PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Omar Shields (ranked 6771 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rak Tore (ranked 6123 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shields
vs
Tore

182 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Omar Shields!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rak Tore!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shields stuffs the takedown.
Shields tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tore manages to circle out of the way.
Tore shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shields but Shields pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tore moves in looking to clinch but Shields pushes him off.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shields is defended easily by Tore.
Tore tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shields defends well and Tore ends up having to push Shields into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Omar Shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rak Tore.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tore dives in for a single leg takedown but Shields sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shields is defended easily by Tore.
Tore tries to counter with a clinch but Shields shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tore avoids the head kick by Shields.
Tore lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shields circles away quickly and effectively.
Shields could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Tore fails with the takedown.
Shields has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tore shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shields pinned against the cage. Shields gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rak Tore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tore is defended easily by Shields.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tore moves into the clinch.
Shields misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shields drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shields is pushing Tore up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Tore breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tore shoots in for a takedown but Shields shows good takedown defense.
Shields shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tore as he avoids it easily.
Tore fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shields avoids it really well and circles away.
Shields is looking to counter the offense by Tore and move into the clinch.
Tore shoots in for a double leg but Shields sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tore is defended easily by Shields.
Tore throws a body kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shields closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Tore to the mat! Tore manages to get full guard.
Shields not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tore avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tore can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Shields controls the pace.

Shields stands up from Tore's guard - Shields perhaps looking for a knockout.
Shields shoots in looking for a takedown but Tore manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shields's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A little jabbing left from Tore on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Tore changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shields looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Tore looks winded!
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tore tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shields is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rak Tore will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shields fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tore avoids it really well and circles away.
Shields shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tore sprawls well. Tore wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shields gets slowly back to his feet.
Rak Tore is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shields leaves Tore with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Oooooh!!! Tore has knocked Shields down with a huge combo! Tore steps away and waves a wobbly Shields back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Omar Shields has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tore.
Shields feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tore is defended easily by Shields.
Omar Shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rak Tore.
Shields avoids the head kick by Tore.
Shields is looking to counter with head kicks.
Tore shoots in for a takedown but Shields shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shields lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Shields darts in looking for a takedown but Tore gets double underhooks and turns Shields into the cage.
Tore fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Tore gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tore blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tore pushes Shields back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shields is trying to break the clinch but Tore has him pressed against the cage.

Tore pulls guard effortlessly.
Shields throwing strikes from guard but Tore blocks nicely.
Shields throws a big elbow that misses.
Shields loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Tore has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shields can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tore is breathing heavily.
Shields wants to get up but he can't break Tore's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shields stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Tore shoots in but no luck this time.
Shields stuffs the takedown.
Shields shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tore pinned against the cage. Tore gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And Tore tries to counter it with a takedown but Shields pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Tore fails to land the takedown.
Tore displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shields.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tore scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tore shoots in for a double leg but Shields sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Shields stuffs the takedown.

Shields fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tore to the ground. Shields is now in Tore's guard.

Tore is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shields can't find room to land a body shot as Tore controls the action.
Tore gets underhooks to prevent Shields's takedown attempt.
Tore lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rak Tore showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Omar Shields's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tore shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shields sprawls well. Shields wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tore gets slowly back to his feet.
As Tore looks to move away, Shields throws a big counter combo but Tore just gets out of the way.
Tore throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shields's waist but Shields gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tore off to one side.
Shields wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Tore is looking to clinch.
As Tore backs away, Shields returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Tore lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shields circles away quickly and effectively.
Shields tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tore manages to circle out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tore throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Shields moves into the clinch.

Tore breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tore has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tore chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Tore shoots and misses

and Shields counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Shields.
Omar Shields has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rak Tore.
Tore takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shields working aggressively here.
Tore is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shields tries a body shot but Tore blocks it.
Shields is pressed up against the cage. Tore has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shields down to the mat. Shields avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Shields looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Tore is looking for a sweep. Shields is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Shields is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tore defends it well.
Shields missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Shields stands up and beckons Tore to join him on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tore shoots and misses

and Shields counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shields has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Tore avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shields throws a head punch that misses.
Tore is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Shields pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shields throws a punch but it's blocked by Tore.
Shields goes for a takedown attempt but Tore pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Tore doesn't manage to clinch there - Shields circles away.
As Tore tries to get set, Shields tries to push him back and clinch up but Tore manages to avoid the attempt.
Shields shoots in but Tore avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Tore clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tore ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Tore no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Shields throws a big right hand that misses.
Shields would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Tore pulls Shields in close to prevent any damage.
Shields connects with a couple of short punches.

Shields has gone for a leg lock! Tore slips out almost immediately though and dives into Shields's guard.

Shields throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tore must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tore sitting in guard here, content to control.
Tore loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Shields is looking for a triangle but Tore pushes his legs off easily.

Shields working for a triangle but Tore defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tore content to stall in guard here.

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 Omar Shields.
Well Tore has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rak Tore!