PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Bakunin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shane Wellman Iv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Bakunin
vs
Wellman Iv

181 cm
26
178 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

185 cm
27
177 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikhail Bakunin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shane Wellman Iv!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Sergei Dronov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wellman Iv tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bakunin was well out of range. Poor timing from Wellman Iv.
Good standup being displayed there by Bakunin as he connects with a hook.
A jab from Bakunin misses.
Bakunin staying out of range there.
Bakunin swings widly with a right hand
and Bakunin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bakunin throws a hook but Wellman Iv blocks it.
Wellman Iv throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Wellman Iv moves out of range as Bakunin strikes.
Bakunin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wellman Iv works the jab nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bakunin. Wellman Iv does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wellman Iv misses with a body kick.
Bakunin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wellman Iv throws an overhand right that lands on Bakunin's shoulder, as Bakunin tries to avoid the shot.
A little feinted left hand from Bakunin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bakunin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wellman Iv moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bakunin throws a series of punches but Wellman Iv avoids them all with ease.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wellman Iv misses with a straight left.
Bakunin 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.
Wellman Iv misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wellman Iv looks to land a left hand but Bakunin moved out of range nicely.
Bakunin throws an overhand right that lands on Wellman Iv's shoulder, as Wellman Iv tries to avoid the shot.
Bakunin digs a good hook to Wellman Iv's body.
Bakunin takes a swing at Wellman Iv's ribcage but misses.
A punch lands to the side of Bakunin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wellman Iv gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bakunin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Wellman Ivs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Wellman Iv clobbers Bakunin with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bakunin with a hook.
Bakunin misses with a shot to the body
and Wellman Iv counters with a thumping low kick.
Bakunin throws a right hand that misses
and Wellman Iv counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Wellman Iv scores with a nice strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bakunin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Wellman Iv doesn't seem bothered though.
Wellman Iv lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bakunin throws an off balance right hand
and Wellman Iv counters with a straight right hand.
Bakunin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wellman Iv manages to avoid it.
Wellman Iv misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wellman Iv steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bakunin.
Bakunin fails to land with a series of punches.
Bakunin swinging wildly here.
Wellman Iv staying out of range there.
Wellman Iv is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Bakunin with a body shot.
Bakunin works Wellman Iv's body with a nice hook.
Bakunin throws a body shot but no joy.
Bakunin throws a combination that misses
and Wellman Iv counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wellman Iv will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wellman Iv scores with a nice right hand.
No joy there for Bakunin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bakunin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bakunin scores with a nice strike.
Bakunin throws a shot from downtown. Wellman Iv moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wellman Iv.
Bakunin has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Bakunin there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bakunin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bakunin misses with a double jab
and Wellman Iv connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wellman Iv on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Mikhail Bakunin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bakunin lands with a shot to the body.
Wellman Iv connects with an inside leg kick.
Wellman Iv attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jab, jab by Bakunin - just one landing.
Wellman Iv slips under a jab.
Wellman Iv missing with a left hand there. Bakunin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bakunin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bakunin scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wellman Iv jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bakunin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A slow jab from Wellman Iv misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin misses with a hook. Wellman Iv ducked under it nicely.
Bakunin fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Wellman Iv displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bakunin throws out the jab.
Wellman Iv throws a shot from downtown. Bakunin moves away and avoids it.
Bakunin cracks Wellman Iv with a good jab.
Wellman Iv uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bakunin.
Wellman Iv avoids a punch combination nicely.
Wellman Iv is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bakunin.
Bakunin is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Bakunin misses with a body shot.
Bakunin lands a two punch combo.
Wellman Iv misses with a looping left.
It looked like Bakunin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bakunin walks into a stiff left hand from Wellman Iv.
Wellman Iv paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wellman Iv has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Wellman Iv there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wellman Iv catches Bakunin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bakunin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mikhail Bakunin will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jab from Wellman Iv.
Bakunin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wellman Iv.
Bakunin avoids the body shot from Wellman Iv.
Wellman Iv looks to score with a jab to the body but Bakunin is just out of range.
Wellman Iv connects with the punch.
Bakunin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Wellman Iv stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bakunin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bakunin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bakunin misses with a hook
and Wellman Iv cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wellman Iv throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Bakunin misses with a straight left.
Wellman Iv throws a low kick, looking for Bakunin's leg but Bakunin calmly moves out of range.
Wellman Iv paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bakunin misses with a hook to the body
and Wellman Iv connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wellman Iv moves away from the strike by Bakunin.
Bakunin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Wellman Iv makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Good exchange - Wellman Iv coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakunin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A big left from Wellman Iv misses.
Wellman Iv looks to land a left hand but Bakunin moved out of range nicely.
A big left from Wellman Iv misses.
Wellman Iv scores with a hook.
Wellman Iv jabs Bakunin to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Bakunin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wellman Iv manages to avoid it.
Bakunin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bakunin's jab looks to have found its range, popping Wellman Iv under the eye.
Bakunin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shane Wellman Iv seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wellman Iv misses with an uppercut.
Bakunin looks to score with a jab to the body but Wellman Iv is just out of range.
Wellman Iv connects with a jab.
A big right from Wellman Iv misses.
Bakunin looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Wellman Iv lands a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bakunin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bakunin slips a jab from Wellman Iv.
Wellman Iv looks to land a right hand but Bakunin moved out of range.
Bakunin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bakunin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wellman Iv manages to avoid it.
Bakunin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wellman Iv circles away quickly and effectively.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Wellman Iv! But no joy.
Bakunin throws an overhand right that lands on Wellman Iv's shoulder, as Wellman Iv tries to avoid the shot.
Bakunin just misses with a punch to the body.
Wellman Iv throws out a counter right but Bakunin avoids it with no problem.
Wellman Iv misses with a few strikes there.
Bakunin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wellman Iv scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bakunin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wellman Iv circles away quickly and effectively.
Bakunin ducks under a wild hook from Wellman Iv.
Wellman Iv just misses with a punch to the body.
Wellman Iv tests Bakunin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wellman Iv paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wellman Iv moves away.
Wellman Iv misses with a wild combination.
Bakunin throws a body punch but Wellman Iv moves out of range.
Wellman Iv looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Bakunin throws the left hand but Wellman Iv avoids the punch easily.
Wellman Iv drops his hands momentarily and Bakunin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A punch lands to the side of Bakunin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bakunin swings for the body but Wellman Iv moves out of range.
Bakunin throws a shot from downtown. Wellman Iv moves away and avoids it.
Wellman Iv raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Bakunin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bakunin misses with the combination.
Wellman Iv misses with a hook to the body
and Bakunin counters with a left and a right that stings Wellman Iv.
Bakunin with a jab.
Wellman Iv darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wellman Iv uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bakunin has time to react.
Bakunin misses the jab.
Wellman Iv throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Bakunin to counter with a crisp jab.
Bakunin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A jab from Wellman Iv finds it's way through Bakunin's defenses.
Bakunin clobbers Wellman Iv with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bakunin throws the left hand but Wellman Iv avoids the punch easily.
Wellman Iv tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Wellman Iv keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakunin walks into a left hand.
Bakunin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wellman Iv swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bakunin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Bakunin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bakunin throws a right and a left that Wellman Iv avoids nicely.
Wellman Iv ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Wellman Iv showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bakunin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
It seemed like Wellman Iv was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bakunin lands a nice shot to the body.
Wellman Iv lands with a right hand.
Wellman Iv throws a jab but it's blocked by Bakunin.
Wellman Iv lands a head shot.
Wellman Iv fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bakunin manages to avoid it.
Wellman Iv throws out a powerful jab.
Bakunin thows a left - swing and a miss!
It seemed like Wellman Iv was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bakunin takes a swing at Wellman Iv's ribcage but misses.
Bakunin loads up on a big right hand but Wellman Iv slips the punch.
Wellman Iv moves forwards but Bakunin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakunin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wellman Iv catches Bakunin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A swing and a miss from Wellman Iv.
Bakunin throws a one two combo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Wellman Iv. Bakunin does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wellman Iv ducks under a wild hook from Bakunin.
Bakunin looks to land a combination but Wellman Iv avoids it well.
Wellman Iv lands with a good body shot.
Wellman Iv moves away from the strike by Bakunin.
Bakunin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wellman Iv connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bakunin 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.
Bakunin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Wellman Iv's head.
Bakunin misses with a double jab.
Bakunin throws a lazy right hand but Wellman Iv sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Wellman Iv uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bakunin.
Wellman Iv has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bakunin throws a right hand that Wellman Iv ducks under and follows up with a left that Wellman Iv also avoids with ease.
Wellman Iv looks to land a right hand but Bakunin moved out of range.
Wellman Iv just misses with a punch to the body.
Bakunin throws a hook but Wellman Iv blocks it.
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!
Bakunin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bakunin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin works Wellman Iv's body with a nice hook.
Bakunin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wellman Iv manages to avoid it.
Wellman Iv's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bakunin under the eye.
Wellman Iv moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bakunin throws out a powerful jab.
Wellman Iv connects with the punch.
Wellman Iv swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wellman Iv avoids the body shot from Bakunin.
Bakunin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Wellman Iv counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wellman Iv. Bakunin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bakunin connects with a jab.
A swing and a miss from Wellman Iv.
Bakunin lands a body shot.
Bakunin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bakunin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin scores with a shot to the body.
Bakunin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wellman Iv moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wellman Iv lands a jab to the nose.
Bakunin throws a looping overhand right but Wellman Iv ducks down to avoid it.
Wellman Iv stuns Bakunin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Wellman Iv's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bakunin under the eye.
Good work by Bakunin as he checks the leg kick.
Bakunin missing with a left hand there. Wellman Iv was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wellman Iv ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bakunin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wellman Iv moves away.
Bakunin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Wellman Iv.
Wellman Iv moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bakunin. Wellman Iv does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wellman Iv throws a leg kick but Bakunin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Wellman Iv slips a straight right by Bakunin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bakunin cracks Wellman Iv with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice combination there by Bakunin.
Wellman Iv ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bakunin moves away.
Wellman Iv pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bakunin swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Bakunin misses with an uppercut
and Wellman Iv cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Bakunin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bakunin scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Wellman Iv missing with a left hand there. Bakunin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wellman Iv lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Jab from Bakunin.
Bakunin drops his hands momentarily and Wellman Iv takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bakunin. Wellman Iv does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bakunin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wellman Iv throws out the jab.
A little feinted left hand from Bakunin on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bakunin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Bakunin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bakunin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Bakunin!
Mikhail Bakunin spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.