PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Shardlow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve McRae (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McRae has chosen Indestructible as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Shardlow
vs
McRae

190 cm
24
199 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

176 cm
24
195 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Shardlow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve McRae!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Robert Douchet and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McRae shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Shardlow is trying to defend but McRae finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Shardlow wants to control but McRae is keeping busy and won't allow it.
McRae missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McRae throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shardlow gets back to full guard.
McRae working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shardlow looking for a sweep. Not yet Shardlow, not yet.
McRae sitting in guard, not really doing much.
McRae won't allow Shardlow to sweep him here.
McRae throwing strikes from guard but Shardlow blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McRae sitting in guard here, content to control.
McRae is looking to work some ground and pound but Shardlow has wrist control.
McRae wants to pass the guard but Shardlow is keeping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A slapping leg kick lands for McRae.
McRae tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shardlow was well out of range. Poor timing from McRae.

McRae takes the fight into the clinch.
McRae goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shardlow prevents it.
Shardlow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McRae is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shardlow gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shardlow throws a punch but it's blocked by McRae.
Shardlow leaning against his opponent.
McRae works on Shardlow's body with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from McRae.
McRae changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shardlow fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Steve Shardlow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve McRae.
McRae bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shardlow's corner calls for a 1-2. Shardlow obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
McRae tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shardlow was well out of range. Poor timing from McRae.
McRae tries to clinch but Shardlow moves out of range.
McRae just misses with a punch to the body.
Shardlow ducks right into an uppercut from McRae.
McRae takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Shardlow tries to move into range but McRae moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head kick misses from Shardlow.
McRae misses with a wild combination.

Shardlow tries to keep at a distance but McRae has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shardlow prevents it.
Shardlow lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of McRae backwards.
McRae has Shardlow pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shardlow manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shardlow looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
McRae tries to score a body lock takedown but Shardlow shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shardlow prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shardlow tries to stall but McRae uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McRae tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shardlow's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by McRae.
Shardlow is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

McRae gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Shardlow regains guard.
McRae trying to control the position from guard on top but Shardlow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shardlow on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shardlow tries to get out of the position.
Shardlow looking for a sweep. Not yet Shardlow, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McRae working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shardlow looking to hit a scissor sweep but McRae is one step ahead there.
Shardlow will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McRae controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McRae trying to control but Shardlow is working from the bottom.
McRae is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
McRae with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve McRae dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McRae walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Steve McRae is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shardlow throws a head kick that misses.
Steve McRae seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

McRae has taken the fight to the clinch.
McRae prevents a body shot from Shardlow.
McRae blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McRae.
Shardlow is trying to stall.
McRae goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shardlow prevents it.
Shardlow is trying to maintain a safe position but McRae gets an underhook and turns Shardlow into the cage.

McRae pulls guard effortlessly.
McRae looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
McRae looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shardlow is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shardlow tries to stand but McRae is controlling from the bottom.
McRae looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shardlow has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shardlow trying to control the position from guard on top but McRae is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McRae is working an open guard so Shardlow takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
McRae lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shardlow circles away quickly and effectively.
McRae scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Shardlow tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
McRae takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

McRae closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

McRae is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shardlow defends it well.
Shardlow is trying to control but McRae passes into side control!
Shardlow tries to improve position but can't.
Shardlow dodges the ground and pound from McRae.
McRae is looking to take a break and control but Shardlow is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shardlow tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McRae cracks Shardlow with an elbow. That is naaassty.
McRae wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shardlow keeps working.
Shardlow struggling a bit here.
McRae sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Shardlow is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McRae shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shardlow defends it nicely.
Shardlow lands a high kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shardlow cracks McRae with a good jab.
McRae staying out of range there.
Shardlow misses with a series of wild punches.
Shardlow moves forwards but McRae connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Shardlow throws a front kick that sends McRae stumbling back into the cage.
Shardlow throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
McRae misses with a straight right.
McRae looks to land a left hand but Shardlow moved out of range nicely.
McRae throws a hook but Shardlow blocks it.
A shot to the liver by McRae. Beautiful body shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Shardlow.
A head kick from Shardlow lands but McRae takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McRae attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Shardlow dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McRae throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shardlow scores with a nice strike.
McRae shoots in looking for a takedown. Shardlow tries to sprawl out of it but McRae keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shardlow manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
McRae tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shardlow is looking to clinch but McRae is avoiding it.
McRae shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shardlow as he avoids it easily.
Shardlow throws a head kick that McRae semi-blocks.

McRae is rocked!
Shardlow throws a nasty head kick that just misses. He throws another kick to the head of his opponent and almost takes it off! McRae crumples to the floor and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Steve Shardlow!