PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 24516 p4p, 24426 weight class) and Kulata Bitok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Buktot
vs
Bitok

182 cm
19
160
7 - 11 - 1

182 cm
19
160
7 - 12 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 7 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dawindi Buktot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Bitok gets a takedown into half guard.
Buktot preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Buktot's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buktot is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bitok's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bitok's back!
Bitok trying to control the hands but Buktot breaks the grip.
Buktot has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Bitok's body.
Bitok trying to control the position but Buktot manages to sink in the hooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bitok is really stuck here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bitok trying to control the action but Buktot just sinks the hooks in.
Bitok wants to get back to his feet.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
What can Bitok do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot controlling well, preventing Bitok from escaping the position.
Bitok looking to control the position.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Further stalling from Buktot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bitok tries to escape the position.
Buktot controlling from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dawindi Buktot 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.

Bitok gets a double leg takedown into Buktot's guard.
Bitok wants to control from the top but Buktot keeps moving.
Buktot has his hands on Bitok's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bitok sitting in guard here, content to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Buktot holds on and takes a little breather.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Buktot keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Buktot leaves Bitok with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot shoots in for a double leg but Bitok sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bitok fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
It appears Buktot was looking to counter with a kick there.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.

Bitok shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buktot is staying active underneath Bitok, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Buktot controlling the position well.
Buktot is looking to control Bitok's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Buktot avoid being mounted?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kulata Bitok showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Bitok tries for a takedown but Buktot circles away easily
and Buktot counters with a body kick.
Bitok has a takedown stuffed.
Buktot feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok wants to improve his position but Buktot is controlling well.
Buktot performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Buktot has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Bitok controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bitok trying to control from the bottom.
Buktot looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Bitok is positioning himself well to prevent Buktot advancing to mount.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok shoots for a double leg takedown but Buktot sprawls well. He's pushed Bitok's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.

Bitok drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Bitok remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Buktot wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bitok postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
You can see the frustration on Buktot's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bitok is looking to take a break and control but Buktot is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bitok is working Buktot over with some ground and pound from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dawindi Buktot.
I think Buktot 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dawindi Buktot!