PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Manny Puno (ranked 14 p4p, 207 weight class) and Nick Shamrock (ranked 2 p4p, 24 weight class). Shamrock has chosen One Winged Angel by The Black Mages as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Puno
vs
Shamrock

180 cm
40
158
24 - 9 - 2

170 cm
40
148
48 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
PWNAGE

Altitude Clothing
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Manny Puno!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 48 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Shamrock!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamrock defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Puno.
Nice body punch from Puno.
Puno lands a really nice looking cross but Shamrock seems unphased.
Puno keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shamrock lands a jab.
Shamrock misses with a head kick.
We've been informed that Shamrock has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Puno drives through with a takedown into Shamrock's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Puno accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shamrock managing to control the position.
Puno preventing the sweep.
Puno content to stall in guard here.
Puno wants to pass the guard but Shamrock is keeping the position.
We've been hearing that Puno has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Puno pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shamrock is keeping the position for now.
Puno is pushing down on Shamrock's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shamrock is fighting to maintain full guard but Puno has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shamrock looks like he's trying to stand up.
Shamrock wants to improve his position but Puno is controlling well.
Puno is looking to take a break and control but Shamrock is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shamrock desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Puno trying to control the action but Shamrock is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Puno tries to pass to full mount but Shamrock defends it.
Shamrock blocking the ground and pound attempt from Puno.
Shamrock wants to improve his position but Puno is controlling well.
Puno works his foot free and advances to mount.
Shamrock is wriggling around trying to escape.
Puno sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Puno controlling the pace for now.
Shamrock tries to reverse the position but Puno maintains control.
Puno throws some wild stikes that Shamrock manages to avoid easily.
Puno lands a big elbow.
Puno unloading with bombs!
Puno lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Puno unloads with some shots from mount but Shamrock bucks and avoids them well.
Shamrock holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Puno tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Shamrock tries to lock up and control but Puno gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Puno unloads with some shots from mount but Shamrock bucks and avoids them well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Puno has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Poor strikes thrown by Puno there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Puno postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Shamrock looks a forlorn figure.
Puno looking to ground and pound but Shamrock is blocking nicely.
Puno avoids the attempt from Shamrock to control.
Puno throwing strikes here but Shamrock is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Puno trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Shamrock tries to reverse the position but Puno maintains control.
Shamrock wants to control but Puno is having none of it.
Puno working the ground and pound effectively.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Puno dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Puno moves out of range as Shamrock strikes.
A lazy left from Puno finds it's target.
Shamrock misses with a double jab.
Shamrock fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Puno is out of range.
Puno throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shamrock on the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Puno. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Puno.
Puno takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Puno bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Puno connects with a right hand. Shamrock shakes it off.
Puno slips a jab from Shamrock.
Puno is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Puno throws a series of strikes that have Shamrock backpedaling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamrock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shamrock is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shamrock walks into a stiff left hand from Puno.
Puno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamrock was well out of range. Poor timing from Puno.
Shamrock unleashes a big counter combination but Puno bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Nice shot lands for Puno.
Shamrock misses with a leg kick.
Puno appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno scores with a crisp jab that stopped Shamrock in his tracks.
Shamrock misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Shamrock finds it's way through Puno's defenses.
Puno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Puno uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shamrock.
Puno feinted with a counter takedown.
Nick Shamrock is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shamrock lands with a right hand.
Puno misses with an uppercut.
Puno with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shamrock counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A combination from Shamrock does no damage.
Puno connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shamrock misses the jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puno lands with a nice body punch.
Nice uppercut there from Puno.
The crowd cheers as Puno lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shamrock doesn't seem phased though.
Puno dips to his left and cracks Shamrock with an uppercut!
Shamrock avoids the body shot from Puno.
Shamrock only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shamrock ducks under a wild hook from Puno.
Shamrock throws out a counter right but Puno avoids it with no problem.

Puno drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shamrock seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Shamrock keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Shamrock seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Puno sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shamrock's guard.
Puno tries to pass to full mount but Shamrock defends it.
Puno performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shamrock keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Puno trying to control from half guard but Shamrock is working away.
Shamrock won't allow Puno to pass to mount.
Shamrock tries to get to full guard but Puno has control of the leg.
Puno is trying to control. Shamrock wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Shamrock gets back to full guard.
Shamrock looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puno stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shamrock swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shamrock throws a hook but Puno avoids it easily.
Puno bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Shamrock's head backwards.
Shamrock throws a nice outside leg kick.

Puno closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shamrock to the mat! Shamrock manages to get full guard.
Shamrock looking for a sweep. Not yet Shamrock, not yet.
Puno is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Shamrock keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Puno dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Puno shoots in looking for a takedown but Shamrock manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Puno's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Puno slips under a jab.
Puno fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shamrock defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Puno.
Shamrock missing with a left hand there. Puno was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shamrock scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Shamrock keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Puno.
Shamrock shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A big right from Puno misses.
Puno waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shamrock.
A nice side step and Shamrock releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Puno uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Puno looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Puno wants to pass the guard but Shamrock is defending well.
Shamrock is looking for a sweep. Puno is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock keeping hold of Puno's head, controlling as best he can.
Shamrock tries to roll over but Puno keeps him under control.
Shamrock preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Puno connects with a nice short shot to Shamrock's temple.
Shamrock tries to get to full guard but Puno has control of the leg.
Shamrock on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shamrock tries to get to full guard but Puno has control of the leg.

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.
Shamrock won't allow Puno to pass to mount.
Puno with the ground and pound but Shamrock uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Shamrock is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Puno is in close to Shamrock's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Shamrock keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Puno with a flurry of punches that miss.
Puno passes into half guard.
Puno thows a huge punch but Shamrock dodges it nicely.
Shamrock is looking for a sweep. Puno is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shamrock is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno slows the pace down in half guard.
Shamrock is staying active underneath Puno, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Shamrock is trying to maintain the position but Puno is very close to passing his half guard.
Shamrock is refusing to be controlled, as Puno sits in half guard.
Puno looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Puno looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Puno is looking to take a break and control but Shamrock is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shamrock tries to get to full guard but Puno has control of the leg.
Puno is looking to take a break and control but Shamrock is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Shamrock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Puno.
Manny Puno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Puno digs a good body shot into Shamrock's ribs.
Puno missing with a left hand there. Shamrock was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shamrock throws a low kick but it's checked well by Puno.
Puno avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Manny Puno is winning the standup battle so far.
Shamrock pivots, looking for a leg kick but Puno is out of range and Shamrock settles back down.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shamrock thows a left - swing and a miss!
Puno works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Puno scores with the left hand. Shamrock knows he should have avoided that one.
Puno scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Puno clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shamrock misses with a looping left.
Puno misses with a straight right.
Shamrock is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Shamrock takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Puno fails with a takedown attempt.
Puno scores with a decent looking hook.
Shamrock stuffs the takedown attempt from Puno. Puno gets slowly back to his feet.
Puno throws an off balance right hand
letting Shamrock counter with a right hand.
A head kick misses from Shamrock.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donk. Puno catches Shamrock right on the button with a cross.

Puno drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Shamrock being controlled here, momentarily.
Puno pushing down on Shamrock's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock is staying active underneath Puno, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Shamrock regains full guard. Nicely done.
Puno looking to pass the guard.
Puno with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Puno is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shamrock can do to turn this around?
Shamrock seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Puno won't allow Shamrock to sweep him here.
Puno looking to pass the guard.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two 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.
Shamrock keeping full guard, as Puno tries to pass.
Puno working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shamrock avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Puno lands a couple of digs.
Puno throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shamrock works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Puno landing with the ground and pound.
Puno won't allow Shamrock to sweep him here.
Puno postures up in Shamrock's guard and throws a big left but Shamrock blocks it.
Puno trying to control but Shamrock is working from the bottom.
Puno preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shamrock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shamrock has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Shamrock walks into a stiff left hand from Puno.
Puno connects with a jab.
Puno misses with a takedown attempt - Shamrock sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Puno. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamrock was well out of range. Poor timing from Puno.
Shamrock getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Donk. Puno catches Shamrock right on the button with a cross.
Shamrock throws a sloppy head kick and Puno moves out of range easily.
Shamrock looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Puno shoots for a double leg takedown but Shamrock sprawls well. He's pushed Puno's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shamrock shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Puno eats them both and turns towards Shamrock to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A punch combination from Shamrock misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno scores with a sloppy right hand. Shamrock should have avoided that one.
Puno moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shamrock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Puno manages to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Shamrock.
Shamrock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Puno manages to avoid it.
Puno shoots in for a double leg but Shamrock sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shamrock lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shamrock has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Puno finds it's way round the side to connect with Shamrock's head.
Puno moves forwards but Shamrock connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Puno throws an overhand right that lands on Shamrock's shoulder, as Shamrock tries to avoid the shot.
Puno doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Puno takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shamrock ducks under a wild hook from Puno.
Shamrock throws a hook to the side of Puno's head but Puno sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Puno feinted with a counter takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Manny Puno will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Puno cracks Shamrock with an open hand slap.
Shamrock misses with a hook. Puno ducked under it nicely.
Shamrock throws a nice looking combination but Puno bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Puno fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Puno tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shamrock swivels and escapes.

Puno gets the takedown into side control.

Shamrock explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Puno shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Shamrock working a defensive guard here.
Puno trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamrock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shamrock is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Puno is proving hard to escape from.
Puno manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shamrock manages to get himself to full guard.

Shamrock keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Puno distracts Shamrock with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Puno postures up in Shamrock's guard and throws a big left but Shamrock blocks it.
Puno lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shamrock pulls Puno in to control the position.
Puno controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Shamrock working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Puno.
Nick Shamrock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno stopping the sweep attempt from Shamrock.
Shamrock is looking to sweep but instead, Puno has passed into half guard.
Shamrock trying to control from the bottom.
Puno wants to pass to mount but Shamrock is defending the position.
Shamrock is trying to control but can't.
Shamrock is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Puno throwing shots but Shamrock is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock is trying to get back to full guard.
Shamrock avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Puno.
Shamrock is looking to escape.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A clash of legs there as Puno blocks the low kick.
Puno feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shamrocks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Shamrock swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Puno.
Puno throws a shot to the body.
Puno lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Puno shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Puno wants to take a breather but Shamrock is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock is looking to improve his position.
Puno controlling the action here.
Puno missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Puno is stalling here. Shamrock is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Puno seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Shamrock has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamrock postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Puno gets back to half guard.
Manny Puno is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Puno gets back to full guard.

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 Manny Puno.
Well Puno has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:45
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:46
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manny Puno!
Manny Puno retains his featherweight title!
An intense looking Manny Puno took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Love you Shamrock, you�re the man. A true Champion and happy to call you my great friend.. '.