PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Winston Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Feodor Shemelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shemelianenko is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 2Pac - I'm A Soldier (Echale Mojo Remix) . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hughes
vs
Shemelianenko

194 cm
28
205 lbs
9 - 4 - 1

184 cm
33
214 lbs
16 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Arcticus University: London

Spartan Nutrition 160Q with Proof

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Winston Hughes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 1, fighting out of London, Feodor Shemelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shemelianenko clinches up with Hughes and pushes him back against the cage.
Hughes definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Hughes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shemelianenko's coach down at Lucky Liam's MMA Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Shemelianenko's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Shemelianenko thows a leg kick but Hughes checks it
and Hughes counters with a nice body shot.
Hughes just misses with a punch to the body.
Shemelianenko unleashes a big counter combination but Hughes bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Shemelianenko throws a hook to the side of Hughes's head but Hughes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hughes throws a shot from downtown. Shemelianenko moves away and avoids it.
Shemelianenko moves forwards but Hughes connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Shemelianenko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hughes on the side of the head.
Hughes checks a leg kick nicely.
Shemelianenko misses with an uppercut
and Hughes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hughes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Shemelianenko - that will leave a mark!
Feodor Shemelianenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shemelianenko cracks a nice hook into Hughes's ribs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shemelianenko throws a good cross that connects.
Shemelianenko misses with a head kick.
Hughes appears to be looking for a big counter.
Hughes tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko scores with a jab.
Hughes checks a low kick from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Hughes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shemelianenko throws a series of punches but Hughes moves out of range.
Hughes cracks Shemelianenko with a good jab.
Shemelianenko throws a chopping leg kick but Hughes manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Shemelianenko lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hughes misses with a head kick.
It seemed like Shemelianenko was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Shemelianenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Shemelianenko throws a series of punches but Hughes avoids them all with ease.
A jab lands there for Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hughes slips a straight right by Shemelianenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Shemelianenko throws an off balance right hand
and Hughes counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shemelianenko thinking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Hughes.
Shemelianenko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shemelianenko closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

It looks like Feodor Shemelianenko has been cut.
Shemelianenko thows a leg kick but Hughes checks it
and Hughes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hughes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hughes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shemelianenko.
Hughes lands a jab-cross combination.
Hughes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Shemelianenko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Shemelianenko ducks under a wild hook from Hughes.
Hughes backing away here, and Shemelianenko unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Shemelianenko thumps Hughes with a low kick.
Shemelianenko misses with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko tries to work over Hughes's front leg with a kick but Hughes checks it.
A counter left hand to the body from Hughes misses its target.
Hughes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hughes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hughes moves out of range of the strikes.
Hughes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shemelianenko manages to avoid it.
Shemelianenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hughes is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shemelianenko scores with a nice head shot.
Hughes scores with a shot to the body.
Shemelianenko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shemelianenko misses with a low kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Hughes misses its target.
Shemelianenko ducks under a wild hook from Hughes.
Shemelianenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hughes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shemelianenko connects with a right hand. Hughes shakes it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shemelianenko keeps Hughes at a distance using the push kick.
Shemelianenko staying out of range there.
Shemelianenko misses with a kick to the body.
Shemelianenko throws a nice inside leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hughes clobbers Shemelianenko with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Shemelianenko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Shemelianenko misses with a right hand
and Hughes counters with a nice uppercut.
Winston Hughes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hughes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hughes ducks under a wild hook from Shemelianenko.
Hughes ducks right into an uppercut from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hughes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hughes throws an overhand right that lands on Shemelianenko's shoulder, as Shemelianenko tries to avoid the shot.
A combination from Hughes does no damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Feodor Shemelianenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
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.

A swing and a miss from Shemelianenko.
Hughes lands a front kick.
Shemelianenko lands a leg kick that knocks Hughes off balance momentarily.
Hughes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hughes moves out of range of the strikes.
Hughes is looking to counter punch.
A big left from Hughes misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shemelianenko. That's going to slow Hughes down.
Feodor Shemelianenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shemelianenko wants to slow Hughes down by chopping away at his legs.
Shemelianenko lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shemelianenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Hughes tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shemelianenko throws an off balance right hand
and Shemelianenko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shemelianenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Hughes fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shemelianenko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shemelianenko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Shemelianenko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Shemelianenko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Shemelianenko.
Hughes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Shemelianenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hughes was well out of range. Poor timing from Shemelianenko.
Hughes throwing a counter right hand but Shemelianenko manages to avoid it.
Hughes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Hughes checks a leg kick nicely.
Hughes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shemelianenko ducks right into an uppercut from Hughes.
Shemelianenko defending well as Hughes loads up on a big left hand.
Shemelianenko throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hughes finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Hughes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shemelianenko.
Hughes drops his hands momentarily and Shemelianenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shemelianenko looks to land a right hand but Hughes moved out of range.
Hughes tries to land a body kick
and Shemelianenko counters with a lovely shot to the body.
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!

Shemelianenko darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hughes tries to roll over but Shemelianenko keeps him under control.
Hughes trying to control here.
Shemelianenko is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hughes is trying to control but can't.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hughes moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Shemelianenko is pushing down on Hughes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hughes is fighting to maintain full guard but Shemelianenko has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shemelianenko frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hughes wants to control but Shemelianenko is having none of it.
Shemelianenko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Feodor Shemelianenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Feodor Shemelianenko's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Shemelianenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Shemelianenko throws a looping overhand right but Hughes ducks down to avoid it.
Hughes looks to land a left hand but Shemelianenko moved out of range nicely.
Shemelianenko throws a body punch but Hughes moves out of range.
Hughes moves out of range as Shemelianenko strikes.
Shemelianenko misses with a looping right.
Hughes tried to counter with a leg kick but Shemelianenko avoided it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hughes checks a leg kick.
Hughes throws a hook but Shemelianenko avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hughes misses with an uppercut.
Hughes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shemelianenko.
Hughes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hughes turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Shemelianenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hughes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes swings for the body but Shemelianenko moves out of range.
Shemelianenko misses with a looping right.
Hughes throws a shot from downtown. Shemelianenko moves away and avoids it.
Hughes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shemelianenko throws a chopping leg kick but Hughes manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Shemelianenko misses with a two punch combination.
Hughes jabs Shemelianenko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Shemelianenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hughes swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Shemelianenko looks to land a right hand but Hughes moved out of range.
Hughes misses the body punch
and Shemelianenko counters with a low kick, right behind Hughes 's knee.
Hughes looks to land a left hand but Shemelianenko moved out of range nicely.
Feodor Shemelianenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko misses with an uppercut. Hughes saw that one coming.
Shemelianenko throws an overhand right that lands on Hughes's shoulder, as Hughes tries to avoid the shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hughes lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Shemelianenko has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Shemelianenko and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hughes throws a looping overhand right but Shemelianenko ducks down to avoid it.
Hughes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hughes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Shemelianenko lunges at Hughes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hughes's hand.
Hughes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shemelianenko.
Hughes misses with a body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shemelianenko throws a leg kick
and Hughes counters with a nice uppercut.
Hughes blocks a low kick nicely.
Hughes was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hughes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Shemelianenko finds it's way round the side to connect with Hughes's head.
Shemelianenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hughes throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hughes checks a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Shemelianenko.
Hughes throws a hook but Shemelianenko blocks it.
Shemelianenko lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Shemelianenko tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hughes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shemelianenko takes one to the side of the head.
Shemelianenko blocks a jab.
Hughes tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Good leg kick by Shemelianenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Shemelianenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hughes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shemelianenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Shemelianenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hughes was well out of range. Poor timing from Shemelianenko.
Shemelianenko throws an overhand right that lands on Hughes's shoulder, as Hughes tries to avoid the shot.
Hughes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A punch combination from Shemelianenko misses.
Shemelianenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Shemelianenko just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromHughes.
Hughes looks to score with a jab to the body but Shemelianenko is just out of range.
Shemelianenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hughes.
Hughes cracks Shemelianenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hughes throws a big shot that misses.
Shemelianenko with a nice cross.
Shemelianenko pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Winston Hughes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shemelianenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hughes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Feodor Shemelianenko.
Well Shemelianenko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Feodor Shemelianenko!
After winning the bout, Feodor Shemelianenko thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.