PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Xherdan Shaqiri (ranked 6216 p4p, 319 weight class) and Chad Masters (ranked 6068 p4p, 311 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Shaqiri
vs
Masters

170 cm
24
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

150 cm
21
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Xherdan Shaqiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chad Masters!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shaqiri throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Masters was covering up waiting for the punch and Shaqiri finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Masters escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Shaqiri gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Masters should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Shaqiri throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shaqiri has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

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

Masters has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Shaqiri is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Masters.
Masters manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shaqiri's best efforts.

Masters actively working from the bottom here.

Masters has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Shaqiri. Oh but Masters has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Shaqiri goes limp - he's gone! Masters jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Chad Masters!
After the fight, Chad Masters was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.