PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hesa MC (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamkhalaev has chosen CoCo (MAKJ Remix) - O.T. Genasis as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

MC
vs
Shamkhalaev

180 cm
25
168 lbs
8 - 8 - 1

181 cm
23
163 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition

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 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Hesa MC!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Kavanagh and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MC lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
MC 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 takes the fight into the clinch.
MC tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shamkhalaev avoids it.
Shamkhalaev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
MC misses with a knee to the head.
Shamkhalaev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
MC on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
MC tries to land knees in the clinch but Shamkhalaev avoids the damage to the body.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a knee to the head but MC blocks with his arms.
Shamkhalaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
MC with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Still in the clinch, Shamkhalaev scores with a nice short uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, MC throws an elbow but misses.
Shamkhalaev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it misses.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
MC trying to land knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
MC misses with an elbow over the top.
Shamkhalaev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
MC pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev missing with knees to the body.
MC tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
MC blocking some punches.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
MC goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
MC tries to land knees in the clinch but Shamkhalaev avoids the damage to the body.
Shamkhalaev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
MC lands an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by MC.
Shamkhalaev lands a left hand.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
MC tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shamkhalaev avoids it.
MC with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shamkhalaev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
MC blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
MC blocks a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Knees to the body from MC.
MC with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from MC.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev struggles to land a body shot inside as MC controls his hands.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
MC throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shamkhalaev missing with knees to the body.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
MC creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shamkhalaev's defenses.
MC misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shamkhalaev.
MC takes an elbow to the temple.
MC tries to land knees in the clinch but Shamkhalaev avoids the damage to the body.
Shamkhalaev lands a left hand that snaps the head of MC backwards.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook that snaps the head of MC backwards.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
MC putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Shamkhalaev in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
MC avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shamkhalaev.
MC misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shamkhalaev.
MC scores a nice knee to the body.
Shamkhalaev avoiding damage as MC throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, MC just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shamkhalaev's brow.
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but MC leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MC.
MC lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
MC throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shamkhalaev blocks it with crossed arms.
MC creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.
MC pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
MC lands a nice knee to the body.
MC with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by MC.
MC looking to throw knees to the head but Shamkhalaev is blocking nicely.
Shamkhalaev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook that snaps the head of MC backwards.
MC blocks an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Shamkhalaev.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev blocks the elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
MC misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but MC uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev avoids the elbow strike from MC, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
MC is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shamkhalaev is defending well for now.
MC tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Shamkhalaev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Shamkhalaev scores with a hook to the body.
Shamkhalaev gets through MC's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamkhalaev looking to throw knees to the head but MC is blocking nicely.
MC lands a knee to the head.
MC missing with knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MC avoiding damage as Shamkhalaev throws knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MC.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from MC.
Shamkhalaev tries a body shot but MC blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

MC gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
MC throws a half hearted mid kick.
Shamkhalaev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits MCs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hesa MC is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shamkhalaev takes the fight into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards MC's brow.
MC with a knee to the head.
MC tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shamkhalaev avoids it.
MC takes an elbow to the temple.
A short left from MC.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
MC working aggressively here.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. MC obliges.
MC lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
MC crunches a lovely knee into Shamkhalaev's ribcage.
MC using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shamkhalaev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
MC misses with a knee to the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Knees in the clinch landing for MC.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
MC throws a knee to the head but misses.
MC missing with knees to the body.
MC lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by MC.
Shamkhalaev tries a body shot but MC blocks it.
MC avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
MC landing knees to the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
MC unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
MC with a knee to the head.
MC takes a knee right on the jaw!
Shamkhalaev tries to land a knee to the head but MC blocks with his arms.
MC blocks an uppercut.
MC using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shamkhalaev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shamkhalaev dodges an elbow strike from MC.
MC blocks an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev missing with knees to the body.
MC dodges an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shamkhalaev with a knee to the head.
MC tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
MC blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
MC using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shot to the side of MC's head.
MC lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shamkhalaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MC misses with an elbow strike.
MC blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
MC missing with knees to the body.
Shamkhalaev blocks an elbow strike from MC.
MC connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shamkhalaev's face.
Shamkhalaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but MC has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
MC misses with a knee to the head.
MC is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shamkhalaev is defending well for now.
MC throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shamkhalaev pushes MC back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, MC just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shamkhalaev's brow.
MC creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
MC blocks an uppercut.
MC blocks the elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev misses with a knee strike.
Shamkhalaev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. MC is defending well for now.
MC takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MC throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shamkhalaev blocks it with crossed arms.
Shamkhalaev avoiding damage as MC throws knees to the body.
MC throws an elbow but it's blocked.
This has been an exciting period of action!
MC misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shamkhalaev.
MC blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
MC looking to throw knees to the head but Shamkhalaev is blocking nicely.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shoulder strike.
MC lands a nice knee to the body.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
MC gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev managing to block the knees to the body from MC.
MC avoids the elbow strike from Shamkhalaev, against the cage.
MC landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MC tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shamkhalaev avoids it.
MC scores with a hook to the body.
MC tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
MC's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Shamkhalaev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. MC doesn't seem bothered though.

Shamkhalaev clinches up against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. MC obliges.
Shamkhalaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
MC using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shamkhalaev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that MC shrugs off.
Shamkhalaev takes a knee to the side of the body.
MC tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shamkhalaev avoids it.
MC looking to throw knees to the head but Shamkhalaev is blocking nicely.
MC landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Shamkhalaev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
MC tries a knee to the head but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
MC tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shamkhalaev avoids it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamkhalaev lands a right hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right from Shamkhalaev on the inside.
Shamkhalaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MC looking to throw knees to the head but Shamkhalaev is blocking nicely.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
MC throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shamkhalaev blocks it with crossed arms.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.
Shamkhalaev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from MC.
MC blocking some punches.
Shamkhalaev pushes off an throws an elbow but MC leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Shamkhalaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shamkhalaev lands a shot to the body.
MC takes a knee to the side of the body.
MC is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shamkhalaev is defending well for now.
MC misses with a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside that MC shrugs off.
MC dodges an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
A shot in the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev tries to land knees in the clinch but MC avoids the damage to the body.
Shamkhalaev lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MC is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shamkhalaev is defending well for now.
Shamkhalaev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
MC using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shamkhalaev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shamkhalaev missing with knees to the body.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
MC blocks the elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Shamkhalaev connects with a knee to the head.
MC tries a knee to the head but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Shamkhalaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
MC landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
MC lands a knee to the head.
MC's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
MC missing with knees to the body.
MC misses with an elbow over the top.
A short left from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev struggles to land a body shot inside as MC controls his hands.
Shamkhalaev avoiding damage as MC throws knees to the body.
Shamkhalaev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
MC with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
MC tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shamkhalaev avoids it.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
MC is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shamkhalaev is defending well for now.
Shamkhalaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with MC's elbow.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shamkhalaev can't find room to land a body shot as MC controls the action.
A knee to the head by MC.
MC lands an elbow inside that Shamkhalaev shrugs off.
Shamkhalaev dodges an elbow strike from MC.
MC prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
MC tries a knee to the head but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
MC takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MC misses with a knee to the head.
Shamkhalaev avoiding damage as MC throws knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
MC takes an elbow to the forehead.
MC throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shamkhalaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but MC has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shamkhalaev dodges an elbow strike from MC.
MC is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shamkhalaev is defending well for now.
Shamkhalaev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but MC has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shamkhalaev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Shamkhalaev blocks an elbow strike.
Shamkhalaev avoiding damage as MC throws knees to the body.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
MC misses with a knee to the head.
Hesa MC has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
MC comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Shamkhalaev misses with an elbow over the top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shamkhalaev 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
An out of breath Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.