PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Colburn Sackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamkhalaev has chosen CoCo (MAKJ Remix) - O.T. Genasis as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sackett
vs
Shamkhalaev

175 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
163 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Colburn Sackett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shamkhalaev has managed to clinch.
Sackett throws a punch but it's blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Sackett stalling in the clinch but Shamkhalaev improves position.
Shamkhalaev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sackett takes an elbow to the temple.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sackett tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sackett misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
Sackett has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Sackett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sackett avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sackett jumps guard but Shamkhalaev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sackett avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sackett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett jumps guard but Shamkhalaev stands there with Sackett around his waist. Sackett gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Colburn Sackett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sackett blocks an uppercut.
Sackett jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shamkhalaev walks away with a smile on his face. Sackett gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Shamkhalaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sackett avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Sackett tries a body shot but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shamkhalaev stalling the fight.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sackett's brow.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sackett takes an elbow to the temple.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Sackett tries to pull guard but Shamkhalaev holds him up against the cage and eventually Sackett drops back down to his feet.
Sackett tries to pull guard but Shamkhalaev holds him up against the cage and eventually Sackett drops back down to his feet.
Shamkhalaev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Sackett is pressed up against the cage. Shamkhalaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sackett down to the mat. Sackett avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shamkhalaev instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
Sackett prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev avoiding damage.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sackett gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Sackett fails to pull guard.
Sackett tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shamkhalaev smiles and moves away.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sackett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sackett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shamkhalaev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamkhalaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sackett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Shamkhalaev drives through and clinches with Sackett against the cage.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Sackett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice uppercut.
Sackett swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shamkhalaev tries to throw a body punch but Sackett avoids it by throwing Shamkhalaev back against the cage.
Sackett takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shamkhalaev's coach down at LOD: Top Team was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Shamkhalaev's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Sackett can't find room to land a body shot as Shamkhalaev controls the action.
Sackett takes an elbow to the forehead.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Sackett tries to pull guard but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.
Sackett tries a body shot but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.
Shamkhalaev slowing the pace effectively.
Sackett misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev 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.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body punch.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Sackett stalling in the clinch but Shamkhalaev improves position.
Sackett is trying to pull guard but Shamkhalaev turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sackett looking to slow down the pace here.
Shamkhalaev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sackett.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Sackett blocks an elbow strike.
Sackett tries to pull guard but Shamkhalaev holds him up against the cage and eventually Sackett drops back down to his feet.
Sackett takes an elbow to the temple.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sackett blocking some punches.
Sackett avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
Sackett avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shot to the side of Sackett's head.
Sackett blocks the elbow strike.
Sackett tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Colburn Sackett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shamkhalaev blocks a body shot from Sackett.

Shamkhalaev turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Shamkhalaev wants to stand but Sackett is controlling his arm.
Sackett tries to buck Shamkhalaev off but Shamkhalaev is having none of it.

Shamkhalaev stands up.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Sackett swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sackett is looking to counter with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sackett swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamkhalaev.
Sackett lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sackett circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up.

Shamkhalaev gets a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sackett jumps guard but Shamkhalaev stands there with Sackett around his waist. Sackett gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett blocks the elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev stalls.
Shamkhalaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sackett jumps guard but Shamkhalaev turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Shamkhalaev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Sackett tries to stall but Shamkhalaev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Sackett tries to pull guard but Shamkhalaev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Sackett up against the cage.
Shamkhalaev stalling the fight.
Sackett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Shamkhalaev manages to pull guard.
Shamkhalaev keeping moving, preventing Sackett from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Sackett postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sackett throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sackett distracts Shamkhalaev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sackett trying to control but Shamkhalaev is working from the bottom.
Shamkhalaev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sackett lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Sackett thows a body kick. Shamkhalaev tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Shamkhalaev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sackett misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up.

Shamkhalaev has closed the distance and engaged Sackett in a clinch.
Shamkhalaev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Sackett up against the cage.
Sackett taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sackett throws a head punch that misses.
Sackett takes an elbow to the forehead.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sackett's brow.
Sackett wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett tries to stall but Shamkhalaev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Sackett's brow.
Sackett tries to pull guard but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.
Sackett has a couple of punches blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Sackett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shamkhalaev taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Shamkhalaev has Sackett pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Shamkhalaev pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sackett tumbling to the mat - Shamkhalaev dives into Sackett's guard.
Sackett wants to sweep but no luck.
Sackett has a closed guard, preventing Shamkhalaev from standing up.
Sackett is pulling down on Shamkhalaev's head. It's preventing any offense from Shamkhalaev, at least for the moment.
Colburn Sackett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev wants to get up but he can't break Sackett's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Shamkhalaev stopping the sweep attempt from Sackett.
Sackett is working hard here to advance position.
Sackett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Shamkhalaev moves out of range of the body kick from Sackett.

Shamkhalaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shamkhalaev stalling in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Shamkhalaev to keep the fight standing.
Sackett jumps guard but Shamkhalaev stands there with Sackett around his waist. Sackett gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Colburn Sackett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shamkhalaev blocks a body shot from Sackett.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Sackett 's eye.
Shamkhalaev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sackett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sackett throws a head punch that misses.
Sackett jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shamkhalaev walks away with a smile on his face. Sackett gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sackett throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A low kick from Sackett is predictable there
and Shamkhalaev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sackett scores with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sackett motions for Shamkhalaev to come forward. Sackett throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shamkhalaev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sackett throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Shamkhalaev counters by clinching up.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Sackett 's eye.
Shamkhalaev taking a breather.
Shamkhalaev tries to throw a body punch but Sackett avoids it by throwing Shamkhalaev back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sackett's defenses.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
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!
Sackett tries a body shot but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Sackett struggles to land a body shot inside as Shamkhalaev controls his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shamkhalaev slows down the pace here.
Sackett tries a body shot but Shamkhalaev blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shamkhalaev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
After the big win, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Mohito Fightwear and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.