PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Giorgio Petrosyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and LaVern Shirley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Petrosyan
vs
Shirley

178 cm
24
145 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

170 cm
29
152 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry
Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry

Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Giorgio Petrosyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, LaVern Shirley!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirley moves out of range of the body kick.
Petrosyan wants to clinch up but Shirley keeps it at a distance.
Petrosyan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Giorgio Petrosyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shirley takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Shirley fails with a takedown attempt.
Shirley avoids the head kick by Petrosyan.
Petrosyan misses with a low kick.
Petrosyan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Petrosyan - that will leave a mark!
Petrosyan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Petrosyan takes one to the side of the head.
Petrosyan lands a head kick. Shirley smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Petrosyan tries to clinch there but Shirley circles away.
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!
Petrosyan ducks under a wild hook from Shirley.
Shirley shoots in for a double leg but Petrosyan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Giorgio Petrosyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of LaVern Shirley.
Petrosyan scores with a head kick.
Petrosyan fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrosyan throws the kick towards the body but Shirley avoids it.
Petrosyan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Shirley manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Shirley misses
and Petrosyan counters with a head kick.

Shirley is rocked!
Petrosyan tries to close the distance and clinch but Shirley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shirley is still on wobbly legs! Can Petrosyan finish him?
Shirley tries for a takedown but Petrosyan circles away easily
and Petrosyan counters with a good, hard body kick but Shirley shrugs it off.
Petrosyan throws a sloppy head kick and Shirley moves out of range easily.
Shirley chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Petrosyan can pounce on him.
Shirley seems to have recovered his senses.

Petrosyan lands a big head kick that sends Shirley tumbling to the mat! Petrosyan takes a step backwards and waves Shirley back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shirley has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Petrosyan.
Petrosyan throws a leg kick which misses Shirley's front leg but catches the back leg as Shirley tries to avoid it.

Shirley darts in and clinches Petrosyan up against the cage.
Nice elbow from Shirley.
Petrosyan leaning his opponent against the cage.
Shirley working hard to break the clinch.
Shirley tries to circle away but Petrosyan has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petrosyan breaks from the clinch.
Petrosyan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shirley scores with a three punch combo!
Petrosyan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Petrosyan throws a body kick that misses.
Petrosyan throws a head kick that Shirley semi-blocks.
Shirley shoots in looking for a takedown but Petrosyan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shirley's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shirley is trying desperately to land a takedown but Petrosyan is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Shirley.
Shirley closes the distance and clinches up with Petrosyan, looking for a takedown. Shirley pushes Petrosyan against the cage but Petrosyan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shirley avoids the head kick by Petrosyan.
Petrosyan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Shirley closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Petrosyan quickly recovers to half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Shirley throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Petrosyan to regain full guard.
Shirley looking to sit in guard and control but Petrosyan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Petrosyan tries to stand but Shirley is controlling from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Petrosyan gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Petrosyan looks to land a body kick but Shirley moved away.
Shirley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Petrosyan tries to avoid it but Shirley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Petrosyan to the ground. Petrosyan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Petrosyan throws a head kick but Shirley moves out of range.
Shirley checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Petrosyan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Petrosyan thumps Shirley with a low kick.
Shirley's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shirley shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Petrosyan as he avoids it easily.
Petrosyan throws a low kick, looking for Shirley's leg but Shirley calmly moves out of range.
Petrosyan throws a sloppy head kick and Shirley moves out of range easily.
Petrosyan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Shirley stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Petrosyan.

Petrosyan clinches with his opponent.
Shirley lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shirley lands a left hand that snaps the head of Petrosyan backwards.
Shirley has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Petrosyan after a bit of a struggle.
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!
Petrosyan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shirley.
Petrosyan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Shirley jumps guard and drags Petrosyan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Petrosyan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Petrosyan tries to free his leg and advance position but Shirley is retaining full guard.

Petrosyan gets to his feet. Shirley looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Horrible takedown by Shirley or perhaps it was just good defense by Petrosyan which made him look bad.
Petrosyan scores with a head kick. Shirley tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shirley throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Petrosyan.
Shirley throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Petrosyan's waist but Petrosyan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shirley off to one side.
Shirley looks gassed!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shirley.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giorgio Petrosyan dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Shirley drives through and clinches with Petrosyan against the cage.
Petrosyan is trying to stall.
Petrosyan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Petrosyan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shirley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick by Petrosyan misses

and Shirley counters with a single leg into guard. Petrosyan didn't expect that.
Petrosyan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shirley accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shirley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shirley throws a big elbow that misses.
Shirley working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shirley postures up in Petrosyan's guard and throws a big left but Petrosyan blocks it.
Shirley working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Shirley trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirley throws a big right hand that misses.
Petrosyan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shirley throws a strike but Petrosyan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Petrosyan stands up and waves to Shirley to follow him.
Petrosyan walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shirley checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Shirley looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Petrosyan.
Petrosyan lands a front kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrosyan tries to clinch there but Shirley circles away.
Petrosyan fails with an attempt to clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Petrosyan.
Petrosyan throws a head kick that misses.
Petrosyan lands a high kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Both fighters circling a little - Petrosyan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Petrosyan fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Shirley. Those never looked like landing.
Shirley is breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Petrosyan.
Petrosyan tries to clinch but Shirley moves out of range.
Petrosyan tries to clinch but Shirley moves out of range.
Petrosyan pushes Shirley away with a front kick.

Petrosyan pushes Shirley up against the cage in a clinch.
Petrosyan scores a nice knee to the body.
Petrosyan trying to land knees to the body.
Shirley goes for a takedown in the clinch but Petrosyan prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Petrosyan breaks the clinch.
Shirley shoots for a takedown but Petrosyan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Giorgio Petrosyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of LaVern Shirley.
Shirley on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shirley checks the leg kick.

Petrosyan rushes Shirley and presses him up against the cage.
Petrosyan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Shirley lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Petrosyan stalls.

Petrosyan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Petrosyan keeps Shirley at a distance using the push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A frustrated look appears on Shirley's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Petrosyan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shirley.
A knee to the head by Petrosyan.
Petrosyan trying to land knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Petrosyan seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Shirley is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Shirley tries to pull guard but Petrosyan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shirley wants to get back to striking at distance but Petrosyan won't allow it.
Petrosyan stalls.

Shirley tightens his grip and picks Petrosyan up, before dumping him to the ground. Petrosyan manages to land in guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shirley trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrosyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petrosyan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giorgio Petrosyan dominated that second round.
That's time! Petrosyan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Shirley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Petrosyan swivels and escapes.
Shirley misses with a series of wild punches.
Giorgio Petrosyan is winning the standup battle so far.
Petrosyan looks to land a body kick but Shirley moved away.
Shirley shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An inside leg kick lands from Petrosyan.
Shirley shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Petrosyan pinned against the cage. Petrosyan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Giorgio Petrosyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of LaVern Shirley.
Petrosyan lands with a nice body kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Petrosyan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Petrosyan clinches up against the cage.
Shirley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Petrosyan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shirley.
Petrosyan prevents the takedown attempt.
Petrosyan stalls.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirley fails to pull guard.
Petrosyan trying to land knees to the body.
Petrosyan trying to stall but Shirley improves his position.
Petrosyan missing with knees to the body.
Shirley is trying to push Petrosyan away but Petrosyan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shirley tries to pull guard but Petrosyan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Shirley jumps guard but Petrosyan stands there with Shirley around his waist. Shirley gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Shirley pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Petrosyan taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Petrosyan seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Petrosyan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Petrosyan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
LaVern Shirley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirley looks to land a left hand but Petrosyan moved out of range nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Petrosyan as Shirley shoots in.
A head kick from Petrosyan lands but Shirley takes it in his stride.
Petrosyan scoring well with a low kick there.
Giorgio Petrosyan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shirley moves out of range of the body kick.
Petrosyan defending well as Shirley loads up on a big left hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Shirley shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Petrosyan is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shirley's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shirley's back!
Petrosyan trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Shirley doesn't escape.
Shirley manages to reverse the position and now he's in Petrosyan's guard. Nice work there by Shirley.
Petrosyan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrosyan wants to sweep here but Shirley controlling him for the moment.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Petrosyan holds on and takes a little breather.
Shirley in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shirley is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
LaVern Shirley has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shirley is looking to work some ground and pound but Petrosyan has wrist control.
Shirley tries to free his leg and advance position but Petrosyan is retaining full guard.
Shirley lands a couple of elbows.
Petrosyan looking for a sweep. Not yet Petrosyan, not yet.
Shirley forces his way into half guard.
Shirley not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrosyan works his way to full guard. Good work.
Petrosyan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shirley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shirleyis looking to pass into half guard but Petrosyan pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Petrosyan is in guard.
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!
Petrosyan tries to stand but Shirley is controlling from the bottom.

Shirley working for a triangle but Petrosyan defends it easily.
Petrosyan seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shirley scores with a short punch from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Giorgio Petrosyan.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Petrosyan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giorgio Petrosyan!
During a confident post fight interview, Giorgio Petrosyan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.