PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Phenom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandar Shalamanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shalamanov has chosen Imany - You will never know as his entrance music. Marcus Phenom had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Phenom
vs
Shalamanov

186 cm
26
200 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

186 cm
26
187 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marcus Phenom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aleksandar Shalamanov!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shalamanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shalamanov moves away from the strike by Phenom.
Phenom misses with an uppercut.
Shalamanov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Phenom sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shalamanov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Phenom tries to avoid it but Shalamanov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Phenom to the ground. Phenom escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Marcus Phenom has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksandar Shalamanov.
Some wild striking there from Phenom.
Phenom ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shalamanov moves away.
Phenom just misses with a punch to the body.
Phenom throws the left hand but Shalamanov avoids the punch easily.
Phenom misses with an uppercut. Shalamanov saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Phenom misses the target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shalamanov is defended easily by Phenom.
Phenom misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shalamanov ducks under a wild hook from Phenom.
Phenom throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Phenom throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shalamanov.
Shalamanov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Shalamanov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Shalamanov walks into a left hand.
Phenom misses with the combination.
Shalamanov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Phenom swivels and escapes.
Marcus Phenom is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Phenom missing with a left hand there. Shalamanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shalamanov shoots for a double leg takedown but Phenom sprawls well. He's pushed Shalamanov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shalamanov defending well as Phenom loads up on a big left hand.
Phenom misses with a wild body shot.
Shalamanov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Shalamanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Phenom sprawls well. Phenom wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shalamanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Phenom thuds a left hand into Shalamanov's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good standup being displayed there by Phenom as he connects with a hook.
Shalamanov slips a jab from Phenom.
Shalamanov is trying desperately to land a takedown but Phenom is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Shalamanov.
Phenom thows a left - swing and a miss!
A looping hook to the body misses from Phenom. Shalamanov does a little dance to reset his feet.

Shalamanov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Shalamanov throwing shots but Phenom is blocking nicely.

Shalamanov is working for a submission of some sort.
Phenom is refusing to be controlled, as Shalamanov sits in half guard.
Phenom is trying to stand.
Shalamanov trying to control the action but Phenom is working from the bottom.
Shalamanov throwing shots but Phenom is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phenom wants to get back to his feet.
Shalamanov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shalamanov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Phenom is trying to stand up here but Shalamanov is controlling him well.
Phenom trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Shalamanov controlling the action here.
Phenom is refusing to be controlled, as Shalamanov sits in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shalamanov passes to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Phenom dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shalamanov shoots in but Phenom avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Phenom looks to land a left hand but Shalamanov moved out of range nicely.
A jab lands there for Phenom.

Shalamanov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Phenom on his heels. He'll look to pass Phenom's guard now, I'm sure.
Shalamanov prevents Phenom from getting back to his feet.
Shalamanov wants to control from the top but Phenom keeps moving.

Shalamanov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shalamanov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shalamanov trying to control but Phenom is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Phenom wants to stand up but Shalamanov is controlling him.
Shalamanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Shalamanov trying to control but Phenom is working from the bottom.
Shalamanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shalamanov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Phenom's head.
Phenom is looking to stand up but Shalamanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Shalamanov throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shalamanov throws a strike but Phenom rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Shalamanov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shalamanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Phenom is one step ahead there.
Shalamanov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shalamanov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shalamanov trying to control but Phenom is having none of it.
Shalamanov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Phenom on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Phenom tries to get out of the position.
Shalamanov punching from mount but Phenom doing a good job of avoiding damage.
BOOM! Shalamanov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Shalamanov punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shalamanov goes for an armbar but Phenom turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Phenom.
Shalamanov has his hands on Phenom's head, controlling the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shalamanov has a closed guard, preventing Phenom from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandar Shalamanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Phenom throws a big shot that misses.
Phenom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shalamanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Phenom.
Marcus Phenom is winning the standup battle so far.

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

Shalamanov is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No luck for Shalamanov with that takedown attempt.
Shalamanov is still on wobbly legs! Can Phenom finish him?
Phenom sees an opening and throws a straight punch right through Shalamanov's defenses. It connects perfectly with Shalamanov's jaw and knocks him out cold! Wow - that's a contender for knockout of the year - absolutely brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Marcus Phenom!