PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Aurelio (ranked 2021 p4p, 236 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 1108 p4p, 136 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Aurelio
vs
Shamkhalaev

180 cm
38
166 lbs
25 - 15 - 1

181 cm
33
162 lbs
21 - 16 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 25 - 15 - 1, fighting out of London, Marcelo Aurelio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Dean Styles and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aurelio on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Aurelio has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Aurelio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shamkhalaev's corner calls for a 1-2. Shamkhalaev obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Shamkhalaev checks a leg kick.
Aurelio scores with a jab to the head.
Shamkhalaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aurelio misses with a head kick.
Shamkhalaev has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Aurelio throws out a loose jab but Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shamkhalaev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aurelio looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Aurelio lands a nice looking body shot.
Aurelio tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shamkhalaev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shamkhalaev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Aurelio under the eye.
Aurelio throws a big shot that misses.
Aurelio on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Shamkhalaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aurelio manages to avoid it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Aurelio.
Aurelio takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aurelio gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Aurelio stalling.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Aurelio.
Aurelio blocks an uppercut.
Aurelio lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shamkhalaev.
Aurelio blocks an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.
Aurelio lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shamkhalaev backwards.
Aurelio scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.

Aurelio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Aurelio takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aurelio looks for a takedown but Shamkhalaev sprawls well.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aurelio.
A little feinted left hand from Aurelio on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shamkhalaev scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the body.
Shamkhalaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Aurelio.
It seemed like Shamkhalaev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Shamkhalaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aurelio was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamkhalaev.
Aurelio thinks about countering with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio throws a head kick that misses.
Aurelio checks a low kick from Shamkhalaev.

Aurelio shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Shamkhalaev is looking for a sweep. Aurelio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Aurelio is just content to waste time from the top position. Shamkhalaev takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Aurelio has gone for a leg lock! Shamkhalaev slips out almost immediately though and dives into Aurelio's guard.

Aurelio throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev wants to get up but he can't break Aurelio's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Shamkhalaev is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Shamkhalaev won't allow Aurelio to sweep him here.
Shamkhalaev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Shamkhalaev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Shamkhalaev takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Aurelio throws a head kick that misses.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev cracks a nice hook into Aurelio's ribs.
Aurelio takes a jab right on the kisser.
Shamkhalaev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Aurelio on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Shamkhalaev slips a jab from Aurelio.
Shamkhalaev cracks Aurelio with an open hand slap.
Aurelio scores with a sloppy right hand. Shamkhalaev should have avoided that one.
Shamkhalaev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Aurelio throws out the jab.
Aurelio tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shamkhalaev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Aurelio moves forwards but Shamkhalaev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Aurelio scores with a jab.
Shamkhalaev throws a big shot that misses.
Shamkhalaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Aurelio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shamkhalaev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Aurelio takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shamkhalaev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aurelio.
Shamkhalaev lands with a cross.
Aurelio throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamkhalaev misses with a two punch combination.
A quick step to the side and Aurelio tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aurelio misses with a wild body shot.
Shamkhalaev throws out a counter right but Aurelio avoids it with no problem.
Shamkhalaev misses with a looping right.
Shamkhalaev avoids the body shot from Aurelio.
Aurelio lands a head shot.
Shamkhalaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aurelio was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromAurelio.
Aurelio slips a straight right by Shamkhalaev.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev cracks Aurelio with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aurelio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shamkhalaev loads up on a big right hand but Aurelio slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As Shamkhalaev looks to move away, Aurelio throws a big counter combo but Shamkhalaev just gets out of the way.

Aurelio has closed the distance and engaged Shamkhalaev in a clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Aurelio or not.
Aurelio blocking some punches.
Aurelio lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Aurelio lands with a left to the head.
Shamkhalaev pushes Aurelio back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev blocking some punches.
Aurelio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Shamkhalaev pushes Aurelio back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Aurelio blocking some punches.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.

Aurelio breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice straight punches there by Shamkhalaev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Shamkhalaev.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamkhalaev throws a big shot that misses.
A cross from Aurelio lands.
Aurelio doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev throws a body punch but Aurelio moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev swats away the attempt to clinch by Aurelio.
Aurelio looks to land a left hand but Shamkhalaev moved out of range nicely.
Shamkhalaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Aurelio stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook.
A little feinted left hand from Aurelio on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good exchange - Shamkhalaev coming out on top.
Aurelio waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shamkhalaev.
Jab from Shamkhalaev.
Aurelio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Aurelio walks into a left hand.
Shamkhalaev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Aurelio.
Shamkhalaev swings widly with a right hand
and Aurelio counters with a straight right hand.
A cross from Aurelio lands.

It looks like Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has been cut.
Shamkhalaev tries to bum rush Aurelio with a series of wild strikes but Aurelio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shamkhalaev with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shamkhalaev.
A punch combination from Aurelio misses.
Shamkhalaev scores with a nice right hand.
Aurelio throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamkhalaev jabs at Aurelio's body.
Aurelio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aurelio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shamkhalaev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Aurelio appears to be looking for a big counter.

Aurelio fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shamkhalaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Aurelio is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nice body punch from Shamkhalaev.
Marcelo Aurelio has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Aurelio misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Aurelio backwards.
Aurelio is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev is defending well.
Aurelio looking to stall.
Shamkhalaev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Aurelio or not.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Aurelio has had enough of the clinch but Shamkhalaev keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev works on Aurelio's body with a couple of short punches.
Aurelio throws a head punch that misses.

Aurelio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev connects with a right hand. Aurelio shakes it off.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamkhalaev punishes Aurelio's body with a nice straight punch.
Shamkhalaev slaps away a takedown attempt from Aurelio, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marcelo Aurelio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shamkhalaev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aurelio stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Aurelio thumps Shamkhalaev with a low kick.
Shamkhalaev lunges at Aurelio with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aurelio's hand.
Shamkhalaev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Shamkhalaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aurelio was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamkhalaev.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aurelio misses with a wild body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Shamkhalaev as Aurelio shoots in.
A solid leg kick lands there for Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aurelio looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Shamkhalaev works Aurelio's body with a nice hook.
Aurelio takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Aurelio lands with a kick to the temple. Shamkhalaev shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Shamkhalaev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Aurelio tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Shamkhalaev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shamkhalaev keeps the fight on the outside.
Aurelio throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamkhalaev lands a really nice looking cross but Aurelio seems unphased.
Shamkhalaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aurelio takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shamkhalaev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aurelio.
Aurelio throwing a counter right hand but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid it.

Aurelio forces Shamkhalaev back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aurelio taking a breather.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Aurelio scores with a shot to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.

Aurelio's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Aurelio misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelio moves forwards but Shamkhalaev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Aurelio shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Shamkhalaev sprawls well. Shamkhalaev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Aurelio gets slowly back to his feet.
Shamkhalaev connects with a looping right hand.
Shamkhalaev fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Aurelio on the side of the head.
Aurelio scores with a head kick. Shamkhalaev tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Aurelio looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Shamkhalaev lands a jab.
A shot to the liver by Shamkhalaev. Beautiful body shot.
Aurelio throws a head kick but Shamkhalaev moves out of range.
Aurelio throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Aurelio takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamkhalaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aurelio is looking to counter with head kicks.
Aurelio looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Shamkhalaev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aurelio pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shamkhalaev thuds a left hand into Aurelio's body.
Shamkhalaev lands with a nice body punch.
A jab lands there for Shamkhalaev.
Aurelio closes the distance looking to clinch
and Shamkhalaev counters with a straight right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aurelio looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice hook to Aurelio's body. Aurelio takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Shamkhalaev throws a leg kick
and Aurelio counters with a right hand to the body.
Shamkhalaev lands a slapping body shot.
Shamkhalaev lands the left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Shamkhalaev!
Shamkhalaev scores with a nice right hand.
Shamkhalaev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Aurelios jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A swing and a miss from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Shamkhalaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Aurelio jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shamkhalaev lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Marcelo Aurelio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shamkhalaev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook.
Shamkhalaev connects with a good right hand that stumbles Aurelio. Aurelio circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamkhalaev keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd cheers as Shamkhalaev lands an impressive looking overhand right. Aurelio doesn't seem phased though.
Aurelio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shamkhalaev cracks Aurelio with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Shamkhalaev thuds a left hand into Aurelio's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Shamkhalaev coming out on top.
Aurelio tries a head kick but it misses.
Aurelio misses the jab.
Aurelio shoots for a double leg takedown but Shamkhalaev sprawls well. He's pushed Aurelio's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shamkhalaev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shamkhalaev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Aurelio in his tracks.
Aurelio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aurelio tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shamkhalaev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jab, jab by Shamkhalaev - just one landing.
Shamkhalaev connects with a crisp jab.
Shamkhalaev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aurelio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shamkhalaev lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Aurelio throws a sloppy head kick
letting Shamkhalaev counter with a right hand.
Aurelio misses with a wild body shot.
Shamkhalaev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nice cross by Aurelio.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shamkhalaev 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
After the fight, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.