PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 24234 p4p, 24176 weight class) and Kulata Bitok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Buktot
vs
Bitok

182 cm
22
160
23 - 34 - 3

182 cm
22
160
20 - 37 - 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 23 - 34 - 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 20 - 37 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg 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 has his takedown stuffed
and Buktot counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bitok thinking.
Buktot pushes Bitok away with a front kick.

Bitok scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buktot is trying to maintain the position but Bitok is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bitok is trying to control. Buktot wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buktot keeping hold of Bitok's head, controlling as best he can.
Bitok sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Buktot defending well though.
Bitok missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bitok takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Buktot tries to get to full guard but Bitok has control of the leg.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bitok fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Buktot quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

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 looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dawindi Buktot has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kulata Bitok.
Nice takedown defense from Bitok. No joy for Buktot on that attempt.
Bitok raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

Bitok decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok is controlling the pace.
Buktot keeping hold of Bitok's head, controlling as best he can.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bitok in particular looking to stall.

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 is looking to take a break and control but Buktot is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Buktot preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bitok sitting and controlling from the half guard.
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.

Buktot closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Buktot lands in his opponent's guard.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buktot seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Buktot stays in close to Bitok's body and controls the position.

That's two 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.
Buktot being controlled here momentarily.
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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bitok tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Buktot defends well and Bitok ends up having to push Buktot into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot shoots for a takedown but Bitok saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

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 is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Bitok wants to control but Buktot postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bitok is being controlled here.

Buktot swings around for an armbar but Bitok sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Buktot's guard.
Bitok preventing the sweep.
Buktot has his hands on Bitok's head, controlling the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bitok loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dawindi Buktot dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A head kick misses from Bitok.
And Buktot counters with a quick kick to the body but Bitok blocks it.
Buktot shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bitok as he jumps to the side.
Bitok looks for the body kick but Buktot saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buktot looks for a takedown but Bitok sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buktot stuffs the takedown attempt from Bitok. Bitok gets slowly back to his feet.
A solid body kick from Bitok.
Bitok is looking to land body kicks.

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.
Buktot dives in for a single leg takedown but Bitok sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bitok is trying to counter with his kicks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dawindi Buktot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bitok changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Buktot fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Buktot feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kulata Bitok has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok keeping moving, preventing Buktot from controlling successfully.
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.
Bitok seems keen to control Buktot's posture.
Buktot wants to control from the top but Bitok keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bitok being controlled here, momentarily.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to prevent any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Buktot is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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

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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!