PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Belfort (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Shanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shanks has chosen Dethklok - The Cyborg Slayers as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Belfort
vs
Shanks

185 cm
42
180 lbs
28 - 14 - 1

190 cm
36
187 lbs
26 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Fedor Belfort!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Michael Shanks!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Alec Ball and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shanks lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A punch combination from Belfort misses.
Belfort takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Belfort takes a swing at Shanks's ribcage but misses.
Belfort walks forward, straight into a front kick from Shanks.
Shanks throws a body punch but Belfort moves out of range.
Shanks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Belfort ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Belfort misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shanks.
Shanks ducks under a wild hook from Belfort.
Shanks lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shanks looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Belfort throwing a counter right hand but Shanks manages to avoid it.
Shanks takes a swing at Belfort's ribcage but misses.
Belfort just misses with a punch to the body.
Belfort takes a shot right to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shanks slips a jab from Belfort.
Shanks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Belfort.
Belfort moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort cracks Shanks with a right hand to the side of the head.
Belfort lands with an overhand left.
Belfort throws a leg kick but Shanks checks it.
Shanks steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Belfort.
Belfort swats away the attempt to clinch by Shanks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shanks.
Shanks scores with a nice head shot.
Shanks throws a wild body kick that Belfort sees coming a mile off.
It looked like Belfort wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shanks misses with a body kick.
Shanks lands a nice looking body shot.
Shanks keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Belfort.
Shanks looks to land a body kick but Belfort moved away.
Shanks scores with a push kick.
Belfort throws a right and a left that both miss.
Belfort on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A right-left combo lands from Shanks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort throws a right and a left that Shanks avoids nicely.
Belfort pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Belfort. Shanks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shanks slips under a jab from Belfort.
Shanks avoids the body shot from Belfort.
Shanks steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Belfort.
Belfort tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Belfort throws a body punch but Shanks moves out of range.
Shanks gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Belfort.
Shanks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Belfort shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Shanks eats them both and turns towards Belfort to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Shanks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Belfort will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shanks scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belfort has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Shanks.
Shanks digs a good body shot into Belfort's ribs.
Shanks tries to clinch up but Belfort circles away and keeps his distance.
Belfort throws a jab when Shanks was well out of range.
Shanks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shanks throws a head kick that misses.
Shanks ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Belfort scores with a one two! Shanks had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Michael Shanks has been cut.
Shanks uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shanks, right into the meat.
Shanks is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Belfort rather than just go for the knockout.
Belfort swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shanks is looking to slow Belfort down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Belfort on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Belfort uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shanks.
Shanks connects with an inside leg kick.
Shanks on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Shanks misses.
Shanks jabs at Belfort's body.
Shanks scores with a nice right hand.
A jab from Belfort misses.
Shanks scores with a leg kick.

Shanks has Belfort up against the cage in a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Belfort swings wildly with an uppercut but Shanks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shanks tries a body shot but Belfort blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shanks stalling in the clinch but Belfort improves position.
Belfort fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shanks looking to slow down the pace here.
Shanks works on Belfort's body with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Shanks dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Shanks's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Belfort fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shanks manages to avoid it.
Belfort swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shanks cracks the inside of Belfort's front leg.
Belfort fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shanks moves out of range as Belfort strikes.
Shanks tries a quick counter leg kick but Belfort is wise to it.

Shanks instigates a clinch.
Belfort being controlled against the cage.
Shanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Shanks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shanks tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Belfort taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Shanks lands with a light punch inside.
Good body shot from Shanks.
Shanks scores with a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belfort avoiding damage as Shanks throws knees to the body.
Belfort tries a body shot but Shanks blocks it.
Shanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Belfort looking to stall.
Belfort lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shanks trying to control the position but instead, Belfort has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shanks into the cage.
Shanks managing to block the knees to the body from Belfort.
Shanks swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Belfort obliges.
Shanks misses with a punch to the body.
Belfort on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks managing to block the knees to the body from Belfort.
A nice right hand lands inside from Belfort.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Belfort stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Shanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Belfort effectively controlling the action here.
Belfort has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Belfort on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Shanks throws a punch but it's blocked by Belfort.
Shanks lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Belfort is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shanks tries a body shot but Belfort blocks it.
Shanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Belfort managing to block the knees to the body from Shanks.
Shanks tries a knee to the head but Belfort blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Belfort lands a right hand.
A left hand lands to the body for Shanks.
A short right from Shanks.
Shanks throws a punch but it's blocked by Belfort.
Shanks cracks Belfort with a nice body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Shanks tries to throw a body punch but Belfort avoids it by throwing Shanks back against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shanks.
Shanks lands with a light punch inside.
Shanks lands a shoulder strike.
Shanks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shanks has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Belfort misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shanks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shanks landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Belfort backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shanks landing knees to the body.
Belfort has a couple of punches blocked by Shanks.
Shanks misses with a body punch.
Shanks landing knees to the body.
Michael Shanks seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Belfort on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Shanks lands with a light punch inside.
Belfort trying to stall but Shanks improves his position.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.
Belfort just leaning against Shanks, taking a breather.
Belfort holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Belfort seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Belfort trying to control the position but instead, Shanks has worked for underhooks and has pushed Belfort into the cage.
Shanks struggles to land a body shot inside as Belfort controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Shanks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Michael Shanks's cut.
That's time! Belfort's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Belfort tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Belfort throws a right hand that misses
and Shanks counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Shanks tries to clinch there but Belfort circles away.
Shanks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Belfort works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Belfort throws a hook but Shanks avoids it easily.
Shanks wants to counter the offense by Belfort and move into the clinch position.
Shanks scores with a hook to the body. Belfort takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A lazy body kick from Shanks
and Belfort counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Belfort ducks under a wild hook from Shanks.
Belfort throwing a counter right hand but Shanks manages to avoid it.
Belfort throws the left hand but Shanks avoids the punch easily.
Shanks scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shanks feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Belfort's calf.
Shanks defending well as Belfort loads up on a big left hand.
Shanks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Belfort misses the target.
Shanks blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanks lands with an overhand left.
Michael Shanks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shanks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Belfort was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shanks misses with a low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Shanks.
Belfort connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shanks's hands.
Shanks tries to clinch but Belfort moves out of range.
Shanks works the jab nicely.
A good leg kick by Shanks.
Shanks moves out of range of the strikes.
Michael Shanks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belfort missing with a left hand there. Shanks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shanks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Belfort jabs Shanks to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A decent looking cross lands there for Shanks.
Shanks punishes Belfort's body with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shanks throws a body punch but Belfort moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belfort moves out of range of the strikes.
Belfort takes a jab right on the kisser.
Shanks works Belfort's body with a nice hook.
A big right from Belfort misses.
Shanks keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Belfort.
Belfort swats away the attempt to clinch by Shanks.
Belfort throws a one two combo.
Shanks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Belfort paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Shanks moves into the clinch.
Shanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Belfort gets through Shanks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shanks misses with a punch on the inside.
Fedor Belfort has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Belfort fails to land.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Belfort pushes Shanks back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A short left from Belfort.
Shanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Shanks trying to stall but Belfort improves his position.
Belfort is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shanks tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Belfort prevents a body shot from Shanks.
Shanks misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Shanks trying to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Shanks.
Shanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Belfort lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Belfort scores with a nice hook to the head.
Belfort throws a head punch that misses.
Belfort misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shanks lands a body punch.
Shanks lands a shoulder strike.
Belfort works on Shanks's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shanks misses with a body punch.
Shanks is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Belfort tries to stall but Shanks uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Shanks misses with a short punch on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Michael Shanks is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shanks lands a body shot in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Shanks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shanks 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Shanks!
A very excited looking Michael Shanks made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.