PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Shaft (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Graham Wellington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wellington has chosen Scary as his entrance music. John Shaft has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shaft
vs
Wellington

190 cm
22
214 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
218 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Shaft!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Graham Wellington!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wellington keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Shaft lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wellington backs up against the cage.

Wellington is rocked!
Wellington checks a leg kick nicely.
Shaft throws a right hand that Wellington ducks under and follows up with a left that Wellington also avoids with ease.

Wellington drives through and clinches with Shaft against the cage.
Shaft tries for a takedown. No joy.
Wellington lands a nice elbow.
Shaft has Wellington pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wellington manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Shaft. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wellington stalling the fight.
Wellington with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like John Shaft has been cut.
A head punch on the inside from Wellington fails to land.
Wellington prevents Shaft from breaking the clinch.
Wellington scores with a knee to the head.
Wellington misses with a knee to the head.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but Shaft blocks it.
Wellington throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wellington lands a knee to the head.
Wellington stalls.
Wellington looking to throw knees to the head but Shaft is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaft is trying to break the clinch but Wellington has him pressed against the cage.
Wellington's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Wellington goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wellington looking to throw knees to the head but Shaft is blocking nicely.
Wellington misses with a knee to the head.
Wellington keeps control of Shaft as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wellington using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shaft has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wellington with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wellington looking to throw knees to the head but Shaft is blocking nicely.
Wellington tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wellington unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shaft lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wellington throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shaft blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Wellington with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wellington with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wellington taking a breather.
Nice body punch from Wellington - that landed with a thud.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but Shaft blocks it.
Shaft has Wellington pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wellington manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wellington throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shaft blocks it with crossed arms.
Shaft is trying to break free.
Wellington throws a knee to the head but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wellington just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shaft's brow.
Wellington lands a shoulder strike.
Wellington unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shaft lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Shaft is breathing heavily.
Wellington taking a breather.
Wellington lands a knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shaft is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Wellington lands a knee to the head.
Shaft looking for a takedown.
Wellington lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shaft takes a knee right on the jaw!
A right handed body shot lands from Wellington.
Wellington lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Wellington just leaning against Shaft, taking a breather.
Wellington keeps control of Shaft as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Wellington lands an elbow just above Shaft 's eye.
Wellington stalling in the clinch.
Shaft goes for a takedown attempt but Wellington pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Graham Wellington is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wellington chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shaft shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Shaft is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Shaft is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Wellington has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shaft not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Shaft is looking for a kimura here.
Shaft controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Wellington dominated that round.
The cut man is working on John Shaft's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shaft swats away the attempt to clinch by Wellington.
Wellington misses with a head kick.
Shaft misses with a takedown attempt - Wellington sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jab, jab by Shaft - just one landing.
Wellington keeps Shaft at a distance using the push kick.
Shaft takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
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!

Wellington closes the distance and clinches.
Wellington with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shaft tries for a takedown but Wellington manages to get underhooks.
Wellington unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shaft lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wellington controlling the action here for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Wellington.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wellington throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wellington's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Wellington landing knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Wellington.
Shaft wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wellington has him pressed against the cage.
Shaft has Wellington pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Wellington manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Shaft. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wellington stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Wellington misses with a knee to the head.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wellington lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Wellington misses with an elbow over the top.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

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.
A right hook to the body lands for Wellington.
Wellington throws an elbow that misses.
Wellington misses with a knee to the head.
Shaft tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wellington misses with some punches.
Wellington with a knee to the head.
Wellington with a knee to the head.
Wellington connects with a knee to the head.

John Shaft's cut is getting worse.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Wellington creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Wellington throws an elbow but it misses.
Wellington scores with a shot to the side of Shaft's head.
Wellington throws an elbow but it misses.
Wellington landing knees to the body.
Wellington unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shaft lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wellington unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shaft lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wellington tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wellington's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Shaft changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wellington fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shaft throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wellington.

Wellington has Shaft up against the cage in a clinch.
Shaft tries to break the clinch but Wellington is controlling the position.
Wellington scores a nice knee to the body.
Wellington using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shaft has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wellington unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shaft lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Shaft breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice takedown defense from Wellington. No joy for Shaft on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wellington misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shaft throws a right and a left that Wellington avoids nicely.
Wellington misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shaft tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wellington paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shaft throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Wellington's waist but Wellington gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shaft off to one side.
Shaft misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wellington scores with a push kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Wellington.
Shaft drops Wellington with a right and a left! Shaft comes rushing in but Wellington regains his composure and manages to keep Shaft in guard.
Wellington is still in real trouble! Can Shaft finish him?

It looks like Graham Wellington has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wellington keeping moving, preventing Shaft from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shaft accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wellington really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shaft. 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.
Shaft would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Shaft throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Wellington showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Shaft lands with a cross.
Wellington seems to have recovered his senses.
Shaft drops Wellington with a beautiful combination! Wellington stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Shaft is looking for the KO!
Shaft misses with a kick to the body
and Wellington counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Shaft is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Wellington fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shaft.
Shaft shoots in looking for a takedown. Wellington tries to sprawl out of it but Shaft keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wellington manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A slapping body kick lands there for Wellington.
Shaft looks to land a combination but Wellington avoids it well.
Wellington chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Graham Wellington seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wellington connects with a solid leg kick.
Shaft fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shaft rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wellington moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wellington does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Shaft closes the distance and clinches up with Wellington, looking for a takedown. Shaft pushes Wellington against the cage but Wellington circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shaft checks a low kick from Wellington.
Wellington takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shaft throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Wellington counters with a solid body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shaft checks the leg kick nicely there.
Shaft takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Shaft tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A nice leg kick lands there from Wellington.
Shaft misses with the combination.
Wellington lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Shaft doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
John Shaft is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wellington walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A head kick misses from Wellington.
Shaft dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wellington. That did some damage!
Shaft moves out of range of the body kick.
Wellington blocks the body kick.
Shaft lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Wellington sprawling to the canvas. Shaft follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Wellington hang on?
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Shaft tries to pass to full mount but Wellington defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wellington trying to control but Shaft postures up.
Shaft stalling away here and it's allowed Wellington to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Shaft thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Wellington uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Shaft will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Wellington lands a nice looking body kick.
Wellington lets loose with a powerful body kick. Shaft will feel that in the morning.
Shaft throws a nice looking combination but Wellington bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Wellington forces Shaft back against the cage and clinches.
Shaft avoiding damage as Wellington throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wellington tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wellington looking to slow down the pace here.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but Shaft blocks it.
Shaft avoiding damage as Wellington throws knees to the body.
Wellington tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Shaft has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wellington avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Shaft. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wellington tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wellington prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wellington tries a knee to the head but Shaft blocks it.
Wellington is pressed up against the cage. Shaft has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wellington down to the mat. Wellington avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shaft swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Wellington counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wellington.
Wellington tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Shaft breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shaft steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Wellington. That one must have hurt.
Wellington throws a head kick but Shaft moves out of range.
Graham Wellington seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shaft tries to clinch but Wellington moves out of range.
Shaft tries for a takedown but Wellington sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Wellington.
Wellington swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shaft shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wellington but Wellington pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wellington lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Shaft misses with a takedown attempt - Wellington sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wellington on the wrong end of a nice hook.
John Shaft has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shaft misses with a double jab
and Wellington counters with a nice body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wellington misses with a looping right.
Wellington avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shaft looks to clinch
and Wellington counters with an inside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Wellington misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Graham Wellington comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wellington 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Graham Wellington!