PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rahkim Abdullah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Belshiknolav (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Belshiknolav is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Abdullah
vs
Belshiknolav

190 cm
23
168 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

190 cm
22
180 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rahkim Abdullah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Belshiknolav!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Belshiknolav moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Abdullah looks to land a combination but Belshiknolav avoids it well.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Belshiknolav but Belshiknolav pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Belshiknolav delivers a nice body kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Belshiknolav.
Belshiknolav lands with a thumping leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Belshiknolav showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Abdullah.
We've been hearing reports that Abdullah has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Abdullah takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

It looks like Rahkim Abdullah has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abdullah avoids the head kick by Belshiknolav.
Abdullah shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Belshiknolav pinned against the cage. Belshiknolav gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
An inside leg kick lands from Belshiknolav.
Abdullah lands a jab to Belshiknolav's midsection.
Belshiknolav uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abdullah.
Abdullah avoids the head kick by Belshiknolav.
Nice takedown defense from Belshiknolav. No joy for Abdullah on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
An inside leg kick from Belshiknolav misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belshiknolav pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abdullah takes a swing at Belshiknolav's ribcage but misses.
Abdullah lands a nice shot to the body.
Belshiknolav lands a nice shot to the body.
Belshiknolav tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Abdullah misses with a takedown attempt - Belshiknolav sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Abdullah looks to score with a jab to the body but Belshiknolav is just out of range.
Abdullah avoids the head kick by Belshiknolav.
Abdullah misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Belshiknolav throws a nice inside leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abdullah. Belshiknolav does a little dance to reset his feet.
Belshiknolav throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Belshiknolav slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Abdullah throws a right hand that Belshiknolav ducks under and follows up with a left that Belshiknolav also avoids with ease.
Belshiknolav slips a jab from Abdullah.
Abdullah blocks a head kick by Belshiknolav.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Abdullah gets a double leg takedown into Belshiknolav's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Abdullah throwing strikes from guard but Belshiknolav blocks nicely.
Abdullah working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Belshiknolav's head.
Abdullah really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Abdullah working some strikes from top position.
Belshiknolav avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Belshiknolav is looking to stand up but Abdullah isn't so interested in that idea.
Belshiknolav really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Abdullah. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Belshiknolav is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Belshiknolav keeping moving, preventing Abdullah from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abdullah chips away with some ground and pound.
Abdullah passes Belshiknolav's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Abdullah is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Abdullah slips a nice elbow through Belshiknolav's hands, connecting with Belshiknolav's forehead.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Abdullah winds up and cracks Belshiknolav with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Belshiknolav taking some punishment here, with Abdullah in his half guard.
Abdullah lands with a punch from half guard.
Abdullah trying to pass the guard but Belshiknolav defending well.
Belshiknolav pushes Abdullah off looking to stand but Abdullah dives back in and keeps control.
Abdullah works his way into full mount!
Abdullah landing strikes from the mount and Belshiknolav is in trouble!
Abdullah lands a big elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abdullah postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Belshiknolav looks a forlorn figure.
Belshiknolav is squirming around, avoiding Abdullah's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah working Belshiknolav over with strikes here.
Belshiknolav is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Abdullah looking to control but Belshiknolav is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Abdullah won't let Belshiknolav get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Abdullah scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Belshiknolav?
Abdullah landing punches.
Belshiknolav is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Belshiknolav taking shots to the head.
Belshiknolav wants to get back to his feet.
Abdullah is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Belshiknolav takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Belshiknolav is rocked!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Belshiknolav is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Abdullah lands a heavy elbow.
Abdullah lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Belshiknolav hang on?
Belshiknolav is still in real trouble! Can Abdullah finish him?
Belshiknolav really wants to buck Abdullah off and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rahkim Abdullah dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rahkim Abdullah's cut.
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.

Belshiknolav defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Abdullah.
Belshiknolav seems to have recovered his senses.
Abdullah throws a body punch but Belshiknolav moves out of range.
Belshiknolav misses with a body kick.
Abdullah dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Belshiknolav throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Belshiknolav has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Abdullah finds it's way round the side to connect with Belshiknolav's head.
Belshiknolav keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rahkim Abdullah is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Abdullah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Belshiknolav.
Abdullah checks a leg kick nicely.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown but Belshiknolav shows good takedown defense.
Belshiknolav stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdullah throws a right hand that Belshiknolav ducks under and follows up with a left that Belshiknolav also avoids with ease.
Belshiknolav throws a sloppy head kick and Abdullah moves out of range easily.
Belshiknolav just misses with a punch to the body.
Abdullah misses with a body shot.
Belshiknolav throws a head kick that misses.
Belshiknolav steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Abdullah.
Abdullah jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belshiknolav throws a head kick that misses.
Ivan Belshiknolav is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Belshiknolav as he avoids it easily.
Abdullah ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Belshiknolav moves away.
Ivan Belshiknolav seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Belshiknolav lands with a slapping head kick.
Abdullah lands with a straight right. Belshiknolav didn't see that one coming.
Belshiknolav throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A head kick misses from Belshiknolav.

Abdullah closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Belshiknolav's guard.
Abdullah lands a couple of elbows.

Belshiknolav has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Abdullah is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Belshiknolav misses with some punches.
Abdullah is trying to drag Belshiknolav to the mat but Belshiknolav just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Abdullah can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Belshiknolav breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Belshiknolav goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Abdullah tries for a takedown but Belshiknolav sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Abdullah fails with the takedown.
Abdullah fails to land with a series of punches.
Belshiknolav scores with a kick to the midsection.
Abdullah fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Abdullah lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Belshiknolav connects with a right hand. Abdullah shakes it off.
Abdullah avoids the head kick by Belshiknolav.

Abdullah throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Belshiknolav was covering up waiting for the punch and Abdullah finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Belshiknolav wants to stand up but Abdullah is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belshiknolav has momentary wrist control but Abdullah slips an elbow through the middle.
Abdullah trying to control the position from guard on top but Belshiknolav is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Belshiknolav has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Abdullah off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Abdullah misses with a takedown attempt - Belshiknolav sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Belshiknolav leaves Abdullah with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Abdullah shoots in and drives through. Belshiknolav sprawls well.
Belshiknolav throws a head kick that half lands.
Abdullah slips a straight right by Belshiknolav.
Belshiknolav throws a head kick but Abdullah moves out of range.
Abdullah throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A combination from Abdullah does no damage.
Belshiknolav misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah avoids the head kick by Belshiknolav.
Belshiknolav tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Abdullah was well out of range. Poor timing from Belshiknolav.
Belshiknolav leaves Abdullah with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Abdullah avoids the head kick by Belshiknolav.

Abdullah shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ground and pound from Abdullah.
Abdullah 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.
Abdullah is looking to advance position but Belshiknolav won't allow it.

Belshiknolav pushes Abdullah off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Abdullah swings for the body but Belshiknolav moves out of range.
Belshiknolav lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Belshiknolav throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Abdullah. Those never looked like landing.
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 Rahkim Abdullah will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rahkim Abdullah's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Belshiknolav darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Abdullah fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Abdullah.
Belshiknolav tries a head kick but it misses.
Abdullah throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abdullah is looking to wear down Belshiknolav with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Belshiknolav slips under a jab.
Belshiknolav pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Abdullah tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Belshiknolav swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Abdullah or perhaps it was just good defense by Belshiknolav, which made it look bad.
Abdullah misses the shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Belshiknolav tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Abdullah avoids the head kick by Belshiknolav.
Belshiknolav uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abdullah.

Abdullah shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Belshiknolav's guard.
Abdullah prevents Belshiknolav from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Belshiknolav working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abdullah.
Belshiknolav wants to stand up but Abdullah is controlling him.
Abdullah working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Belshiknolav wants to stand and escape but Abdullah is having none of it.
Abdullah makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Belshiknolav can do anything to dispel that myth.
Abdullah postures up and lands a big shot to Belshiknolav's brow.
Abdullah with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Abdullah chips away with some ground and pound.
Abdullah scoring with some ground and pound.
Rahkim Abdullah overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abdullah scoring with punches to the head and body.
Belshiknolav keeping moving, preventing Abdullah from controlling successfully.
Belshiknolav wants to stand but Abdullah is controlling the position.
Belshiknolav is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Abdullah dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Belshiknolav is working to avoid the ground and pound but Abdullah connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belshiknolav is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Abdullah is controlling him well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Abdullah grinds an elbow into Belshiknolav's temple.
Belshiknolav wants to get back to his feet.
Abdullah lands a nice forearm strike.
Abdullah is putting a hurting on Belshiknolav here, landing some big shots from side control.
Abdullah connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Belshiknolav some visible discomfort.
Check out the look on Abdullah's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Belshiknolav tries to escape but Abdullah is in control.
Abdullah working the ground and pound from side control.
Abdullah lands a decent elbow from side control.
Abdullah working the body and head with strikes.
Abdullah landing a few strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah lands a decent elbow from side control.

Belshiknolav is rocked!
Belshiknolav taking punishment in the form of punches.
Belshiknolav is still in real trouble! Can Abdullah finish him?
Abdullah cracks Belshiknolav with a big elbow.
Abdullah working the head with strikes.
Abdullah has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Belshiknolav wants to get back to his feet.
Ivan Belshiknolav has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abdullah trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Belshiknolav takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Abdullah lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Abdullah looking to control but Belshiknolav is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Belshiknolav is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Rahkim Abdullah is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Belshiknolav seems to have recovered his senses.
Abdullah in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Belshiknolav is trying to stand.
Abdullah breaks from Belshiknolav's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Abdullah looking to control and managing it successfully.
Belshiknolav trying desperately to get to his feet.
Abdullah controlling from the full mount.
Abdullah putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Abdullah working the ground and pound effectively.
Abdullah working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Abdullah with the ground and pound from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rahkim Abdullah showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Abdullah, 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 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rahkim Abdullah!
Rahkim Abdullah got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'