PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pietari Kulta (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. This should be fireworks!

Kulta
vs
Shamkhalaev

165 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

181 cm
20
163 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Pietari Kulta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamkhalaev ducks under a wild hook from Kulta.
Shamkhalaev wants to clinch up but Kulta keeps it at a distance.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Shamkhalaev has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kulta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kulta sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kulta keeps the fight on the outside.
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shamkhalaev has Kulta up against the cage in a clinch.
Kulta tries to throw a body punch but Shamkhalaev avoids it by throwing Kulta back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Shamkhalaev can't find room to land a body shot as Kulta controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kulta throws a head punch that misses.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Shamkhalaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Kulta leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev tries a knee to the head but Kulta blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kulta.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kulta has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Kulta.
Kulta lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that Kulta shrugs off.

It looks like Pietari Kulta has been cut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kulta's brow.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kulta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kulta tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kulta tries to throw a body punch but Shamkhalaev avoids it by throwing Kulta back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Knees to the body from Shamkhalaev.
Kulta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
Kulta blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kulta working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a knee to the head but Kulta blocks with his arms.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Kulta.
Shamkhalaev lands with a right to the head.
Kulta blocks an elbow strike.
A shot in the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Kulta stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulta lands a nice shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by Kulta.
Kulta avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
Kulta scores with a shot to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.
Kulta fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kulta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kulta lands with a left to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Kulta fails to land.
Kulta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A knee to the head by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Kulta 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kulta lands with a right to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short left from Shamkhalaev.
Kulta has a couple of punches blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by Kulta.
Shamkhalaev with a knee to the head.
Kulta blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Kulta gets through Shamkhalaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kulta takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shamkhalaev lands a body punch in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Shamkhalaev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kulta lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kulta lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pietari Kulta's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kulta jabs Shamkhalaev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Shamkhalaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kulta.
Kulta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shamkhalaev.
As Kulta backs off Shamkhalaev throws a huge counter combo but Kulta manages to avoid it all.
Kulta misses with a right hand
and Shamkhalaev counters with a one-two to the body.

Shamkhalaev moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamkhalaev.
Kulta works on Shamkhalaev's body with a couple of short punches.
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Kulta leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kulta has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by Kulta.
Shamkhalaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kulta misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kulta lands a right hand.
Kulta avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kulta.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kulta lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shamkhalaev backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kulta.
Kulta prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Kulta wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shamkhalaev has him pressed against the cage.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Shamkhalaev trying to land knees to the body.
Kulta goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kulta working aggressively here.
Kulta tries to throw a body punch but Shamkhalaev avoids it by throwing Kulta back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kulta.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a knee to the head but Kulta blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulta throws a head punch that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kulta's brow.
Kulta can't find room to land a body shot as Shamkhalaev controls the action.
Shamkhalaev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by Kulta.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Shamkhalaev.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shamkhalaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kulta blocks it with crossed arms.
Shamkhalaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulta misses with a punch to the body.
Kulta avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kulta lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Shamkhalaev backwards.
Kulta misses with a punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.
A short uppercut from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with a knee strike.
Shamkhalaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Kulta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch there but Kulta circles away.
Kulta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shamkhalaev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev moves in looking to clinch but Kulta pushes him off.
Kulta appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kulta cracks a nice hook into Shamkhalaev's ribs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kulta. Shamkhalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and pushes Kulta back into the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kulta lands with a light punch inside.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kulta misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Kulta has a couple of punches blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook that snaps the head of Kulta backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shamkhalaev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
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 Pietari Kulta's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shamkhalaev moves into the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kulta.
Shamkhalaev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow just above Kulta 's eye.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kulta.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a knee to the head but Kulta blocks with his arms.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kulta lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kulta.
Kulta blocks an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulta's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kulta has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kulta's defenses.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Shamkhalaev tries a knee to the head but Kulta blocks it.
Shamkhalaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kulta has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kulta blocking some punches.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shoulder strike.
Kulta wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kulta has a couple of punches blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Kulta stalling.
Shamkhalaev lands with a short shot to the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pietari Kulta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shamkhalaev.
Kulta blocking some punches.
Kulta scores with a hook to the body.
Shamkhalaev blocks a body shot from Kulta.
Kulta blocks the elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shamkhalaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by Kulta.
Kulta content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kulta throws a head punch that misses.
Kulta tries to work over Shamkhalaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kulta misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulta working aggressively here.
A short body shot lands from Kulta as the two fighters clinch.
Kulta blocks an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Kulta.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Shamkhalaev takes a shot to the head.
Kulta pushes Shamkhalaev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kulta lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shamkhalaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shamkhalaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Kulta controls his hands.
Shamkhalaev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kulta's brow.
Shamkhalaev takes a shot to the head.
Kulta lands with a right to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamkhalaev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kulta.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kulta scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kulta lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kulta lands a shoulder strike.
Kulta tries a body shot but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Kulta lands an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch to the body.
Kulta lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shamkhalaev backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev.
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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev waved his t-shirt featuring Mohito Fightwear's logo in front of the cameras.