PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Corr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamkhalaev is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by CoCo (MAKJ Remix) - O.T. Genasis. The key to victory for Arthur Corr has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Corr
vs
Shamkhalaev

184 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

181 cm
18
163 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arthur Corr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Corr connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shamkhalaev's hands.
Corr throws a front kick aimed at Shamkhalaev's knee but Shamkhalaev avoids it well.
Corr throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch there but Corr circles away.
We've been informed that Shamkhalaev has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Shamkhalaev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Shamkhalaev stalls.
Shamkhalaev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
I was talking to Corr's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Corr is looking to break free of the clinch but Shamkhalaev has double underhooks.
Shamkhalaev prevents Corr from breaking the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev stalls.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corr dodges an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Corr wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.
Corr avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev tries to throw a body punch but Corr avoids it by throwing Shamkhalaev back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Corr is trying to maintain a safe position but Shamkhalaev gets an underhook and turns Corr into the cage.
Shamkhalaev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Corr leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Corr breaks from the clinch.
Corr chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Shamkhalaev clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corr looking to slow down the pace here.
Shamkhalaev is pushing Corr up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Corr letting Shamkhalaev take a breather here.
Shamkhalaev continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shamkhalaev as Corr tries to tie him up.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Corr has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corr is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Corr wants to stall.
Corr avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Corr's efforts to push away.
Shamkhalaev stalling.
Shamkhalaev has Corr pressed against the cage, preventing Corr from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Corr takes an elbow to the temple.
Corr is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Corr is trying to stall.
Corr seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Shamkhalaev is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Corr wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Corr avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Shamkhalaev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Corr can't break the clinch.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Corr prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Corr trying to control the position but instead, Shamkhalaev has worked for underhooks and has pushed Corr into the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Corr.
Corr is looking to control Shamkhalaev's arms but Shamkhalaev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Corr has his back to the cage.
Corr stalling in the clinch but Shamkhalaev improves position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shamkhalaev moves into the clinch successfully.
Shamkhalaev slowing the pace effectively.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Corr is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Corr wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.
Shamkhalaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
Corr is trying to maintain a safe position but Shamkhalaev gets an underhook and turns Corr into the cage.
Corr looking to slow down the pace here.
Shamkhalaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Corr's brow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Corr leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Corr looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Arthur Corr has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Corr blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Corr.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Corr.
Corr wants to stall.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch to the body.
Corr is trying to force a seperation but Shamkhalaev has the dominant position.
Shamkhalaev slowing the pace effectively.

Corr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Shamkhalaev clinches with his opponent.
Corr is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Shamkhalaev is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Corr.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Corr blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.

Shamkhalaev jumps guard.
Corr not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Corr trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamkhalaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Corr looking to sit in guard and control but Shamkhalaev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shamkhalaev wanted to stand there but Corr had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corr trying to control the position.
Corr wants to sweep but no luck.
Shamkhalaev wants to get up but he can't break Corr's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Corr wants to sweep but no luck.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Corr swings for the body but Shamkhalaev moves out of range.
Corr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shamkhalaev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Corr fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shamkhalaev.

Shamkhalaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Corr, pushing him back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Corr is trying to maintain a safe position but Shamkhalaev gets an underhook and turns Corr into the cage.
Corr wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.
Shamkhalaev has Corr pressed against the cage, preventing Corr from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Corr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev fails to pull guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Corr tries to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev is controlling the position.
Corr stalling in the clinch but Shamkhalaev improves position.
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 cut man is working on Arthur Corr's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Shamkhalaev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Corr is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Corr is trying to break free.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Corr avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Corr blocks an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corr taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Corr tries to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev is controlling the position.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Corr avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
Corr stalling in the clinch but Shamkhalaev improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corr is trying to stall.
Corr tries to stall but Shamkhalaev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Shamkhalaev jumps guard but Corr turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shamkhalaev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Corr looking to slow down the pace here.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev tries a body shot but Corr blocks it.
Shamkhalaev tries to pull guard but Corr forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Arthur Corr has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev.
Corr is looking to control Shamkhalaev's arms but Shamkhalaev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Corr has his back to the cage.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Corr wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.
Corr taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Arthur Corr.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Corr swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Corr misses with a series of wild punches.
Arthur Corr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Corr throws a right and a left that both miss.
A little jabbing left from Shamkhalaev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Corr will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Shamkhalaev forces Corr back against the cage and clinches.
Corr looking to slow down the pace here.
Corr wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Shamkhalaev stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shamkhalaev is working for takedown but Corr is calmly controlling the position for now.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Corr wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
Corr dodges an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The referee calls for Corr to work.

Corr escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Corr gets tackled into the cage by Shamkhalaev. Shamkhalaev maintains the clinch.
Corr trying to control the position but instead, Shamkhalaev has worked for underhooks and has pushed Corr into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Corr prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Corr leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Corr is trying to stall.
Corr wants to break the clinch but can't.
Shamkhalaev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Corr uses good head movement to avoid it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Corr is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Arthur Corr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shamkhalaev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Corr pulls him back up using the underhooks.

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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Mohito Fightwear logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.