PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mbape Smooth (ranked 3634 p4p, 2530 weight class) and Mehmet Shakaromanov (ranked 464 p4p, 351 weight class). Shakaromanov has chosen Wolf Totem as his entrance music. Mehmet Shakaromanov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Smooth
vs
Shakaromanov

195 cm
19
190
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
186
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Warrior's Way

HELLBENT
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mbape Smooth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mehmet Shakaromanov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Ivan Kurochkin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smooth takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Shakaromanov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smooth.
Smooth takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Shakaromanov avoids the body shot from Smooth.
Smooth misses with the body kick
and Shakaromanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Smooth throws a right hand that Shakaromanov ducks under and follows up with a left that Shakaromanov also avoids with ease.
Smooth looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Shakaromanov walks into a left hand.
Shakaromanov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Smooth throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smooth misses with a jab to the body
and Shakaromanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shakaromanov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Smooth misses with the body kick
and Shakaromanov counters with a stiff right hand.
Smooth throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shakaromanov. That's going to slow Smooth down.
Shakaromanov throws a front kick that sends Smooth stumbling back into the ropes.
Smooth throws a lazy uppercut
and Shakaromanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Good leg kick by Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Smooth definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Shakaromanov slips under a jab from Smooth.
Good exchange - Smooth coming out on top.
Shakaromanov lands a head shot.
Good shot there by Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Smooth throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Shakaromanov counter with a right hand.
Shakaromanov misses with a hook. Smooth ducked under it nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shakaromanov lunges at Smooth with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Smooth's hand.
Shakaromanov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Smooth misses with a body kick.
Shakaromanov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Smooth walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Smooth throws a hook to the side of Shakaromanov's head but Shakaromanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shakaromanov misses with a straight left.
Shakaromanov thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Smooth if he has to take too many more of those.
Smooth misses with a left hand
enabling Shakaromanov to counter with a crisp jab.
Shakaromanov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Smooth fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shakaromanov manages to avoid it.
Smooth misses the jab.
Shakaromanov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Smooth has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Smooth swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Shakaromanov counters with a stiff right hand.
A swing and a miss from Smooth.
Smooth slips under a jab.
Shakaromanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Smooth manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shakaromanov slips under a jab from Smooth.
Shakaromanov misses with a hook.
Shakaromanov looks to land a right hand but Smooth moved out of range.
Shakaromanov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mehmet Shakaromanov dominated that round.
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.

Smooth just misses with a punch to the body.
Smooth throws a lazy right hand but Shakaromanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shakaromanov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Smooth throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shakaromanov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Smooth misses with an uppercut
and Shakaromanov counters with a low kick, right behind Smooth 's knee.
A big left from Shakaromanov misses.
Shakaromanov scores with a nice head shot.
Smooth ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shakaromanov moves away.
Nice uppercut there from Smooth.
Shakaromanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smooth.
Shakaromanov slips a straight right by Smooth.
Mehmet Shakaromanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shakaromanov.
Smooth misses with a straight left.
Shakaromanov swinging wildly here.
Shakaromanov lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakaromanov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smooth.
Shakaromanov throws the left hand but Smooth avoids the punch easily.
Smooth just misses with a punch to the body.
Good exchange - Smooth coming out on top.
Shakaromanov checks a leg kick.
Smooth gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Shakaromanov counters with a thumping low kick.
Shakaromanov works over Smooth's head and body with a nice combination.
Smooth takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A head kick by Smooth misses
and Shakaromanov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Shakaromanov catches Smooth with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A low kick lands for Shakaromanov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shakaromanov lands a nice hook to Smooth's body. Smooth takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Smooth uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shakaromanov.
Smooth ducks under a wild hook from Shakaromanov.
Smooth is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Smooth just misses with a punch to the body.
Smooth thuds his shin into the meat of Shakaromanov's side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smooth gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Smooth tries to land a front kick but Shakaromanov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smooth looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Shakaromanov misses with an uppercut.
Smooth looks to land a right hand but Shakaromanov moved out of range.
Smooth throws a lazy uppercut
and Shakaromanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shakaromanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Smooth misses with a hook
and Shakaromanov counters with an outside leg kick.
Smooth throws a head kick that misses.
A little jabbing left from Shakaromanov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Smooth throws a body shot but no joy.
Shakaromanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Smooth uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shakaromanov has time to react.
Smooth uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shakaromanov.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shakaromanov takes one on the button.
Shakaromanov staying out of range there.
Shakaromanov is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Smooth with a body shot.
Smooth throws a hook but Shakaromanov blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mehmet Shakaromanov 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.

A big right from Shakaromanov misses.
Smooth tries to move into range but Shakaromanov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Smooth on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Smooth fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shakaromanov manages to avoid it.
Shakaromanov throws a jab when Smooth was well out of range.
Smooth misses with a lunging right hand
and Shakaromanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A lazy left from Smooth finds it's target.
Smooth throws a leg kick that is checked
and Shakaromanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Shakaromanov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Shakaromanov is rocked!
Sloppy strikes from Smooth. Those never looked like landing.
Shakaromanov is still on wobbly legs! Can Smooth finish him?
Smooth throws a poor cross that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Shakaromanov seems to have recovered his senses.
Shakaromanov moves out of range of the strikes.
Shakaromanov scores with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice uppercut lands for Smooth. That snapped Shakaromanov's head back.
Left hook, right uppercut from Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov scores with the left hand. Smooth knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Shakaromanov throws a shot from downtown. Smooth moves away and avoids it.
Shakaromanov lands a leg kick that knocks Smooth off balance momentarily.
Shakaromanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shakaromanov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Jab by Smooth.
Shakaromanov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Smooth misses with a right hand
and Shakaromanov counters with a thumping low kick.
Smooth looks to throw the jab but Shakaromanov is out of range.
Smooth moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Smooth works Shakaromanov's body with a nice hook.
Smooth throws a hook to the side of Shakaromanov's head but Shakaromanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shakaromanov avoids the head kick by Smooth.
Shakaromanov throws out a counter right but Smooth avoids it with no problem.
Shakaromanov scores with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smooth swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth throws a body shot but no joy.
Shakaromanov thuds his right hand into Smooth's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Shakaromanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smooth throws out the jab.
Smooth throws a hook but Shakaromanov avoids it easily.
Smooth misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov connects with a right hand. Smooth shakes it off.
Smooth bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Smooth throws a hook but Shakaromanov avoids it easily.
Shakaromanov unleashes a big counter combination but Smooth bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Smooth misses with a hook. Shakaromanov ducked under it nicely.
Smooth has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Shakaromanov.
Smooth walks into a jab.
Shakaromanov misses with an uppercut. Smooth saw that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smooth connects with a looping right hand.
A nice combination there by Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mehmet Shakaromanov really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

A jab from Shakaromanov misses.
A little feinted left hand from Smooth on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Shakaromanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Smooth.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Smooth.
Shakaromanov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Smooth has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Shakaromanov digs a good body shot into Smooth's ribs.
Smooth misses with a leg kick
and Shakaromanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smooth moves forwards but Shakaromanov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Smooth has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Shakaromanov finds it's way round the side to connect with Smooth's head.
Smooth swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Smooth looks to land a right hand but Shakaromanov moved out of range.
Smooth takes a swing at Shakaromanov's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth throws a push kick but Shakaromanov slaps the foot to one side.
Smooth keeps Shakaromanov at a distance using the push kick.
The fighters circling - Shakaromanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Shakaromanov scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smooth scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Smooth finds it's target.
Shakaromanov misses with a hook.
It looked like Smooth was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Smooth steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smooth misses with a leg kick
and Shakaromanov counters with a good, hard body kick but Smooth shrugs it off.
Shakaromanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Shakaromanov - that will leave a mark!
Smooth walks into a left hand.
Smooth swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Smooth ducks under a wild hook from Shakaromanov.
Smooth changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Smooth with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Shakaromanov to score with a decent uppercut.
Shakaromanov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Smooth lands with a hook. Shakaromanov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shakaromanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Smooth works Shakaromanov's body with a nice hook.

Smooth cracks Shakaromanov with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Smooth has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Shakaromanov to stand back up!
Smooth pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shakaromanov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smooth's hands.
Smooth throws the left hand but Shakaromanov avoids the punch easily.
Smooth swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shakaromanov thuds his shin into the meat of Smooth's side.
Smooth misses with a looping left.
Shakaromanov defending well as Smooth loads up on a big left hand.
Shakaromanov throws a big shot that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shakaromanov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smooth looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Smooth takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shakaromanov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Shakaromanov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smooth.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Mehmet Shakaromanov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Smooth swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mbape Smooth has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Smooth lands a big uppercut and Shakaromanov crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Shakaromanov looks OK. Smooth waves Shakaromanov back to his feet!
That kick from Shakaromanov tenderised Smooth's leg. Smooth is trying to keep his angry face on.
Smooth misses the body punch
and Shakaromanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shakaromanov blocks a jab.
Shakaromanov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Shakaromanov digs a good hook to Smooth's body.
Smooth tries to score with a low kick but Shakaromanov moves his leg out of the way.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shakaromanov lands with a straight right. Smooth didn't see that one coming.
Smooth will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A slow jab from Shakaromanov misses its intended target.
Shakaromanov scores with a jab.
Shakaromanov misses with the combination.
Shakaromanov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Smooth is looking to chop away at Shakaromanov's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakaromanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smooth misses with a low kick.
Smooth connects with a looping right hand.
Shakaromanov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Smooth misses with an uppercut
and Shakaromanov counters with a stiff right hand.
A shot to the body from Smooth misses
and Shakaromanov counters with a left and a right that stings Smooth.
Shakaromanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Smooth at a distance.
Smooth misses with a two punch combination.
Mehmet Shakaromanov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Smooth throws a poor cross that misses
and Shakaromanov counters with a body kick.
Smooth throws a push kick but Shakaromanov slaps the foot to one side.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smooth loads up on a big right hand but Shakaromanov slips the punch.
Smooth lands the left hand.
Smooth misses with a hook. Shakaromanov ducked under it nicely.
Shakaromanov throws a lazy uppercut
and Smooth counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Shakaromanov cracks Smooth with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Smooth jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smooth throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mbape Smooth seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good leg kick by Shakaromanov.
Good shot there by Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shakaromanov! But no joy.
Smooth throws a big shot that misses.
Shakaromanov throws out a counter right but Smooth avoids it with no problem.
Shakaromanov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Shakaromanov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Smooth.
Shakaromanov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Smooth throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Shakaromanov counters with an inside leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smooth throws a poor cross that misses
and Shakaromanov counters with a nice leg kick.
Smooth just misses with a punch to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Smooth thows a leg kick but Shakaromanov checks it
and Shakaromanov counters with a thumping low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mehmet Shakaromanov.
Well Shakaromanov 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 46:50
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 45:50
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mehmet Shakaromanov!
A victorious Mehmet Shakaromanov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.