PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Radev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Shanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shanks is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Dethklok - The Cyborg Slayers. Nikolai Radev had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Radev
vs
Shanks

184 cm
26
190 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

190 cm
33
188 lbs
25 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear

The Big Kabosh

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 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikolai Radev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Shanks!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shanks throws a shot to the body.
Radev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Radev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Shanks throws a predictable looking body shot

and Radev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shanks's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Radev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shanks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Radev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Shanks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shanks has control of Radev's left arm, preventing Radev from doing any damage.
Shanks wants to sweep here but Radev controlling him for the moment.
Radev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Shanks holds on and takes a little breather.
Radev stopping the sweep attempt from Shanks.
Radev has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shanks is pulling down on Radev's head. It's preventing any offense from Radev, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Radev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Radev trying to control the position from guard on top but Shanks 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.
Radev throws a big shot that misses.
Shanks throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Shanks is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Radev.
Shanks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shanks doesn't manage to clinch there - Radev circles away.
Radev throws a leg kick but Shanks sees it coming and checks it nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Radev.

It looks like Michael Shanks has been cut.
Shanks fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Radev.
Radev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Radev avoids a kick to the body.
Crunch! Shanks slams his shin into Radev's torso.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shanks tries to clinch but Radev is having none of it.
Radev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Shanks takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Radev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Shanks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Radev somewhat.
Shanks on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Radev throws a push kick but Shanks slaps the foot to one side.
Shanks moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Radev loads up on a big right hand but Shanks slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Radev tries to keep at a distance but Shanks has taken the fight into the clinch.
Shanks misses with a body punch.
Shanks is pushing Radev up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Radev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Radev tries a body shot but Shanks blocks it.
Shanks misses with a knee to the head.
Shanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shanks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shanks tries to work over Radev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Radev turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Radev is working Shanks over with some ground and pound from side control.
Shanks is trying to get back to half guard.
Shanks is trying to control Radev's posture but Radev avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev trying to control the action but Shanks is working from the bottom.
Radev tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shanks is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Radev is looking to take a break and control but Shanks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Shanks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Radev throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Radev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Michael Shanks's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Radev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Radev crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Shanks - the referee stops the clock and Radev gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Shanks. Radev manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Shanks lands a leg kick that knocks Radev off balance momentarily.

Radev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shanks to the mat! Shanks manages to get full guard.
Shanks trying to keep a closed guard but Radev is proving a slippery customer.
Radev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Radev stands up over Shanks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Radev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Radev scoring with punches to the head and body.
Radev won't allow Shanks to sweep him here.
Shanks pulls Radev in to control the position.
Radev is working Shanks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev wants to control from the top but Shanks keeps moving.
Shanks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shanks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Radev.
Nikolai Radev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shanks looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Shanks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Radev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Shanks is trying to keep Radev in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Radev throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev stands up over Shanks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shanks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Radev manages to get himself to full guard.
Shanks advances to half guard.
Radev is trying to maintain the position but Shanks is very close to passing his half guard.
Shanks trying to control the action but Radev is working from the bottom.
Radev is looking to improve his position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Radev wants to control but Shanks is keeping busy.
Radev is staying active underneath Shanks, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev wants to get back to full guard.
Shanks seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Radev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Radev is in trouble now - Shanks has advanced to mount!
Shanks looking to control but Radev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Shanks controlling the position easily from mount.
Radev regains half guard.
Radev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Shanks controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Radev!
Radev is trying desperately to improve position.
Radev tries to improve his position but instead Shanks has taken his back!
Radev tries to escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shanks trying to control momentarily.
Shanks really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Radev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nikolai Radev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Michael Shanks's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Shanks takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Shanks lands a leg kick that knocks Radev off balance momentarily.
Shanks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nice body kick there by Shanks.
Shanks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Radev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shanks tries to clinch but Radev is having none of it.
Radev misses with a series of wild punches.
Shanks connects with a leg kick. Radev looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Shanks misses with a wild body shot.
Radev avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shanks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Shanks closes the distance but Radev moves to the side

and Radev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Radev is stalling in the full guard.
Radev stands up over Shanks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Shanks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Radev.
Radev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Radev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shanks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Radev scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev cracks Shanks with a solid left hand.
Radev lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Shanks is trying to keep Radev in close.
Radev tries to free his leg and advance position but Shanks is retaining full guard.
Shanks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Radev.
Radev working some strikes from top position.
Radev throws a big right hand that misses.
Radev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Radev stopping the sweep attempt from Shanks.
Radev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shanks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Radev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Radev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Radev trying to control but Shanks is working from the bottom.
Radev looking to sit in guard and control but Shanks gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Shanks trying to control but Radev is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shanks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Radev is keeping the position for now.
Shanks preventing the sweep.
Shanks controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shanks throws the kick towards the body but Radev avoids it.
Nikolai Radev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Shanks has Radev up against the cage in a clinch.
Radev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shanks backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shanks swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Michael Shanks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shanks misses with a hook from the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Radev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Radev, 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Radev!
After winning the bout, Nikolai Radev thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.