PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Adriano Auzier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaliy Shunkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Auzier might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Champion it's Back!. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Auzier
vs
Shunkov

175 cm
22
168 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
26
164 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Adriano Auzier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitaliy Shunkov!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Matheus Silva and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Auzier misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck for Auzier with that takedown attempt.

Shunkov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Auzier to the ground. Shunkov is now in Auzier's guard.
Auzier keeping moving, preventing Shunkov from controlling successfully.
Shunkov tries to stand but Auzier is controlling from the bottom.
Auzier is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shunkov working some strikes from top position.
Shunkov wants to control from the top but Auzier keeps moving.
Shunkov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shunkov trying to control but Auzier is working from the bottom.
Shunkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Auzier wants to stand but Shunkov is controlling the position.
Shunkov trying to control but Auzier is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Auzier fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Shunkov sprawls well initially but Auzier persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Auzier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shunkov is just riding it out for now. Auzier eventually gives up the hold.
Shunkov keeping control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Auzier wants to pass the guard but Shunkov is defending well.
Shunkov wants to improve his position but Auzier is controlling well.

Auzier is looking for a kimura here.

Auzier is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Shunkov is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Auzier haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Auzier seems to be looking for submissions.
Shunkov is pressing down on Auzier's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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

Shunkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Auzier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Auzier wants to sweep here but Shunkov controlling him for the moment.
Auzier manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shunkov manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Auzier passes Shunkov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Shunkov won't allow Auzier to pass to mount.

Shunkov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Auzier pulls his head out easily.

Auzier is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Shunkov defends it well.
Shunkov is looking to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Auzier is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
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 Adriano Auzier will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shunkov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shunkov wants it to stay on the feet.

Auzier closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Auzier trying to work for an americana but Shunkov has managed to regain full guard.

Auzier drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Auzier jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shunkov 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.
Auzier passes Shunkov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Auzier moves into full mount! Shunkov won't be happy about that!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Auzier working for a submission but Shunkov is keeping him at bay.

Auzier looking to secure an arm triangle but Shunkov defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Auzier jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Shunkov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Shunkov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Auzier tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Auzier has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Shunkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Auzier tries for a kimura but Shunkov is defending well.
You can see the frustration on Shunkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Auzier tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Auzier tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Auzier has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Auzier wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Shunkov, who protects the arm well.
Auzier working away.
Adriano Auzier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Auzier is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Auzier working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shunkov is looking for a sweep.
We've been hearing that Auzier has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Auzier tries for a kimura but Shunkov is defending well.
Shunkov sneaks back into half guard.
Shunkov looks like he's trying to stand up.

Auzier is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Shunkov makes his way to full guard, as Auzier worked for a kimura.
Shunkov trying to keep a closed guard but Auzier is proving a slippery customer.
Auzier stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shunkov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Auzier drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shunkov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shunkov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shunkov!

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shunkov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adriano Auzier dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Auzier throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Shunkov was covering up waiting for the punch and Auzier finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Auzier is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shunkov is on top in guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Auzier pushes Shunkov off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Auzier tries for a takedown but Shunkov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Auzier looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shunkov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shunkov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Shunkov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Auzier knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Auzier is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Auzier makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Auzier shoots in looking for a takedown but Shunkov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Auzier's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adriano Auzier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Auzier closes the distance and clinches up with Shunkov, looking for a takedown. Auzier pushes Shunkov against the cage but Shunkov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Shunkov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Auzier's guard.
Auzier wants to sweep here but Shunkov controlling him for the moment.
Shunkov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Auzier swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shunkov trying to control but Auzier is working from the bottom.

Auzier has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Shunkov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Shunkov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Auzier is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Shunkov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Auzier looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shunkov is fending him off so far but Auzier persists. Nope, Shunkov circles away and we're back to standing.
Shunkov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Auzier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Auzier shoots in but Shunkov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Auzier shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shunkov but Shunkov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Shunkov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Shunkov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Shunkov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Auzier's guard.
Shunkov content to stall in guard here.
Auzier looking for a sweep. Not yet Auzier, not yet.
Auzier is looking to stand up but Shunkov isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Auzier throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shunkov won't allow Auzier to sweep him here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Shunkov wants to stand but Auzier is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Auzier shoots in but no luck this time.

Auzier gets caught napping as Shunkov dives in and scores a takedown. Auzier manages to retain guard.
Shunkov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shunkov looking to pass the guard.
Vitaliy Shunkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adriano Auzier is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shunkov scoring with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vitaliy Shunkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Auzier has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Adriano Auzier!
In his post fight interview, Adriano Auzier started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.