PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mucak Shanikov (ranked 2562 p4p, 2249 weight class) and Hassan Takhti (ranked 330 p4p, 291 weight class). Mucak Shanikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shanikov
vs
Takhti

185 cm
23
207
6 - 6 - 0

170 cm
24
218
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mucak Shanikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hassan Takhti!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Takhti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Takhti blocks the leg kick.
Takhti keeps the fight on the outside.
Shanikov looks to land a combination but Takhti avoids it well.
A head kick misses from Takhti.
Shanikov falls off balance throwing a combination

and Takhti counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Shanikov!

Takhti is trying to get an arm triangle but Shanikov is defending well.
Shanikov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Takhti looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Takhti has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Blaze Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Takhti is trying to work for a kimura but Shanikov is defending well.

Takhti is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takhti is working for a submission of some sort.

Shanikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Takhti wants to work for an arm triangle but Shanikov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shanikov wants to get back to full guard.
Takhti works his way into side control.
Shanikov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Takhti actively working from the bottom here.

Takhti is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shanikov pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shanikov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Takhti has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takhti tries to roll over but Shanikov keeps him under control.

Takhti looking for submissions off his back.

Shanikov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Takhti looking for submissions off his back.
Takhti tries to roll over but Shanikov keeps him under control.

Shanikov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Shanikov is looking for a kimura here.
Takhti tries to get to full guard but Shanikov has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shanikov seems to be looking for submissions.

Takhti is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shanikov pulls his head out easily.

Takhti looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Takhti wants to improve his position but Shanikov is controlling well.

Shanikov is working for a kimura but Takhti is defending it quite comfortably.

Shanikov is working for a submission of some sort.
Takhti is looking for a sweep. Shanikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Shanikov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Takhti sees it coming and defends easily.

Takhti looking for submissions off his back.

Shanikov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Takhti defends it well.

Shanikov is working for a submission of some sort.

Shanikov seems to be working for a kimura but Takhti defends the submission attempt.

Takhti is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shanikov pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shanikov is trying to work for a kimura but Takhti is defending well.

Takhti actively working from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hassan Takhti will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shanikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shanikov looks to land a combination but Takhti avoids it well.
Takhti fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shanikov avoids it really well and circles away.
Mucak Shanikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Takhti scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Takhti is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Shanikov has managed to free his arm - good work.

Takhti is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shanikov is just riding it out for now. Takhti eventually gives up the hold.
Shanikov is trying to maintain the position but Takhti is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Takhti is trying to work for a kimura but Shanikov is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takhti is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Shanikov!

Takhti is working for a guillotine from mount but Shanikov frees his head quite easily.

Takhti has hold of Shanikov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Shanikov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Shanikov is desperately trying to improve his position but Takhti has a good base and remains in mount.

Takhti wants to finish this one by submission but Shanikov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Takhti.

Takhti is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Shanikov has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Takhti jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Shanikov is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Shanikov and Takhti has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takhti working away.
Shanikov is trying to get back to half guard.

Takhti tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Takhti has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Shanikov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Takhti is trying to get an arm triangle but Shanikov is defending well.

Takhti is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shanikov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Shanikov is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Takhti off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Takhti defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Shanikov's arms.
Takhti tries to break free.
Shanikov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Shanikov working for the choke.

Shanikov looking to break Takhti's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Takhti remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Shanikov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Takhti wants to control his opponent's hands but Shanikov gets his hands free.

Takhti is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Shanikov gets his way!

Shanikov is looking for the choke from the back position but Takhti is controlling his hands well.
You can see the frustration on Takhti's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Takhti tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Takhti is desperately trying to improve his position but Shanikov has a good base and remains in mount.
Shanikov avoids the attempt from Takhti to control.
Takhti is wriggling around trying to escape.

Shanikov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Takhti can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shanikov looking to secure an arm triangle but Takhti defends it well.
Takhti gets back to half guard.

Takhti looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Shanikov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Takhti is just riding it out for now. Shanikov eventually gives up the hold.

Takhti looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Takhti looking for submissions off his back.

Shanikov is working for a submission of some sort.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hassan Takhti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Takhti misses with a lunging right hand
and Shanikov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Takhti thinking.
Shanikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Takhti shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shanikov pinned against the cage. Shanikov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Takhti closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shanikov to the mat! Shanikov manages to get full guard.

Takhti thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Shanikov looking for a guillotine here but Takhti defends easily.

Takhti drops back, looking for a kneebar! Shanikov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Shanikov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Shanikov!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shanikov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shanikov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Takhti is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Takhti is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Shanikov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Takhti knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Takhti gets back to half guard.

Shanikov seems to be looking for submissions.
Hassan Takhti has got the better of the ground game so far.
Takhti gets full guard.

Takhti looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Takhti is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shanikov is aware though and is defending well.
Mucak Shanikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shanikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shanikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Takhti has his foot on Shanikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shanikov works his way back into a safe position though.
Takhti takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Shanikov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Takhti looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Takhti working for a triangle but Shanikov defends it easily.
Shanikov pushing down on Takhti's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Takhti is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shanikov pulls his head out easily.

Shanikov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shanikov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Takhti is just riding it out for now. Shanikov eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shanikov is working for a submission of some sort.

Shanikov is looking for a kimura here.

Shanikov is trying to work for a kimura but Takhti is defending well.
Takhti slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Takhti is looking for a triangle but Shanikov pushes his legs off easily.

Takhti is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shanikov is aware though and is defending well.
Shanikov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shanikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shanikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Shanikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shanikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shanikov throws a big elbow that misses.
Shanikov with a flurry of punches that miss.

Takhti working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shanikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shanikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Shanikov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Takhti has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Shanikov has managed to get both his arms back between Takhti's legs - danger averted.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shanikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Takhti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Shanikov is posturing up here but Takhti has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Shanikov tries to roll out but it's too tight and Shanikov has to tap! Slick submission there by Takhti!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Hassan Takhti!