PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 24471 p4p, 24408 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
22
160
20 - 31 - 3

182 cm
22
160
17 - 34 - 4

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 20 - 31 - 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 17 - 34 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Stewart Dunkirk 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.

Bitok shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bitok was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bitok working the strikes but Buktot uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Bitok is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Buktot has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bitok is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Buktot keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

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

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 gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Buktot counters with a takedown into side control.
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.
Buktot wants to control but Bitok is keeping him busy.
Bitok is letting Buktot control him for a moment.
Buktot working the ground and pound but Bitok is defending the strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Buktot stalls from top position.
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.
Bitok is trying to control Buktot's posture but Buktot avoids it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bitok tries to clinch there but Buktot circles away.

Buktot gets the takedown into side control.
Bitok struggling a bit here.
Buktot tries to stand but Bitok is controlling his head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Buktot is looking to take a break and control but Bitok is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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.

Buktot avoids a kick to the body.
Buktot is looking to counter with a body kick.

Buktot closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bitok to the mat! Bitok manages to get full guard.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Buktot's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok wants to hit a sweep here but Buktot passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Bitok there!
Buktot takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bitok tries to lock up and control but Buktot gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bitok is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Buktot is staying active.
Buktot controlling his opponent.
Buktot landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok tries to hold on but Buktot postures up.
Bitok regains half guard.
Buktot keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Buktot is trying to control the action in half guard but Bitok is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

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

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.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bitok or perhaps it was just good defense by Buktot, which made it look bad.
Buktot throws a quick counter kick to the body but Bitok avoids it.
Bitok misses with a takedown attempt
and Buktot counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Buktot shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bitok is trying to defend but Buktot finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dawindi Buktot dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bitok has a takedown stuffed.
It appears Buktot was looking to counter with a kick there.
Bitok shoots in and drives through. Buktot sprawls well.
Buktot thinks about countering with a body kick.
Bitok tries for a takedown but Buktot sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Buktot quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.
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 there and keeps this one on the feet.
Buktot quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

Buktot has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Buktot fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Buktot shoots in and bounces Bitok off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bitok controls Buktot momentarily but Buktot frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buktot controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Bitok trying to keep a closed guard but Buktot is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok wants to sweep here but Buktot controlling him for the moment.
Buktot slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bitok controlling the position.

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

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 dives in and grabs Buktot's left leg, looking for a takedown. Buktot pushes down on Bitok's head and hops out.
Buktot shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bitok drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kulata Bitok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dawindi Buktot is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
You can see the frustration on Buktot's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

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