PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Layne Staley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Shamvlaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Staley's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Rooster. Layne Staley has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Staley
vs
Shamvlaev

188 cm
27
150 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

172 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Layne Staley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Shamvlaev!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shamvlaev tries to keep at a distance but Staley has taken the fight into the clinch.
Staley is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Staley works on Shamvlaev's body with a couple of short punches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Staley ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Staley no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Staley on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Staley tries to get out of the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Staley keeping full guard, as Shamvlaev tries to pass.

Shamvlaev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Staley dives on top into guard.

Shamvlaev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shamvlaev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Staley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Staley looking to pass the guard.
Staley trying to control but Shamvlaev is working from the bottom.
Staley trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Shamvlaev has an active guard here but Staley has managed to pass into half guard.
Staley is trying to control the action in half guard but Shamvlaev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Shamvlaev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Staley works his way into full mount!
Shamvlaev is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staley looking to control and managing it successfully.
Shamvlaev felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Shamvlaev is desperately trying to improve his position but Staley has a good base and remains in mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Staley postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Shamvlaev looks a forlorn figure.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shamvlaev keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Staley looking to control but Shamvlaev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamvlaev regains half guard.

Shamvlaev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Shamvlaev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staley pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shamvlaev is refusing to be controlled, as Staley sits in half guard.
Staley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Staley lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Shamvlaev actively working from the bottom here.

Shamvlaev actively working from the bottom here.
Staley wants to take a breather but Shamvlaev is having none of it.
Staley controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamvlaev wants to get back to full guard.
Staley slips a nice elbow through Shamvlaev's hands, connecting with Shamvlaev's forehead.
Staley is pressing down on Shamvlaev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shamvlaev is holding on for now.
Staley is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Shamvlaev wants to improve his position but Staley is controlling well.
Staley is trying to control. Shamvlaev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Staley sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Layne Staley just wasn't active enough.
Staley scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Layne Staley will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Staley fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shamvlaev avoids it really well and circles away.

Shamvlaev gets tackled into the cage by Staley. Staley maintains the clinch.

Staley ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Staley no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Shamvlaev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Staley is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Shamvlaev, into his guard.

Shamvlaev throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shamvlaev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Staley defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shamvlaev working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Staley has passed into half guard!
Staley is trying to control. Shamvlaev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Shamvlaev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staley pulls his head out easily.

Shamvlaev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staley pulls his head out easily.
Shamvlaev is staying active underneath Staley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Staley is taking a breather. Shamvlaev says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Staley working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamvlaev is trying to get back to full guard.

Shamvlaev actively working from the bottom here.
Staley drops an elbow to the side of Shamvlaev's head.

Shamvlaev looking for submissions off his back.
Staley controlling the action here.
Staley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shamvlaev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Shamvlaev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staley pulls his head out easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Staley performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Staley has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamvlaev sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Shamvlaev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Shamvlaev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Staley pulls his head out easily.

Shamvlaev looking for submissions off his back.
Shamvlaev is breathing heavily.
Staley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shamvlaev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Shamvlaev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Staley stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staley wants to take a breather but Shamvlaev is having none of it.
Staley is really struggling to control Shamvlaev but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Layne Staley just wasn't active enough.
Shamvlaev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shamvlaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Staley.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Staley scores with a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Layne Staley dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Staley pushes Shamvlaev up against the cage in a clinch.
Shamvlaev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Staley gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shamvlaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Staley fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Staley closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Staley has Shamvlaev up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamvlaev goes for a takedown attempt but Staley pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Layne Staley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Shamvlaev.

Staley clinches up with Shamvlaev and pushes him back against the cage.

Staley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Staley shoots and misses

and Shamvlaev counters by moving into the clinch.
Staley lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staley lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Staley decides to pull guard.

Shamvlaev is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Staley is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Staley has escaped and now he's on top!

Staley gets to his feet. Shamvlaev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Staley gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Shamvlaev counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shamvlaev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Shamvlaev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Staley has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shamvlaev is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Staley has escaped the position, nice work there.

Shamvlaev is trying to get an arm triangle but Staley is defending well.
Layne Staley is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Staley is trying to buck Shamvlaev off.

Shamvlaev goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Staley has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Shamvlaev but great work by Staley.
Sergei Shamvlaev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shamvlaev is not content to let Staley control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Staley taking a breather here.
Shamvlaev is looking to reverse the position.
Staley just content to control the position.
Shamvlaev tries to improve position but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Shamvlaev keeps trying to improve his position.
Shamvlaev looks to move to half guard but instead Staley has passed into mount! Damn!
Sergei Shamvlaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shamvlaev swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Layne Staley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Staley, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Layne Staley!
Layne Staley took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'I'm the Rooster, baby! Alice in Chains rocks! '.