PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Don Gotti (ranked 1197 p4p, 153 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 849 p4p, 107 weight class). Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Gotti
vs
Shamkhalaev

175 cm
30
170 lbs
16 - 12 - 1

181 cm
33
162 lbs
22 - 16 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 16 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Don Gotti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamkhalaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab from Shamkhalaev.

Gotti gets a double leg takedown into Shamkhalaev's guard.

Gotti drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shamkhalaev dives on top into guard.

Gotti is working an open guard so Shamkhalaev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Gotti lands with a nice body punch.
Don Gotti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shamkhalaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gotti moves away.
Gotti throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gotti swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Gotti misses with a straight right.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shamkhalaev misses the shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev misses with a straight left.
Shamkhalaev drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamkhalaev loads up on a big right hand but Gotti slips the punch.
Gotti throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamkhalaev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Good work by Shamkhalaev as he checks the leg kick.
Gotti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shamkhalaev throws a jab when Gotti was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotti uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gotti throws a leg kick but Shamkhalaev sees it coming and moves out of range.
Gotti moves out of range as Shamkhalaev strikes.
Gotti scores with a kick to the midsection.
Gotti misses with a few strikes there.
A slapping leg kick lands for Gotti.
Shamkhalaev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Gotti connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shamkhalaev scrambles back to his feet.
Gotti uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gotti tries for a takedown but Shamkhalaev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shamkhalaev! But no joy.
Gotti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gotti moves to clinch but Shamkhalaev breaks away
letting Shamkhalaev counter with a right hand.
Gotti misses with an uppercut. Shamkhalaev saw that one coming.
Shamkhalaev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Gotti misses with a straight right.
Gotti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shamkhalaev.
A good leg kick by Shamkhalaev.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shamkhalaev misses with an uppercut. Gotti saw that one coming.
Shamkhalaev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gotti cracks the inside of Shamkhalaev's front leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gotti thows a left - swing and a miss!
Gotti takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Shamkhalaev throws a big shot that misses.
Shamkhalaev throws a lazy right hand but Gotti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shamkhalaev shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gotti looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gotti ducks under a wild hook from Shamkhalaev.
Gotti misses with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Shamkhalaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gotti displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Shamkhalaev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shamkhalaev wants it to stay on the feet.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gotti.
Gotti fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gotti dips to his left and cracks Shamkhalaev with an uppercut!
A jab lands there for Gotti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotti throws a hook but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shamkhalaev avoids the head kick by Gotti.
Gotti throws a nice outside leg kick.
Shamkhalaev lands a right hook to the body.
Gotti walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Shamkhalaev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A clash of legs there as Shamkhalaev blocks the low kick.
Gotti jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gotti misses with a looping right.
Gotti misses the shot to the body.
Gotti shoots in for a takedown but Shamkhalaev shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Gotti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gotti cracks Shamkhalaev with a good jab.
Shamkhalaev misses the shot to the body.
Gotti shoots and misses
and Shamkhalaev counters with a straight right hand.
Nice shot by Shamkhalaev.
Gotti connects with a body shot.
Gotti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shamkhalaev.
Gotti throws a hook but Shamkhalaev avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamkhalaev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotti shoots in looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Gotti's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Shamkhalaev ducks under a wild hook from Gotti.
Shamkhalaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gotti throws a hook to the side of Shamkhalaev's head but Shamkhalaev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shamkhalaev lands with a shot to the body.
A big right from Gotti misses.
It seemed like Shamkhalaev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Shamkhalaev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shamkhalaev moves away from the strike by Gotti.
A left lands for Gotti.
Gotti avoids the body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Gotti slips a jab from Shamkhalaev.
A slow jab from Gotti misses its intended target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shamkhalaev 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 Gotti has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Gotti and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gotti throws a leg kick that misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Shamkhalaev misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shamkhalaev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice sprawl there from Shamkhalaev as Gotti shoots in.
Gotti throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamkhalaev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Gotti dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shamkhalaev throws the left hand but Gotti avoids the punch easily.
Shamkhalaev takes a swing at Gotti's ribcage but misses.
Shamkhalaev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gotti momentarily.
Gotti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gotti throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Shamkhalaev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shamkhalaev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Gotti dodges the punch combination from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev connects with a right hand. Gotti shakes it off.
Shamkhalaev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shamkhalaev misses with a looping right.
Gotti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamkhalaev was well out of range. Poor timing from Gotti.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Gotti closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Gotti lands in his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gotti missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Gotti drops back looking for a leg! Shamkhalaev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shamkhalaev manages to kick Gotti off! Gotti jumps back into Shamkhalaev's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Gotti is looking to advance position but Shamkhalaev has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Gotti is trying desperately to improve position.

Shamkhalaev stands up from mount. Strange move.
Shamkhalaev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice straight punches there by Shamkhalaev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Shamkhalaev.
Gotti misses with a straight left.
Gotti lands a head shot.
Shamkhalaev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gotti doesn't seem bothered though.
A slapping body kick lands there for Gotti.
Gotti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gotti with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gotti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamkhalaev was well out of range. Poor timing from Gotti.
Shamkhalaev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gotti misses with a jab to the body
and Shamkhalaev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gotti bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.
Shamkhalaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Gotti connects with a looping right hand.
Shamkhalaev throws a jab but it's blocked by Gotti.
Gotti throws a leg kick which misses Shamkhalaev's front leg but catches the back leg as Shamkhalaev tries to avoid it.
Gotti throws a low kick but Shamkhalaev avoids it.
Shamkhalaev throws a shot to the body.
Gotti swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shamkhalaev.
Gotti takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Shamkhalaev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gotti throws a leg kick but Shamkhalaev moved away.
Shamkhalaev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gotti thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gotti looks to score with a jab to the body but Shamkhalaev is just out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Shamkhalaev misses the target.
Gotti misses the jab.
Shamkhalaev stuffs the takedown.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the head.
A lazy left from Shamkhalaev finds it's target.
Shamkhalaev misses with a looping right.
Shamkhalaev throws a leg kick that misses.
The fighters circling - Shamkhalaev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Gotti is looking to counter the offense by Shamkhalaev and move into the clinch.
Shamkhalaev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gotti's hands.
Gotti misses with a takedown attempt - Shamkhalaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
It seemed like Shamkhalaev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Shamkhalaev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Shamkhalaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gotti.
Gotti's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Shamkhalaev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gotti scrambles back to his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gotti.
Don Gotti is winning the standup battle so far.
Gotti fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Gotti. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gotti throws a chopping leg kick but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Gotti looking to score a takedown here. Shamkhalaev is defending well but Gotti drives through and ends up in Shamkhalaev's guard.
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!

Gotti postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Shamkhalaev is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Gotti, into his guard.

Shamkhalaev preventing the sweep.
Gotti has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Shamkhalaev has passed into side control.
Gotti tries to buck Shamkhalaev off but Shamkhalaev is having none of it.

Shamkhalaev decides to stand back up.
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 minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the body

and Gotti counters by clinching up.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Shamkhalaev lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Gotti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gotti ducks right into an uppercut from Shamkhalaev.
Good leg kick by Gotti there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Shamkhalaev rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gotti moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shamkhalaev lands a right hook to the body.
Gotti throws a body shot but no joy.
Gotti avoids the body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Gotti lands a nice shot that snaps Shamkhalaev's head back.
Gotti looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shamkhalaev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Gotti misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shamkhalaev! But no joy.
Gotti looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gotti fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shamkhalaev is out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Shamkhalaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotti tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shamkhalaev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Gotti misses with an uppercut.
Gotti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shamkhalaev moves away.
Shamkhalaev takes a swing at Gotti's ribcage but misses.
Shamkhalaev blocks a jab.
Gotti wants to clinch up but Shamkhalaev keeps it at a distance.
Shamkhalaev lands the left hand.
Gotti ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
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 defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gotti.
Gotti goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Shamkhalaev scores with a shot to the body.
Nice cross by Gotti.
Gotti closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev circles away.
Shamkhalaev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Don Gotti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shamkhalaev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gotti.
Gotti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shamkhalaev moves away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gotti.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Gotti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shamkhalaev.
Gotti darts in looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev gets double underhooks and turns Gotti into the cage.
Shamkhalaev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The fighters circling - Shamkhalaev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shamkhalaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A low kick from Gotti is predictable there
and Shamkhalaev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Shamkhalaev throws a big shot that misses.
Gotti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shamkhalaev.
Gotti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shamkhalaev.
Gotti walks into a straight right hand from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the body.
A cross from Shamkhalaev lands.
Gotti avoids the body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev scores with a hook.
Jab, jab by Shamkhalaev - just one landing.
Shamkhalaev throws a good cross that connects.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gotti's head backwards.
Shamkhalaev throws a lazy right hand but Gotti sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook but Gotti blocks it.
Shamkhalaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gotti.
Shamkhalaev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Shamkhalaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamkhalaev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Gotti moves out of range of the strikes.
Gotti throws a front kick aimed at Shamkhalaev's knee but Shamkhalaev avoids it well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gotti.
Shamkhalaev slips a jab from Gotti.
Gotti chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jab, jab by Shamkhalaev - just one landing.
Shamkhalaev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Gotti looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Shamkhalaev slips a straight right by Gotti.
Shamkhalaev with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Gotti. Shamkhalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gotti on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shamkhalaev missing with a left hand there. Gotti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shamkhalaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Gotti connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shamkhalaev's hands.
Gotti takes a swing at Shamkhalaev's ribcage but misses.
Shamkhalaev lands a jab to Gotti's midsection.
Shamkhalaev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Shamkhalaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Gotti is just out of range.
Gotti shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Gotti moves out of range of the strikes.
Good work by Shamkhalaev as he checks the leg kick.
It seemed like Shamkhalaev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Some wild striking there from Gotti.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gotti slips a straight right by Shamkhalaev.
Gotti swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Gotti swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Gotti shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shamkhalaev 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.