PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Shouse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and bj Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joshua Shouse had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Shouse
vs
Ferguson

162 cm
33
116 lbs
32 - 35 - 1

164 cm
40
135 lbs
46 - 23 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 32 - 35 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joshua Shouse !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, bj Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shouse throws a nice looking combination but Ferguson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ferguson throws out a powerful jab.
Shouse is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ferguson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shouse moves in looking to clinch but Ferguson pushes him off.
Shouse throws a leg kick

and Ferguson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shouse 's guard.
Ferguson landing with the ground and pound.
Ferguson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ferguson trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Shouse manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Ferguson looking for a guillotine here but Shouse defends easily.

Shouse decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ferguson, up you get!

Shouse drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shouse in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ferguson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shouse controlling from the top position.

Ferguson working for a triangle but Shouse defends it easily.
Shouse passes Ferguson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ferguson looking for submissions off his back.
Shouse wants to stand up but Ferguson is controlling the position.

Shouse is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ferguson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Ferguson actively working from the bottom here.
Shouse controlling the action here.
Ferguson wants to get back to his feet.

Ferguson actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ferguson looking for submissions off his back.
Ferguson landing a few short strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ferguson actively working from the bottom here.
Shouse blocks the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ferguson punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shouse throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shouse wants to control but Ferguson is keeping him busy.
Ferguson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ferguson.
Shouse controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Shouse got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ferguson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shouse has managed to get both his arms back between Ferguson's legs - danger averted.

Ferguson has his foot on Shouse 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shouse works his way back into a safe position though.
Shouse stays in close to Ferguson's body and controls the position.

Ferguson looking for a guillotine here but Shouse defends easily.

Ferguson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shouse thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Ferguson is looking for a triangle but Shouse pushes his legs off easily.

Ferguson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shouse can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ferguson looking for a guillotine here but Shouse defends easily.
Shouse trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ferguson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shouse wants to control from the top but Ferguson keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

bj Ferguson dominated that round.
That's time! Shouse 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A low kick from Shouse is predictable there
and Ferguson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shouse shoots and misses

and Ferguson counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shouse is looking to take this one to the mat.

Ferguson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shouse throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Ferguson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ferguson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ferguson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shouse throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Ferguson uses his free foot to push down on Shouse 's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Shouse .
Ferguson lands a big shot there that rocks Shouse but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ferguson unloading with bombs!
Ferguson unloading with bombs!

Shouse is rocked!
Shouse is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Ferguson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Oh Shouse is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shouse takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shouse working to try and regain half guard.
Ferguson landing strikes from the mount and Shouse is in trouble!
Shouse is wriggling around trying to escape.
Ferguson connects with a bit shot that sees Shouse covering up! More strikes from Ferguson and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Ferguson is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:35 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). bj Ferguson!
Post fight, an emotional bj Ferguson said 'I keep putting these good guys away. I'm 38 and ready to go'.