PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Deshawn Shaw (ranked 24090 p4p, 3215 weight class) and Nickita Smirnova (ranked 490 p4p, 314 weight class). Nickita Smirnova acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Shaw
vs
Smirnova

167 cm
19
150
0 - 3 - 0

175 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Deshawn Shaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nickita Smirnova!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Columbo Gatti and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Smirnova.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shaw.

Smirnova looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Shaw is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Smirnova presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Smirnova tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shaw smiles and moves away.

Shaw throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Smirnova tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shaw is in Smirnova's guard.
Smirnova is looking to stand back up but Shaw counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Smirnova.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Shaw is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnova tries to control Shaw's body but Shaw pushes him off. Smirnova squirms to his side and now Shaw has his back!
Oooh a big shot gets through from Shaw. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Smirnova is trying to stand back up.
Smirnova tries to break free.
Shaw seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Smirnova is trapped and Shaw is scoring with shots to the head and body.

Shaw working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shaw lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Smirnova wants to escape the position.
Shaw biding his time, controlling Smirnova.
Shaw's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Shaw lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Deshawn Shaw dominated that round.
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.

Smirnova fails to land with a series of punches.
Shaw avoids the head kick by Smirnova.
Shaw darts in looking for a takedown but Smirnova gets double underhooks and turns Shaw into the cage.
Smirnova changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Smirnova is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shaw goes for a takedown attempt but Smirnova pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Smirnova has his takedown stuffed

and Shaw counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Shaw gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Smirnova regains guard.

Smirnova pushes Shaw off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smirnova tries to clinch up but Shaw circles away and keeps his distance.
Smirnova connects with a right hand. Shaw shakes it off.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Smirnova is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw throws a body punch but Smirnova moves out of range.
Shaw swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Shaw closes the distance and clinches.
Smirnova tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shaw just stands there and leans against the cage.

Smirnova pulls Shaw into guard.

Smirnova pushes Shaw off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Smirnova is breathing heavily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smirnova.
Shaw swats away the attempt to clinch by Smirnova.
Smirnova tries to clinch up.
Shaw tries to counter by clinching up but Smirnova breaks away and moves out of range.

Shaw drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Smirnova is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Shaw presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shaw misses with a punch to the body.
Shaw keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Smirnova's efforts to push away.
Smirnova swings wildly with an uppercut but Shaw uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shaw scores with a hook to the body.

Shaw pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Shaw has managed to clinch.
Smirnova has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Smirnova tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nickita Smirnova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shaw dives in and scores a takedown into Smirnova's guard.
Shaw with a flurry of punches that miss.
Smirnova is looking to stand up but Shaw isn't so interested in that idea.
Shaw lands a couple of elbows.
Shaw forces his way into half guard.
Smirnova has hold of Shaw's hands but Shaw slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shaw seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Shaw is looking for a kimura but Smirnova is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shaw to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaw lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Smirnova really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shaw. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smirnova trying to control but Shaw postures up.
Shaw is trying to control. Smirnova wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Smirnova is looking to control Shaw's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Smirnova avoid being mounted?
Smirnova is not content to let Shaw control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Smirnova desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Shaw controlling the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Shaw clinches up against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Smirnova misses with a knee to the head.
Smirnova tries to land knees in the clinch but Shaw avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Deshawn Shaw showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shaw 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Deshawn Shaw!