PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Fuma Kotaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Shanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shanks has chosen Dethklok - The Cyborg Slayers as his entrance music. Michael Shanks will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kotaro
vs
Shanks

173 cm
24
177 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
183 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 159's - $45

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Fuma Kotaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Michael Shanks!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kotaro just misses with a punch to the body.
Kotaro throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kotaro explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Shanks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kotaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Shanks.
Kotaro misses with a wild body shot.
Shanks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shanks avoids the head kick by Kotaro.
Kotaro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kotaro fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shanks.
A punch lands to the side of Kotaro 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kotaro throws an off balance right hand

and Shanks counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shanks.

Kotaro jumps guard and drags Shanks to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kotaro might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Shanks got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kotaro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shanks has managed to get both his arms back between Kotaro's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotaro wants to sweep but no luck.

Kotaro throws his legs up looking for a submission but Shanks uses it to pass to side control.
Kotaro is looking for a sweep.

Shanks stands up.
Shanks misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks thows a body shot but no joy.
Shanks jabs at Kotaro's body.
Kotaro fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shanks is out of range.

Kotaro clinches up with Shanks and pushes him back against the cage.
Shanks is stalling here.
Kotaro tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shanks avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kotaro is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Shanks pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shanks looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shanks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks prevents the takedown attempt.
Shanks can't break the clinch.
Kotaro is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kotaro fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fuma Kotaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kotaro pulls guard successfully.
Kotaro can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shanks controls the pace.

Kotaro looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Shanks passes into side control.
Shanks tries to stand but Kotaro is controlling his head.
Kotaro tries to buck Shanks off but Shanks is having none of it.
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.
Shanks tries to stand but Kotaro is controlling his head.
Kotaro tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kotaro is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kotaro is trying to control Shanks's posture but Shanks avoids it.
Kotaro is looking for a sweep.
Shanks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kotaro. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shanks gets to mount! Kotaro was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Fuma Kotaro will probably get the nod.
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.

Shanks scores with a nice right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shanks. Kotaro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kotaro throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kotaro just misses with a punch to the body.
Kotaro lands a head kick. Shanks smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kotaro looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shanks is fending him off so far but Kotaro persists. Nope, Shanks circles away and we're back to standing.
Michael Shanks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shanks cracks Kotaro with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kotaro tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kotaro tries to clinch but Shanks moves out of range.
Shanks misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotaro misses with a body shot.
Kotaro throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kotaro fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shanks has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shanks is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kotaro rather than just go for the knockout.
Kotaro throws a leg kick but Shanks checks it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Shanks.

It looks like Fuma Kotaro has been cut.
Shanks checks a low kick from Kotaro.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kotaro.
Shanks tries to bum rush Kotaro with a series of wild strikes but Kotaro uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kotaro tries to land a leg kick but Shanks saw it coming and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks checks the leg kick.
Shanks is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kotaro looks to land a combination but Shanks avoids it well.
Shanks checks a leg kick.
Kotaro lands a high kick!
Michael Shanks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kotaro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shanks but Shanks pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kotaro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shanks but Shanks pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fuma Kotaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shanks moves into the clinch.
Shanks lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shanks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kotaro wants to land a leg kick but Shanks is out of range.
Kotaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shanks.
Kotaro scores with a leg kick.
A solid body kick from Kotaro.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shanks tries to break free but Kotaro pushes him back against the cage.
Shanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Shanks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kotaro tries to land a leg kick but Shanks saw it coming and moves away.
Kotaro fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shanks has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shanks rushes Kotaro and presses him up against the cage.
Kotaro changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shanks fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Shanks has managed to clinch.
Kotaro goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shanks prevents it.
Shanks presses Kotaro against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kotaro misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shanks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shanks has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shanks tries to circle away but Kotaro has him pinned against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Shanks's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Shanks can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Shanks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fuma Kotaro's cut.
That's time! Kotaro's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Shanks chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kotaro can pounce on him.
Kotaro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shanks swats him away and circles back towards the center.
That kick from Kotaro tenderised Shanks's leg. Shanks is trying to keep his angry face on.
No luck for Kotaro with that takedown attempt.
Kotaro tries to clinch but Shanks is having none of it.
Shanks stuffs the takedown.

Shanks moves into the clinch.

Shanks manages to break the clinch.
Shanks looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kotaro swings for the body but Shanks moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotaro lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A clash of legs there as Shanks blocks the low kick.
Kotaro misses with a low kick as Shanks jumps back.
Kotaro moves into range and connects with a jab.
Shanks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kotaro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shanks moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kotaro feints and then cracks Shanks's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Shanks down.

Shanks takes the fight into the clinch.
Shanks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanks works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shanks on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A right hand to the body from Shanks.

Shanks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shanks scores with a nice head shot.
Fuma Kotaro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shanks defending well as Kotaro loads up on a big left hand.
Kotaro looks for the body kick but Shanks saw that one coming.
Kotaro throws a sloppy head kick and Shanks moves out of range easily.
Shanks wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shanks scores with a nice strike.
Kotaro slips a jab and a cross from Shanks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shanks misses with a body shot.
Kotaro is looking to land body kicks.
Shanks looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kotaro manages to avoid it.
Shanks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kotaro.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fuma Kotaro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shanks checks a leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Shanks.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shanks checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotaro looks to score with a jab to the body but Shanks is just out of range.
Kotaro throws a low kick but Shanks moves out of range easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shanks prevents the takedown attempt.

Shanks manages to break the clinch.

Shanks clinches up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Shanks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kotaro has Shanks pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shanks manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Shanks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kotaro throws a body kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Shanks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shanks has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Shanks!