PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaun Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Caspar Creel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shaun Russell could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Caspar Creel's chin.

Russell
vs
Creel

188 cm
25
211 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

197 cm
25
203 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shaun Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Caspar Creel!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Dirk Anderson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Russell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Creel shoots in and drives through. Russell sprawls well.
Russell throws a series of punches but Creel avoids them all with ease.
Russell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Creel counters with a left and a right that stings Russell.
Russell tries a head kick but it misses.
Russell misses with the combination.
Creel misses with a takedown attempt - Russell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shaun Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caspar Creel.
Creel scores with a jab to the body.

Russell lands a left and a right that sends Creel crashing to the canvas! Russell dives into mount looking to finish!

Creel is rocked!

It looks like Caspar Creel has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Russell goes for an armbar but Creel turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Creel.
Creel is still in real trouble! Can Russell finish him?
Creel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Creel seems to have recovered his senses.

Creel drops back looking for a leg! Russell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Russell manages to kick Creel off! Creel jumps back into Russell's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell working a defensive guard but Creel manages to pass into side control anyway.
Creel throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Russell is looking to regain half guard here but Creel keeps moving and retains side control.
Creel advances to full mount.
Creel avoids the attempt from Russell to control.
Russell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Creel thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell tries to reverse the position but Creel maintains control.
Russell slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Creel controlling the action here.
Creel throwing shots but Russell is blocking nicely.
Creel controlling the action here.
Creel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russell tries to roll over but Creel keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Creel is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Russell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Russell wants to get back to full guard.
Creel controlling the pace.
Russell is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Russell wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Russell works his way to full guard. Good work.
Creel preventing the sweep.
Creel throws a big elbow that misses.
Russell wants to sweep but no luck.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Creel won't allow Russell to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Russell looks to land a combination but Creel avoids it well.
Russell throws a sloppy head kick and Creel moves out of range easily.
Creel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Russell sprawls well. Russell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Creel gets slowly back to his feet.
Russell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Russell lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Creel circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shaun Russell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Caspar Creel's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Russell throws a right hand that Creel ducks under and follows up with a left that Creel also avoids with ease.
Russell tries to clinch there but Creel circles away.
Creel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Russell avoids it really well and circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Russell, as that shot connected.
Creel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Russell throws out the jab.
Shaun Russell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Russell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Russell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Russell misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Creel tries to counter by closing the distance.
Creel will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Russell moves in looking to clinch but Creel pushes him off.
Creel is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russell fails to land with a series of punches.
Creel now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Russell throws a series of punches but Creel moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Creel circles away from the clinch attempt.
Russell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Russell throws a big counter combination but Creel scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Shaun Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caspar Creel.
No luck for Creel with that takedown attempt.

Creel closes the distance and clinches.

Creel pulls guard.
Russell distracts Creel with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Creel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Russell trying to control the position from guard on top but Creel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russell wants to pass the guard but Creel is keeping the position.
Creel lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell is looking to sweep but instead, Creel has passed into half guard.
Well, if Creel is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Russell wants to sweep but Creel has passed to side control!
Russell looks to move to half guard but instead Creel has passed into mount! Damn!
Russell can't escape the position.
Creel controlling from mount.
Russell is looking to improve his position but Creel isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Creel trying to control but Russell is having none of it.
Russell throwing hammer fists to the chest of Creel. What's that going to do exactly?
Creel looking to control and managing it successfully.

Creel is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Russell can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

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.
Russell working to try and regain half guard.
Russell tries to lock up and control but Creel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Creel manages to capitalize on a mistake by Russell to take his back!
Russell can't escape the position.
Russell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Creel on the ground.
Creel controlling from the back.
Russell is trying to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Russell is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Caspar Creel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Caspar Creel's cut.
That's time! Russell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Russell keeps the fight on the outside.
Russell throws a series of punches but Creel moves out of range.
Creel tries to counter by closing the distance.
Creel dodges the punch combination from Russell.
Russell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A combination from Russell does no damage.
Creel steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Russell.
Russell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Creel counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Creel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Russell sprawls well. Russell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Creel gets slowly back to his feet.
Creel fails with the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Creel tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Russell swivels and escapes.
Shaun Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caspar Creel.
Creel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Russell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Creel.
Creel looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Creel is looking to clinch but Russell is avoiding it.
Russell connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Creel momentarily.
Russell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shaun Russell is winning the standup battle so far.
Russell throws a right and a left that Creel avoids nicely.
Russell misses with a few strikes there.
Russell displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Creel.
Russell throws a left and a right that both miss
and Creel counters with a three punch combo that has Russell backing up. Russell nods at Creel to acknowledge the strikes.

Russell tries to sprawl but Creel drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Creel keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Russell wants to improve his position but Creel is controlling well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Creel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Creel seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell is staying active underneath Creel, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Creel is looking to advance position but Russell won't allow it.
Russell is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Creel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Creel's back!
The referee is taking a good look at Creel as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Russell!
Creel rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Creel is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Russell misses with a head shot. Creel uses the momentum to regain guard.
Russell is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Creel trying to keep a closed guard but Russell is proving a slippery customer.
Creel has momentary wrist control but Russell slips an elbow through the middle.
Russell wants to pass the guard but Creel is keeping the position.
Russell looking to sit in guard and control but Creel gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Caspar Creel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Russell trying to keep a closed guard but Creel is proving a slippery customer.
Creel preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Creel trying to control the position from guard on top but Russell is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russell wants to sweep here but Creel controlling him for the moment.
Creel wants to control from the top but Russell keeps moving.
Creel is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Creel won't allow Russell to sweep him here.
Creel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Russell looking for a sweep. Not yet Russell, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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 Shaun Russell.
I think Russell has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:27

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