on Sheldon's body with a couple of short punches.

Sheldon pulls guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cuaresma Iiii's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Cuaresma Iiii is looking to work some ground and pound but Sheldon has wrist control.

Cuaresma Iiii postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sheldon is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cuaresma Iiii, into his guard.

Sheldon being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuaresma Iiii looking to control.
Cuaresma Iiii has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Cuaresma Iiii looking for subs off his back but Sheldon has passed one foot through into half guard.
Cuaresma Iiii is trying is best to control the position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pol Cuaresma Iiii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sheldon swats away the attempt to clinch by Cuaresma Iiii.
Sheldon throws a low kick, looking for Cuaresma Iiii's leg but Cuaresma Iiii calmly moves out of range.
Cuaresma Iiii is looking to clinch.
Sheldon connects with a right hand. Cuaresma Iiii shakes it off.
Cuaresma Iiii checks a low kick from Sheldon.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cuaresma Iiii looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sheldon misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cuaresma Iiii doesn't manage to clinch there - Sheldon circles away.
Sheldon wants to land a leg kick but Cuaresma Iiii is out of range.
Sheldon lands a head shot.
Sheldon throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheldon catches Cuaresma Iiii with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sheldon is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Sheldon lands with a good body shot.

Cuaresma Iiii gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sheldon backwards.
Cuaresma Iiii pushes Sheldon back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Cuaresma Iiii fails to land.
Cuaresma Iiii struggles to land a body shot inside as Sheldon controls his hands.
Cuaresma Iiii keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sheldon's efforts to push away.
A head punch on the inside from Cuaresma Iiii fails to land.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a nice uppercut.
Cuaresma Iiii is leaning against Sheldon and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Cuaresma Iiii can't find room to land a body shot as Sheldon controls the action.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheldon blocking some punches.
Cuaresma Iiii has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to work over Sheldon's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sheldon jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cuaresma Iiii walks away with a smile on his face. Sheldon gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sheldon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch but Sheldon moves out of range.

Cuaresma Iiii fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sheldon, pushing him back against the cage.
Sheldon blocks an uppercut.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a right hand.
Cuaresma Iiii lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sheldon backwards.
Cuaresma Iiii doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sheldon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cuaresma Iiii tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sheldon's elbow.
Cuaresma Iiii working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Sheldon manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Cuaresma Iiii stands and steps away. Sheldon gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cuaresma Iiii has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Cuaresma Iiii.
Cuaresma Iiii misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Cuaresma Iiii scores with a nice short uppercut.
A hook to the body from Cuaresma Iiii.
Sheldon tries to throw a body punch but Cuaresma Iiii avoids it by throwing Sheldon back against the cage.
Sheldon blocks a body shot from Cuaresma Iiii.
Sheldon's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sheldon is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cuaresma Iiii to keep the fight standing.
Sheldon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sheldon jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cuaresma Iiii walks away with a smile on his face. Sheldon gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dontae Sheldon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sheldon scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cuaresma Iiii is looking to clinch but Sheldon is avoiding it.
Sheldon fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sheldon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sheldon lands a body shot.
Cuaresma Iiii takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cuaresma Iiii takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cuaresma Iiii is looking to clinch.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sheldon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dontae Sheldon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch up.
Cuaresma Iiii tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sheldon manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sheldon.
Sheldon catches Cuaresma Iiii with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Pol Cuaresma Iiii is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sheldon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Cuaresma Iiii ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dontae Sheldon.
I think Cuaresma Iiii has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pol Cuaresma Iiii!
Pol Cuaresma Iiii seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.