PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Shabanov (ranked 476 p4p, 1094 weight class) and Aki Hiko (ranked 13 p4p, 57 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shabanov
vs
Hiko

197 cm
29
234
18 - 7 - 0

225 cm
35
277
21 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Hardcore Nutrition 160Q

Sydney Fight Gear (London Rebirth)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Fedor Shabanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 17 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aki Hiko!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shabanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hiko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Some wild striking there from Hiko.
Shabanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Donk. Shabanov catches Hiko right on the button with a cross.

It looks like Aki Hiko has been cut.
Hiko blocks a jab.
Shabanov looks to land a left hand but Hiko moved out of range nicely.
Hiko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shabanov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Hiko misses the target.
Shabanov missing with a left hand there. Hiko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shabanov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hiko looks to throw the jab but Shabanov is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shabanov is looking to counter punch.
Hiko misses with a leg kick
and Shabanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shabanov misses with a head kick.
Hiko wants to land a leg kick but Shabanov is out of range.
Shabanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Shabanov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hiko throws out a powerful jab.
Hiko misses with a low kick.
Hiko ducks under a wild hook from Shabanov.
Shabanov misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiko misses with a combination
and Shabanov counters with a good low kick that Hiko was not able to check.

Hiko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hiko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shabanov's head.

Shabanov manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Hiko keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Hiko has a couple of punches blocked by Shabanov.
Shabanov blocks a body shot from Hiko.

Shabanov manages to break the clinch.
Shabanov misses the jab.
Aki Hiko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hiko throws a hook to the side of Shabanov's head but Shabanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shabanov tried to counter with a leg kick but Hiko avoided it.
Hiko jabs Shabanov right on the nose. Shabanov blinks but takes it well.
Shabanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hiko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabanov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hiko slips under a jab.
Shabanov walks into a straight right hand from Hiko.

Hiko feints and as Shabanov raises his hands in defense, Hiko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Shabanov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Hiko off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Shabanov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Shabanov misses with a wild combination.
Shabanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hiko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hiko lunges at Shabanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shabanov's hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shabanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hiko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shabanov misses with a wild combination.
Fedor Shabanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shabanov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hiko backs up against the cage.
Hiko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shabanov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Hiko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shabanov moves away.
Hiko throws a looping overhand right but Shabanov ducks down to avoid it.
Hiko throws a hook but Shabanov avoids it easily.
Shabanov cracks Hiko with an open hand slap.
Hiko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Shabanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aki Hiko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hiko shoots for a takedown but Shabanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Shabanov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Shabanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shabanov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Shabanov walks into a stiff left hand from Hiko.
Hiko misses the shot to the body.
Shabanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hiko.
It looked like Shabanov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hiko.
Shabanov throws out a loose jab but Hiko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hiko feints the counter takedown.
Shabanov loads up on a big right hand but Hiko slips the punch.
Hiko is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Hiko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shabanov doesn't seem phased though.
Shabanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Shabanov blocks the leg kick.
Shabanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hiko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiko misses with a combination
and Shabanov counters with a straight right hand.
Shabanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hiko.
Fedor Shabanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Hiko fails to land with a series of punches.
Hiko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shabanov is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Hiko misses the target.
Hiko lands a jab to the nose.
Shabanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hiko throws out the jab.
Hiko blocks a leg kick.
Shabanov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd cheers as Hiko lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shabanov doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shabanov misses with a hook.
Hiko fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shabanov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hiko misses with a hook.
Shabanov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shabanov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hiko walks into a stiff left hand from Shabanov.
Hiko scores with a hook.
Shabanov misses with a wild body shot.
Shabanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hiko with the counter takedown but Shabanov avoids it easily.
Hiko lands a jab to Shabanov's midsection.
Shabanov throws a hook but Hiko avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiko throws a body shot but no joy.
Hiko throws out a loose jab but Shabanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hiko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Shabanov throws the kick towards the body but Hiko avoids it.
Hiko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shabanov blocks a jab.
Shabanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shabanov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hiko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shabanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hiko was well out of range. Poor timing from Shabanov.
Hiko misses with a combination
and Hiko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That has opened up Aki Hiko's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Hiko.
A good leg kick by Shabanov.
Shabanov misses with a hook.
Shabanov ducks under a wild hook from Hiko.
Hiko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shabanov throws an off balance right hand

and Hiko counters with a single leg into guard. Shabanov didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shabanov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hiko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shabanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hiko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hiko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aki Hiko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Aki Hiko's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shabanov ducks under a wild hook from Hiko.
Shabanov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hiko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shabanov manages to avoid it.
Hiko lands a lovely overhand right.
Shabanov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Hiko as he connects with a hook.
Hiko throws a right hand that misses
and Shabanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hiko smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiko slips under a jab.
Shabanov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Shabanov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hikos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
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!
Shabanov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hiko.
Hiko is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hiko looks to land a left hand but Shabanov moved out of range nicely.
Hiko with a poor takedown
and Shabanov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hiko throws a nice looking combination but Shabanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shabanov is looking to counter punch.
Hiko throws an overhand right that lands on Shabanov's shoulder, as Shabanov tries to avoid the shot.
Shabanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hiko.
A low kick lands for Shabanov.
Hiko scores with a nice right hand.
Shabanov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hiko's sensitive parts.
Hiko lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shabanov connects with a solid leg kick.
Shabanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shabanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Hiko is just out of range.
Shabanov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Shabanov walks into a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shabanov throws out a loose jab but Hiko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hiko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hiko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hiko throws a predictable looking body shot
and Shabanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shabanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hiko's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hiko cracks Shabanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shabanov slaps away a takedown attempt from Hiko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Shabanov swings widly with a right hand
and Hiko counters with a stiff right hand.
Shabanov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hiko.
Shabanov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hiko ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hiko throws a right hand that misses
enabling Shabanov to counter with a crisp jab.
Hiko misses with a two punch combination.
Hiko fails to land with a series of punches.
Shabanov with the inside leg kick.
Shabanov misses with an uppercut. Hiko saw that one coming.
Hiko lunges at Shabanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shabanov's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiko throws an overhand right that lands on Shabanov's shoulder, as Shabanov tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Shabanov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shabanov catches Hiko with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

The cut above Aki Hiko's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Shabanov throws a hook but Hiko blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice leg kick from Shabanov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hiko tried to score with a low kick but Shabanov checks it.
Shabanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hiko lands a jab.
Hiko misses with a looping right.
Shabanov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Shabanov looks to land a right hand but Hiko moved out of range.
Shabanov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aki Hiko.
I think Hiko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Aki Hiko!
Aki Hiko really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Freebok (85% Laundry) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.