PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaka Zulu (ranked 24248 p4p, 5223 weight class) and Mucak Shanikov (ranked 726 p4p, 592 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Zulu
vs
Shanikov

185 cm
20
215
1 - 5 - 0

185 cm
22
207
3 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shaka Zulu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mucak Shanikov!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zulu moves out of range of the body kick.
Shanikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zulu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zulu jabs at Shanikov's body.
Zulu throws a leg kick that misses.

Shanikov moves into the clinch.

Shanikov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Zulu uses from the top position.

Shanikov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Zulu is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Shanikov.
Zulu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shanikov keeps working.
Shanikov is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shanikov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Zulu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Shanikov actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shanikov wants to control but Zulu is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shanikov is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Zulu lands a nice short elbow.
Zulu performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ground and pound from Zulu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shanikov wants to improve his position but Zulu is controlling well.

Shanikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zulu lands with a punch from half guard.
Zulu looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Shanikov trying to control from the bottom.
Zulu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Zulu is thwarting Shanikov's attempts to control the position.
Zulu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shanikov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Shanikov is looking for a sweep. Zulu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zulu wants to pass to mount but Shanikov is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shanikov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zulu pulls his head out easily.
Zulu trying to mount his opponent but Shanikov defends it.
Shanikov is looking to control Zulu's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shanikov avoid being mounted?
Zulu is stalling here. Shanikov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Zulu seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Shanikov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Shanikov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zulu, who protects the arm well.
My spies in Ludus Magnus inform me that Shanikov has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

Shanikov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zulu is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Shanikov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Zulu, who protects the arm well.
Zulu manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zulu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shanikov pulls his head out easily.
Zulu is trying to get back to full guard.

Shanikov seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Zulu is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Mucak Shanikov!