PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Barney Rubble (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rubble comes to the cage accompanied by Rage Against The Machine - No Shelter. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rubble
vs
Shirahama

150 cm
32
140 lbs
25 - 11 - 1

178 cm
33
142 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Barney Rubble!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenichi Shirahama!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirahama clobbers Rubble with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rubble throws a leg kick
and Shirahama counters with a straight right hand.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rubble.
Rubble uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shirahama.
Shirahama throws a poor cross that misses
and Shirahama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shirahama wants to clinch but Rubble slips to the side
letting Rubble counter with a right hand.
Shirahama misses with a wild body shot.
Rubble looks to land a body kick but Shirahama moved away.
Shirahama changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Shirahama jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Rubble throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Rubble moves into the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Rubble.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shirahama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rubble is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Rubble lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shirahama backwards.
Shirahama is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rubble pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shirahama struggles to land a body shot inside as Rubble controls his hands.
Shirahama is trying to drag Rubble to the mat but Rubble just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Barney Rubble has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenichi Shirahama.
Rubble being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rubble lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shirahama misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rubble goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shirahama blocks an elbow strike.
Rubble keeps control of Shirahama as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rubble comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Rubble misses with an elbow strike.
Shirahama trying to control the position but instead, Rubble has worked for underhooks and has pushed Shirahama into the cage.
Rubble swings wildly with an uppercut but Shirahama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rubble lands an elbow inside that Shirahama shrugs off.

It looks like Kenichi Shirahama has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama tries to circle away but Rubble has him pinned against the cage.
Rubble lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shirahama backwards.
Shirahama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Shirahama tries for a takedown. No joy.

Shirahama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Rubble rushes Shirahama and presses him up against the cage.

Shirahama gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rubble regains guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rubble wants to stand up but Shirahama is controlling him.
Rubble is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rubble looking for a sweep. Not yet Rubble, not yet.
Rubble has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Shirahama sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shirahama stopping the sweep attempt from Rubble.
Rubble pulls Shirahama in close to his closed guard and prevents Shirahama from doing any damage or advancing position.
Shirahama works over Rubble with some ground and pound from guard.
Shirahama trying to control the position from guard on top but Rubble is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shirahama ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rubble moves away.
Shirahama closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rubble circles away.
Rubble lunges at Shirahama with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shirahama's hand.
Shirahama shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rubble counters with a nice low kick that buckles Shirahama's knee momentarily.
Shirahama swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rubble. Shirahama does a little dance to reset his feet.
And Shirahama tries to counter it with a takedown but Rubble pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Shirahama tries to close the distance and clinch but Rubble swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shirahama throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Shirahama clinches with his opponent.
Rubble working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shirahama drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rubble gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shirahama wants a takedown but no success here.
Rubble looking to throw knees to the head but Shirahama is blocking nicely.
Shirahama trying to stall but Rubble improves his position.
Shirahama drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rubble taking a breather.
Shirahama has Rubble pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rubble manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barney Rubble dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kenichi Shirahama's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shirahama misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kenichi Shirahama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Shirahama does no damage.
Shirahama tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rubble swivels and escapes.
Rubble tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Shirahama manages to circle out of the way.
Shirahama moves out of range of the body kick from Rubble.
Shirahama's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rubble connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shirahama scrambles back to his feet.
Shirahama staying out of range there.
Shirahama circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shirahama lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Shirahama avoids the body shot from Rubble.
A little jabbing left from Shirahama on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shirahama uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rubble has time to react.
Shirahama tries to clinch up but Rubble circles away and keeps his distance.
Shirahama with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rubble moves forwards but Shirahama connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Shirahama scores with a jab. Rubble acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rubble looks to land a right hand but Shirahama moved out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shirahama throws an off balance right hand
and Rubble counters with a nice uppercut.
Shirahama on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rubble leaves Shirahama with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice jab there from Rubble.
Rubble throws a push kick but Shirahama slaps the foot to one side.
Shirahama slips a jab from Rubble.
Rubble ducks right into an uppercut from Shirahama.
A big right from Shirahama misses.
Shirahama shoots in looking for a takedown but Rubble manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shirahama's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barney Rubble has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenichi Shirahama.
Rubble swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rubble connects with a solid leg kick.
Shirahama closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rubble circles away.
Barney Rubble is winning the standup battle so far.
Shirahama misses with a double jab
and Rubble counters with a nice leg kick.
Rubble is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shirahama can do to turn this around?
Shirahama sizes up Rubble with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Shirahama falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rubble counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Shirahama is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rubble turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A slapping leg kick lands for Rubble.
Rubble moves out of range of the strikes.
Shirahama scores with a nice strike.
Shirahama scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rubble doesn't seem bothered though.
Rubble avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shirahama uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rubble.
Shirahama has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Shirahama throws a body punch but Rubble moves out of range.
Rubble moves in looking to clinch but Shirahama pushes him off.
Shirahama shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rubble but Rubble pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rubble. Shirahama does a little dance to reset his feet.
A combination from Shirahama does no damage.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rubble.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rubble.
A good leg kick by Rubble.
Rubble throws a body shot but no joy.
Shirahama avoids the head kick by Rubble.
Rubble misses with a body kick.
Shirahama tries to bum rush Rubble with a series of wild strikes but Rubble uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shirahama swinging wildly here.
Rubble tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shirahama swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rubble instigates a clinch.
Shirahama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rubble is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shirahama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rubble lands a right hand.
Rubble is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rubble tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shirahama's elbow.
Rubble connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shirahama's face.
Shirahama is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rubble gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rubble lands with a left to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shirahama drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rubble pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rubble listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Shirahama has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Shirahama there as he acknowledges the shot.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Shirahama crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Rubble - the referee stops the clock and Shirahama gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Rubble. Shirahama manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Rubble walks into a left hand.
Shirahama walks into a stiff left hand from Rubble.
A jab from Shirahama finds it's way through Rubble's defenses.
Barney Rubble is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big left from Shirahama misses.
Rubble throws a push kick but Shirahama slaps the foot to one side.
Shirahama drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rubble defends it well.
Shirahama's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shirahama fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barney Rubble dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kenichi Shirahama's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Shirahama falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rubble counters by clinching up.
Shirahama swings wildly with an uppercut but Rubble uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rubble scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shirahama wants to take the fight to the mat but Rubble manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rubble doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rubble lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rubble lands a shoulder strike.
Shirahama looking for a takedown.
A short right from Rubble on the inside.

Shirahama is rocked!
Shirahama changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rubble fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shirahama is still on wobbly legs! Can Rubble finish him?
Barney Rubble has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenichi Shirahama.
Shirahama lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rubble circles away quickly and effectively.
Shirahama seems to have recovered his senses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shirahama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rubble was well out of range. Poor timing from Shirahama.
Shirahama takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rubble bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Rubble displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shirahama throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rubble dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rubble lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rubble throws a wild body kick that Shirahama sees coming a mile off.

Rubble drops Shirahama with a beautiful combination! Shirahama stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Rubble is looking for the KO!
Rubble steps in with a hook that catches Shirahama right on the chin and knocks him to the floor! Rubble follows him down with more strikes and that's all she wrote! Shirahama looks absolutely devastated.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Barney Rubble!
Our winner, Barney Rubble, 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.