PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey McFinnigan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shirahama comes to the cage accompanied by Fade To Black. McFinnigan has chosen My Drunken Irish Dad as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Kenichi Shirahama has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shirahama
vs
McFinnigan

202 cm
27
240 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

195 cm
27
285 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
Brute

QFClothing

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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenichi Shirahama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mickey McFinnigan!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McFinnigan cracks Shirahama with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McFinnigan tries to clinch there but Shirahama circles away.
McFinnigan misses with the body kick
and Shirahama cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shirahama.
McFinnigan tries a low kick but Shirahama avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from McFinnigan. Shirahama does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from McFinnigan misses.
Shirahama scores with a leg kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFinnigan scores with a leg kick.
McFinnigan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shirahama stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Shirahama takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Shirahama avoids a kick to the body.
McFinnigan looks for the body kick but Shirahama saw that one coming.
Shirahama shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shirahama blocks a head kick by McFinnigan.
Shirahama scores with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shirahama.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shirahama.
Jab by McFinnigan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A looping hook to the body misses from Shirahama. McFinnigan does a little dance to reset his feet.
McFinnigan tries a head kick but it misses.
Shirahama lands a jab to the nose.
McFinnigan looks to clinch

and Shirahama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shirahama.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
McFinnigan is controlling Shirahama's posture.
McFinnigan is trying to keep Shirahama in close.
McFinnigan has control of Shirahama's left arm, preventing Shirahama from doing any damage.
McFinnigan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mickey McFinnigan was stalling too much, according to the referee.
McFinnigan misses with a hook. Shirahama ducked under it nicely.
Shirahama digs a good hook to McFinnigan's body.
Shirahama throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McFinnigan throws a lazy uppercut
and Shirahama counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McFinnigan wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenichi Shirahama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shirahama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McFinnigan was well out of range. Poor timing from Shirahama.
McFinnigan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Shirahama's calf.
McFinnigan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McFinnigan moves out of range of the leg kick from Shirahama.
Shirahama looking to land some kicks to the body here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shirahama.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shirahama avoids the head kick by McFinnigan.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McFinnigan.
McFinnigan checks a leg kick.
Shirahama blocks a head kick by McFinnigan.
Shirahama avoids the head kick by McFinnigan.
McFinnigan is looking to score with low kicks.
McFinnigan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shirahama circles away quickly and effectively.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A jab from McFinnigan finds it's way through Shirahama's defenses.
Shirahama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McFinnigan.
McFinnigan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McFinnigan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Shirahama looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shirahama scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shirahama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan trying to control the position here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McFinnigan is on top in guard.
McFinnigan in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McFinnigan postures up in Shirahama's guard and throws a big left but Shirahama blocks it.

Shirahama working for a triangle but McFinnigan defends it easily.
Shirahama is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
McFinnigan won't allow Shirahama to sweep him here.
McFinnigan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shirahama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shirahama has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Shirahama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. McFinnigan is aware though and is defending well.
McFinnigan must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
McFinnigan stopping the sweep attempt from Shirahama.
McFinnigan with a nice head shot there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McFinnigan postures up.
Shirahama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McFinnigan manages to get himself to full guard.
Shirahama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McFinnigan is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
McFinnigan is trying to keep Shirahama in close.
McFinnigan has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Shirahama trying to control but McFinnigan is working from the bottom.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan has his hands on Shirahama's head, controlling the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Mickey McFinnigan has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
A big left from McFinnigan misses.
McFinnigan tries to clinch but Shirahama moves out of range.
Shirahama connects with a body shot that sends McFinnigan's belly button to the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shirahama avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey McFinnigan dominated that 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.

McFinnigan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shirahama throws a push kick but McFinnigan slaps the foot to one side.
Shirahama throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

McFinnigan tries to sprawl but Shirahama drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Shirahama is looking to advance position but McFinnigan won't allow it.
Shirahama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
McFinnigan tries to get to full guard but Shirahama has control of the leg.
McFinnigan looks like he's trying to stand up.
Shirahama thows a huge punch but McFinnigan dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama prevents McFinnigan from improving his position.
Shirahama scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shirahama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kenichi Shirahama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McFinnigan is looking to control Shirahama's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McFinnigan avoid being mounted?
Shirahama lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Shirahama prevents McFinnigan from improving his position.
Shirahama takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ground and pound from Shirahama.
Shirahama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McFinnigan's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Shirahama wants to work for an arm triangle but McFinnigan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ground and pound from Shirahama.
McFinnigan has hold of Shirahama's hands but Shirahama slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama tries to pass to full mount but McFinnigan defends it.
Shirahama thows a huge punch but McFinnigan dodges it nicely.
Shirahama is pressing down on McFinnigan's thigh, looking to free his foot. McFinnigan is holding on for now.
Shirahama takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Shirahama throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shirahama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shirahama wants to control but McFinnigan is keeping him busy.
McFinnigan is trying to get back to full guard.
McFinnigan manages to get to full guard.
Shirahama tries to free his leg and advance position but McFinnigan is retaining full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McFinnigan holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McFinnigan is keeping the position for now.
Shirahama throws a big right hand that misses.
McFinnigan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McFinnigan has control of Shirahama's left arm, preventing Shirahama from doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Shirahama trying to control but McFinnigan is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shirahama gets cracked with a nice right hand there by McFinnigan.
Mickey McFinnigan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McFinnigan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shirahama.
McFinnigan throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan throws a head kick that half lands.
Shirahama checks a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McFinnigan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shirahama looks for a takedown but McFinnigan sprawls well.
Shirahama avoids the body shot from McFinnigan.
McFinnigan is looking to clinch but Shirahama is avoiding it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

McFinnigan moves into the clinch.
McFinnigan tries to land knees in the clinch but Shirahama avoids the damage to the body.
McFinnigan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
McFinnigan tries to land a knee to the head but Shirahama blocks with his arms.
McFinnigan tries to throw a body punch but Shirahama avoids it by throwing McFinnigan back against the cage.
Shirahama blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
McFinnigan throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shirahama blocks it with crossed arms.
McFinnigan lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Shirahama.
McFinnigan is breathing heavily.

Shirahama works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shirahama wants to control from the top but McFinnigan keeps moving.
Shirahama looking to pass the guard.
McFinnigan pulls Shirahama in to control the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shirahama wants to control from the top but McFinnigan keeps moving.
McFinnigan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Shirahama fails to land the takedown.
Shirahama takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Shirahama shoots in and drives through. McFinnigan sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenichi Shirahama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shirahama gets off balance looking for a body kick
and McFinnigan makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Shirahama really felt that one!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan misses with a body kick.
Shirahama tries a head kick but it misses.
McFinnigan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McFinnigan tries to close the distance and clinch but Shirahama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shirahama.
McFinnigan keeps Shirahama at a distance using the push kick.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Shirahama scores with a takedown into McFinnigan's guard.
McFinnigan pulls Shirahama in close to his closed guard and prevents Shirahama from doing any damage or advancing position.
Shirahama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
McFinnigan pulls Shirahama in close to his closed guard and prevents Shirahama from doing any damage or advancing position.
Shirahama postures up and lands a big shot to McFinnigan's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shirahama trying to control the position from guard on top but McFinnigan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McFinnigan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama tries to free his leg and advance position but McFinnigan is retaining full guard.
McFinnigan looking for a sweep. Not yet McFinnigan, not yet.
McFinnigan is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
McFinnigan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shirahama keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of McFinnigan's head.
Shirahama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shirahama scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
McFinnigan is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Shirahama got a little sloppy there for a moment and McFinnigan has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shirahama has managed to get both his arms back between McFinnigan's legs - danger averted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McFinnigan can't keep his opponent in guard - Shirahama advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Shirahama is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McFinnigan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shirahama fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
McFinnigan wants to land a leg kick but Shirahama is out of range.
McFinnigan misses the shot to the body.
McFinnigan walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFinnigan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shirahama looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? McFinnigan is fending him off so far but Shirahama persists. Nope, McFinnigan circles away and we're back to standing.
McFinnigan moves out of range as Shirahama throws a body kick.
Shirahama fails to land the takedown.
McFinnigan tries a head kick but it misses.
Mickey McFinnigan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McFinnigan throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shirahama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan is looking to land body kicks.
Shirahama fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenichi Shirahama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shirahama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McFinnigan was well out of range. Poor timing from Shirahama.
Mickey McFinnigan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shirahama fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan throws a head kick but Shirahama moves out of range.
McFinnigan lands a nice looking kick to the body. Shirahama takes a step back to recover.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Shirahama here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
McFinnigan just misses with a punch to the body.
McFinnigan moves in looking to clinch but Shirahama pushes him off.
Shirahama shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from McFinnigan misses

and Shirahama counters with a single leg into guard. McFinnigan didn't expect that.
McFinnigan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shirahama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McFinnigan pulls Shirahama in to control the position.
Shirahama throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
McFinnigan is controlling Shirahama's posture.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shirahama trying to control the position from guard on top but McFinnigan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
McFinnigan looking for a sweep. Not yet McFinnigan, not yet.
Shirahama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shirahama is looking to work some ground and pound but McFinnigan has wrist control.
Shirahama wants to control from the top but McFinnigan keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shirahama checks a leg kick.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McFinnigan throws a head kick but Shirahama moves out of range.

Shirahama scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Shirahama tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Shirahama tries for a kimura but McFinnigan is defending well.
McFinnigan tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Shirahama wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but McFinnigan is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
McFinnigan manages to work his way to half guard, despite Shirahama's best efforts.
Shirahama trying to control the action but McFinnigan is working from the bottom.
McFinnigan trying to control from the bottom.
McFinnigan slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Shirahama with a flurry of punches that miss.
McFinnigan is trying to control the position but Shirahama postures up.
McFinnigan is looking to stand back up but Shirahama counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by McFinnigan.
McFinnigan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shirahama tries to pass to full mount but McFinnigan defends it.
Shirahama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Shirahama is thwarting McFinnigan's attempts to control the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
McFinnigan is looking for a sweep. Shirahama is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McFinnigan has a hand on Shirahama's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Shirahama takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Shirahama landing punches.
Shirahama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as McFinnigan is looking to escape.
Shirahama with shots to the head and body - McFinnigan looks very uncomfortable down there.
Shirahama lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
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!
McFinnigan taking shots to the head.

McFinnigan is rocked!

It looks like Mickey McFinnigan has been cut.
Shirahama postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked McFinnigan badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Shirahama around the waist but Shirahama pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Shirahama is the winner by TKO! Shirahama jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 8:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kenichi Shirahama!
Our winner, Kenichi Shirahama, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.