PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Halifax (ranked 3393 p4p, 473 weight class) and Top Shelf (ranked 3731 p4p, 506 weight class). Joe Halifax had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Halifax
vs
Shelf

170 cm
26
170 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
177 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Real Men Supplements

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Halifax!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Top Shelf!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab from Halifax.
Joe Halifax seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Halifax shoots in looking for a takedown. Shelf tries to sprawl out of it but Halifax keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shelf manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shelf drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Halifax defends it well.
Halifax misses with a few strikes there.
Halifax lands with a shot to the body.
Halifax leaves Shelf with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Halifax misses with a few strikes there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shelf.
No luck for Shelf with that takedown attempt.
Joe Halifax has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Top Shelf.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shelf fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Halifax sprawls well initially but Shelf persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Halifax is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halifax trying to control from the bottom.
Halifax is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Halifax trying to control from the bottom.
Halifax is looking for a sweep. Shelf is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Halifax might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Shelf in particular looking to stall.
Shelf throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shelf moves nicely into side control.
Shelf is looking to take a break and control but Halifax is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Halifax is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Shelf asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Halifax is looking for a sweep.
Halifax sneaks back into half guard.
Halifax is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Halifax keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Shelf is working for a submission of some sort.
Halifax has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Shelf is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Halifax landing strikes from the bottom.
Halifax trying to hold on to Shelf's head to control him but Shelf postures up.

Halifax is defending against the submission attempts here by Shelf.
Halifax tries to get to full guard but Shelf has control of the leg.
Halifax is positioning himself well to prevent Shelf advancing to mount.
Shelf not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Halifax gets back to full guard.
Halifax on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Halifax tries to get out of the position.
Halifax wants to sweep here but Shelf controlling him for the moment.
Halifax manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shelf manages to get himself to full guard.

Shelf looking for a guillotine here but Halifax defends easily.
Halifax has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Shelf is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Halifax trying to control the position from guard on top but Shelf is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Halifax stays in close to Shelf's body and controls the position.
Halifax knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shelf on the ground.

Shelf had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Halifax defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Top Shelf will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shelf takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Shelf misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shelf shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Halifax counters by moving into the clinch.

Shelf manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Shelf being controlled here, momentarily.
Halifax keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shelf's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shelf escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Halifax gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Halifax is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelf keeping moving, preventing Halifax from controlling successfully.
Halifax is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Halifax trying to control but Shelf is working from the bottom.
Halifax trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Shelf had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Halifax defends it easily.

Shelf is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Halifax defends well.
Halifax trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Shelf is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Shelf working for a triangle but Halifax defends it easily.
Halifax with a nice head shot there.
Halifax is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Shelf escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Halifax gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Shelf is looking for a triangle but Halifax pushes his legs off easily.
Halifax landing with the ground and pound.
Halifax trying to control the position from guard on top but Shelf is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halifax landing some decent shots from guard.
Halifax stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shelf swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halifax is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Halifax lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Halifax controlling from the top position.
Halifax works over Shelf with some ground and pound from guard.
Our spies down at at Iron Fist Gym inform us that Shelf has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Shelf looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Halifax wants to control from the top but Shelf keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shelf looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Shelf looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Halifax stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shelf swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Halifax postures up and lands a big shot to Shelf's brow.
Halifax working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Shelf is rocked!
Halifax landing some decent shots from guard.
Shelf is still in real trouble! Can Halifax finish him?
Halifax gets to his feet and stands over Shelf, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Shelf felt that one! Halifax unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Shelf from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joe Halifax!