PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Franco Fajardo (ranked 1879 p4p, 2210 weight class) and Scott Shotz (ranked 256 p4p, 298 weight class). Scott Shotz acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Fajardo
vs
Shotz

185 cm
26
190
4 - 2 - 0

178 cm
25
195
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Primal

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Franco Fajardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Scott Shotz!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, David Hoff and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Fajardo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fajardo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Shotz jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Fajardo clinches with his opponent.
Shotz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Shotz fails to land.
Fajardo misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Shotz.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shotz.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shotz creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fajardo definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Fajardo works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fajardo stopping the sweep attempt from Shotz.
Fajardo content to stall in guard here.

Fajardo is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Shotz is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Shotz has escaped and now he's on top!

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shotz postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fajardo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Shotz gets back to full guard.
Fajardo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fajardo works over Shotz with some ground and pound from guard.
Fajardo trying to control the position from guard on top but Shotz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fajardo looking to pass the guard.
Fajardo 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fajardo lands a couple of digs.
Fajardo lands a couple of elbows.
Fajardo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fajardo stands up over Shotz, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shotz looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Fajardo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shotz keeping full guard, as Fajardo tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shotz is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shotz controlling the position.
Shotz looking to control.
Fajardo wants to control from the top but Shotz keeps moving.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Fajardo throws an elbow that misses. Shotz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fajardo's guard. Nice move by Shotz!

Fajardo keeping moving, preventing Shotz from controlling successfully.

That's four 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.
Fajardo is trying to keep Shotz in close.
Shotz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shotz looking to pass the guard.
Shotz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Fajardo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Shotz defends well.
Shotz won't allow Fajardo to sweep him here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Fajardo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
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 Franco Fajardo will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Fajardo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shotz misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jab, jab by Shotz - just one landing.
Fajardo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shotz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice shot lands for Shotz.
Shotz is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fajardo.
Fajardo attempts a counter takedown but Shotz avoids it well and moves away.
Shotz misses with an uppercut.
Fajardo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Fajardo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Shotz is trying to defend but Fajardo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shotz has his hands clasped together around Fajardo's back. He's all about the action.
Shotz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fajardo is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fajardo is trying to control the action in half guard but Shotz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Shotz has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fajardo is working away from the top position though.

Fajardo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shotz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Fajardo.
Shotz is pressing down on Fajardo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fajardo trying to control but Shotz is working from the bottom.
Shotz working a defensive guard 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.
Fajardo content to stall in guard here.
Fajardo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shotz working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fajardo.
Fajardo postures up.
Fajardo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Shotz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fajardo landing with the ground and pound.
Fajardo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shotz is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fajardo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Scott Shotz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fajardo throws a body shot but no joy.
Shotz throws a big shot that misses.
Fajardo slips a jab from Shotz.
Shotz misses with an uppercut. Fajardo saw that one coming.
Scott Shotz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shotz lands a nice shot to the body.

Fajardo forces Shotz back against the cage and clinches.
Fajardo can't find room to land a body shot as Shotz controls the action.
Still in the clinch, Shotz scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fajardo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shotz just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fajardo can't find room to land a body shot as Shotz controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fajardo tries to throw a body punch but Shotz avoids it by throwing Fajardo back against the cage.
Fajardo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fajardo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shotz avoids it.
Fajardo leaning against his opponent.
A body shot lands from Shotz.
Fajardo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Shotz tries a body shot but Fajardo blocks it.
Shotz misses with a punch on the inside.
Shotz managing to block the knees to the body from Fajardo.
Fajardo scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shotz tries to throw a body punch but Fajardo avoids it by throwing Shotz back against the cage.
Fajardo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shotz prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franco Fajardo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fajardo throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shotz blocks it with crossed arms.
Fajardo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shotz is trying to force a seperation but Fajardo has the dominant position.
Shotz swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Franco Fajardo will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Shotz.
Shotz throws an overhand right that lands on Fajardo's shoulder, as Fajardo tries to avoid the shot.
Shotz lands a jab to the nose.
Shotz scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fajardo looks to throw the jab but Shotz is out of range.
Fajardo needs to keep his hands up - Shotz had a free shot at his head there.
Fajardo shoots in for a takedown but Shotz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
It seemed like Shotz was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fajardo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fajardo throws a lazy right hand but Shotz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice body punch from Shotz.
Shotz looks to score with a jab to the body but Fajardo is just out of range.
Fajardo avoids the body shot from Shotz.
Shotz waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fajardo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shotz jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fajardo changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Shotz throws a right and a left that Fajardo avoids nicely.
Shotz lands a nice hook to Fajardo's body. Fajardo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Fajardo bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fajardo throws a strike aimed at the side of Shotz's head but Shotz avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shotz is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Fajardo off and has taken his back!
Fajardo rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Fajardo tries to roll over but Shotz keeps him under control.
Fajardo is working hard here to advance position.
Fajardo has his hands clasped together around Shotz's back. He's all about the action.
Fajardo is pressing down on Shotz's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fajardo working for a triangle but Shotz defends it easily.
Shotz trying to control the position from guard on top but Fajardo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fajardo controlling Shotz's posture.
Shotz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fajardo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fajardo is looking for a triangle but Shotz pushes his legs off easily.

Fajardo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Fajardo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fajardo trying to keep a closed guard but Shotz is proving a slippery customer.
Shotz sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Fajardo's guard.

That's four 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.
Shotz wants to free his trapped foot but Fajardo is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Fajardo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shotz controlling the pace.
Scott Shotz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franco Fajardo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fajardo is trying to control but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shotz not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fajardo is doing well to control the position and prevent Shotz from advancing to side control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shotz misses with a combination

and Fajardo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shotz's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Scott Shotz.
I think Fajardo 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Franco Fajardo!