PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Will McKenzie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Shelby (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.

McKenzie
vs
Shelby

178 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Will McKenzie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy Shelby!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Jonathan Paton and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McKenzie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McKenzie keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shelby's efforts to push away.
Shelby tries to throw a body punch but McKenzie avoids it by throwing Shelby back against the cage.
Shelby leaning his opponent against the cage.
Shelby wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shelby throws a head punch that misses.
McKenzie looking to throw knees to the head but Shelby is blocking nicely.
Shelby throws a head punch that misses.
McKenzie misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shelby is trying to maintain a safe position but McKenzie gets an underhook and turns Shelby into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shelby wants to get back to striking at distance but McKenzie won't allow it.
McKenzie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shelby tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shelby tries to stall but McKenzie uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McKenzie using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shelby has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
McKenzie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McKenzie looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelby fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McKenzie looking to throw knees to the head but Shelby is blocking nicely.
McKenzie tries to pull guard but Shelby holds him up against the cage and eventually McKenzie drops back down to his feet.
McKenzie tries a knee to the head but Shelby blocks it.
McKenzie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shelby smiles and moves away.
Shelby swats away the attempt to clinch by McKenzie.
Shelby swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McKenzie tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Shelby counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McKenzie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shelby swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McKenzie takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

McKenzie moves into the clinch.
Shelby wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
McKenzie blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McKenzie misses with a knee to the head.
McKenzie blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shelby pushes McKenzie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shelby tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McKenzie fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will McKenzie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelby misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shelby lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down McKenzie.
McKenzie tries to land a knee to the head but Shelby blocks with his arms.
McKenzie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shelby throws a head punch that misses.
McKenzie tries for a takedown but Shelby manages to get underhooks.
Shelby trying to control the position but instead, McKenzie has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shelby into the cage.
Shelby misses with a hook to the ribs.
McKenzie tries a knee to the head but Shelby blocks it.
McKenzie throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shelby blocks it with crossed arms.
Shelby working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie landing knees to the head.
McKenzie tries a knee to the head but Shelby blocks it.
McKenzie is breathing heavily.
McKenzie is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Shelby is keeping busy.
McKenzie looking to throw knees to the head but Shelby is blocking nicely.
Shelby works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
McKenzie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shelby misses with a punch on the inside.
McKenzie looking to throw knees to the head but Shelby is blocking nicely.
Shelby lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A right hand to the body from Shelby.
Shelby lands with a light punch inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Shelby.
The referee is keeping an eye on Shelby - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Shelby receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Shelby has a couple of punches blocked by McKenzie.
McKenzie tries to land a knee to the head but Shelby blocks with his arms.
Shelby misses with some punches.
McKenzie throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby can't break the clinch.
McKenzie prevents a body shot from Shelby.
Shelby lands with a short shot to the head.
Shelby is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shelby on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shelby.
Shelby tries a body shot but McKenzie blocks it.
Shelby tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McKenzie's elbow.
Shelby is pressed up against the cage. McKenzie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shelby down to the mat. Shelby avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Shelby moves into range and clinches up with McKenzie.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Shelby throws a head punch that misses.
McKenzie looking to throw knees to the head but Shelby is blocking nicely.
McKenzie trying to stall but Shelby improves his position.
Shelby manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Shelby dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shelby lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
McKenzie wants to clinch up but Shelby keeps it at a distance.

Shelby clinches.
Shelby can't find room to land a body shot as McKenzie controls the action.
Shelby lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shelby trying to control the position but instead, McKenzie has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shelby into the cage.
McKenzie gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shelby blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shelby tries a body shot but McKenzie blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knees to the body from McKenzie.
McKenzie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McKenzie prevents Shelby from breaking the clinch.
Shelby stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Tommy Shelby seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenzie is working for takedown but Shelby is calmly controlling the position for now.
Shelby wants to stall.
McKenzie with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McKenzie is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shelby throws a head punch that misses.
Shelby fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McKenzie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McKenzie throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shelby blocks it with crossed arms.
Shelby blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shelby lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shelby's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A short body shot lands from Shelby as the two fighters clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shelby stalling in the clinch.

McKenzie manages to pull guard.
Shelby slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Shelby trying to control but McKenzie is working from the bottom.
McKenzie is trying to keep Shelby in close.
Shelby won't allow McKenzie to sweep him here.
Shelby has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shelby wants to control from the top but McKenzie keeps moving.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
McKenzie working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Will McKenzie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McKenzie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shelby manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McKenzie tries to close the distance and clinch but Shelby swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It seemed like Shelby was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
McKenzie wants to clinch up but Shelby keeps it at a distance.
Shelby misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McKenzie.
Shelby rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McKenzie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shelby swings for the body but McKenzie moves out of range.
Shelby scores with a nice head shot.
Shelby tries to bum rush McKenzie with a series of wild strikes but McKenzie uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shelby throws a lazy right hand but McKenzie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shelby scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. McKenzie doesn't seem bothered though.
McKenzie takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
McKenzie tries to clinch but Shelby is having none of it.
Shelby cracks McKenzie with an open hand slap.
McKenzie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shelby.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McKenzie tries to clinch up but Shelby circles away and keeps his distance.
McKenzie tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McKenzie tries to clinch but Shelby moves out of range.
Shelby throws the left hand but McKenzie avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Shelby showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Shelby misses with a straight left.
It looked like McKenzie was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Will McKenzie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McKenzie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shelby manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shelby waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McKenzie.
It looked like McKenzie was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Shelby throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McKenzie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McKenzie throws a head kick that Shelby semi-blocks.
McKenzie showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shelby.
McKenzie doesn't manage to clinch there - Shelby circles away.
Shelby lands a nice looking body shot.
Shelby keeps the fight on the outside.
McKenzie is looking to clinch but Shelby is avoiding it.
Nice shot by Shelby.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McKenzie keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shelby.
McKenzie tries to close the distance and clinch but Shelby swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McKenzie tries to clinch up but Shelby circles away and keeps his distance.
Shelby tries to counter by closing the distance.
McKenzie takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
McKenzie wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKenzie wants to clinch.
McKenzie takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Shelby works McKenzie's body with a nice hook.
McKenzie is looking to clinch.
McKenzie doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shelby lands a head shot.
Shelby takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McKenzie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jab, jab by Shelby - just one landing.
McKenzie throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shelby works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Shelby misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McKenzie.
Shelby lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McKenzie circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
McKenzie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shelby manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McKenzie is looking to clinch.
McKenzie lands a nice looking body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - McKenzie looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shelby just misses with a punch to the body.
Shelby tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McKenzie blocks a jab.
Shelby stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McKenzie moves in looking to clinch but Shelby pushes him off.
McKenzie tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shelby swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shelby avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McKenzie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shelby manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A punch lands to the side of McKenzie 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Shelby rushes McKenzie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Shelby.
Shelby misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shelby misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shelby swings wildly with an uppercut but McKenzie uses good head movement to avoid it.
McKenzie blocking some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Shelby.
McKenzie tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
McKenzie connects with a knee to the head.
McKenzie jumps guard but Shelby stands there with McKenzie around his waist. McKenzie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McKenzie can't find room to land a body shot as Shelby controls the action.
McKenzie can't get the takedown.
McKenzie misses with a knee strike.
A head punch on the inside from Shelby fails to land.
McKenzie is working for takedown but Shelby is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Will McKenzie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McKenzie prevents Shelby from breaking the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
McKenzie throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shelby blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKenzie blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shelby can't find room to land a body shot as McKenzie controls the action.
Shelby has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shelby cracks McKenzie with a nice body shot.
Shelby lands a body shot in the clinch.
McKenzie throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shelby stalling the fight.
McKenzie with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shelby throws a punch but it's blocked by McKenzie.
A left hand lands to the body for Shelby.
Shelby misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shelby lands a body shot in the clinch.
Shelby wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McKenzie has him pressed against the cage.
Shelby scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McKenzie blocks a body shot from Shelby.
Shelby stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
McKenzie prevents a body shot from Shelby.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommy Shelby comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shelby 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tommy Shelby!