PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sahraim Alib (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Shelby (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shelby has chosen Amazing as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Alib
vs
Shelby

170 cm
26
170 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

185 cm
28
185 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sahraim Alib!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nate Shelby!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Luis Engracia and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Shelby misses.
Sloppy strikes from Alib. Those never looked like landing.
Alib misses with a lunging right hand
and Shelby counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shelby misses with a series of wild punches.
Shelby just misses with a punch to the body.
Alib fails to land with a series of punches.
Shelby looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Alib uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shelby.
Shelby steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Alib.
Shelby misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alib.
A big right from Shelby misses.
Shelby misses with a body shot.
Alib takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shelby displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Alib.
Alib misses with a takedown attempt - Shelby sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A big left from Shelby misses.
A swing and a miss from Alib.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alib swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shelby swings for the body but Alib moves out of range.
Alib throws a series of punches but Shelby avoids them all with ease.
Alib ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shelby moves away.
Alib throws a jab but it's blocked by Shelby.
Alib misses the shot to the body.
Alib takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nate Shelby seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shelby throws an overhand right that lands on Alib's shoulder, as Alib tries to avoid the shot.
Nate Shelby is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Alib throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shelby throws a nice looking combination but Alib bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Alib throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shelby sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Alib misses the shot to the body.
Alib takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Alib misses with a body shot.
Alib takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Shelby misses with a hook.
Alib uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shelby.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shelby throws out a powerful jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Alib looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Alib misses with a straight left.
Alib with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Shelby to score with a decent uppercut.
Alib is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Shelby's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Shelby tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alib was well out of range. Poor timing from Shelby.
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!
Alib uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shelby.
Alib shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sahraim Alib. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelby tries to clinch there but Alib circles away.
Alib just misses with a punch to the body.
Shelby goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Shelby throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shelby throws a body punch but Alib moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Shelby misses the target.
Shelby throws a jab but it's blocked by Alib.
Shelby looks to throw the jab but Alib is out of range.
Alib throws out a loose jab but Shelby uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alib uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shelby.
Shelby takes a swing at Alib's ribcage but misses.
Alib throws a series of punches but Shelby avoids them all with ease.
Alib looks to score with a jab to the body but Shelby is just out of range.
Alib dives in and grabs Shelby's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shelby pushes down on Alib's head and hops out.
Shelby scores with a shot to the body.
Shelby will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shelby throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Alib.
Alib missing with a left hand there. Shelby was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shelby is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Shelby throws a combination that misses
and Alib counters with a straight right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Alib.
Shelby throws a hook but Alib avoids it easily.

Alib looking to score a takedown here. Shelby is defending well but Alib drives through and ends up in Shelby's guard.

Alib drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Alib jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shelby is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alib trying to control the position from guard on top but Shelby is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shelby looking to control but Alib passes into half guard.
Shelby tries to get to full guard but Alib has control of the leg.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Alib is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Alib trying to control the action but Shelby is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shelby avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Alib.
Alib looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Shelby is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Shelby dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shelby misses with an uppercut. Alib saw that one coming.
Alib fails to land the takedown.
Shelby scores with a kick to the midsection.
Shelby misses with a straight left.
Alib slips a jab and a cross from Shelby.
A nice combination there by Alib.
Shelby misses the shot to the body.
Shelby throws a body punch but Alib moves out of range.

Shelby drives through and clinches with Alib against the cage.
Shelby lands a nice uppercut.
Shelby misses with some punches.
Alib blocks the elbow strike.
Alib dodges an elbow strike from Shelby.
Alib takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shelby throws an elbow but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alib drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Shelby gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shelby working aggressively here.
A short uppercut from Alib.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shelby throws an elbow but misses.
Shelby lands a left hand that snaps the head of Alib backwards.
Shelby misses with an elbow strike.
Alib is trying to break the clinch but Shelby is controlling him.
Alib avoids the elbow strike from Shelby, against the cage.
Shelby swings wildly with an uppercut but Alib uses good head movement to avoid it.
Alib blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Alib is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shelby gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sahraim Alib. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shelby misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shelby swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shelby misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shelby looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shelby as Alib tries to tie him up.
Shelby misses with a hook from the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Alib - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Shelby working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Shelby fails to land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shelby keeps control of Alib as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Shelby has a couple of punches blocked by Alib.
Alib lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shelby throws a head punch that misses.
Alib avoids a wild elbow strike from Shelby.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alib blocks an elbow strike from Shelby.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Alib.

Alib turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Alib manages to end up in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shelby is trying to control Alib's posture but Alib avoids it.
Alib fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Alib works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Shelby manages to get back to half guard.
Alib controlling the action here.
Alib seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Alib thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shelby blocking the ground and pound attempt from Alib.
Shelby is refusing to be controlled, as Alib sits in half guard.
Shelby holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Alib seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Shelby is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Alib not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Shelby trying to control from the bottom.
Shelby is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Alib's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Alib's back!
Alib rolls, trying to escape but Shelby keeps control of the position.
Shelby is trying to stick to Alib's back but Alib is turning into Shelby. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Shelby's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Alib.
Alib trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Alib loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shelby preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Alib tries to free his leg and advance position but Shelby is retaining full guard.
Shelby has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Shelby wants to sweep here but Alib controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nate Shelby will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Shelby throws a jab but it's blocked by Alib.
Shelby looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shelby misses with an uppercut
and Alib counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Alib has a takedown stuffed.
Shelby cracks Alib with a good jab.
Alib throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shelby misses with a shot to the body

and Alib decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shelby's guard.
Alib trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sahraim Alib overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shelby trying to keep a closed guard but Alib is proving a slippery customer.
Shelby avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shelby is trying to keep Alib in close.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shelby is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shelby tries to free his leg and advance position but Alib is retaining full guard.
Shelby stopping the sweep attempt from Alib.
Alib might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shelby advances position into side control!
Alib manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shelby's best efforts.
Alib is trying to control but can't.
Alib wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Shelby is trying to control. Alib wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Alib wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Alib manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alib working a defensive guard here.
Shelby engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nate Shelby wasn't active enough on the ground.
Shelby looks to land a right hand but Alib moved out of range.
Some wild striking there from Alib.
Shelby throws a body punch but Alib moves out of range.
Shelby throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alib fails to land with a series of punches.
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!
Shelby misses with an uppercut.
Alib ducks under a wild hook from Shelby.
Shelby tries to clinch
and Alib counters with a stiff right hand.
Alib lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nate Shelby is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alib tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shelby was well out of range. Poor timing from Alib.
Alib misses with a series of wild punches.
Shelby ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alib moves away.
Alib avoids the body shot from Shelby.
Shelby throws a body punch but Alib moves out of range.
Alib throws a nice looking combination but Shelby bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shelby misses with a straight right.
Alib misses with a series of wild punches.
Alib uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shelby.
Shelby goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Alib looks to land a left hand but Shelby moved out of range nicely.
Shelby ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shelby throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shelby closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Shelby thows a left - swing and a miss!
A jab from Shelby misses.
Shelby tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alib was well out of range. Poor timing from Shelby.
Nate Shelby seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slow jab from Alib misses its intended target.
Alib tries to clinch but Shelby is having none of it.
Shelby throws a sloppy body shot
and Alib counters with a lovely shot to the body.
No joy there for Alib, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shelby lands a head shot.
Shelby avoids the body shot from Alib.
Shelby fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sahraim Alib has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shelby misses with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left and a right from Alib both land. Nice combination.
Alib looks to land a left hand but Shelby moved out of range nicely.
Shelby pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shelby scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nate Shelby.
I've got Shelby 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nate Shelby!