PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Feodor Shemelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tarik Gibson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shemelianenko comes to the cage accompanied by 2Pac - I'm A Soldier (Echale Mojo Remix) . Feodor Shemelianenko has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shemelianenko
vs
Gibson

184 cm
30
202 lbs
14 - 7 - 1

186 cm
32
192 lbs
22 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Instinct
Pearson Specter Litt

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Feodor Shemelianenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Tarik Gibson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gibson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

It looks like Feodor Shemelianenko has been cut.
Gibson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A punch combination from Shemelianenko misses.
Shemelianenko throws a poor cross that misses
and Gibson counters with a low kick, right behind Shemelianenko 's knee.
Shemelianenko throws a low kick but Gibson avoids it.
A slow jab from Shemelianenko misses its intended target.
Gibson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
We've been informed that Gibson 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.
Shemelianenko scores with a crisp jab that stopped Gibson in his tracks.
Shemelianenko avoids the head kick by Gibson.
Shemelianenko lands with a right hand.
Gibson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Gibson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shemelianenko.
Gibson finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Shemelianenko tries to counter by clinching up but Gibson breaks away and moves out of range.
Shemelianenko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gibson wants to land a leg kick but Shemelianenko is out of range.
Gibson avoids the body shot from Shemelianenko.
A combination from Gibson does no damage.
Shemelianenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Shemelianenko connects with a body shot that sends Gibson's belly button to the back.
Gibson misses with a low kick.
Feodor Shemelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko lands a nice looking body shot.
Shemelianenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shemelianenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gibson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gibson lands a slapping body shot.
Gibson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shemelianenko.
Gibson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gibson avoids a kick to the body.
Gibson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Shemelianenko blocks a head kick by Gibson.
Gibson looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gibson tried to score with a low kick but Shemelianenko checks it.
Shemelianenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shemelianenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shemelianenko lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Shemelianenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Gibson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko tried to score with a low kick but Gibson checks it.
Gibson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Shemelianenko throws a series of punches but Gibson moves out of range.
Shemelianenko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Gibson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shemelianenko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shemelianenko scores with a leg kick.
Shemelianenko throws a solid leg kick but Gibson takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Shemelianenko.
Gibson flicks out a counter leg kick but Shemelianenko steps away.
Gibson misses with a low kick.
Tarik Gibson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Gibson instigates a clinch.
Gibson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shemelianenko has a couple of punches blocked by Gibson.
Shemelianenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shemelianenko letting Gibson take a breather here.
Shemelianenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shemelianenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Gibson landing knees to the body.
Shemelianenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Gibson controls his hands.
Gibson just leaning against Shemelianenko, taking a breather.
Shemelianenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibson is pushing Shemelianenko up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The referee calls for Gibson to work.
Gibson continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Gibson misses with the head strike.
Gibson can't find room to land a body shot as Shemelianenko controls the action.
Gibson lands a nice shot to the body.
Gibson lands a right hand.
Gibson throws a punch but it's blocked by Shemelianenko.
Gibson can't find room to land a body shot as Shemelianenko controls the action.
Shemelianenko blocking some punches.
Gibson blocks a body shot from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gibson tries to throw a body punch but Shemelianenko avoids it by throwing Gibson back against the cage.
Shemelianenko misses with a punch to the body.

Shemelianenko breaks the clinch.
Gibson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Gibson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko slips under a jab.
Shemelianenko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Gibson.
Gibson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shemelianenko looks to throw the jab but Gibson is out of range.
Gibson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shemelianenko seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gibson.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shemelianenko throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Gibson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Some bone on bone action there as Gibson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Shemelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Gibson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Gibson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Shemelianenko takes a swing at Gibson's ribcage but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shemelianenko missing with a left hand there. Gibson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shemelianenko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gibson throws a body kick that misses.

Gibson closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tarik Gibson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gibson.
Gibson throws a leg kick but Shemelianenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shemelianenko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gibson scores with a punch to the head.
A slow jab from Gibson misses its intended target.
Shemelianenko throws an overhand right that lands on Gibson's shoulder, as Gibson tries to avoid the shot.
No joy there for Gibson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gibson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Feodor Shemelianenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Gibson scores with a nice head shot.
Shemelianenko blocks the body kick.
Gibson throws out a loose jab but Shemelianenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shemelianenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gibson. Gibson obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shemelianenko stalks Gibson and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Gibson's face. Gibson staggers backwards, shaken.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Gibson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A left lands for Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko throws a body punch but Gibson moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko misses with a double jab
and Gibson counters with a head kick. That will keep Shemelianenko thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Shemelianenko throws a low kick but Gibson avoids it.
Gibson misses with a double jab.
A little feinted left hand from Shemelianenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shemelianenko connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gibson. Gibson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shemelianenko. Gibson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gibson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shemelianenko throws a series of punches but Gibson avoids them all with ease.
Shemelianenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gibson.
Gibson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shemelianenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shemelianenko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Shemelianenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gibson.
A lazy left from Shemelianenko finds it's target.
Shemelianenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Shemelianenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gibson to the mat! Gibson manages to get full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gibson is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko 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.
Shemelianenko wants to control from the top but Gibson keeps moving.
Gibson wants to improve his position but instead Shemelianenko has moved into half guard.
Gibson wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko is pressing down on Gibson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gibson is holding on for now.
Shemelianenko is looking to take a break and control but Gibson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shemelianenko content to control rather than advance.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Shemelianenko blocks a head kick by Gibson.

That's four 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.
Gibson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gibson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shemelianenko somewhat.
Gibson tries a quick counter leg kick but Shemelianenko is wise to it.
Gibson throws a body punch but Shemelianenko moves out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Shemelianenko blocks the leg kick.
Shemelianenko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Shemelianenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gibson, pushing him back against the cage.
Shemelianenko lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Gibson tries to work over Shemelianenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shemelianenko prevents a body shot from Gibson.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Gibson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shemelianenko tries to work over Gibson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Gibson stalling in the clinch but Shemelianenko improves position.
Shemelianenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Gibson backwards.
Shemelianenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Feodor Shemelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Gibson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shemelianenko lands with a cross.
Shemelianenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gibson.
Shemelianenko lands a jab to Gibson's midsection.
Gibson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Shemelianenko scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gibson avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Shemelianenko pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Gibson lands with a hook. Shemelianenko tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gibson - that will leave a mark!
Shemelianenko misses with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shemelianenko misses with a wild body shot.
Shemelianenko avoids the head kick by Gibson.
A telegraphed right hand from Shemelianenko misses the target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Gibson, right into the meat.
A leg kick checked by Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Shemelianenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gibson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gibson on the side of the head.
Shemelianenko checks the leg kick nicely there.
Shemelianenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Gibson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shemelianenko shoots for a double leg takedown but Gibson sprawls well. He's pushed Shemelianenko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shemelianenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Gibson avoids the head kick by Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko avoids the head kick by Gibson.
A swing and a miss from Gibson.
Shemelianenko slips under a jab.
Gibson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gibson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shemelianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Gibson misses.
Gibson lands with a straight right. Shemelianenko didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Gibson is out of range.
Gibson is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Shemelianenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gibson.
Gibson lands a jab.
Shemelianenko misses with a straight right.
Nice defenses there by Gibson.
Gibson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shemelianenko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shemelianenko lands the left hand.
Gibson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shemelianenko blocks a head kick by Gibson.
Gibson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gibson moves out of range as Shemelianenko throws a body kick.
A little jabbing left from Gibson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Gibson is looking to score with low kicks.
Gibson scores with a spinning back kick!
Shemelianenko throws a sloppy head kick and Gibson moves out of range easily.
Shemelianenko slips a jab and a cross from Gibson.
A little feinted left hand from Shemelianenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gibson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shemelianenko misses with a hook. Gibson ducked under it nicely.
Gibson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shemelianenko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Feodor Shemelianenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gibson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Gibson looks to score with a jab to the body but Shemelianenko is just out of range.
Gibson swings for the body but Shemelianenko moves out of range.
Gibson throws a right and a left that Shemelianenko avoids nicely.
Shemelianenko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gibson sprawls well. Gibson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shemelianenko gets slowly back to his feet.
Gibson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gibson throws a low kick but Shemelianenko moves out of range easily.
Shemelianenko blocks a leg kick.
Gibson is looking to slow Shemelianenko down with leg kicks.
Shemelianenko blocks a head kick by Gibson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gibson tries to score with a low kick but Shemelianenko moves his leg out of the way.
Shemelianenko throws a lazy right hand but Gibson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shemelianenko avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Gibson throws a head kick but Shemelianenko moves out of range.
Gibson tries a head kick but it misses.
Shemelianenko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Shemelianenko throws a right and a left that Gibson avoids nicely.
Gibson blocks a head kick by Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko misses with a wild body shot.
A big right from Shemelianenko misses.
Shemelianenko throws a wild body kick that Gibson sees coming a mile off.
Shemelianenko lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shemelianenko is looking to slow Gibson down with leg kicks.
Shemelianenko takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gibson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shemelianenko on the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tarik Gibson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gibson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tarik Gibson!