PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 1741 p4p, 209 weight class) and Arthur Pinto (ranked 2158 p4p, 257 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shamkhalaev
vs
Pinto

181 cm
30
162 lbs
17 - 13 - 1

175 cm
34
166 lbs
29 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System

Freebok (85% Laundry)
Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q

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 17 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arthur Pinto!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamkhalaev is looking to clinch.
Shamkhalaev blocks a leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Pinto. No joy for Shamkhalaev on that attempt.

Shamkhalaev has managed to clinch.
Pinto lands a nice uppercut.
Shamkhalaev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Pinto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Pinto misses with a punch on the inside.
Pinto cracks Shamkhalaev with a nice body shot.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by Pinto.
Pinto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pinto is working Shamkhalaev over against the cage.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Shamkhalaev turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pinto pushes Shamkhalaev away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Shamkhalaev gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pinto wants to control but Shamkhalaev postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinto sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shamkhalaev thows a huge punch but Pinto dodges it nicely.
Shamkhalaev is trying to control. Pinto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Pinto tries to get to full guard but Shamkhalaev has control of the leg.
Pinto trying to control but Shamkhalaev postures up.
Shamkhalaev prevents Pinto from standing back up.
Shamkhalaev looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.
Pinto misses with a looping right.
Shamkhalaev wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Pinto keeps the fight on the outside.
Pinto throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Pinto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pinto lands an overhand right.
Shamkhalaev misses with a wild body shot.
Pinto was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Pinto throws a leg kick which misses Shamkhalaev's front leg but catches the back leg as Shamkhalaev tries to avoid it.
Pinto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Shamkhalaev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pinto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shamkhalaev is out of range.
A jab lands there for Pinto.
Pinto goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Pinto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shamkhalaev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Pinto.
Pinto lands a leg kick that knocks Shamkhalaev off balance momentarily.
Shamkhalaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
An inside leg kick lands from Pinto.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pinto.
Shamkhalaev throws a shot from downtown. Pinto moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinto with a hook.
Pinto fakes the leg kick and cracks Shamkhalaev in the body.
Shamkhalaev misses with a wild combination.
Pinto swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pinto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pinto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shamkhalaev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pinto lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Pinto.
Shamkhalaev misses with the combination.
Pinto throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Pinto cracks Shamkhalaev with a right hand to the side of the head.
Pinto scores with a jab to 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!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shamkhalaev.

Shamkhalaev rushes Pinto and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Pinto scores with a shot to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pinto pushes Shamkhalaev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Pinto.
Shamkhalaev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pinto gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.
A shot in the inside from Pinto.
Pinto has Shamkhalaev pressed against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Shamkhalaev blocks an uppercut.
Pinto doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pinto misses with a punch on the inside.
Pinto misses with some punches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Pinto takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pinto lands a left hand.
Shamkhalaev blocks a body shot from Pinto.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Pinto works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Pinto dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pinto misses with a kick to the body.
Pinto throws a chopping leg kick but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
As Pinto tries to get set, Shamkhalaev tries to push him back and clinch up but Pinto manages to avoid the attempt.
Shamkhalaev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pinto tried to score with a low kick but Shamkhalaev checks it.
Pinto wants to slow Shamkhalaev down by chopping away at his legs.
Pinto feints a jab promting Shamkhalaev to slip. Pinto then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Shamkhalaev slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Pinto works the jab nicely.
Pinto wants to clinch up but Shamkhalaev keeps it at a distance.
Pinto jabs at Shamkhalaev's body.
Shamkhalaev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Arthur Pinto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pinto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shamkhalaev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Pinto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shamkhalaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Pinto stalling the fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shamkhalaev.
Pinto lands with a right to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pinto misses with a body punch.
Shamkhalaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pinto's elbow.
Pinto has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Shamkhalaev seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Pinto can turn it around.
Shamkhalaev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pinto gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Arthur Pinto seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Pinto lands a body shot.
Pinto working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pinto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A left hand lands to the body for Shamkhalaev.
Pinto blocks a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pinto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Pinto can't find room to land a body shot as Shamkhalaev controls the action.
Shamkhalaev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pinto throws a head punch that misses.
Pinto works on Shamkhalaev's body with a couple of short punches.
Pinto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A hook to the body from Pinto.
Shamkhalaev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pinto is defending well.
Pinto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pinto swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev is stalling here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Pinto fails to land.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pinto.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pinto avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pinto throws a head punch that misses.
Pinto scores with a shoulder strike.

Shamkhalaev has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pinto regains guard immediately.
Pinto keeping moving, preventing Shamkhalaev from controlling successfully.
Pinto wants to stand but Shamkhalaev is controlling the position.
Shamkhalaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Pinto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Shamkhalaev prevents Pinto from getting back to his feet.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pinto throws a lazy right hand but Shamkhalaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shamkhalaev moves out of range as Pinto strikes.
Shamkhalaev shoots for a double leg takedown but Pinto sprawls well. He's pushed Shamkhalaev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Pinto misses.
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pinto tries to land a front kick but Shamkhalaev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pinto scores with a sloppy right hand. Shamkhalaev should have avoided that one.
Pinto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Pinto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shamkhalaev misses with a takedown attempt - Pinto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shamkhalaev walks into a straight right hand from Pinto.
Pinto lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shamkhalaev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Shamkhalaev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pinto. That's going to slow Shamkhalaev down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Pinto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Shamkhalaev fails to land the takedown.
Shamkhalaev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Pinto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Pinto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shamkhalaev moves away.
Pinto misses with a wild body shot.
Pinto turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Pinto connects with a body shot that sends Shamkhalaev's belly button to the back.
Pinto fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Pinto scores with a jab.
Pinto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shamkhalaev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pinto to score with a decent uppercut.
Shamkhalaev swats away the attempt to clinch by Pinto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev moves out of range of the strikes.
Shamkhalaev wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws an overhand right that lands on Pinto's shoulder, as Pinto tries to avoid the shot.
Pinto lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Pinto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Shamkhalaev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shamkhalaev works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shamkhalaev. That did some damage!
Pinto throws a leg kick but Shamkhalaev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Pinto tries a low kick but Shamkhalaev avoids it.
Nice body punch from Pinto.
Shamkhalaev punishes Pinto's body with a nice straight punch.
Pinto throws a chopping leg kick but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Pinto throws a jab but it's blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pinto.
Shamkhalaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pinto.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pinto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shamkhalaev misses with a series of wild punches.
Shamkhalaev wants to clinch up but Pinto keeps it at a distance.
Shamkhalaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Pinto circles away.
Shamkhalaev dives in and grabs Pinto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pinto pushes down on Shamkhalaev's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shamkhalaev swats away the attempt to clinch by Pinto.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Pinto.
Shamkhalaev works the jab nicely.
Pinto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamkhalaev was well out of range. Poor timing from Pinto.
Pinto lands a jab to Shamkhalaev's midsection.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pinto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Shamkhalaev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Pinto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shamkhalaev scrambles back to his feet.
Pinto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shamkhalaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pinto ducks under a wild hook from Shamkhalaev.
Pinto lands with a kick to the ribs.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Pinto is having none of it.
Shamkhalaev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pinto. Pinto obviously looking to wear him down.
Pinto misses with a wild body shot.
Pinto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Pinto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shamkhalaev rushes Pinto and presses him up against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Pinto lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook that snaps the head of Pinto backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Pinto.
Pinto scores with a nice hook to the head.
Pinto digs a right hand into Shamkhalaev's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shamkhalaev's gas tank.
Pinto lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good body shot from Pinto.
Pinto throws a punch but it's blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Pinto lands with a left to the head.
Pinto misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pinto holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Pinto lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Pinto.
Pinto lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pinto tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pinto lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shamkhalaev.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pinto creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pinto gets through Shamkhalaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pinto lands with a short shot to the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
A shot in the inside from Pinto.
Pinto is leaning against Shamkhalaev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Pinto lands with a light punch inside.
Pinto lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pinto scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pinto tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shamkhalaev's elbow.
Pinto scores with a shot to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.
Pinto scores with a shoulder strike.
Arthur Pinto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pinto.
Pinto lands a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arthur Pinto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pinto winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arthur Pinto!
A less than humble Arthur Pinto misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.