PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Guli Gunawan (ranked 3694 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saifulla Rakhmonov (ranked 4431 p4p, 0 weight class). Saifulla Rakhmonov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Gunawan
vs
Rakhmonov

174 cm
26
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Guli Gunawan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Saifulla Rakhmonov!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gunawan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rakhmonov as he jumps to the side.
Rakhmonov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gunawan.
Gunawan fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guli Gunawan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gunawan shoots in looking for a takedown. Rakhmonov tries to sprawl out of it but Gunawan keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rakhmonov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gunawan with a poor takedown
and Rakhmonov counters with a nice uppercut.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Gunawan as he avoids it easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Rakhmonov!

Rakhmonov has closed the distance and engaged Gunawan in a clinch.

Gunawan pulls guard successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rakhmonov won't allow Gunawan to get back to his feet.
Gunawan trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Gunawan throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Rakhmonov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunawan throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Gunawan tries to strike from the bottom.
Gunawan wants to stand but Rakhmonov is controlling the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gunawan looks for a takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls well.
Gunawan is breathing heavily.

Gunawan tries to keep at a distance but Rakhmonov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gunawan jumps guard but Rakhmonov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Gunawan is looking for a takedown.

Rakhmonov manages to break the clinch.
Rakhmonov shoots in but Gunawan avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rakhmonov pushes Gunawan up against the cage in a clinch.
Gunawan tries to pull guard but Rakhmonov holds him up against the cage and eventually Gunawan drops back down to his feet.
Rakhmonov jumps guard but Gunawan stands there with Rakhmonov around his waist. Rakhmonov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rakhmonov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Gunawan after a bit of a struggle.

Gunawan ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gunawan no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Rakhmonov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Gunawan throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Gunawan being controlled here, momentarily.
Gunawan looking for a sweep. Not yet Gunawan, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunawan trying to strike off his back.
Gunawan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gunawan trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gunawan throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Rakhmonov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rakhmonov preventing the sweep.
Rakhmonov won't allow Gunawan to get back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A head kick misses from Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Gunawan swivels and escapes.
Horrible takedown attempt by Gunawan or perhaps it was just good defense by Rakhmonov, which made it look bad.
Rakhmonov stuffs the takedown attempt from Gunawan. Gunawan gets slowly back to his feet.
Guli Gunawan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gunawan fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rakhmonov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Gunawan slaps away a takedown attempt from Rakhmonov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunawan looks for a takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls well.
Rakhmonov scores with a head kick.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown but Gunawan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Gunawan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rakhmonov as he avoids it easily.
Rakhmonov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gunawan shoots in but Rakhmonov avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Rakhmonov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rakhmonov breaks from the clinch.
Rakhmonov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gunawan if he has to take too many more of those.
Gunawan tries for a takedown but Rakhmonov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakhmonov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gunawan has time to react.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saifulla Rakhmonov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gunawan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gunawan backing away here, and Rakhmonov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gunawan.

Gunawan gets caught napping as Rakhmonov dives in and scores a takedown. Gunawan manages to retain guard.
Rakhmonov stands and throws Gunawan's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rakhmonov happy to just control the position for now.

Rakhmonov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunawan has his takedown stuffed

and Rakhmonov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guli Gunawan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gunawan is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rakhmonov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Gunawan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmonov lands a shot to the body.
Gunawan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rakhmonov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rakhmonov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gunawan up against the cage.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rakhmonov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gunawan's head.
Gunawan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Gunawan gets tackled into the cage by Rakhmonov. Rakhmonov maintains the clinch.
Rakhmonov tries for a takedown but Gunawan manages to get underhooks.
Gunawan letting Rakhmonov take a breather here.
Rakhmonov can't get the takedown.
Gunawan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rakhmonov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gunawan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rakhmonov smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunawan stuffs the takedown attempt from Rakhmonov. Rakhmonov gets slowly back to his feet.
Gunawan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rakhmonov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Gunawan changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rakhmonov tries to avoid it but Gunawan manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rakhmonov to the ground. Rakhmonov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rakhmonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gunawan dives in for a single leg takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Gunawan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rakhmonov pinned against the cage. Rakhmonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gunawan manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunawan throwing short punches from the bottom.
Gunawan throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Rakhmonov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gunawan striking off his back but it's not causing Rakhmonov any problems.
Rakhmonov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gunawan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rakhmonov is controlling him.
Gunawan throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Gunawan throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Gunawan trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gunawan doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rakhmonov counters with a three punch combo that has Gunawan backing up. Gunawan nods at Rakhmonov to acknowledge the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunawan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rakhmonov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Gunawan as he jumps to the side.
Gunawan goes for a double leg but Rakhmonov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rakhmonov continues to drive forward.
Rakhmonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gunawan shoots and misses
and Rakhmonov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gunawan shoots for a double leg takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls well. He's pushed Gunawan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Rakhmonov darts in and clinches Gunawan up against the cage.
Rakhmonov gets underhooks to prevent Gunawan's takedown attempt.

Rakhmonov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gunawan can't fight it off and eventually Rakhmonov manages to take the fight to the floor. Gunawan looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in 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!
Gunawan throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Rakhmonov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gunawan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rakhmonov trying to control but Gunawan is working from the bottom.
Gunawan wants to get back to his feet but Rakhmonov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saifulla Rakhmonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Rakhmonov stuffs the takedown attempt from Gunawan. Gunawan gets slowly back to his feet.
Guli Gunawan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rakhmonov darts in and clinches Gunawan up against the cage.
Gunawan fails to pull guard.
Gunawan stops a takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gunawan gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Saifulla Rakhmonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Gunawan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rakhmonov pinned against the cage. Rakhmonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guli Gunawan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunawan fails with the takedown
and Rakhmonov counters with a right hand to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rakhmonov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunawan shoots in but Rakhmonov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rakhmonov scores with a one two! Gunawan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rakhmonov looks for a takedown but Gunawan sprawls well.
Gunawan darts in looking for a takedown but Rakhmonov gets double underhooks and turns Gunawan into the cage.
Rakhmonov throws a one two combo.
Gunawan tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rakhmonov defends well and Gunawan ends up having to push Rakhmonov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Gunawan shoots for a takedown but Rakhmonov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rakhmonov wants to counter with a clinch but Gunawan pushes him away.
Gunawan fails to land the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rakhmonov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunawan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rakhmonov. That's going to slow Gunawan down.
Rakhmonov slaps away a takedown attempt from Gunawan, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rakhmonov has a takedown stuffed.
Rakhmonov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gunawan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.
Gunawan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rakhmonov as he avoids it easily.
Gunawan with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rakhmonov counters by moving into the clinch.
Gunawan is trying to drag Rakhmonov to the mat but Rakhmonov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rakhmonov manages to break the clinch.
Gunawan dives in for a single leg takedown but Rakhmonov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Rakhmonov clinches with his opponent.
Rakhmonov is stalling here.
Gunawan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Gunawan has Rakhmonov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rakhmonov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Rakhmonov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rakhmonov forces Gunawan back against the cage and clinches.
Rakhmonov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gunawan prevents it.
Gunawan can't get the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rakhmonov breaks the clinch.
Gunawan fails to land the takedown.
Gunawan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rakhmonov's waist but Rakhmonov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gunawan off to one side.
Gunawan will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Rakhmonov pushes Gunawan up against the cage in a clinch.

Gunawan drags the fight down to the ground.
Rakhmonov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gunawan is keeping the position for now.
Gunawan is striking off his back. Rakhmonov thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Gunawan gets full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gunawan trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Guli Gunawan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saifulla Rakhmonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Gunawan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Saifulla Rakhmonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rakhmonov 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saifulla Rakhmonov!