PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akhmad ShugaR (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikolaj Kopernik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

ShugaR
vs
Kopernik

184 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 St Petersburg, Akhmad ShugaR!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikolaj Kopernik!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kopernik on the wrong end of a nice jab.
ShugaR tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kopernik was well out of range. Poor timing from ShugaR.
Kopernik changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. ShugaR tries to avoid it but Kopernik manages to keep hold of a leg and drag ShugaR to the ground. ShugaR escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
ShugaR fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kopernik avoids it really well and circles away.
ShugaR throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kopernik shoots and misses

and ShugaR counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kopernik regains half guard there - taking advantage of ShugaR's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
ShugaR thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kopernik's head.
Kopernik is looking to control ShugaR's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kopernik avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
ShugaR is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
ShugaR throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
ShugaR pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kopernik is keeping the position for now.
ShugaR has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kopernik keeping moving, preventing ShugaR from controlling successfully.
Kopernik utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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.
ShugaR tries to stand but Kopernik is controlling from the bottom.
ShugaR trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

ShugaR drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kopernik looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kopernik looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kopernik!
ShugaR is breathing heavily.

Kopernik tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Kopernik decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopernik is on the wrong end of a nice combination from ShugaR.
Kopernik shoots and misses

so ShugaR counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Akhmad ShugaR has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikolaj Kopernik.
ShugaR pushes down on Kopernik's leg and manages to get into half guard.

ShugaR gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
ShugaR throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kopernik.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kopernik is looking to slow ShugaR down with leg kicks.
Kopernik with a lazy takedown attempt
and ShugaR counters with a right hand to the body.
ShugaR stalks Kopernik and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kopernik's face. Kopernik staggers backwards, shaken.
Kopernik goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kopernik takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kopernik throws a left and a right that both miss

and ShugaR counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kopernik!
ShugaR throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kopernik because ShugaR loaded up on that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kopernik tries to hold on but ShugaR postures up.
ShugaR lands a big shot there that rocks Kopernik but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akhmad ShugaR dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikolaj Kopernik's cut.
That's time! ShugaR's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kopernik tries for a takedown but ShugaR circles away easily
and ShugaR counters with a two punch combo.
Kopernik staying out of range there.
A nice combination there by Kopernik.
Akhmad ShugaR is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kopernik shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and ShugaR counters with a single leg into guard. Kopernik didn't expect that.
ShugaR is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kopernik trying to keep a closed guard but ShugaR is proving a slippery customer.
Kopernik being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ShugaR looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
ShugaR is fighting to break Kopernik's control of his arms but Kopernik is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
ShugaR wants to control from the top but Kopernik keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

ShugaR looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
ShugaR is figuring out what he wants to do next.
ShugaR is looking to advance position but Kopernik won't allow it.

ShugaR is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kopernik is just riding it out for now. ShugaR eventually gives up the hold.

ShugaR is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kopernik defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopernik is trying to control but can't.
ShugaR seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
ShugaR winds up and cracks Kopernik with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
ShugaR tries to stand and escape but Kopernik actually recovers to full guard.
ShugaR is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
ShugaR is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
ShugaR distracts Kopernik with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
ShugaR cracks Kopernik with a solid left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akhmad ShugaR dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mikolaj Kopernik's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

ShugaR slips a jab and a cross from Kopernik.
Kopernik tries for a takedown but ShugaR circles away easily

and ShugaR counters with a single leg into guard. Kopernik didn't expect that.
ShugaR throwing strikes but missing.
Kopernik wants to sweep here but ShugaR controlling him for the moment.
ShugaR postures up in Kopernik's guard and throws a big left but Kopernik blocks it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
ShugaR thows a big elbow that misses.
ShugaR is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kopernik preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
ShugaR wants to pass the guard but Kopernik is keeping the position.
ShugaR postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kopernik keeping moving, preventing ShugaR from controlling successfully.
ShugaR thows a big elbow that misses.
Akhmad ShugaR overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

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.
Kopernik avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
ShugaR stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kopernik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kopernik is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

ShugaR fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kopernik sprawls well initially but ShugaR persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kopernik is looking to control ShugaR's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kopernik avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kopernik tries to get to full guard but ShugaR has control of the leg.
ShugaR trying to control from half guard but Kopernik is working away.
Kopernik is concentrating on defense, preventing ShugaR from advancing position.
It looks like ShugaR is going to stand back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kopernik with a poor takedown
and ShugaR counters with a one-two to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
ShugaR tries to close the distance and clinch but Kopernik swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kopernik shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Kopernik prevents ShugaR from getting the reversal.
Kopernik fails to advance to ShugaR's back.
ShugaR is working to get back to half guard.
Akhmad ShugaR is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
ShugaR tries to lock up and control but Kopernik gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Mikolaj Kopernik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Akhmad ShugaR showed his dominance in that final round.
Well ShugaR has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akhmad ShugaR!