PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 24313 p4p, 24238 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
20
160
13 - 15 - 2

182 cm
20
160
11 - 18 - 2

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 13 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dawindi Buktot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

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.
Buktot shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bitok as he avoids it easily.
Bitok replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Buktot blocks it well.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Buktot as he jumps to the side.

Bitok scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok slows the pace down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Buktot to see if he's OK.
Buktot tries to improve position but can't.
Bitok throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Buktot works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Bitok thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Buktot holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bitok controlling the action here.
Bitok's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Buktot misses with a takedown attempt
and Bitok counters with a nice body kick.
Bitok shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Buktot pinned against the cage. Buktot gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Buktot jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bitok shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Buktot is looking to control Bitok's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Buktot avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bitok in particular looking to stall.
Buktot is trying to maintain the position but Bitok is very close to passing his half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kulata Bitok dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bitok darts in looking for a takedown but Buktot gets double underhooks and turns Bitok into the cage.
Bitok shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Buktot pinned against the cage. Buktot gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buktot misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bitok thinks about the counter body kick.
Bitok misses with a takedown attempt - Buktot sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Buktot throws a quick counter kick to the body but Bitok avoids it.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok darts in looking for a takedown but Buktot gets double underhooks and turns Bitok into the cage.
Buktot appears to be looking for a big counter.
Buktot shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bitok but Bitok pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bitok displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Buktot.

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

Bitok is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Buktot's half guard.
Bitok is thwarting Buktot's attempts to control the position.
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.
Well, if Bitok is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot is looking to escape.
Buktot is controlling Bitok's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Bitok keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's four 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.
Bitok is looking to stall here but Buktot recovers full guard.
Bitok preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Buktot as he jumps to the side.
And Buktot counters with a quick kick to the body but Bitok blocks it.
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. This is the final round!

Bitok slaps away a takedown attempt from Buktot, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bitok looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Buktot stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Buktot wants it to stay on the feet.
Buktot jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

Bitok closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Buktot quickly recovers to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buktot holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Bitok controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buktot is pressing down on Bitok's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Buktot is controlling Bitok's posture.
Buktot looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bitok is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Buktot wants to sweep here but Bitok controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bitok leaves Buktot with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Buktot shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dawindi Buktot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bitok shoots in looking for a takedown but Buktot manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bitok's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown but Buktot shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Buktot quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot goes for a double leg but Bitok avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bitok continues to drive forward.
Bitok is working for takedown but Buktot is calmly controlling the position for now.
Buktot goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bitok prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Bitok breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Buktot shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Buktot was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Buktot in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Dawindi Buktot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kulata Bitok is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kulata Bitok has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bitok is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dawindi Buktot showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bitok has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kulata Bitok!