PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rustam Shakhbulatov (ranked 1881 p4p, 225 weight class) and Jeff Hudson (ranked 1704 p4p, 204 weight class). Shakhbulatov comes to the cage accompanied by Sabina Saidova - Dagestan. This should be fireworks!

Shakhbulatov
vs
Hudson

178 cm
30
167 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

183 cm
23
165 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Juggernaut And Gladiators(90% Laundry)

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rustam Shakhbulatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Jeff Hudson!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Shakhbulatov enables Hudson to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Shakhbulatov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Shakhbulatov working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hudson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Shakhbulatov trying to keep a closed guard but Hudson is proving a slippery customer.

Shakhbulatov working for submissions but it's allowed Hudson to get to half guard.

Shakhbulatov looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shakhbulatov trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hudson wants to work for an arm triangle but Shakhbulatov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shakhbulatov tries to get to full guard but Hudson has control of the leg.
Shakhbulatov is not content to let Hudson control the position.
Hudson stalling.

Shakhbulatov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hudson controlling the action here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Shakhbulatov wants to improve his position but Hudson is controlling well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hudson throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Shakhbulatov counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hudson!
Shakhbulatov cracks Hudson with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Shakhbulatov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hudson is looking to regain half guard here but Shakhbulatov keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shakhbulatov tries for a kimura but Hudson is defending well.
Shakhbulatov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hudson tries to buck Shakhbulatov off but Shakhbulatov is having none of it.
Shakhbulatov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Shakhbulatov is working Hudson over with some ground and pound from side control.
Shakhbulatov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hudson to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hudson tries to bench press Shakhbulatov off him but Shakhbulatov keeps the position.
Hudson is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Shakhbulatov off and has taken his back!
Shakhbulatov is trying to break free.

Shakhbulatov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Hudson gets his way!
Shakhbulatov rolls, trying to escape but Hudson keeps control of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hudson is not going to allow Shakhbulatov to sit and survive in this position.
Shakhbulatov holding both Hudson 's hands and preventing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jeff Hudson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Shakhbulatov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hudson.
Hudson shoots in and drives through. Shakhbulatov sprawls well.
Shakhbulatov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shakhbulatov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hudson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Shakhbulatov fails with a takedown attempt.
Hudson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hudson wants it to stay on the feet.
Hudson throws a series of strikes that have Shakhbulatov backpedaling.
Hudson misses with a double jab

and Shakhbulatov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Hudson's guard.

Hudson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hudson throws an overhand right that lands on Shakhbulatov's shoulder, as Shakhbulatov tries to avoid the shot.
Hudson feints a jab promting Shakhbulatov to slip. Hudson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Shakhbulatov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hudson shoots in and drives through. Shakhbulatov sprawls well.
Hudson just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shakhbulatov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Hudson's guard.

Hudson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Shakhbulatov is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Shakhbulatov fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Shakhbulatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shakhbulatov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hudson is defending well.
Hudson tries to break free but Shakhbulatov pushes him back against the cage.
Shakhbulatov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Shakhbulatov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Hudson to keep the fight standing.
Shakhbulatov gets underhooks to prevent Hudson's takedown attempt.
Hudson is trying to force a seperation but Shakhbulatov has the dominant position.

Shakhbulatov gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Hudson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hudson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shakhbulatov checks a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Shakhbulatov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hudson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A big left from Hudson misses.
Shakhbulatov attempts a counter takedown but Hudson avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Hudson. Those never looked like landing.
Hudson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Hudson misses the shot to the body.
Jeff Hudson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shakhbulatov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Shakhbulatov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shakhbulatov slips a jab from Hudson.
Shakhbulatov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Shakhbulatov moves into the clinch.

Shakhbulatov successfully pulls guard.
Hudson looking to sit in guard and control but Shakhbulatov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hudson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shakhbulatov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hudson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hudson keeping moving, preventing Shakhbulatov from controlling successfully.

Hudson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Shakhbulatov has picked Hudson up and slammed him! Hudson can't keep hold of the triangle and Shakhbulatov manages to pass to side control!
Jeff Hudson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hudson can't do much from the bottom here.
Shakhbulatov wants to control but Hudson is keeping him busy.
Shakhbulatov is really struggling to control Hudson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hudson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Shakhbulatov connects with a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shakhbulatov working away.
Hudson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shakhbulatov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Shakhbulatov working the head and body with strikes.
Shakhbulatov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Hudson is looking for a sweep.
Hudson stops Shakhbulatov from passing to mount.
Hudson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Shakhbulatov is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hudson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hudson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shakhbulatov lands with an uppercut that bounces Hudson off the cage and back into range.

Shakhbulatov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Shakhbulatov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hudson is just riding it out for now. Shakhbulatov eventually gives up the hold.
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.
Hudson tries to roll over but Shakhbulatov keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shakhbulatov tries to pass to full mount but Hudson defends it.

Hudson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shakhbulatov pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shakhbulatov seems to be looking for submissions.
Shakhbulatov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hudson defending well though.

Shakhbulatov is looking for a kimura here.
Hudson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shakhbulatov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hudson trying to control here.

Hudson is defending against the submission attempts here by Shakhbulatov.
Shakhbulatov is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Hudson reverses the position - he's now on top in Shakhbulatov's guard.
Hudson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Hudson wants to control from the top but Shakhbulatov keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hudson preventing the sweep.
Hudson trying to control but Shakhbulatov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shakhbulatov trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Shakhbulatov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Shakhbulatov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shakhbulatov wants to control from the top but Hudson keeps moving.
Rustam Shakhbulatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jeff Hudson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Hudson scrambles and gets back to his feet.

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 Rustam Shakhbulatov.
I think Hudson 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Hudson!
Jeff Hudson decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.