PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pavlo Bilous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamkhalaev comes to the cage accompanied by CoCo (MAKJ Remix) - O.T. Genasis. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Shamkhalaev
vs
Bilous

181 cm
23
163 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

171 cm
23
167 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Spartan Nutrition 160Q with Proof

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 9 - 5 - 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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pavlo Bilous!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Chad Campbell and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bilous shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bilous showed some decent athleticism there.
Bilous wants to control but Shamkhalaev is keeping him busy.

Shamkhalaev pushes Bilous off and gets back to his feet.
Bilous tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shamkhalaev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bilous is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Shamkhalaev misses with a double jab.
Bilous lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamkhalaev scores with a hook to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bilous stalls.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bilous takes a shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bilous is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shamkhalaev tries a body shot but Bilous blocks it.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Bilous wants to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shamkhalaev as Bilous tries to tie him up.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
A nice left hand lands by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bilous stalling against the cage.

Bilous has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Shamkhalaev uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bilous looking for a sweep. Not yet Bilous, not yet.
Bilous throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Shamkhalaev wants to get up but he can't break Bilous's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilous wants to sweep but no luck.
Bilous is trying to control the position but Shamkhalaev postures up.
Bilous will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Bilous bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Shamkhalaev's guard.

Bilous is working Shamkhalaev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bilous lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Bilous is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bilous working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.
Bilous postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Bilous distracts Shamkhalaev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bilous's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bilous trying to control but Shamkhalaev is working from the bottom.
Bilous in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shamkhalaev is looking to stand up but Bilous isn't so interested in that idea.
Bilous throws a big right hand that misses.
Bilous postures up in Shamkhalaev's guard and throws a big left but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Bilous is in close to Shamkhalaev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shamkhalaev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bilous connects with a couple of short punches.
Bilous landing some decent shots from guard.
Bilous content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bilous working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bilous's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bilous looking to pass the guard.
Bilous wants to control from the top but Shamkhalaev keeps moving.
Shamkhalaev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bilous is controlling him.
Bilous is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bilous makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shamkhalaev seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Shamkhalaev has momentary wrist control but Bilous slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bilous's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bilous stops Shamkhalaev from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavlo Bilous dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bilous blocks a jab.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bilous manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bilous with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shamkhalaev counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A combination from Shamkhalaev does no damage.
Bilous feints a counter leg kick.
Bilous is looking to clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bilous finds it's way round the side to connect with Shamkhalaev's head.
Bilous is looking to clinch but Shamkhalaev is avoiding it.
Shamkhalaev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shamkhalaev lands a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Shamkhalaev misses.
Bilous wants to counter with a clinch but Shamkhalaev pushes him away.
Nice shot lands for Shamkhalaev.
Bilous throws a leg kick
and Shamkhalaev counters with a one-two to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shamkhalaev misses with a wild body shot.
Shamkhalaev sets himself, and Bilous steps forward looking for the clinch! Shamkhalaev avoids it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev defending well as Bilous loads up on a big left hand.
Bilous takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Bilous takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bilous avoids the body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev sets himself, and Bilous steps forward looking for the clinch! Shamkhalaev avoids it this time.
Bilous slips under a jab.
Bilous drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shamkhalaev defends it well.
A left and a right from Shamkhalaev both land. Nice combination.
Shamkhalaev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Shamkhalaev keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shamkhalaev misses with a looping right.

Shamkhalaev gets a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bilous leaning against his opponent.
Shamkhalaev lands with a short shot to the head.
Bilous has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shamkhalaev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Bilous.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilous stalls.
Bilous has Shamkhalaev pressed against the cage.
Bilous receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Bilous wants to stall.
Bilous trying to control the position but instead, Shamkhalaev has worked for underhooks and has pushed Bilous into the cage.
Bilous seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Pavlo Bilous.
Bilous dodges the punch combination from Shamkhalaev.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamkhalaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bilous wants to counter the offense by Shamkhalaev and move into the clinch position.
Shamkhalaev fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bilous.
Shamkhalaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Bilous circles away.
Bilous is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Shamkhalaev walks into a straight right hand from Bilous.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bilous keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bilous scores with a leg kick.
A big right from Bilous misses.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Bilous is having none of it.
Bilous with the counter takedown but Shamkhalaev avoids it easily.
Bilous looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavlo Bilous.
Shamkhalaev misses with a double jab.

Bilous fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shamkhalaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A shot in the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Bilous avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bilous displaying some good clinch control by pressing Shamkhalaev up against the cage.
Shamkhalaev is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bilous.
Shamkhalaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bilous wants to stall.
Shamkhalaev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bilous controlling the action here for a moment.
Bilous pressing his opponent against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but Bilous leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Bilous has Shamkhalaev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shamkhalaev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shamkhalaev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Bilous's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev dominated that second round.
That's time! Shamkhalaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bilous misses the jab.

Oooh a lovely combination from Shamkhalaev sends Bilous down but not out. Shamkhalaev dives into side control looking to finish.
Bilous is looking for a sweep.

Shamkhalaev decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Jab from Shamkhalaev.

Bilous is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shamkhalaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bilous manages to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook but Bilous blocks it.
It seemed like Bilous was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bilous looks to land a right hand but Shamkhalaev moved out of range.
Bilous slips a jab from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot
and Bilous counters with an outside leg kick.
Shamkhalaev scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Shamkhalaev connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bilous is still on wobbly legs! Can Shamkhalaev finish him?
Bilous's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Shamkhalaev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bilous scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev staying out of range there.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice jab there from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Bilous counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shamkhalaev won't be happy with that.
Bilous postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Bilous seems to have recovered his senses.
Shamkhalaev wants to get back to his feet.
Shamkhalaev takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bilous throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Pavlo Bilous has got the better of the ground game so far.
Shamkhalaev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Bilous working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Bilous has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Bilous tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shamkhalaev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bilous can do to turn this around?
Bilous working the ground and pound but Shamkhalaev is defending the strikes.
Bilous lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Bilous throws an elbow but Shamkhalaev slips to the side and avoids it well.

Bilous thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shamkhalaev throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Shamkhalaev defending well as Bilous loads up on a big left hand.
Bilous looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Shamkhalaev lands a lovely overhand right.
Bilous fails with the takedown.

Shamkhalaev has managed to clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shamkhalaev prevents a takedown attempt there.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bilous is looking to control Shamkhalaev's arms but Shamkhalaev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bilous has his back to the cage.
Bilous's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bilous fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pavlo Bilous.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shot to the side of Bilous's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Shamkhalaev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shamkhalaev.
Bilous's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bilous stalling in the clinch but Shamkhalaev improves position.
Bilous content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Shamkhalaev landing some nice looking knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shamkhalaev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev thanked the fans post fight for their support.