PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rustam Shakhbulatov (ranked 861 p4p, 107 weight class) and Ray Bailey (ranked 5374 p4p, 480 weight class). Shakhbulatov comes into the arena with Friyie - Money Team blaring out of the sound system. Bailey has chosen Fuck Tha Police as his entrance music. Rustam Shakhbulatov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Shakhbulatov
vs
Bailey

178 cm
26
167 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

175 cm
26
164 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rustam Shakhbulatov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ray Bailey!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bailey misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shakhbulatov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bailey stuffs the takedown.
Bailey feints the counter takedown.
Bailey pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Shakhbulatov back to the cage. Bailey follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Rustam Shakhbulatov has been cut.
Bailey tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shakhbulatov was well out of range. Poor timing from Bailey.
Shakhbulatov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bailey fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shakhbulatov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Shakhbulatov avoids a kick to the body.
Shakhbulatov shoots in but no luck this time.
Shakhbulatov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bailey throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Shakhbulatov shoots in and gets a takedown into Bailey's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shakhbulatov throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakhbulatov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Shakhbulatov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Shakhbulatov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shakhbulatov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shakhbulatov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Shakhbulatov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Shakhbulatov postures up in Bailey's guard and throws a big left but Bailey blocks it.
Shakhbulatov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Shakhbulatov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shakhbulatov lands a couple of digs.

Shakhbulatov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Bailey looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Bailey looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Bailey!

Bailey really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shakhbulatov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shakhbulatov is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shakhbulatov regains half guard.
Shakhbulatov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bailey tries to free his leg and advance position but Shakhbulatov is retaining full guard.
Bailey trying to control but Shakhbulatov is working from the bottom.
Shakhbulatov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Bailey has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Shakhbulatov to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Bailey is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Shakhbulatov pulls down on the head and he's put Bailey to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rustam Shakhbulatov!
Rustam Shakhbulatov retains his lightweight title!
After the big win, Rustam Shakhbulatov made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Arcticus University: London and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
The defeated Ray Bailey had this to say: 'i'll be back bigger, better and stronger. I'll fight anybody anywhere bitches'.