PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yaniv Schulmann (ranked 1497 p4p, 158 weight class) and Shepherd Bushiri (ranked 1323 p4p, 139 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Schulmann
vs
Bushiri

181 cm
36
145 lbs
29 - 15 - 0

172 cm
27
135 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 29 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yaniv Schulmann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Shepherd Bushiri!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Steve Montenegro and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bushiri connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bushiri looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bushiri closes the distance but Schulmann moves to the side
and Schulmann counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bushiri throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Schulmann lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Bushiri is rocked!

It looks like Shepherd Bushiri has been cut.
Schulmann takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bushiri pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
It looked like Schulmann wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shepherd Bushiri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bushiri feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Schulmann's calf.
We've been hearing reports that Schulmann has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Schulmann fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bushiri manages to avoid it.
Bushiri throws a jab when Schulmann was well out of range.
Schulmann feinted with a counter takedown.
Bushiri cracks Schulmann 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.

Schulmann throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bushiri was covering up waiting for the punch and Schulmann finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Bushiri manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushiri will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bushiri scores with a leg kick.
Shepherd Bushiri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some bone on bone action there as Schulmann checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Schulmann appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Bushiri avoids a kick to the body.
Schulmann takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Schulmann pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bushiri connects with a solid leg kick.
Bushiri throws a leg kick
and Schulmann counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bushiri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Schulmann circles away quickly and effectively.
Bushiri walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Bushiri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Schulmann really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bushiri throws a leg kick but Schulmann sees it coming and moves out of range.
Schulmann changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bushiri takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bushiri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bushiri throws a poor cross that misses
and Schulmann counters with a nice uppercut.

Bushiri tries to keep at a distance but Schulmann has taken the fight into the clinch.
Schulmann has Bushiri pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Bushiri manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bushiri lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bushiri scores with a shoulder strike.
Schulmann blocking some punches.
Bushiri misses with some punches.
Bushiri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Schulmann's elbow.
Bushiri blocks a body shot from Schulmann.
Bushiri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bushiri tries to work over Schulmann's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Schulmann tries to throw a body punch but Bushiri avoids it by throwing Schulmann back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Schulmann escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Schulmann shoots in for a takedown but Bushiri shows good takedown defense.
Schulmann swats away the attempt to clinch by Bushiri.
Schulmann looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bushiri is fending him off so far but Schulmann persists. Nope, Bushiri circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yaniv Schulmann. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schulmann throws the kick towards the body but Bushiri avoids it.
Bushiri swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Schulmann dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Schulmann finds it's way through Bushiri's defenses.
Schulmann fakes the leg kick and cracks Bushiri in the body.
Bushiri takes one to the chin there.
Schulmann misses with a hook. Bushiri ducked under it nicely.

Bushiri closes the distance and pushes Schulmann back into the cage.
Schulmann tries to break free but Bushiri pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Schulmann misses with a punch on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Schulmann tries to land knees in the clinch but Bushiri avoids the damage to the body.
Bushiri lands a shot to the body.
A short left from Schulmann.
Bushiri lands a shot to the body.
Schulmann has a couple of punches blocked by Bushiri.
Bushiri misses with a punch to the body.
Bushiri lands a left hand.
Schulmann tries to work over Bushiri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bushiri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Schulmann breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bushiri moves into the clinch.
Schulmann looking to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bushiri.
Schulmann stalling in the clinch but Bushiri improves position.
Bushiri blocks an uppercut.
Schulmann has a couple of punches blocked by Bushiri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shepherd Bushiri will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shepherd Bushiri's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Schulmann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bushiri.
That kick from Bushiri tenderised Schulmann's leg. Schulmann is trying to keep his angry face on.
Schulmann connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Schulmann is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bushiri sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Some wild striking there from Schulmann.

Bushiri closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bushiri scores with a shot to the side of Schulmann's head.
Schulmann misses with a punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bushiri misses with a punch on the inside.
Bushiri throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bushiri takes a shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, Schulmann scores with a nice short uppercut.
Schulmann prevents a body shot from Bushiri.
Shepherd Bushiri seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bushiri stops a takedown attempt from Schulmann.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushiri blocks an uppercut.
Bushiri throws a head punch that misses.
Bushiri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bushiri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bushiri lands a nice uppercut.
Bushiri misses with some punches.
Schulmann goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Schulmann tries to stall but Bushiri uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Schulmann tries to throw a body punch but Bushiri avoids it by throwing Schulmann back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Bushiri.
A short left from Schulmann.
Bushiri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bushiri can't find room to land a body shot as Schulmann controls the action.
Schulmann scores with a nice hook to the head.
Schulmann working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bushiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Bushiri struggles to land a body shot inside as Schulmann controls his hands.
Schulmann has a couple of punches blocked by Bushiri.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Schulmann lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bushiri lands a nice shot to the body.
Bushiri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bushiri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bushiri scores with a hook to the body.
Bushiri lands a hook that snaps the head of Schulmann backwards.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Schulmann tries a body shot but Bushiri blocks it.
Bushiri misses with the head strike.
Schulmann throws a punch but it's blocked by Bushiri.
Schulmann taking a breather.
Schulmann is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Schulmann misses with a hook from the clinch.
Schulmann is trying to drag Bushiri to the mat but Bushiri just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yaniv Schulmann. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Schulmann jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bushiri walks away with a smile on his face. Schulmann gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Schulmann checks a low kick from Bushiri.
An inside leg kick lands from Bushiri.
Horrible takedown attempt by Schulmann or perhaps it was just good defense by Bushiri, which made it look bad.
Schulmann blocks a low kick nicely.
Bushiri cracks a nice hook into Schulmann's ribs.
Bushiri lands a nice hook to Schulmann's body. Schulmann takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bushiri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Schulmann moves away.
Schulmann throws a leg kick
and Bushiri counters with a straight right hand.
Schulmann throws a leg kick that misses.
Bushiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bushiri stuffs the takedown attempt from Schulmann. Schulmann gets slowly back to his feet.
Bushiri cracks the inside of Schulmann's front leg.
Schulmann looks for the body kick but Bushiri saw that one coming.
Schulmann throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bushiri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bushiri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bushiri tries to clinch up but Schulmann circles away and keeps his distance.
Schulmann is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Bushiri misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Schulmann.
Schulmann motions for Bushiri to come forward. Schulmann throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bushiri fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Schulmann has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bushiri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Schulmann sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Schulmann looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shepherd Bushiri showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shepherd Bushiri's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Schulmann ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Schulmann attempts a counter takedown but Bushiri avoids it well and moves away.
Schulmann chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Schulmann throws a wild body kick that Bushiri sees coming a mile off.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bushiri lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Schulmann has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Schulmann and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Bushiri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bushiri throws a hook but Schulmann blocks it.
Schulmann is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Bushiri avoids the body shot from Schulmann.
Schulmann lands a right hook to the body.
Bushiri tries to move into range but Schulmann moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schulmann lands with an overhand left.
Bushiri scoring well with a low kick there.
Bushiri staying out of range there.
Bushiri looks to score with a jab to the body but Schulmann is just out of range.
Schulmann attempts a counter takedown but Bushiri avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schulmann gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bushiri.
Bushiri misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Schulmann takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Bushiri closes the distance and pushes Schulmann back into the cage.
Bushiri tries a body shot but Schulmann blocks it.
Schulmann taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Schulmann tries to throw a body punch but Bushiri avoids it by throwing Schulmann back against the cage.
Schulmann lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Schulmann fails to land.
Bushiri lands a hook that snaps the head of Schulmann backwards.
Schulmann prevents a body shot from Bushiri.
Schulmann is trying to maintain a safe position but Bushiri gets an underhook and turns Schulmann into the cage.
Schulmann lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Bushiri.
Schulmann has Bushiri pressed against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bushiri.
Shepherd Bushiri is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Schulmann.
Schulmann presses Bushiri against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Bushiri has a couple of punches blocked by Schulmann.
Schulmann tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bushiri's elbow.
Schulmann is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bushiri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Schulmann blocks a body shot from Bushiri.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Schulmann.
Schulmann tries to stall but Bushiri uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Schulmann blocks a body shot from Bushiri.
Schulmann wants to stall.
Bushiri goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bushiri makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Schulmann misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bushiri tries to work over Schulmann's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bushiri misses with a punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Schulmann scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann lands a right hand.
Bushiri tries a body shot but Schulmann blocks it.
Bushiri lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Schulmann blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Schulmann - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Schulmann.
Bushiri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bushiri blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Schulmann throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Schulmann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Schulmann goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bushiri can't find room to land a body shot as Schulmann controls the action.
Schulmann is stalling here.
Schulmann struggles to land a body shot inside as Bushiri controls his hands.
Schulmann blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bushiri can't find room to land a body shot as Schulmann controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bushiri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Schulmann's elbow.
Yaniv Schulmann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Schulmann lands a hook that snaps the head of Bushiri backwards.

Schulmann manages to break the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Bushiri blocks the low kick.
Bushiri throws out a counter right but Schulmann avoids it with no problem.
Schulmann misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bushiri.
Schulmann takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bushiri throws a shot to the body.

Bushiri gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Schulmann lands a shot to the body.
Schulmann works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Schulmann misses with a punch on the inside.
Bushiri misses with a punch to the body.
Schulmann blocks a body shot from Bushiri.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bushiri.
Bushiri is working Schulmann over against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yaniv Schulmann.
Well Bushiri 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Shepherd Bushiri!
During a confident post fight interview, Shepherd Bushiri thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.