PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shamil Astakhov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Carneiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carneiro has chosen The Rasmus - In the Shadows as his entrance music. Daniel Carneiro will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Astakhov
vs
Carneiro

182 cm
26
210 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

188 cm
33
237 lbs
25 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shamil Astakhov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniel Carneiro!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carneiro scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Shamil Astakhov has been cut.
Carneiro shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Carneiro tries a head kick but it misses.
Carneiro with a poor takedown

and Astakhov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Astakhov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Astakhov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Astakhov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Astakhov wants to control from the top but Carneiro keeps moving.
Astakhov scoring with some ground and pound.
Astakhov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Carneiro is trying to keep Astakhov in close.
Carneiro is pulling down on Astakhov's head. It's preventing any offense from Astakhov, at least for the moment.
Our spies down at at Academia Carmeida Helsinki inform us that Carneiro has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astakhov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Astakhov throwing strikes from guard but Carneiro blocks nicely.
Astakhov landing some decent shots from guard.
Carneiro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Astakhov scoring with some ground and pound.
Carneiro is trying to keep Astakhov in close.
Astakhov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Carneiro keeping full guard, as Astakhov tries to pass.
Astakhov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Carneiro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Carneiro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Astakhov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Carneiro keeping moving, preventing Astakhov from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carneiro controls Astakhov momentarily but Astakhov frees himself.
Astakhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Carneiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carneiro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Astakhov is one step ahead there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astakhov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Astakhov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Carneiro wants to sweep here but Astakhov controlling him for the moment.
Astakhov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carneiro is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Astakhov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Astakhov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Carneiro's head.
Astakhov trying to control the position from guard on top but Carneiro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Carneiro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Astakhov landing with the ground and pound.
Carneiro has momentary wrist control but Astakhov slips an elbow through the middle.
Carneiro keeping moving, preventing Astakhov from controlling successfully.
Astakhov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Carneiro wants to sweep here but Astakhov controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov trying to control but Carneiro is working from the bottom.

Shamil Astakhov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Carneiro looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Astakhov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Astakhov tries to get out of the position.
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!
Carneiro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Astakhov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Astakhov striking off his back but it's not causing Carneiro any problems.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Astakhov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Astakhov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Carneiro is aware though and is defending well.
Astakhov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Astakhov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shamil Astakhov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Carneiro has his takedown stuffed

and Astakhov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Astakhov.
Astakhov wants to pass the guard but Carneiro is keeping the position.
Astakhov trying to control but Carneiro is working from the bottom.
Carneiro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Astakhov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Astakhov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Carneiro manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Astakhov manages to get himself to full guard.
Carneiro won't allow Astakhov to get back to his feet.
Carneiro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astakhov wants to stand but Carneiro is controlling the position.

Astakhov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Carneiro trying to control the position from guard on top but Astakhov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Astakhov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Carneiro drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Carneiro jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Astakhov wants to sweep but no luck.
Carneiro passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Astakhov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov is not content to let Carneiro control the position.
Carneiro works to advance to full mount. Astakhov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Astakhov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Carneiro controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov is looking to improve his position but Carneiro isn't that keen on the idea.
Carneiro trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Carneiro lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Astakhov has given up his back.
Astakhov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Well, with Carneiro on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Astakhov is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Astakhov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Astakhov wants to improve his position but Carneiro is controlling well.
Astakhov landing strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astakhov is refusing to be controlled, as Carneiro sits in half guard.
Astakhov trying to control here.
Astakhov is not content to let Carneiro control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Astakhov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Carneiro wants to control from the top but Astakhov keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Astakhov looking to control.
Astakhov keeping moving, preventing Carneiro from controlling successfully.

Daniel Carneiro has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Carneiro with a lazy takedown attempt

and Astakhov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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 Shamil Astakhov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shamil Astakhov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Carneiro shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Astakhov is trying to defend but Carneiro finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Astakhov tries to get to full guard but Carneiro has control of the leg.
Astakhov is trying to control but can't.
Carneiro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Astakhov keeps working.

Carneiro looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Astakhov actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carneiro is trying to control the action in half guard but Astakhov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Carneiro is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Carneiro looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Astakhov wants to improve his position but Carneiro is controlling well.
Astakhov wants to control but Carneiro is keeping busy.

Carneiro in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Astakhov tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Carneiro!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Daniel Carneiro!
Daniel Carneiro is the new heavyweight champion!
Daniel Carneiro decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.