PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Soul Shadow (ranked 916 p4p, 112 weight class) and Rasul Mirzaev (ranked 698 p4p, 89 weight class). Mirzaev comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Killshot - Eminem kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shadow
vs
Mirzaev

180 cm
25
163 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

170 cm
36
157 lbs
23 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Trap-Alot-Clothing

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Soul Shadow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rasul Mirzaev!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shadow clinches.
Shadow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Shadow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mirzaev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mirzaev lands a body punch.
Mirzaev working aggressively here.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Mirzaev has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Mirzaev lands a nice shot to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mirzaev.
Stalling in the clinch from Shadow.
A short left from Shadow.
Mirzaev misses with a punch to the body.
Shadow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mirzaevs head.
Our sources have told us that Shadow has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Shadow lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Mirzaev.
Mirzaev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mirzaev misses with the head strike.
A right hook to the body lands for Shadow.
A short right from Shadow on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shadow lands a shoulder strike.
Mirzaev lands an uppercut.
Shadow lands with a left to the head.
Shadow landing knees to the head.
Shadow misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shadow lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mirzaev backwards.
Shadow gets through Mirzaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mirzaev misses with a body punch.
Mirzaev tries to work over Shadow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The referee calls for Shadow to work.
Mirzaev misses with the head strike.
Shadow lands with a right to the head.
Shadow lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shadow misses with a knee strike.
Mirzaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirzaev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shadow avoids it.
Shadow looking to slow down the pace here.
Shadow misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shadow is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Shadow lands a right hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mirzaev.
Shadow scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shadow is trying to maintain a safe position but Mirzaev gets an underhook and turns Shadow into the cage.
Mirzaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Shadow.
Mirzaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mirzaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shadow blocking some punches.
Mirzaev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mirzaev tries to throw a body punch but Shadow avoids it by throwing Mirzaev back against the cage.
Shadow misses with an elbow strike.
Shadow will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mirzaev up against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Soul Shadow has been cut.
Shadow lands with a short shot to the head.
Mirzaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
A right hook to the body lands for Shadow.
Mirzaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Mirzaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Shadow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shadow blocks a body shot from Mirzaev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shadow tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shadow lands a shoulder strike.
Shadow lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shadow throws a punch but it's blocked by Mirzaev.
Mirzaev throws a head punch that misses.
Shadow lands a right hand.
Mirzaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirzaev tries to work over Shadow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shadow tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Mirzaev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Mirzaev lands a hook that snaps the head of Shadow backwards.
Shadow is looking to control Mirzaev's arms but Mirzaev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Shadow has his back to the cage.
Mirzaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shadow's elbow.
A nice left hand lands by Shadow.
Shadow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mirzaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Shadow controls his hands.
Shadow throws a head punch that misses.
Shadow lands with a left to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shadow lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shadow misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Mirzaev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev digs a right hand into Shadow's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Shadow's gas tank.
Mirzaev misses with a punch to the body.
Shadow working aggressively here.
Shadow using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mirzaev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shadow trying to land knees to the body.
Shadow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirzaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shadow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mirzaevs head.
Nice body punch from Shadow - that landed with a thud.
Mirzaev has a couple of punches blocked by Shadow.
Shadow gets through Mirzaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shadow blocks an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mirzaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shadow blocks an uppercut.
Shadow is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A shot in the inside from Mirzaev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soul Shadow dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Soul Shadow's cut.
That's time! Shadow's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shadow uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mirzaev.
Shadow uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mirzaev.
Shadow tries to clinch but Mirzaev is having none of it.
Mirzaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Shadow is just out of range.
Shadow is looking for a counter combo.
Shadow slips under a jab.
Mirzaev swings for the body but Shadow moves out of range.
Shadow takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Shadow rushes Mirzaev and presses him up against the cage.
Shadow scores with a shoulder strike.
Mirzaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Shadow fails to land.
Mirzaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shadow misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shadow lands a knee to the head.
Shadow misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shadow makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shadow misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shadow is looking to control Mirzaev's arms but Mirzaev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Shadow has his back to the cage.
Shadow can't find room to land a body shot as Mirzaev controls the action.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shadow tries to land a knee to the head but Mirzaev blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Shadow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mirzaevs head.
Mirzaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mirzaev misses with a punch to the body.
Shadow blocking some punches.
Shadow throws a head punch that misses.
Soul Shadow has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Shadow is struggling to control the position.
Mirzaev misses with an elbow strike.
Mirzaev is leaning against Shadow and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Mirzaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Shadow.
Shadow tries a knee to the head but Mirzaev blocks it.
Mirzaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mirzaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mirzaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Shadow putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Mirzaev in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Shadow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shadow tries a knee to the head but Mirzaev blocks it.
Mirzaev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Still in the clinch, Mirzaev scores with a nice short uppercut.
Mirzaev misses with a body punch.
Mirzaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Shadow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shadow lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mirzaev backwards.
Shadow stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Mirzaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shadow takes a shot to the head.
Mirzaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Shadow controls his hands.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shadow creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shadow has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Shadow prevents a body shot from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shadow lands a left hand.
A head punch on the inside from Mirzaev fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Mirzaev.
Shadow tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mirzaev avoids it.
Shadow lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Shadow blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Shadow.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Mirzaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shadow backwards.
Shadow struggles to land a body shot inside as Mirzaev controls his hands.
Shadow misses with some punches.
Mirzaev working aggressively here.
Mirzaev avoiding damage as Shadow throws knees to the body.
Mirzaev lands a nice shot to the body.
Shadow blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev working aggressively here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Mirzaev lands an uppercut.
Mirzaev misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow scores with an uppercut up the middle.
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!
A nice right hand lands inside from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shadow misses with a punch on the inside.
Shadow lands a right hand.
Mirzaev tries to throw a body punch but Shadow avoids it by throwing Mirzaev back against the cage.
Shadow misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mirzaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shadow fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shadow blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shadow tries to land a knee to the head but Mirzaev blocks with his arms.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
Shadow avoids a wild elbow strike from Mirzaev.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shadow.
Mirzaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mirzaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mirzaev pushes Shadow back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Shadow is trying to stall.
Mirzaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Shadow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Soul Shadow will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Soul Shadow's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Shadow wants to clinch up but Mirzaev keeps it at a distance.
Mirzaev connects with a nice looking jab.
Mirzaev scores with the left hand. Shadow knows he should have avoided that one.
Shadow moves in looking to clinch but Mirzaev pushes him off.
Rasul Mirzaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mirzaev ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Shadow closes the distance and clinches.
Mirzaev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shadow throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mirzaev blocks it with crossed arms.
Mirzaev lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mirzaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shadow blocks an elbow strike.
Shadow lands with a light punch inside.
Mirzaev utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Mirzaev crunches a lovely knee into Shadow's ribcage.
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!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shadow.
Shadow throws a knee to the head but misses.
Shadow content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shadow managing to block the knees to the body from Mirzaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mirzaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirzaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mirzaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mirzaev misses with the head strike.
Shadow tries to throw a body punch but Mirzaev avoids it by throwing Shadow back against the cage.
Mirzaev tries to work over Shadow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mirzaev lands a shoulder strike.
Mirzaev tries to work over Shadow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shadow tries a knee to the head but Mirzaev blocks it.
Mirzaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Shadow throws a punch but it's blocked by Mirzaev.
Mirzaev misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Mirzaev on the inside.
Shadow lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mirzaev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shadow backwards.
Mirzaev working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mirzaev.
Mirzaev misses with the head strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mirzaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shadow can't find room to land a body shot as Mirzaev controls the action.
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!
Mirzaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shadow's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Mirzaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirzaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Shadow controls his hands.
Mirzaev lands with a light punch inside.
Mirzaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mirzaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shadow misses with a knee strike.
Shadow tries to stall but Mirzaev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mirzaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shadow trying to stall but Mirzaev improves his position.
Shadow avoids a wild elbow strike from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mirzaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Shadow.
Mirzaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Shadow.
Shadow misses with some punches.
Shadow lands an elbow inside that Mirzaev shrugs off.
Mirzaev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Shadow is trying to maintain a safe position but Mirzaev gets an underhook and turns Shadow into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mirzaev misses with a body punch.
Shadow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Shadow lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shadow lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shadow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirzaev lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Shadow.
Mirzaev tries a body shot but Shadow blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Mirzaev fails to land.
Shadow lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shadow is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shadow scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mirzaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Mirzaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mirzaev tries to work over Shadow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shadow is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mirzaev is defending well for now.
Shadow lands a body shot.
Mirzaev misses with a body punch.
Mirzaev avoiding damage as Shadow throws knees to the body.
Rasul Mirzaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shadow misses with a knee strike.
Shadow scores with a hook to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Shadow tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mirzaev tries to work over Shadow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shadow throws a head punch that misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shadow lands with a left to the head.
Mirzaev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Mirzaev scores with a nice short uppercut.
Shadow tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Shadow throws a knee to the head but misses.
Mirzaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Shadow.
Shadow missing with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mirzaev.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mirzaev.
Mirzaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shadow's elbow.
Soul Shadow is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mirzaev tries to throw a body punch but Shadow avoids it by throwing Mirzaev back against the cage.
Shadow tries a body shot but Mirzaev blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rasul Mirzaev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shadow has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Soul Shadow!
In defeat, Rasul Mirzaev stepped up to the mic, saying 'Ma Dick Was Hard'.