PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between David Schuler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shamil Gasanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David Schuler had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.2lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. This should be fireworks!

Schuler
vs
Gasanov

162 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Pit Bull Development

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, David Schuler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shamil Gasanov!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Daniel Blasius and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gasanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Schuler attempts a counter takedown but Gasanov avoids it well and moves away.
Gasanov shoots in looking for a takedown. Schuler tries to sprawl out of it but Gasanov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Schuler manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Gasanov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Schuler wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schuler working a defensive guard here.
Schuler could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Schuler wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Schuler is breathing heavily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gasanov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gasanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Schuler works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Schuler looking for a sweep. Not yet Schuler, not yet.
Gasanov wants to control from the top but Schuler keeps moving.
Gasanov wants to stand but Schuler has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gasanov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gasanov preventing the sweep.
Gasanov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gasanov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Schuler is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gasanov throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Schuler half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gasanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Schuler is fending him off so far but Gasanov persists. Nope, Schuler circles away and we're back to standing.
Shamil Gasanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schuler throws a head kick but Gasanov moves out of range.
No luck for Gasanov with that takedown attempt.
David Schuler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shamil Gasanov.
No luck for Gasanov with that takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gasanov.
A head kick misses from Schuler.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gasanov misses with a few strikes there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gasanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Schuler drops down looking for a counter takedown but Gasanov sprawls and moves away.
Gasanov throws a series of punches but Schuler avoids them all with ease.
Schuler slaps away a takedown attempt from Gasanov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gasanov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Schuler is looking to counter the offense by Gasanov and move into the clinch.
No joy there for Gasanov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Schuler throws a sloppy head kick and Gasanov moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Gasanov.
Gasanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Schuler avoids the head kick by Gasanov.
Gasanov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Schuler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As Gasanov looks to move away, Schuler throws a big counter combo but Gasanov just gets out of the way.
Schuler plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Gasanov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Schuler to the ground. Gasanov is now in Schuler's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gasanov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schuler is trying to keep Gasanov in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shamil Gasanov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Schuler slips under a jab from Gasanov.
Schuler attempts a counter takedown but Gasanov avoids it well and moves away.
Gasanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gasanov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Schuler paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gasanov missing with a left hand there. Schuler was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Schuler attempts a counter takedown but Gasanov avoids it well and moves away.
Nice defenses there by Schuler.
Schuler is looking to counter the offense by Gasanov and move into the clinch.
Gasanov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Schuler pinned against the cage. Schuler gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gasanov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Schuler counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gasanov is trying to drag Schuler to the mat but Schuler just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
David Schuler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shamil Gasanov.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Schuler is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Gasanov is keeping busy.
I was talking to Schuler's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Schuler.
Schuler goes for a takedown attempt but Gasanov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gasanov looks to land a body kick but Schuler moved away.
Gasanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Schuler sprawls well. Schuler wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gasanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Gasanov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Schuler half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gasanov tries for a takedown but Schuler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gasanov is defended easily by Schuler.
Gasanov tries to clinch up.
Gasanov tries to clinch there but Schuler circles away.
Gasanov shoots and misses

and Schuler counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Schuler.

Gasanov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Schuler kicks off Gasanov and gets to his feet.
Schuler leaves Gasanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Schuler finds it's way through Gasanov's defenses.
Gasanov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Schuler throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gasanov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Schuler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gasanov somewhat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gasanov tries to circle away but Schuler has him pinned against the cage.
Schuler wants to stall.
Gasanov stops a takedown attempt from Schuler.

Gasanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gasanov shoots in for a takedown but Schuler shows good takedown defense.

Gasanov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Schuler did well to prevent Gasanov getting side control.
Gasanov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Schuler dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gasanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Schuler manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gasanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Gasanov is looking to clinch.
Schuler throws a big counter combination but Gasanov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Gasanov forces Schuler back against the cage and clinches.
Schuler wants a takedown.
Schuler goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gasanov prevents it.
Gasanov tries to pull guard but Schuler holds him up against the cage and eventually Gasanov drops back down to his feet.

Gasanov pulls guard successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gasanov wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Schuler looking to sit in guard and control but Gasanov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gasanov stopping the sweep attempt from Schuler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schuler keeping full guard, as Gasanov tries to pass.
Schuler has control of Gasanov's left arm, preventing Gasanov from doing any damage.
Gasanov preventing the sweep.
Gasanov scoring with some ground and pound.
Gasanov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Gasanov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Gasanov passes Schuler's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Gasanov prevents Schuler from improving his position.
Schuler won't allow Gasanov to pass to mount.
Gasanov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Well, if Gasanov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gasanov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schuler wants to improve his position but Gasanov is controlling well.
Gasanov is thwarting Schuler's attempts to control the position.
Gasanov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Gasanov gets a clinch.
Schuler is trying to stall.

Gasanov jumps guard and drags Schuler to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schuler postures up.
Schuler looking to sit in guard and control but Gasanov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Gasanov wants to get up but he can't break Schuler's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Gasanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Schuler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gasanov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gasanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Schuler is retaining full guard.
Shamil Gasanov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gasanov keeps trying to improve his position.
Schuler keeping moving, preventing Gasanov from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shamil Gasanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Gasanov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shamil Gasanov!