PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Chester Emerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Emerson comes to the cage accompanied by Inner Circle - Bad Boys. The crowd seem to be enjoying Shamkhalaev's choice of entrance music: CoCo (MAKJ Remix) - O.T. Genasis. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Emerson
vs
Shamkhalaev

177 cm
28
160 lbs
8 - 4 - 1

181 cm
19
163 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
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 8 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chester Emerson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Emerson misses the target.
Emerson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

It looks like Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has been cut.

Shamkhalaev moves into range and clinches up with Emerson.
Emerson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Emerson 's eye.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Emerson's brow.
Emerson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamkhalaev.
Emerson wants to get back to striking at distance but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.

Emerson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Emerson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Emerson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.
A nice left hand lands by Shamkhalaev.
Emerson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
A short uppercut from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Emerson 's eye.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Shamkhalaev.
Emerson takes an elbow to the temple.
Emerson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Emerson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shoulder strike.
Emerson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shamkhalaev lands an uppercut.
Emerson takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Chester Emerson has been cut.
Shamkhalaev has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Emerson avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Emerson takes an elbow to the temple.
Emerson is trying to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shamkhalaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Emerson's efforts to push away.
Emerson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shamkhalaev told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shamkhalaev prevents Emerson from breaking the clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shamkhalaev pushes Emerson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shamkhalaev has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Emerson 's eye.
Shamkhalaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Emerson's efforts to push away.

Emerson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emerson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emerson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emerson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emerson is looking to counter punch.

Shamkhalaev rushes Emerson and presses him up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Emerson.
Shamkhalaev prevents Emerson from breaking the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Emerson takes a shot to the head.
Emerson takes a shot to the head.
Shamkhalaev has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shamkhalaev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Emersons head.
Emerson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Emerson blocks an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow that stopped Emerson in his tracks for a moment.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Emerson.
Shamkhalaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Emerson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice elbow from Shamkhalaev.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Emerson blocks an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Emerson is trying to force a seperation but Shamkhalaev has the dominant position.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
Emerson blocks a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shamkhalaev has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that Emerson shrugs off.
Emerson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emerson avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Emerson is trying to force a seperation but Shamkhalaev has the dominant position.
Emerson is looking to break free of the clinch but Shamkhalaev has double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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.

Shamkhalaev drives through and clinches with Emerson against the cage.
Emerson blocks the elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Emerson.
Shamkhalaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shamkhalaev.
Emerson blocking some punches.
Shamkhalaev lands a right hand.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.
Emerson is trying to force a seperation but Shamkhalaev has the dominant position.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Emerson is trying to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev is controlling him.
Shamkhalaev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shamkhalaev has Emerson pressed against the cage, preventing Emerson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shamkhalaev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Emerson can't break the clinch.
Emerson wants to get back to striking at distance but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Shamkhalaev pushes Emerson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shamkhalaev prevents Emerson from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Emerson wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.
Emerson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Emerson is trying to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Emerson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Emerson blocks the elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Emerson 's eye.
Emerson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Shamkhalaev.
A right handed body shot lands from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Emerson's defenses.
Emerson is looking to break free of the clinch but Shamkhalaev has double underhooks.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.

Emerson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Emerson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Emerson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Emerson counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shamkhalaev thinking.
Emerson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamkhalaev was well out of range. Poor timing from Emerson.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Emerson. Shamkhalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.

Shamkhalaev moves into the clinch successfully.
Emerson is trying to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Emerson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Emerson is looking to break free of the clinch but Shamkhalaev has double underhooks.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shamkhalaev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev keeps control of Emerson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Emerson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nice elbow from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Emerson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Shamkhalaev prevents Emerson from breaking the clinch.
Emerson wants to get back to striking at distance but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shoulder strike.
Emerson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
Emerson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Emerson is trying to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
Emerson wants to get back to striking at distance but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.
Emerson can't break the clinch.
Emerson wants to get back to striking at distance but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.
Emerson wants to break free but Shamkhalaev has control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emerson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Shamkhalaev gets through Emerson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Emerson blocks an elbow strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that Emerson shrugs off.
Emerson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Emerson is trying to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev is controlling him.

Emerson breaks from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Emerson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Emerson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shamkhalaev.

Shamkhalaev clinches up against the cage.

Emerson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Emerson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Emerson misses with an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev blocks a jab.
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shamkhalaev clinches up with Emerson and pushes him back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
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.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Emerson is having none of it.
Shamkhalaev wants to clinch up but Emerson keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.
Emerson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Emerson manages to break the clinch.

Shamkhalaev takes the fight into the clinch.
Emerson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Emerson is trying to break free.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.
A frustrated look appears on Emerson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Emerson working hard to break the clinch.
Emerson can't break the clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook that snaps the head of Emerson backwards.
Emerson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Emerson tries to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.
Emerson is trying to push Shamkhalaev away but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Shamkhalaev prevents Emerson from breaking the clinch.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Emerson is trying to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
Emerson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Emerson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Emerson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shamkhalaev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Emerson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Emerson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shamkhalaev has managed to clinch.
A right hand to the body from Shamkhalaev.
Emerson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev keeps control of Emerson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Emerson.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Emerson blocks an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Emerson's efforts to push away.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Emerson tries to circle away but Shamkhalaev has him pinned against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Shamkhalaev scores with a nice short uppercut.

Emerson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Emerson swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamkhalaev.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
Emerson avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Emerson is trying to break free.
Shamkhalaev lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emerson blocking some punches.
Emerson working hard to break the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.
Shamkhalaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shamkhalaev prevents Emerson from breaking the clinch.
Emerson tries to break the clinch but Shamkhalaev is controlling the position.
A nice left hand lands by Shamkhalaev.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Emerson working hard to break the clinch.
Emerson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shamkhalaev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Emersons head.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands a shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Emerson can't break the clinch.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shot to the side of Emerson's head.
Chester Emerson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that Emerson shrugs off.

Emerson is rocked!
Shamkhalaev scores with a shoulder strike.
Oh Emerson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
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!
Shamkhalaev prevents Emerson from breaking the clinch.
Emerson seems to have got his legs back now.
Emerson blocks an elbow strike.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.

Emerson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Emerson.
Shamkhalaev closes the distance looking to clinch
and Emerson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Emerson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Emerson paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Emerson tries to keep at a distance but Shamkhalaev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Emerson is looking to break free of the clinch but Shamkhalaev has double 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Mohito Fightwear, into his post fight interview.