PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vitaliq Shunkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexsandr Pchelenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shunkov comes to the cage accompanied by Gimn kudo. Pchelenko has chosen Kanye West-Stronger as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shunkov
vs
Pchelenko

168 cm
18
137 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

168 cm
18
138 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vitaliq Shunkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexsandr Pchelenko!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pchelenko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shunkov is fending him off so far but Pchelenko persists. Nope, Shunkov circles away and we're back to standing.
Shunkov looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Pchelenko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Shunkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pchelenko pulls his head out easily.
Shunkov is staying active underneath Pchelenko, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Pchelenko postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Shunkov to stand up.
Shunkov throws a nice looking combination but Pchelenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Shunkov avoids the head kick by Pchelenko.
Pchelenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pchelenko throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Pchelenko lands a left and a right that send Shunkov crashing to the mat, dazed. Pchelenko thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Shunkov is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pchelenko misses with a two punch combination.
Oh Shunkov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pchelenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shunkov circles away quickly and effectively.
Shunkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Pchelenko as he jumps to the side.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Pchelenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pchelenko controlling from side mount.
Shunkov prevents Pchelenko from improving position.
Pchelenko trying to control the position but Shunkov is working away.

Pchelenko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Pchelenko stands up and beckons Shunkov to his feet.
Pchelenko thows a body kick. Shunkov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Shunkov seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pchelenko drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Shunkov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Pchelenko throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Shunkov's head.
Vitaliq Shunkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pchelenko scores with a takedown into Shunkov's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shunkov managing to control the position.
Pchelenko wants to pass the guard but Shunkov is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Shunkov, not yet.

Pchelenko decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Shunkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pchelenko's waist but Pchelenko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shunkov off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Shunkov. No joy for Pchelenko on that attempt.
A head kick misses from Shunkov.
Shunkov stuffs the takedown.
Vitaliq Shunkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexsandr Pchelenko.
Pchelenko goes for a double leg but Shunkov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shunkov continues to drive forward.

Shunkov breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pchelenko has Shunkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Shunkov lands a knee to the head.
Shunkov looking to stall.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Pchelenko goes for a takedown attempt but Shunkov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Shunkov shoots in for a takedown but Pchelenko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shunkov is defended easily by Pchelenko.
Pchelenko lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Pchelenko.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexsandr Pchelenko dominated that round.
That's time! Shunkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shunkov drives through and clinches with Pchelenko against the cage.
Pchelenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pchelenko prevents a takedown attempt there.

Pchelenko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Pchelenko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Pchelenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Pchelenko, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shunkov prevents Pchelenko from getting back to his feet.
Pchelenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shunkov won't allow Pchelenko to get back to his feet.
Alexsandr Pchelenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pchelenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alexsandr Pchelenko wasn't active enough on the ground.
Pchelenko looks to land a combination but Shunkov avoids it well.
Pchelenko misses with a wild body shot.
Pchelenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shunkov avoids it really well and circles away.
Shunkov looks to land a combination but Pchelenko avoids it well.
Pchelenko throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Shunkov counters by moving into the clinch.
Pchelenko is pressed up against the cage. Shunkov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pchelenko down to the mat. Pchelenko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Pchelenko feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Shunkov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Shunkov, not yet.
Pchelenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Shunkov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pchelenko closes the distance and clinches up with Shunkov, looking for a takedown. Pchelenko pushes Shunkov against the cage but Shunkov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vitaliq Shunkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexsandr Pchelenko.

Shunkov clinches.
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!

Pchelenko breaks the clinch.
Pchelenko misses with a takedown attempt - Shunkov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shunkov shoots in for a takedown but Pchelenko shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov throws a head kick that misses.

Pchelenko is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Shunkov's half guard.
Shunkov is controlling Pchelenko's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Pchelenko is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Pchelenko escapes and gets back to his feet.
Shunkov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pchelenko is defended easily by Shunkov.
Pchelenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Shunkov. Shunkov gets slowly back to his feet.

Pchelenko has Shunkov up against the cage in a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Shunkov manages to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Shunkov does no damage.
Pchelenko shoots for a takedown but Shunkov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shunkov stuffs the takedown attempt from Pchelenko. Pchelenko gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexsandr Pchelenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pchelenko darts in looking for a takedown but Shunkov gets double underhooks and turns Pchelenko into the cage.
Pchelenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shunkov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Shunkov dives in and grabs Pchelenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pchelenko pushes down on Shunkov's head and hops out.
Pchelenko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vitaliq Shunkov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexsandr Pchelenko.
Shunkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pchelenko swivels and escapes.
Pchelenko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shunkov looks for a takedown but Pchelenko sprawls well.
Pchelenko darts in looking for a takedown but Shunkov gets double underhooks and turns Pchelenko into the cage.
Pchelenko tries to pull guard but Shunkov holds him up against the cage and eventually Pchelenko drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pchelenko fails to pull guard.
Pchelenko takes a knee right on the jaw!

Shunkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shunkov blocks the body kick.
Shunkov fails to land the takedown.
Pchelenko shoots in for a double leg but Shunkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A low kick from Pchelenko is predictable there
letting Shunkov counter with a right hand.
Shunkov lands with a shot to the body.
Pchelenko takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Nice sprawl there from Pchelenko as Shunkov shoots in.
Shunkov tries to bum rush Pchelenko with a series of wild strikes but Pchelenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pchelenko fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Pchelenko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shunkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shunkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Pchelenko moves into the clinch.
Shunkov tries to stall but Pchelenko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Pchelenko is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shunkov to keep the fight standing.
Shunkov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Shunkov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Pchelenko.

Shunkov manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pchelenko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pchelenko showed some decent athleticism there.
Pchelenko trying to advance position but Shunkov counters by regaining guard.

Pchelenko gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Shunkov closes the distance and pushes Pchelenko back into the cage.
Shunkov tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pchelenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shunkov walks away with a smile on his face. Pchelenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Shunkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vitaliq Shunkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shunkov misses with a takedown attempt - Pchelenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pchelenko shoots in for a double leg but Shunkov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pchelenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Shunkov, as that shot connected.
Shunkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pchelenko avoids it really well and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shunkov slips a jab from Pchelenko.
Vitaliq Shunkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexsandr Pchelenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pchelenko avoids a punch combination nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexsandr Pchelenko.
I've got Pchelenko winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexsandr Pchelenko!
Alexsandr Pchelenko was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.