PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shavkat Rhakmanov (ranked 4438 p4p, 5551 weight class) and William Castillo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rhakmanov
vs
Castillo

225 cm
25
300
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
300
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shavkat Rhakmanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, William Castillo!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castillo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rhakmanov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Castillo shoots and misses
and Rhakmanov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
No luck for Castillo with that takedown attempt.
Shavkat Rhakmanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Castillo.
Castillo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Castillo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rhakmanov on the side of the head.

It looks like Shavkat Rhakmanov has been cut.
Castillo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
It looked like Rhakmanov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Castillo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castillo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Castillo. Those never looked like landing.
Rhakmanov throwing a counter right hand but Castillo manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castillo darts in trying to clinch
and Rhakmanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice cross by Rhakmanov.
Castillo shoots in looking for a takedown. Rhakmanov tries to sprawl out of it but Castillo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rhakmanov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Castillo tries to clinch but Rhakmanov is having none of it.
Castillo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Castillo misses with the body kick
and Rhakmanov counters with a nice uppercut.

Castillo has Rhakmanov up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhakmanov tries to break the clinch but Castillo is controlling the position.
Rhakmanov is trying to force a seperation but Castillo has the dominant position.
Rhakmanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Castillo lands with a light punch inside.
Rhakmanov tries to break the clinch but Castillo is controlling the position.
Rhakmanov is trying to break free.
Castillo stalling against the cage.

Castillo successfully pulls guard.

Castillo working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Rhakmanov has passed into half guard!
Castillo trying to get back to full guard but Rhakmanov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castillo can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo regains half guard.
Castillo trying to hold on to Rhakmanov's head to control him but Rhakmanov postures up.
Castillo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rhakmanov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rhakmanov's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castillo has got his arm under Rhakmanov's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Rhakmanov has spun round into Castillo's guard beautifully! Well done that man!

Castillo looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rhakmanov has picked Castillo up and slammed him! Castillo can't keep hold of the triangle and Rhakmanov manages to pass to side control!
Rhakmanov takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Castillo to pass into mount.
Rhakmanov tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Castillo is trying desperately to improve position.
Castillo wants to hold on but Rhakmanov pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shavkat Rhakmanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shavkat Rhakmanov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rhakmanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Castillo's head.
Castillo misses with a takedown attempt - Rhakmanov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rhakmanov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Castillo shoots in looking for a takedown but Rhakmanov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Castillo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Castillo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rhakmanov pinned against the cage. Rhakmanov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Shavkat Rhakmanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Castillo.
Castillo throws a sloppy head kick
and Rhakmanov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rhakmanov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Castillo on the side of the head.
Castillo looks to clinch
and Castillo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Castillo misses with a double jab
and Rhakmanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castillo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
William Castillo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Castillo shoots and misses
and Rhakmanov counters with a right hand to the body.
Rhakmanov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Castillo throws a right hand that misses
and Rhakmanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
William Castillo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Castillo misses with a takedown
and Rhakmanov counters with a straight right hand.
Castillo swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Rhakmanov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Castillo tries to move into range but Rhakmanov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rhakmanov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rhakmanov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Castillo momentarily.
Castillo misses with a low kick.
Rhakmanov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Rhakmanov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Castillo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhakmanov lands with an uppercut that bounces Castillo off the cage and back into range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castillo wants to clinch up but Rhakmanov keeps it at a distance.
Castillo with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Rhakmanov to counter with a crisp jab.
Castillo misses with a takedown attempt
and Rhakmanov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rhakmanov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice uppercut there from Rhakmanov.
Castillo throws a head kick but Rhakmanov moves out of range.
Castillo tries to clinch up
and Rhakmanov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo tries to clinch
and Rhakmanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Castillo throws a head kick but Rhakmanov moves out of range.
Castillo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rhakmanov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rhakmanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Castillo can do to turn this around?
Castillo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Castillo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shavkat Rhakmanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Castillo misses with an uppercut
and Rhakmanov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rhakmanov with a nice cross.
Castillo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Castillo shoots and misses
and Castillo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Castillo wants to clinch but Rhakmanov slips to the side
and Rhakmanov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castillo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rhakmanov circles away.
Nice straight punches there by Rhakmanov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rhakmanov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rhakmanov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rhakmanov scores with a jab to the body.
Rhakmanov lands an overhand right.
Castillo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Shavkat Rhakmanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A lazy left from Rhakmanov finds it's target.
Castillo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Castillo throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Rhakmanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rhakmanov keeps the fight on the outside.
A counter left hand to the body from Rhakmanov misses its target.
Castillo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rhakmanov counters with a nice body shot.
Rhakmanov 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shavkat Rhakmanov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Shavkat Rhakmanov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rhakmanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Castillo is just out of range.
Castillo wants to clinch.
Rhakmanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Castillo throws a head kick but Rhakmanov moves out of range.
Rhakmanov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Castillo thows a leg kick but Rhakmanov checks it
enabling Rhakmanov to counter with a crisp jab.

Castillo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rhakmanov wants to break free but Castillo has control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castillo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rhakmanov is trying to break the clinch but Castillo has him pressed against the cage.
Castillo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Rhakmanov's efforts to push away.
Rhakmanov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rhakmanov tries to circle away but Castillo has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castillo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Castillo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rhakmanov.
Castillo with a poor takedown
and Rhakmanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shavkat Rhakmanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Castillo.
Castillo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rhakmanov lands an overhand right.
Castillo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rhakmanov tries to avoid it but Castillo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rhakmanov to the ground. Rhakmanov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Castillo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Castillo closes the distance but Rhakmanov moves to the side
and Rhakmanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rhakmanov connects with a right hand. Castillo shakes it off.
Castillo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rhakmanov counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rhakmanov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Castillo fails with the takedown
and Rhakmanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castillo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rhakmanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rhakmanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rhakmanov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A low kick from Castillo misses
and Rhakmanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Castillo shoots in for a double leg but Rhakmanov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rhakmanov works Castillo's body with a nice hook.
Rhakmanov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castillo looks to clinch
and Rhakmanov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Rhakmanov lands a nice hook to Castillo's body. Castillo takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rhakmanov. Castillo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rhakmanov clobbers Castillo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Castillo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Castillo tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rhakmanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Castillo tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rhakmanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Castillo tries to clinch but Rhakmanov moves away
and Rhakmanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rhakmanov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Rhakmanov blocks a low kick nicely.
Rhakmanov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Rhakmanov counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castillo throws a combination that misses
and Rhakmanov counters with a stiff right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castillo shoots for a takedown but Rhakmanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Castillo closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rhakmanov circles away.
It looked like Rhakmanov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Castillo.
Castillo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rhakmanov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Castillo just misses with a punch to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Rhakmanov misses the target.
A cross from Rhakmanov lands.
Rhakmanov scores with a nice head shot.
William Castillo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rhakmanov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Castillo under the eye.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shavkat Rhakmanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rhakmanov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:26
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:26
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shavkat Rhakmanov!
Shavkat Rhakmanov spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.