PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vitaliy Shunkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pat Curran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shunkov
vs
Curran

175 cm
25
164 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitaliy Shunkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pat Curran!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Edson Gomes and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shunkov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Shunkov is looking to take a break and control but Curran is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Curran tries to buck Shunkov off but Shunkov is having none of it.
Shunkov wants to stand but Curran has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
Shunkov sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shunkov preventing the sweep.
Curran pulls Shunkov in close to prevent any damage.
Curran is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Curran controls Shunkov momentarily but Shunkov frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shunkov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shunkov postures up.
Curran tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Shunkov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Curran tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shunkov is in Curran's guard.
Shunkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Curran swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shunkov preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Curran is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Curran trying to control but Shunkov is working from the bottom.
Curran throws an elbow that misses. Shunkov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Curran's guard. Nice move by Shunkov!

Curran keeping moving, preventing Shunkov from controlling successfully.
Curran trying to keep a closed guard but Shunkov is proving a slippery customer.
Shunkov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shunkov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Curran is keeping the position for now.
Curran looking for a sweep. Not yet Curran, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shunkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shunkov wants to get up but he can't break Curran's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Curran keeping full guard, as Shunkov tries to pass.
Shunkov trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Curran manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Curran is looking for a sweep. Shunkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Curran controlling the position well.
Curran has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shunkov is working away from the top position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Shunkov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shunkov checks a leg kick.

Shunkov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Curran's guard.
Shunkov content to stall in guard here.
Curran looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shunkov is one step ahead there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shunkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Curran can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shunkov trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.
Curran looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Curran is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Shunkov gets a double leg takedown into Curran's guard.
Curran controls Shunkov momentarily but Shunkov frees himself.
Curran is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov is looking for a sweep. Curran is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shunkov gets back to full guard.
Curran passes into half guard.
Shunkov tries to kick Curran off but Curran keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shunkov is refusing to be controlled, as Curran sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Curran wants to control from the top but Shunkov keeps moving.
Curran passes into half guard.
Curran is keen to just control but Shunkov is a slippery customer.
Shunkov wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Curran controlling the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Shunkov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Shunkov taking a breather here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Curran sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Shunkov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Curran attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Curran wants to land a leg kick but Shunkov is out of range.

Curran tries to sprawl but Shunkov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Curran is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Shunkov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Shunkov's back!
Shunkov tries to escape but Curran has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Curran tries to keep control of the position but Shunkov is staying busy.
Shunkov wants to escape the position.
Shunkov is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Curran.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Curran trying to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Curran avoiding Shunkov 's attempts to control his hands.
Curran doesn't have the hooks in and Shunkov manages to turn into his guard.
Curran is adopting a defensive guard.
Curran looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Curran keeping full guard, as Shunkov tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov stays in close to Curran's body and controls the position.
Shunkov postures up.
Shunkov wants to pass the guard but Curran is keeping the position.
Shunkov trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.
Shunkov stopping the sweep attempt from Curran.
Curran can't keep his opponent in guard - Shunkov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Shunkov in particular looking to stall.
Shunkov wants to stand up but Curran manages to regain full guard.
Curran is trying to control the position but Shunkov postures up.
Curran wants to sweep here but Shunkov controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Curran will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Shunkov dives in and scores a takedown into Curran's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov wants to get up but he can't break Curran's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Curran looking for a sweep. Not yet Curran, not yet.
Curran takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shunkov trying to control but Curran is working from the bottom.
Curran is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shunkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Curran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shunkov landing with the ground and pound.
Pat Curran has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vitaliy Shunkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shunkov controlling from the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitaliy Shunkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Shunkov, 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vitaliy Shunkov!
Vitaliy Shunkov took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.