PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jake Shields (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Van Pol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Pol told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Shields
vs
Pol

183 cm
36
170 lbs
30 - 23 - 0

175 cm
30
165 lbs
17 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem
BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jake Shields!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Van Pol!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shields defending well as Pol loads up on a big left hand.

Pol rushes Shields and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shields is looking to take this one to the mat.
Pol lands with a left to the head.
Shields is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pol is defending well.
Pol lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shields changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pol fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Shields. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pol scores with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pol lands with a hook. Shields tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

It looks like Jake Shields has been cut.
Pol misses with a body kick.
Shields attempts a counter takedown but Pol avoids it well and moves away.
Pol lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields avoids the body shot from Pol.
Shields keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shields avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shields sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Good standup being displayed there by Pol as he connects with a hook.
Van Pol is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shields takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Pol connects with a leg kick. Shields looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Pol missing with a left hand there. Shields was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shields tries to counter with a takedown but Pol is quick to defend against it.
Pol throws a leg kick

and Shields counters with a single leg into guard. Pol didn't expect that.
Shields wants to control from the top but Pol keeps moving.
Shields pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pol is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pol is adopting a defensive guard.

Shields drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shields jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shields postures up in Pol's guard and throws a big left but Pol blocks it.
Pol wants to sweep here but Shields controlling him for the moment.
Pol wants to get back to his feet but Shields is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pol is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pol misses with a hook.
Pol throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Van Pol seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick from Pol lands but Shields takes it in his stride.
Pol misses with a wild body shot.
Shields is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Jake Shields's cut is getting worse.
Pol misses with a lunging right hand

and Shields counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Shields.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shields accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shields keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pol's head.
Shields throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pol works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pol controlling Shields's posture.
Pol is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shields is looking for a sweep. Pol is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shields is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pol pulls his head out easily.

Shields actively working from the bottom here.
Pol slows the pace down in half guard.

Shields looking for submissions off his back.

Shields looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Pol dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Shields's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Pol lands the left hand.

Pol darts in and clinches Shields up against the cage.
Pol leaning against his opponent.
Pol lands an uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Pol takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Shields's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good body shot from Pol.
Pol softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Shields has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Pol clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Shields has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pol fending off the submission attempt from Shields.

Pol showing good submission defense here.

Pol defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Shields's arms.
You can see the frustration on Pol's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Pol avoids the strikes from Shields.
Pol wants to control his opponent's hands but Shields gets his hands free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Shields looking for the RNC.
Pol wants to escape the position.
Pol felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Pol is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Shields is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Pol is defending well though. Shields let's go of the attempt for now.
Shields controlling well, preventing Pol from escaping the position.
Pol trying to get back to his feet but Shields is in full control for now.
We've been hearing good reports from Shields's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Pol trying to control the position but Shields manages to sink in the hooks.

Pol is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Shields gets his way!

Pol showing good submission defense here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shields is not going to allow Pol to sit and survive in this position.

Shields is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Shields is hanging on to Pol's back as he tries to escape.

Shields is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Pol manages to reverse the position and now he's in Shields's guard. Nice work there by Pol.
Pol must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pol passes Shields's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four 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.
Pol takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pol throws a head kick but Shields moves out of range.
Shields drops down looking for a counter takedown but Pol sprawls and moves away.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Pol.
Pol misses the jab.
Pol lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Van Pol seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shields uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pol.
Shields appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A head kick misses from Pol.
Shields feinted with a counter takedown.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pol throws a hook but Shields blocks it.
Pol tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Pol showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jake Shields's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shields swats away the attempt to clinch by Pol.
Shields feinted with a counter takedown.
Pol throws a head kick that misses.
Pol finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Some wild striking there from Pol.
Shields drops down looking for a counter takedown but Pol sprawls and moves away.
A shot to the body from Pol misses

and Shields counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pol won't be happy with that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pol is looking to reverse the position.

Shields working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Shields wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pol, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pol is trying to get back to half guard.

Shields wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pol, who protects the arm well.
Pol is trying to control Shields's posture but Shields avoids it.
Pol is looking for a sweep.
Pol wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shields lands an elbow.

Shields tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pol is trying to control Shields's posture but Shields avoids it.
Pol is looking to reverse the position.
Pol prevents Shields from improving position.
Pol struggling a bit here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pol throws a nice head kick!
Pol looks to land a body kick but Shields moved away.
Shields takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shields uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pol.
Shields appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Pol cracks Shields with an open hand slap.
Pol is looking to clinch but Shields is avoiding it.
Pol fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shields half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A big right from Pol misses.
Shields tries to counter with a takedown but Pol is quick to defend against it.

Pol has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Pol.
Shields blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Pol dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Shields is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Pol pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Pol working aggressively here.
Pol lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pol lands a left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pol lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shields backwards.
Pol tries to throw a body punch but Shields avoids it by throwing Pol back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shields has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pol avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shields has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Pol after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Shields. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pol is pressed up against the cage. Shields has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pol down to the mat. Pol avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Pol scores with a push kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Van Pol really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Shields's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pol turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Pol has managed to clinch.
Pol tries a body shot but Shields blocks it.
Pol lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pol digs a right hand into Shields's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shields's gas tank.
Pol misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pol slows down the pace here.
A nice left hand lands by Pol.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shields lands a takedown into guard.
Pol is controlling Shields's posture.
Shields won't allow Pol to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields wants to control from the top but Pol keeps moving.

Pol has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shields off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
A jab from Pol misses.
A left lands for Pol.
Pol throws a sloppy head kick and Shields moves out of range easily.
Pol will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Pol connects with a body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Come on Pol - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shields takes a shot to the head.
Pol lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pol lands with a right to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pol prevents the takedown attempt.
Still in the clinch, Pol scores with a nice short uppercut.

Jake Shields's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Pol lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pol lands with a light punch inside.
Pol lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Shields is rocked!
Shields can't break the clinch.
Pol pushes Shields back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Oh Shields is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pol lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shields backwards.
Pol tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Pol.
Pol lands a nice shot to the body.
Pol lands a shot to the body.
Pol gets through Shields's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pol has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pol scores with a shot to the side of Shields's head.
Pol misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pol lands a shoulder strike.
Pol pushes Shields against the cage. Pol is working some dirty boxing. Pol pushes off with a quick right hook! Shields goes down! Shields tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Pol moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Van Pol!