PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 2620 p4p, 296 weight class) and Derek Lilley (ranked 1278 p4p, 148 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Shamkhalaev
vs
Lilley

181 cm
31
162 lbs
17 - 14 - 1

178 cm
29
162 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System

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 - 14 - 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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Derek Lilley!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamkhalaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lilley.

Shamkhalaev moves into the clinch.
Shamkhalaev blocks a body shot from Lilley.
Shamkhalaev blocks an uppercut.

Lilley breaks from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Lilley is having none of it.
Shamkhalaev throws a jab but it's blocked by Lilley.
Lilley missing with a left hand there. Shamkhalaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lilley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shamkhalaev.
Lilley turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Shamkhalaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Lilley circles away.
Lilley scores with a body shot.
Lilley lunges at Shamkhalaev with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shamkhalaev's hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shamkhalaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lilley appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Shamkhalaev darts in looking for a takedown but Lilley gets double underhooks and turns Shamkhalaev into the ropes.
Lilley throws a jab but it's blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lilley connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Lilley.
Lilley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shamkhalaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Lilley works the jab nicely.

Lilley gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Lilley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shamkhalaev.
Lilley misses with a punch to the body.
Shamkhalaev is leaning against Lilley and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shamkhalaev works on Lilley's body with a couple of short punches.
Lilley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shamkhalaev's elbow.
Lilley lands a hook that snaps the head of Shamkhalaev backwards.
A head punch on the inside from Lilley fails to land.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lilley or not.
A short uppercut from Lilley.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev has Lilley pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Lilley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lilley misses with a short punch on the inside.

Lilley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
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!
Lilley cracks Shamkhalaev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Lilley is having none of it.
Shamkhalaev avoids the body shot from Lilley.
Shamkhalaev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Shamkhalaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamkhalaev swings for the body but Lilley moves out of range.
Lilley throws a right hand that misses

and Shamkhalaev counters by clinching up.
Shamkhalaev blocks an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Lilley lands with a short shot to the head.

Shamkhalaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lilley throws a shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev throws a lazy right hand but Lilley sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lilley scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Lilley just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lilley. That's going to slow Shamkhalaev down.
Lilley swings for the body but Shamkhalaev moves out of range.
Shamkhalaev wants to clinch up but Lilley keeps it at a distance.
Lilley takes a swing at Shamkhalaev's ribcage but misses.
Shamkhalaev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lilley is able to avoid easily.
Lilley misses with a hook. Shamkhalaev ducked under it nicely.

Lilley gets tackled into the ropes by Shamkhalaev. Shamkhalaev maintains the clinch.
Lilley wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Lilley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lilley tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Shamkhalaev is able to avoid easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lilley.
Shamkhalaev lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Shamkhalaev closes the distance and clinches up with Lilley, looking for a takedown. Shamkhalaev pushes Lilley against the ropes but Lilley circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lilley. Shamkhalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lilley with a jab.
We've been told by Shamkhalaev's head coaches at Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shamkhalaev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Lilley is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shamkhalaev is looking to clinch but Lilley is avoiding it.
Lilley fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shamkhalaev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lilley keeps the fight on the outside.
Lilley takes one to the chin there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev moves away from the strike by Lilley.
Lilley works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lilley attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lilley tries to clinch up but Shamkhalaev circles away and keeps his distance.
Lilley scores with a hook to the body. Shamkhalaev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Lilley throws a big shot that misses.
Lilley checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Lilley with a nice cross.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Lilley checks a leg kick.
Lilley finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Lilley tries a head kick but it misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lilley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev blocking some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lilley misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Lilley.

Lilley breaks the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shamkhalaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lilley.
Derek Lilley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Shamkhalaev moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Lilley dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shamkhalaev shoots in for a takedown but Lilley shows good takedown defense.
The fighters circle momentarily. Shamkhalaev darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Shamkhalaev has Lilley up against the ropes in a clinch.

Shamkhalaev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lilley slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Shamkhalaev forces Lilley back against the ropes and clinches.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Lilley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lilley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shamkhalaev.
An attempted straight right counter from Shamkhalaev misses the target.
Lilley lands a slapping body shot.
Lilley scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
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!
Lilley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamkhalaev was well out of range. Poor timing from Lilley.
An attempted straight right counter from Shamkhalaev misses the target.
Shamkhalaev wants to clinch.
Shamkhalaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Lilley is just out of range.
Lilley takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing blow to the side of Lilley's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lilley avoids the body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Lilley checks the leg kick.
Lilley swats away the attempt to clinch by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice uppercut there from Shamkhalaev.
Lilley avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lilley swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the body
and Lilley counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lilley swings away with a body shot that misses

and Shamkhalaev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Lilley has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch to the body.

Shamkhalaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lilley cracks a nice hook into Shamkhalaev's ribs.
Lilley is looking to slow Shamkhalaev down with leg kicks.
Good work by Shamkhalaev as he checks the leg kick.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing blow to the side of Lilley's head.
Shamkhalaev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
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!
Shamkhalaev throws a leg kick but Lilley sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Lilley connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Lilley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lilley tries to clinch up.
Shamkhalaev is looking to clinch but Lilley is avoiding it.
Shamkhalaev shoots in for a takedown but Lilley shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shamkhalaev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shamkhalaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Lilley buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lilley stuns Shamkhalaev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lilley buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Shamkhalaev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Lilley to score with a decent uppercut.
Lilley scores with a nice head shot.
Shamkhalaev throws an overhand right that lands on Lilley's shoulder, as Lilley tries to avoid the shot.
A little jabbing left from Lilley on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lilley connects with an inside leg kick.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Lilley is having none of it.
Shamkhalaev 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.
Lilley connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Lilley.
Lilley slips a jab and a cross from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Lilley moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Lilley throws a good cross that connects.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Lilley is having none of it.
Lilley throws a leg kick but Shamkhalaev sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shamkhalaev is looking to clinch.
Lilley fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lilley keeps the fight on the outside.
Shamkhalaev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Lilley ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lilley looks to score with a jab to the body but Shamkhalaev is just out of range.
Shamkhalaev misses with a takedown
and Lilley counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lilley connects with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev doesn't manage to clinch there - Lilley circles away.
Lilley tests Shamkhalaev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Shamkhalaev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shamkhalaev fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lilley connects with a solid leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Shamkhalaev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lilley tries to clinch up.
Lilley throws a leg kick which misses Shamkhalaev's front leg but catches the back leg as Shamkhalaev tries to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Lilley dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shamkhalaev moves in looking to clinch but Lilley pushes him off.
Shamkhalaev throws a lazy right hand but Lilley sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shamkhalaev tries to close the distance and clinch but Lilley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shamkhalaev connects with a single shot there.
Shamkhalaev missing with a left hand there. Lilley was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lilley cracks Shamkhalaev with a good jab.
Nice body punch from Lilley.
Lilley misses with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Shamkhalaev moves into range and clinches up with Lilley.
Shamkhalaev has Lilley pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Lilley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lilley misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Lilley on the inside.
Lilley throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Derek Lilley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Lilley tries to clinch there but Shamkhalaev circles away.

Shamkhalaev clinches with his opponent.
Lilley scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shamkhalaev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the ropes enables Lilley to keep the fight standing.

Shamkhalaev decides to pull guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Lilley controlling from the top position.
Shamkhalaev pulls Lilley in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lilley trying to control but Shamkhalaev is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Shamkhalaev holds on and takes a little breather.
Lilley controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Lilley trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamkhalaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
My spies in Kingmaker Elite MMA inform me that Lilley has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lilley throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shamkhalaev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shamkhalaev drops his hands momentarily and Lilley takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Shamkhalaev moves in looking to clinch but Lilley pushes him off.

Lilley closes the distance and clinches.
Shamkhalaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lilley throws a punch but it's blocked by Shamkhalaev.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev taking a breather.

Lilley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lilley takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Shamkhalaev looks to land a left hand but Lilley moved out of range nicely.
Lilley scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Donk. Lilley catches Shamkhalaev right on the button with a cross.
A bone on bone clash there as Shamkhalaev blocks the leg kick.
Lilley throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lilley throws a quick inside leg kick.
Lilley fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev tries to move into range but Lilley moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but Lilley moves out of range.
Lilley is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Shamkhalaev with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shamkhalaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lilley is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Shamkhalaev with a body shot.
Lilley lands a head shot.
Shamkhalaev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shamkhalaev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lilley moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lilley fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Shamkhalaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lilley manages to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev is looking to clinch.
Derek Lilley is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shamkhalaev scores with a punch to the head.

Lilley gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lilley's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lilley tries to work over Shamkhalaev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lilley misses with a punch to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamkhalaev.
Lilley lands an uppercut.
Lilley tries to throw a body punch but Shamkhalaev avoids it by throwing Lilley back against the ropes.
Shamkhalaev tries to work over Lilley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Shamkhalaev turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Shamkhalaev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Shamkhalaev goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Lilley rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Shamkhalaev's guard! Nice work there by Lilley!
Lilley trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamkhalaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Derek Lilley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lilley 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derek Lilley!