PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Ducreux (ranked 2799 p4p, 3160 weight class) and Tavon Shebu (ranked 377 p4p, 412 weight class). Tavon Shebu is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ducreux
vs
Shebu

184 cm
24
180
2 - 3 - 0

180 cm
31
180
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joseph Ducreux!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tavon Shebu!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shebu wants to clinch but Ducreux slips to the side
and Ducreux counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Tavon Shebu has been cut.

Shebu gets a double leg takedown into Ducreux's guard.
Shebu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ducreux preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shebu throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ducreux lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shebu has Ducreux pulled in close to control his posture.
Shebu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ducreux tries to free his leg and advance position but Shebu is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shebu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shebu wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shebu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ducreux sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ducreux has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ducreux is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at GWad's Playpen that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Ducreux pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shebu is keeping the position for now.
Shebu is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Shebu wants to stand up but Ducreux is controlling him.
Shebu seems keen to control Ducreux's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ducreux misses with a straight right.
Shebu has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

Shebu clinches up with Ducreux and pushes him back against the cage.
A short left from Ducreux.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ducreux.
Shebu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ducreux is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shebu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ducreux is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Ducreux manages to break the clinch.
Shebu shoots for a double leg takedown but Ducreux sprawls well. He's pushed Shebu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ducreux was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Joseph Ducreux has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tavon Shebu.
Shebu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ducreux paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ducreux punishes Shebu's body with a nice straight punch.
Ducreux slaps away a takedown attempt from Shebu, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Good exchange - Ducreux coming out on top.
Ducreux stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ducreux wants it to stay on the feet.
It looked like Ducreux was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ducreux is looking to slow Shebu down with leg kicks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ducreux throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ducreux throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shebu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Shebu looks winded!
Ducreux lands a jab to Shebu's midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shebu.
Ducreux swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ducreux is looking to wear down Shebu with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ducreux connects with the punch.
Joseph Ducreux is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ducreux cracks Shebu with an open hand slap.
Ducreux fakes a right and follows up with a big left that drops Shebu to one knee - oooooh, he's wobbly! Shebu looks to clinch but Ducreux throws him off and pummels him into the canvas! Shebu taps out under the strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Joseph Ducreux!
A very excited looking Joseph Ducreux rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.