PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giro Inhanamoto (ranked 31 p4p, 343 weight class) and Shane Lancaster (ranked 7 p4p, 45 weight class). Lancaster has chosen Slipknot - I Am Hated as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Inhanamoto
vs
Lancaster

192 cm
25
259
16 - 2 - 0

192 cm
25
280
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Bondi MMA ðŸï¸
Shadow Realm Apparel

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 16 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Giro Inhanamoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shane Lancaster!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lancaster throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Inhanamoto was covering up waiting for the punch and Lancaster finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Inhanamoto knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lancaster on the ground.
Inhanamoto wants to stand and escape but Lancaster is having none of it.
Inhanamoto can't keep his opponent in guard - Lancaster advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Inhanamoto is positioning himself well to prevent Lancaster advancing to mount.
Inhanamoto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lancaster.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inhanamoto regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Lancaster.
Inhanamoto is controlling Lancaster's posture.
Lancaster throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lancaster scoring with punches to the head and body.
Inhanamoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lancaster is looking to work some ground and pound but Inhanamoto has wrist control.
Lancaster trying to control but Inhanamoto is working from the bottom.
Lancaster throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Inhanamoto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shane Lancaster seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Inhanamoto as Lancaster shoots in.
Inhanamoto looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's two 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.

Inhanamoto gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Lancaster to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Lancaster tries to free his leg and advance position but Inhanamoto is retaining full guard.
Lancaster is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Lancaster postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Inhanamoto holds on and takes a little breather.
Lancaster loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Inhanamoto 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster wants to control from the top but Inhanamoto keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Lancaster throws an elbow that misses. Inhanamoto uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lancaster's guard. Nice move by Inhanamoto!

Inhanamoto engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Inhanamoto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Lancaster wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

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.
Inhanamoto not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Lancaster closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Inhanamoto to the mat! Inhanamoto manages to get full guard.
Inhanamoto seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Lancaster dominated that round.
That's time! Inhanamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Inhanamoto on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Lancaster with a poor takedown
and Inhanamoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lancaster fails with the takedown.
Inhanamoto is looking to counter with a body kick.
A big left from Inhanamoto misses.
Lancaster fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Inhanamoto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Lancaster misses with a wild body shot.
Lancaster throws a body punch but Inhanamoto moves out of range.
Inhanamoto swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Lancaster swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Inhanamoto takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Lancaster shoots for a takedown but Inhanamoto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Giro Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Lancaster.
Inhanamoto swings for the body but Lancaster moves out of range.
Lancaster doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Inhanamoto counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster lands a jab to the head.
Inhanamoto misses with a kick to the body.
Lancaster ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Lancaster.
Lancaster has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lancaster misses with a body punch
and Lancaster takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lancaster jabs Inhanamoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Lancaster fails with the takedown.
Inhanamoto is looking for a counter combo.
Inhanamoto misses with a looping right.
Lancaster misses the jab.
Inhanamoto thows a leg kick but Lancaster checks it

and Lancaster counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Well, if Lancaster is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Inhanamoto with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Inhanamoto is trying to maintain the position but Lancaster is very close to passing his half guard.
Lancaster thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Inhanamoto's head.
Lancaster sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Inhanamoto defending well though.
Lancaster lands strikes from half guard.
Inhanamoto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lancaster.
Lancaster not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lancaster throwing shots but Inhanamoto is blocking nicely.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lancaster wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lancaster ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Lancaster shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Lancaster thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Inhanamoto's head.
Lancaster lands with a punch from half guard.
Lancaster landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lancaster passes to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lancaster trying to control the action but Inhanamoto is working from the bottom.
A lull in the action here as Lancaster stalls from top position.
Lancaster wants to lay and pray for a moment but Inhanamoto keeps working.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Lancaster showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Lancaster misses with a shot to the body
and Inhanamoto finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Lancaster scores with a takedown into Inhanamoto's guard.
Lancaster postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Inhanamoto holds on and takes a little breather.
Lancaster throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lancaster in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
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.
Lancaster throws a big right hand that misses.
Lancaster is fighting to break Inhanamoto's control of his arms but Inhanamoto is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Inhanamoto keeping moving, preventing Lancaster from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lancaster punishes Inhanamoto's body with a nice straight punch.
Lancaster keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Inhanamoto.
Lancaster tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lancaster fails with the takedown
and Inhanamoto counters with a leg kick.
Lancaster ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Shane Lancaster seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lancaster on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Lancaster shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lancaster takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto swings widly with a right hand

and Lancaster counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ground and pound from Lancaster.
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!
Inhanamoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lancaster throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lancaster throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Inhanamoto is not content to let Lancaster control the position.
Lancaster not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster is trying to control. Inhanamoto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lancaster connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Inhanamoto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lancaster misses with a wild body shot.
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.
Inhanamoto is looking to counter punch.
Giro Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Lancaster.
Inhanamoto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Lancaster throws a shot from downtown. Inhanamoto moves away and avoids it.
We've been told by Inhanamoto's head coaches at Bushido Martial Arts that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Inhanamoto misses the shot to the body.
Inhanamoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Inhanamoto with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Lancaster to score with a decent uppercut.
Lancaster is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Inhanamoto rather than just go for the knockout.
Lancaster takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lancaster takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Giro Inhanamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto fails to land with a series of punches.
Inhanamoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lancaster lands with a nice body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lancaster throws a hook but Inhanamoto avoids it easily.
Lancaster misses with a hook to the body
and Inhanamoto counters with a nice body kick.
Lancaster takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Inhanamoto with the inside leg kick.
Lancaster fails with a takedown attempt.
Inhanamoto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lancasters jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Shane Lancaster just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Lancaster throws a body punch but Inhanamoto moves out of range.
Inhanamoto is looking to counter punch.
Inhanamoto lands a really nice looking cross but Lancaster seems unphased.
Lancaster throws a hook to the side of Inhanamoto's head but Inhanamoto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lancaster takes one on the button.
Lancaster swings widly with a right hand
and Inhanamoto counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lancaster takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Lancaster throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Inhanamoto was covering up waiting for the punch and Lancaster finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Inhanamoto has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Lancaster off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lancaster misses with an uppercut
and Inhanamoto counters with a straight right hand.
Inhanamoto paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Inhanamoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lancaster.
Inhanamoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Lancaster is just out of range.
Inhanamoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lancaster was well out of range. Poor timing from Inhanamoto.
Lancaster throws a hook but Inhanamoto blocks it.
Inhanamoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big left from Inhanamoto misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Inhanamoto. Lancaster does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lancaster gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Inhanamoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Good exchange - Lancaster coming out on top.
Lancaster shoots and misses
and Inhanamoto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lancaster misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Inhanamoto.
Inhanamoto avoids the body shot from Lancaster.
Inhanamoto throwing a counter right hand but Lancaster manages to avoid it.
Lancaster misses with a body shot.
Lancaster lands a slapping body shot.
Inhanamoto throws a body punch but Lancaster moves out of range.
Lancaster moves away from the strike by Inhanamoto.
Lancaster shoots in for a double leg but Inhanamoto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A little feinted left hand from Inhanamoto on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Giro Inhanamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shane Lancaster.
A telegraphed right hand from Lancaster misses the target.
It looked like Inhanamoto wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lancaster shoots and misses
and Inhanamoto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lancaster is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lancaster throws a hook but Inhanamoto avoids it easily.
A jab from Inhanamoto does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Inhanamoto misses with an attempted mid kick.
Lancaster misses with a right hand
and Inhanamoto counters with a right hand to the body.
Lancaster lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Inhanamoto takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Lancaster takes a swing at Inhanamoto's ribcage but misses.
Inhanamoto throws a body shot but no joy.
Inhanamoto throws a hook but Lancaster blocks it.
Inhanamoto lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Shane Lancaster has been cut.
Lancaster tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Inhanamoto defends well and Lancaster ends up having to push Inhanamoto into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Lancaster shoots in and drives through. Inhanamoto sprawls well.
Inhanamoto connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Lancaster's hands.
Lancaster shoots in but Inhanamoto avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster throws a lazy uppercut
and Inhanamoto counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice cross by Lancaster.
Lancaster misses with a takedown attempt
and Inhanamoto counters with a huge left! Lancaster is in big trouble! He's backing up but Inhanamoto isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Lancaster from any more damage. A dominating finish by Inhanamoto!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Giro Inhanamoto!
Giro Inhanamoto retains his heavyweight title!
Our winner, Giro Inhanamoto, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.