PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 24721 p4p, 24658 weight class) and Kulata Bitok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Buktot
vs
Bitok

182 cm
21
160
19 - 26 - 3

182 cm
21
160
16 - 30 - 3

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 19 - 26 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dawindi Buktot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 30 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Daniel Franklin.

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 looking for a double leg takedown. Bitok defends it nicely.

Buktot looking to score a takedown here. Bitok is defending well but Buktot drives through and ends up in Bitok's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to prevent any damage.
Bitok being controlled here, momentarily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bitok wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two 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.
Bitok keeping moving, preventing Buktot from controlling successfully.
Buktot preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Buktot closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Buktot taking a break here but Bitok is having none of it and regains half guard.
Bitok keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Buktot has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Buktot tries to pass to full mount but Bitok defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bitok tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Buktot has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Buktot wants to control the pace but Bitok is squirming around nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dawindi Buktot 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.

Bitok stuffs the takedown.

Buktot closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Buktot lands in his opponent's guard.
Buktot not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buktot seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bitok for as long as he can get away with.
Bitok is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Buktot wants to control from the top but Bitok keeps moving.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to prevent any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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.
Buktot trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

Bitok dives in and scores a takedown into Buktot's guard.
Bitok stays in close to Buktot's body and controls the position.
Buktot is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bitok can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok postures up.
Bitok is fighting to break Buktot's control of his arms but Buktot is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

That's four 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 slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bitok looks to throw a body kick
and Buktot counters with a left and a right that stings Bitok.
Buktot shoots in and drives through. Bitok sprawls well.
Bitok replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Buktot blocks it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Buktot gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bitok to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Buktot wants to stand but Bitok is controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kulata Bitok will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. This is the final round!

Bitok closes this distance looking for a takedown but Buktot circles away.
Buktot quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Buktot misses with a body kick.
Nice takedown defense from Bitok. No joy for Buktot on that attempt.
Bitok follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Buktot tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bitok sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Buktot somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown but Buktot shows good takedown defense.
It appears Buktot was looking to counter with a kick there.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.
Bitok misses with a takedown attempt
and Buktot counters with a nice kick to the body.
Bitok displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Buktot.
Bitok is looking for the big counter here.
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.
Bitok fails to land the takedown.
And Buktot counters with a quick kick to the body but Bitok blocks it.
Buktot has a takedown stuffed.
And Bitok responds with a good body kick, but Buktot manages to step out the way in time.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bitok is defended easily by Buktot.
Buktot quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Buktot as he jumps to the side.
A counter left hand to the body from Buktot misses its target.

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.
Bitok shoots in looking for a takedown. Buktot tries to sprawl out of it but Bitok keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Buktot manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Buktot shoots in but Bitok avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bitok raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dawindi Buktot showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Buktot has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

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