PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Eremeev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamkhalaev comes to the cage accompanied by CoCo (MAKJ Remix) - O.T. Genasis. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shamkhalaev
vs
Eremeev

181 cm
22
163 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

189 cm
23
165 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu
Mohito Fightwear

GREEN!160

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 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Eremeev!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shamkhalaev clinches up with Eremeev and pushes him back against the cage.

Eremeev manages to break the clinch.
Shamkhalaev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has been cut.
Eremeev swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamkhalaev.
Eremeev misses with an uppercut.
We've been told by Shamkhalaev's head coaches at LOD: Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Eremeev thuds his right hand into Shamkhalaev's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
Eremeev swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Eremeev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shamkhalaev cracks Eremeev with a nice body shot.
Eremeev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Eremeev's defenses.

Eremeev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Eremeev throws a body punch but Shamkhalaev moves out of range.
Shamkhalaev thinks about countering with a body kick.

Shamkhalaev rushes Eremeev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremeev connects with a right hand. Shamkhalaev shakes it off.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up
and Shamkhalaev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Eremeev on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Eremeev can't get the takedown.
Shamkhalaev misses with a knee to the head.
Eremeev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Eremeev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev is defending well.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Eremeev.
Eremeev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Eremeev looking to stall.
Shamkhalaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Eremeev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Eremeev backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Eremeev stalling the fight.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Eremeev 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.
Eremeev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shamkhalaev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A knee to the head by Shamkhalaev.
Eremeev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Eremeev swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Eremeev.
Eremeev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shamkhalaev's elbow.
Eremeev wants a takedown.
Eremeev lands a nice uppercut.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.
Shamkhalaev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Eremeevs head.
Eremeev tries a body shot but Shamkhalaev blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev pressing his opponent against the cage.
Shamkhalaev gets through Eremeev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Eremeev blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shoulder strike.
Shamkhalaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shamkhalaev looking to throw knees to the head but Eremeev is blocking nicely.
Nice body punch from Eremeev - that landed with a thud.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Eremeev avoids it.

Eremeev breaks the clinch.
Eremeev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Eremeev misses with an uppercut. Shamkhalaev saw that one coming.
Eremeev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Eremeev! But no joy.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Shamkhalaev misses with a knee to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamkhalaev.
Eremeev is looking to break free of the clinch but Shamkhalaev has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Eremeev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Eremeev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eremeev with a nice cross.
Andrey Eremeev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shamkhalaev stuffs the takedown attempt from Eremeev. Eremeev gets slowly back to his feet.
Eremeev throws the left hand but Shamkhalaev avoids the punch easily.
Eremeev jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Eremeev moves out of range of the leg kick from Shamkhalaev.
The fighters circling - Eremeev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Eremeev is defended easily by Shamkhalaev.

Shamkhalaev clinches.
Eremeev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Eremeev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Eremeev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev half committed to a counter leg kick.
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 Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev'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.

A left lands for Eremeev.
Eremeev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Eremeev has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Eremeev lands a glancing blow to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.
Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Eremeev.
A telegraphed right hand from Shamkhalaev misses the target.
Eremeev misses with an uppercut. Shamkhalaev saw that one coming.
Shamkhalaev lands a jab to the nose.
Eremeev just misses with a punch to the body.
Eremeev misses with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Eremeev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
No joy there for Shamkhalaev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shamkhalaev drives through and clinches with Eremeev against the cage.
Eremeev dodges an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Eremeev working aggressively here.
Eremeev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Eremeev wants a takedown.

Eremeev has picked Shamkhalaev up - he's going for a ride! Eremeev dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eremeev thows a huge punch but Shamkhalaev dodges it nicely.
Eremeev trying to mount his opponent but Shamkhalaev defends it.
Eremeev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shamkhalaev's head.
Eremeev stops Shamkhalaev from getting back to his feet.
Eremeev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Eremeev is working for a submission of some sort.

Eremeev seems to be looking for submissions.
Eremeev thows a huge punch but Shamkhalaev dodges it nicely.

That's two 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.
Eremeev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shamkhalaev wants to get back to his feet.

Eremeev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shamkhalaev has managed to free his arm - good work.
Eremeev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Shamkhalaev wants to get back to his feet.
Eremeev throws a strike but Shamkhalaev avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Shamkhalaev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Eremeev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Eremeev trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamkhalaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shamkhalaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Eremeev circles away.
Eremeev throws a shot from downtown. Shamkhalaev moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Eremeev to score with a decent uppercut.
Eremeev looks for a takedown but Shamkhalaev sprawls well.
Eremeev misses with a wild body shot.
Eremeev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Eremeev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up but Eremeev circles away and keeps his distance.
Shamkhalaev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shamkhalaev ducks under a wild hook from Eremeev.
Eremeev takes a swing at Shamkhalaev's ribcage but misses.

Shamkhalaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Eremeev, pushing him back against the cage.

Eremeev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Shamkhalaev rushes Eremeev and presses him up against the cage.
Eremeev tries to break free but Shamkhalaev pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Eremeev.
A short right from Shamkhalaev on the inside.
Eremeev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Eremeev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shamkhalaev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Eremeev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Eremeev controls his hands.
Eremeev takes an elbow to the temple.
Eremeev tries for a takedown but Shamkhalaev manages to get underhooks.

Eremeev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Eremeev lands with a nice combination. Shamkhalaev backs away looking to recover.

Shamkhalaev takes the fight into the clinch.
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 Eremeev's brow.
Eremeev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andrey Eremeev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Eremeev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
It seemed like Eremeev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Eremeev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Eremeev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Eremeev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Eremeev cracks Shamkhalaev with an open hand slap.
Eremeev throws a shot to the body.
Eremeev throws a big shot that misses.
Shamkhalaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Eremeev is just out of range.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Eremeev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
Eremeev blocks an uppercut.
Eremeev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shamkhalaev is pressed up against the cage. Eremeev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shamkhalaev down to the mat. Shamkhalaev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Shamkhalaev rushes Eremeev and presses him up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamkhalaev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Eremeev.
Nice body punch from Eremeev.
Eremeev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Shamkhalaev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eremeev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Eremeev lands a right hook to the body.
Eremeev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
Eremeev is trying to stall.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.

Eremeev manages to break the clinch.
Eremeev throws a shot to the body.
Eremeev goes for a double leg but Shamkhalaev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Shamkhalaev continues to drive forward.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrey Eremeev.
Shamkhalaev moves in looking to clinch but Eremeev pushes him off.
Shamkhalaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Eremeev.
Eremeev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Shamkhalaev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Eremeev takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Eremeev keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamkhalaev walks into a jab.
Eremeev throws a lazy right hand but Shamkhalaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up but Eremeev circles away and keeps his distance.
A little jabbing left from Eremeev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Eremeev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Eremeev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eremeev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Eremeev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Eremeev checks a low kick from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Eremeev scores with a one two! Shamkhalaev had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Eremeev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up.
A little jabbing left from Eremeev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Eremeev throws a series of punches but Shamkhalaev moves out of range.
Shamkhalaev moves in looking to clinch but Eremeev pushes him off.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Eremeev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev is looking to clinch.
Shamkhalaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Shamkhalaev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Shamkhalaev cracks Eremeev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Shamkhalaev drives through and clinches with Eremeev against the cage.
Eremeev wants to take the fight to the mat but Shamkhalaev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Eremeev avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Eremeev blocks the elbow strike.
Eremeev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shamkhalaev prevents it.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that Eremeev shrugs off.

It looks like Andrey Eremeev has been cut.
Eremeev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Eremeev avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Eremeev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that Eremeev shrugs off.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Eremeev wants the takedown. Shamkhalaev is fighting it off but Eremeev persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Shamkhalaev's guard against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eremeev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eremeev prevents Shamkhalaev from getting back to his feet.

Shamkhalaev has his feet on Eremeev's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Shamkhalaev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Eremeev is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev wants to clinch up but Eremeev keeps it at a distance.
It seemed like Eremeev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Shamkhalaev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Eremeev, pushing him back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Eremeev is defending well for now.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Shamkhalaev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Eremeev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shamkhalaev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Eremeev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Eremeev blocks the elbow strike.
A short right from Shamkhalaev.

Eremeev is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andrey Eremeev.
I think Eremeev 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrey Eremeev!
Our winner, Andrey Eremeev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.