PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kelvin Gastelum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyrus Shakur (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Gastelum
vs
Shakur

180 cm
20
180 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
26
170 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kelvin Gastelum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tyrus Shakur!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good standup being displayed there by Shakur as he connects with a hook.
A punch combination from Shakur misses.
Gastelum pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gastelum looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gastelum avoids a punch combination nicely.
Tyrus Shakur seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gastelum misses with a series of wild punches.
Shakur wants to land a leg kick but Gastelum is out of range.
Gastelum attempts a counter takedown but Shakur avoids it well and moves away.
We've been told by Gastelum's head coaches at Zen Balance Monastery that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A lazy body kick from Shakur
and Gastelum counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Gastelum throws the left hand but Shakur avoids the punch easily.
Shakur throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gastelum tried to score with a low kick but Shakur checks it.
Shakur connects with a solid leg kick.
Gastelum scores with a kick to the body.
Shakur uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gastelum.
Gastelum misses the shot to the body.
Shakur has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakur throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shakur moves in looking to clinch but Gastelum pushes him off.
Gastelum is looking to counter with a body kick.
Gastelum throws a series of punches but Shakur moves out of range.
Shakur throws a chopping leg kick but Gastelum manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gastelum throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shakur is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Gastelum throws a body shot but no joy.
Shakur lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Shakur.
Shakur misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gastelum moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gastelum lands a leg kick that knocks Shakur off balance momentarily.
Shakur tries a head kick but it misses.
Gastelum tries to clinch but Shakur is having none of it.
Shakur fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gastelum on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shakur misses with a two punch combination.

Gastelum moves into range and clinches up with Shakur.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shakur managing to block the knees to the body from Gastelum.
Gastelum misses with a body punch.
Gastelum leaning his opponent against the cage.
Gastelum lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Shakur or not.

Gastelum escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gastelum fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shakur manages to avoid it.

Gastelum gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Shakur to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gastelum wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gastelum is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Shakur is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
It looks like Shakur might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Gastelum trying to keep a closed guard but Shakur is proving a slippery customer.
Shakur pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gastelum is keeping the position for now.
Gastelum trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gastelum works over Shakur's head and body with a nice combination.
Gastelum ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shakur moves away.
Shakur wants to counter the offense by Gastelum and move into the clinch position.
Shakur avoids the body shot from Gastelum.
Shakur showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gastelum.
Shakur takes a jab right on the kisser.
Shakur uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gastelum.
Shakur moves in looking to clinch but Gastelum pushes him off.
Shakur throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gastelum keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kelvin Gastelum dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Gastelum tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shakur unleashes a big counter combination but Gastelum bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
No joy there for Gastelum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gastelum throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Shakur takes the fight into the clinch.
Gastelum tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shakur's elbow.
A short uppercut from Gastelum.

Shakur manages to break the clinch.
Gastelum looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Shakur.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gastelum slips a jab and a cross from Shakur.
Gastelum misses the jab.
Gastelum throws a body shot but no joy.

Shakur shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Gastelum manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Gastelum manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gastelum tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shakur's elbow.
Shakur slows down the pace here.
Shakur fails to pull guard.
Gastelum lands a body punch.
Gastelum drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shakur pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shakur feints a jab promting Gastelum to slip. Shakur then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Gastelum slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A punch combination from Shakur misses.
Shakur moves out of range of the body kick from Gastelum.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gastelum dodges the punch combination from Shakur.
An inside leg kick lands from Gastelum.
Shakur throws a wild body kick that Gastelum sees coming a mile off.
As Shakur looks to move away, Gastelum throws a big counter combo but Shakur just gets out of the way.
Shakur avoids the body shot from Gastelum.
Shakur throws a counter combo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shakur looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shakur doesn't manage to clinch there - Gastelum circles away.
Gastelum slips a jab and a cross from Shakur.
Gastelum swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Shakur has Gastelum up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shakur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shakur misses with a combination
and Gastelum counters with a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shakur on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gastelum lands a nice shot to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gastelum lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Shakur has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Shakur and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gastelum scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Gastelum tries to clinch but Shakur is having none of it.
Shakur misses with a wild combination.
Shakur throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gastelum throws a head kick but Shakur moves out of range.
No joy there for Gastelum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gastelum is looking to wear down Shakur with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Gastelum throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gastelum will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Some wild striking there from Gastelum.

Shakur instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Shakur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gastelum lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shakur circles away quickly and effectively.
Kelvin Gastelum is winning the standup battle so far.
Shakur looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shakur misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gastelum.

Gastelum moves into the clinch successfully.

Shakur escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kelvin Gastelum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shakur moves out of range of the body kick.
Shakur takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gastelum misses with a combination

and Shakur counters with a shoot takedown. Gastelum fights it but they end up in guard.
Shakur stands up over Gastelum, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Shakur gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kelvin Gastelum will probably get the nod.
That's time! Gastelum'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!

Danga de danga de dang - Gastelum scores with a four punch combination!
Shakur throws a leg kick that is checked
and Gastelum counters with a left and a right that stings Shakur.

Shakur moves into the clinch.
Gastelum struggles to land a body shot inside as Shakur controls his hands.
Gastelum cracks Shakur with a nice body shot.

Gastelum pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice straight punches there by Gastelum. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Gastelum.
Nice sprawl there from Gastelum as Shakur shoots in.
Gastelum went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Shakur misses with the combination.
Shakur fails to land with a series of punches.
Gastelum ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shakur moves away.
Shakur is looking for the big counter here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gastelum connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Gastelum tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shakur sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gastelum somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gastelum.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shakur scores with a one two! Gastelum had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Shakur tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gastelum wants to clinch.
Shakur is looking to clinch but Gastelum is avoiding it.
Gastelum throwing a counter right hand but Shakur manages to avoid it.
Gastelum lands with a right hand.
A combination from Gastelum does no damage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shakur! But no joy.
Some wild striking there from Gastelum.
Shakur keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gastelum.
Kelvin Gastelum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shakur drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Gastelum bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gastelum is looking to land body kicks.
No joy there for Gastelum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gastelum misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shakur feints the counter takedown.
Shakur lands an overhand right.
Gastelum checks a leg kick.
Shakur throws a series of punches but Gastelum moves out of range.
Shakur misses with a wild combination.
Gastelum changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shakur clinches.
Shakur tries to pull guard but Gastelum forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Gastelum prevents the takedown attempt.
Kelvin Gastelum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tyrus Shakur.
Shakur changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gastelum fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shakur throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gastelum counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Shakur showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gastelum.
No joy there for Gastelum, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gastelum misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gastelum throws a nice looking combination but Shakur bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shakur fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gastelum is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gastelum blocks a head kick by Shakur.
Shakur throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Gastelum slips a jab and a cross from Shakur.
Gastelum lands a right hook to the body.
Shakur will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tyrus Shakur has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shakur avoids the head kick by Gastelum.
Gastelum lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shakur stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shakur wants it to stay on the feet.
Gastelum is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shakur can do to turn this around?
Shakur tries to clinch but Gastelum is having none of it.
Gastelum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As Gastelum backs off Shakur throws a huge counter combo but Gastelum manages to avoid it all.
Shakur blocks a leg kick.
Gastelum throws a right and a left that Shakur avoids nicely.
Shakur throws a low kick but Gastelum avoids it.
Gastelum is looking to counter punch.
Gastelum lands with a nice combination. Shakur backs away looking to recover.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kelvin Gastelum showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gastelum, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kelvin Gastelum!