PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Lancaster (ranked 1050 p4p, 1899 weight class) and Giro Inhanamoto (ranked 151 p4p, 267 weight class). Lancaster comes to the cage accompanied by Slipknot - I Am Hated. Giro Inhanamoto is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Lancaster
vs
Inhanamoto

192 cm
19
280
4 - 0 - 0

192 cm
19
250
4 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Vegan Gains
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shane Lancaster!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Giro Inhanamoto!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Inhanamoto looks to throw the jab but Lancaster is out of range.
Shane Lancaster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lancaster moves away from the strike by Inhanamoto.
Inhanamoto looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Lancaster just misses with a punch to the body.
Lancaster has his takedown stuffed
and Inhanamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Inhanamoto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lancaster at a distance.
Lancaster looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Lancaster throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster shoots in looking for a takedown but Inhanamoto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lancaster's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lancaster's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Inhanamoto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lancaster scrambles back to his feet.
Lancaster throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster just misses with a punch to the body.
Inhanamoto throws out a counter right but Lancaster avoids it with no problem.
Lancaster has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gunner's School of Combat in the buildup to the fight.
Inhanamoto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lancaster is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Inhanamoto.
A jab from Inhanamoto misses.
Lancaster feinted with a counter takedown.
Lancaster has his takedown stuffed
and Inhanamoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Lancaster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lancaster misses the shot to the body.
Lancaster listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lancaster fails with the takedown
and Inhanamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Shane Lancaster has been cut.
Inhanamoto missing with a left hand there. Lancaster was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lancaster half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster misses with a takedown
and Inhanamoto counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lancaster connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Inhanamoto swings widly with a right hand

and Lancaster counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Inhanamoto!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sloppy strikes there by Lancaster.
Inhanamoto tries to improve position but can't.
The ground and pound from Lancaster seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Lancaster working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Inhanamoto avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Lancaster.
Lancaster sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Inhanamoto is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster wants to lay and pray for a moment but Inhanamoto keeps working.
Inhanamoto is trying to control Lancaster's posture but Lancaster avoids it.
Lancaster creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Lancaster just content to control the position.
Inhanamoto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Inhanamoto is not content to let Lancaster control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Inhanamoto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Inhanamoto is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Inhanamoto dodges the ground and pound from Lancaster.
Lancaster trying to control the action but Inhanamoto is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Inhanamoto is trying to get back to half guard.
Lancaster lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Inhanamoto down.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shane Lancaster will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shane Lancaster's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Inhanamoto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lancaster goes for a double leg but Inhanamoto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Inhanamoto continues to drive forward.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Inhanamoto! But no joy.
Lancaster fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Inhanamoto throws a punch but it's blocked by Lancaster.

Lancaster has picked Inhanamoto up - he's going for a ride! Lancaster dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Lancaster sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Inhanamoto defending well though.
Inhanamoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Inhanamoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster is controlling the pace.
Lancaster not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Lancaster not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lancaster thows a huge punch but Inhanamoto dodges it nicely.
Shane Lancaster overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Lancaster is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Inhanamoto trying to hold on to Lancaster's head to control him but Lancaster postures up.
Lancaster missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lancaster thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster is thwarting Inhanamoto's attempts to control the position.
Inhanamoto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lancaster.
Lancaster missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lancaster missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Inhanamoto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lancaster. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Inhanamoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lancaster trying to pass the guard but Inhanamoto defending well.
Nice strikes from Lancaster there.

It looks like Giro Inhanamoto has been cut.
Lancaster not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto has hold of Lancaster's hands but Lancaster slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Lancaster missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lancaster prevents Inhanamoto from improving his position.
Lancaster sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Inhanamoto defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lancaster throwing shots but Inhanamoto is blocking nicely.
Lancaster working the head and body with strikes.
Inhanamoto trying to control from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Lancaster missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Still in half guard, Lancaster seems content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster stalling away here and it's allowed Inhanamoto to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Lancaster content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lancaster is stalling in the full guard.
Inhanamoto keeping moving, preventing Lancaster from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lancaster accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lancaster loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Lancaster dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Inhanamoto moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Inhanamoto takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Inhanamoto defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lancaster.
Inhanamoto let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lancaster shoots in for a takedown but Inhanamoto shows good takedown defense.
Lancaster fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Inhanamoto avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Lancaster. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster walks into a straight right hand from Inhanamoto.
Giro Inhanamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lancaster sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Inhanamoto might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Inhanamoto lands with a cross.
Inhanamoto uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lancaster misses with a takedown
and Lancaster takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Lancaster feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Lancaster chips away with some ground and pound.
Lancaster tries to free his leg and advance position but Inhanamoto is retaining full guard.
Lancaster postures up and lands a big shot to Inhanamoto's brow.
Lancaster postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lancaster landing with the ground and pound.
Lancaster looking to pass the guard.
Lancaster's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Lancaster is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Inhanamoto can do to turn this around?
Lancaster is looking to work some ground and pound but Inhanamoto has wrist control.
Lancaster distracts Inhanamoto with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Inhanamoto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lancaster is one step ahead there.
Lancaster lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lancaster pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Inhanamoto is keeping the position for now.
Inhanamoto being controlled here, momentarily.
Inhanamoto wants to stand but Lancaster is controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Inhanamoto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Inhanamoto! But no joy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lancaster.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lancaster throws a poor cross that misses
and Inhanamoto counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lancaster misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Inhanamoto.
Inhanamoto looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lancaster ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Inhanamoto moves away.
Inhanamoto looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lancaster throws a sloppy body shot
and Lancaster takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lancaster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Inhanamoto counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Inhanamoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lancaster.
Lancaster shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Inhanamoto pinned against the cage. Inhanamoto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Giro Inhanamoto just about did enough to take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Inhanamoto misses with a hook. Lancaster ducked under it nicely.
Lancaster misses with a right hand
and Inhanamoto counters with a straight right hand.
Lancaster looks for a takedown but Inhanamoto sprawls well.
Inhanamoto throws out a counter right but Lancaster avoids it with no problem.
Inhanamoto scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lancaster doesn't seem bothered though.
Lancaster uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Inhanamoto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster misses with a body punch
and Lancaster takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lancaster misses the jab.
Lancaster looks to score with a jab to the body but Inhanamoto is just out of range.
Inhanamoto appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster has a takedown stuffed.
Lancaster takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lancaster misses the shot to the body.
Inhanamoto connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Lancaster momentarily.
Lancaster just misses with a punch to the body.
Lancaster slips a jab from Inhanamoto.
A quick step to the side and Lancaster tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lancaster misses with a takedown attempt
and Inhanamoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shane Lancaster. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto throws a hook but Lancaster avoids it easily.
A lazy left from Lancaster finds it's target.
Inhanamoto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Inhanamoto scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lancaster ducks under a wild hook from Inhanamoto.
A big left from Inhanamoto misses.
Lancaster appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Inhanamoto throws a hook to the side of Lancaster's head but Lancaster sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lancaster swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It seemed like Inhanamoto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lancaster moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster throws a jab but it's blocked by Inhanamoto.

Inhanamoto tries to sprawl but Lancaster drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Lancaster working Inhanamoto over with strikes.
Lancaster controlling the action here.
Ground and pound from Lancaster.
Lancaster wants to control but Inhanamoto is keeping him busy.
Lancaster is nestled in close to Inhanamoto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Lancaster sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Inhanamoto defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lancaster throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lancaster throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lancaster is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lancaster 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.
Lancaster lands strikes from half guard.
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. Lancaster connects with a nice short shot to Inhanamoto's temple.

Inhanamoto is rocked!
Lancaster not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lancaster drops an elbow to the side of Inhanamoto's head.
Inhanamoto is still in real trouble! Can Lancaster finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lancaster thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Inhanamoto's head.
Lancaster perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Giro Inhanamoto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Lancaster doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Inhanamoto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Inhanamoto seems to have recovered his senses.
Lancaster throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Inhanamoto's waist but Inhanamoto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lancaster off to one side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Inhanamoto! But no joy.
Lancaster is looking to wear down Inhanamoto with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
The fighters circle momentarily. Inhanamoto darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Lancaster drives through with a takedown into Inhanamoto's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Lancaster landing with the ground and pound.
Lancaster in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster wants to control from the top but Inhanamoto keeps moving.
Lancaster throws a strike but Inhanamoto rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto wants to control from the top but Lancaster keeps moving.
Lancaster looking to hit a scissor sweep but Inhanamoto is one step ahead there.
Lancaster is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Inhanamoto won't allow Lancaster to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Inhanamoto prevents Lancaster from getting back to his feet.
Lancaster pulls Inhanamoto in close to prevent any damage.
Lancaster looking for a sweep. Not yet Lancaster, not yet.
Lancaster is pulling down on Inhanamoto's head. It's preventing any offense from Inhanamoto, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Giro Inhanamoto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lancaster connects with a body shot that sends Inhanamoto's belly button to the back.
Lancaster throws a body punch but Inhanamoto moves out of range.
Inhanamoto throws out a counter right but Lancaster avoids it with no problem.
Lancaster slips under a jab.
Lancaster tries to counter with a takedown but Inhanamoto is quick to defend against it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto lands with a nice body punch.
Inhanamoto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Lancaster changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lancaster misses with an uppercut. Inhanamoto saw that one coming.
Lancaster uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Inhanamoto.
Inhanamoto avoids the body shot from Lancaster.
Inhanamoto paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Inhanamoto jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lancaster slips a jab and a cross from Inhanamoto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Inhanamoto looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Inhanamoto misses with a combination

and Lancaster counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Inhanamoto on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Lancaster taking a breather here.
Lancaster landing strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lancaster works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Lancaster scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Inhanamoto to see if he's OK.

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 Shane Lancaster.
I think Lancaster has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 48:47
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Shane Lancaster!
Shane Lancaster retains his heavyweight title!
An out of breath Shane Lancaster thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.