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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juha Valjakkala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Shankar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valjakkala comes to the cage accompanied by Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues. Shankar has chosen "Them Belly Full" by Bob Marley as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 198 cm
25
270 lbs
5 - 4 - 0 |
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192 cm
22
267 lbs
9 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong |
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Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Juha Valjakkala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Andre Shankar!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Ackerman and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valjakkala looks to land a combination but Shankar avoids it well.
Valjakkala loads up on a big right hand but Shankar slips the punch.
Shankar tries to clinch up.
Valjakkala looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shankar is fending him off so far but Valjakkala persists. Nope, Shankar circles away and we're back to standing.
Shankar is looking to clinch.
Shankar closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Valjakkala prevents a body shot from Shankar.
Valjakkala blocks an uppercut.
Shankar has Valjakkala pushed against the cage.
Valjakkala is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shankar gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shankar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Valjakkala blocks a body shot from Shankar.
Valjakkala goes for a takedown attempt but Shankar pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juha Valjakkala. 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.
Valjakkala fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Valjakkala throws a body punch but Shankar moves out of range.
Shankar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shankar wants it to stay on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Valjakkala.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankar tries to clinch but Valjakkala is having none of it.
Shankar tries to clinch up.
Valjakkala looks to land a body kick but Shankar moved away.
Shankar wants to clinch.
Valjakkala misses with a few strikes there.
Valjakkala lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Valjakkala throws an overhand right that lands on Shankar's shoulder, as Shankar tries to avoid the shot.
Shankar tries to close the distance and clinch but Valjakkala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Valjakkala swats away the attempt to clinch by Shankar.
Valjakkala fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shankar is out of range.
Shankar closes the distance and clinches.
Shankar swings wildly with an uppercut but Valjakkala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shankar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valjakkala.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valjakkala.
Shankar swings wildly with an uppercut but Valjakkala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shankar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shankar can't find room to land a body shot as Valjakkala controls the action.
Shankar looking to stall.
Shankar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shankar avoiding damage.
The crowd are getting on Shankar's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Shankar swings wildly with an uppercut but Valjakkala uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short uppercut from Shankar.
The referee calls for Shankar to work.
Shankar has a couple of punches blocked by Valjakkala.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shankar lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Valjakkala or not.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Shankar has Valjakkala pushed against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Andre Shankar.
Valjakkala throws a head kick that misses.
Shankar doesn't manage to clinch there - Valjakkala circles away.
Valjakkala throws a head kick but Shankar moves out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Shankar blocks the leg kick.
Valjakkala throws a jab when Shankar was well out of range.
Shankar tries to clinch but Valjakkala moves out of range.
Shankar tries to clinch but Valjakkala is having none of it.
Shankar has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shankar can't find room to land a body shot as Valjakkala controls the action.
Valjakkala blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shankar throws a punch but it's blocked by Valjakkala.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valjakkala.
Valjakkala is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shankar gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valjakkala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shankar rushes Valjakkala and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Valjakkala is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shankar gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Valjakkala as Shankar tries to tie him up.
A nice left hand lands by Shankar.
Shankar is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Valjakkala is keeping busy.
Valjakkala prevents a body shot from Shankar.
Valjakkala wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Shankar misses with some punches.
Shankar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shankar scores with a hook to the body.
Valjakkala drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shankar is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Valjakkala is keeping busy.
Shankar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that�s the end of the round � the fighters go back to their corners.
Andre Shankar 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.
Valjakkala tries to bum rush Shankar with a series of wild strikes but Shankar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Valjakkala looks for a takedown but Shankar sprawls well.
Shankar fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shankar slips a straight right by Valjakkala.
Juha Valjakkala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shankar fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shankar doesn't manage to clinch there - Valjakkala circles away.
Shankar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shankar has Valjakkala pressed against the cage.
A body shot lands from Shankar.
Shankar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shankar lands a body shot.
Valjakkala blocks an elbow strike from Shankar.
Shankar leaning his opponent against the cage.
Valjakkala goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shankar prevents it.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Valjakkala's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Shankar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shankar fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shankar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shankar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shankar tries a body shot but Valjakkala blocks it.
Shankar is working Valjakkala over against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shankar lands a right hand that snaps the head of Valjakkala backwards.
Shankar lands a right hand.
Shankar tries to land knees in the clinch but Valjakkala avoids the damage to the body.
Good body shot from Shankar.
Shankar avoiding damage.
Shankar lands a body shot.
Shankar lands a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valjakkala letting Shankar take a breather here.
A short left from Shankar.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankar effectively controlling the action here.
Andre Shankar seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shankar can't find room to land a body shot as Valjakkala controls the action.
Shankar swings wildly with an uppercut but Valjakkala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shankar presses Valjakkala against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shankar with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shankar pressing his opponent against the cage.
Valjakkala looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juha Valjakkala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A short left from Shankar.
Shankar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shankar tries a body shot but Valjakkala blocks it.
Shankar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short body shot lands from Valjakkala as the two fighters clinch.
Valjakkala wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shankar has him pressed against the cage.
Shankar prevents Valjakkala from breaking the clinch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valjakkala jumps guard but Shankar stands there with Valjakkala around his waist. Valjakkala gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Valjakkala lands a shoulder strike.
Shankar creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Valjakkala's defenses.
Shankar misses with the head strike.
Valjakkala avoids the elbow strike from Shankar, against the cage.
Valjakkala is trying to force a seperation but Shankar has the dominant position.
Shankar gets through Valjakkala's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Shankar fails to land.
Valjakkala blocking some punches.
Shankar breaks from the clinch.
Shankar doesn't manage to clinch there - Valjakkala circles away.
Shankar defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Valjakkala.
Shankar tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valjakkala swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Valjakkala rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shankar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shankar fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Valjakkala sprawls well initially but Shankar persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Shankar missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankar is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Shankar gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Shankar tries to close the distance and clinch but Valjakkala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Valjakkala throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Shankar tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Valjakkala paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shankar is looking to clinch but Valjakkala is avoiding it.
Valjakkala will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Valjakkala with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shankar holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Shankar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valjakkala.
Valjakkala blocks an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shankar.
Shankar tries a body shot but Valjakkala blocks it.
Shankar manages to break the clinch.
Valjakkala throws the left hand but Shankar avoids the punch easily.
And that�s the end of the round � the fighters go back to their corners.
Andre Shankar 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!
Valjakkala swings away with a body shot that misses
and Shankar counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shankar.
Valjakkala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shankar lands a shot to the body.
Shankar is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shankar misses with a punch to the body.
Valjakkala wants a takedown but no success here.
Valjakkala wants a takedown.
Valjakkala takes a shot to the head.
Shankar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Valjakkala fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juha Valjakkala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valjakkala changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shankar fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shankar fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shankar tries to clinch but Valjakkala is having none of it.
Valjakkala doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shankar counters by moving into the clinch.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankar throws a punch but it's blocked by Valjakkala.
Shankar stalling in the clinch but Valjakkala improves position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shankar.
Valjakkala goes for a takedown attempt but Shankar pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Shankar wants to clinch.
Valjakkala throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Shankar holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Shankar stalls.
A short right from Shankar.
Valjakkala has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shankar is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shankar.
Shankar tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shankar is trying to stall.
Juha Valjakkala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Shankar gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Valjakkala regains guard.
Valjakkala throws a couple of heel strikes.
Shankar stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Valjakkala swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Valjakkala wants to sweep here but Shankar controlling him for the moment.
Shankar tries to free his leg and advance position but Valjakkala is retaining full guard.
Shankar stands and steps away. Valjakkala gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Valjakkala misses with a shot to the body
and Shankar counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shankar.
Shankar tries to work over Valjakkala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shankar gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Valjakkala.
Valjakkala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shankar lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Valjakkala.
Valjakkala dodges an elbow strike from Shankar.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shankar lands a shot to the body.
Shankar presses Valjakkala against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shankar throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Shankar.
Shankar stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Shankar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shankar is leaning against Valjakkala and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shankar.
Shankar tries to work over Valjakkala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Valjakkala trying to stall but Shankar improves his position.
Shankar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Valjakkala avoids it.
A short right from Shankar.
Shankar scores with a knee to the head.
A short right from Shankar on the inside.
Valjakkala prevents a body shot from Shankar.
Valjakkala avoids a wild elbow strike from Shankar.
Shankar misses with a punch on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shankar lands an elbow that stopped Valjakkala in his tracks for a moment.
Shankar stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Shankar displaying some good clinch control by pressing Valjakkala up against the cage.
Shankar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shankar stops a takedown attempt from Valjakkala.
Shankar tries to throw a body punch but Valjakkala avoids it by throwing Shankar back against the cage.
Andre Shankar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shankar is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Valjakkala is defending well for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Valjakkala.
Shankar works on Valjakkala's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right from Valjakkala.
Shankar is trying to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shankar is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Valjakkala has denied him.
Shankar slows down the pace here.
Shankar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that's the end of the fight!
Andre Shankar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shankar winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 26:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andre Shankar!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
73% |
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