PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 23771 p4p, 23719 weight class) and Kulata Bitok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kulata Bitok has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Buktot
vs
Bitok

182 cm
23
160
28 - 41 - 4

182 cm
24
160
25 - 44 - 5

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 28 - 41 - 4, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dawindi Buktot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 44 - 5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith 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 scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Bitok gets back to full guard.
Buktot content to stall in guard here.
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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

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

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.
Buktot fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bitok is trying to counter with his kicks.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bitok shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Buktot manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Buktot is looking to stand back up but Bitok counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Buktot.

Buktot wants to control the action here but instead Bitok manages to pass to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Buktot is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bitok controlling from the full mount.
Bitok dominating with strikes here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Buktot wants to hold on but Bitok pushes him away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kulata Bitok will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

No luck for Bitok with that takedown attempt.
Bitok fails with the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Buktot tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Buktot shoots in but no luck this time.

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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok is not content to let Buktot control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bitok is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Buktot is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bitok keeping control of the position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Buktot is working away from the top position though.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Buktot has his takedown stuffed
and Bitok counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Buktot has his takedown stuffed
and Bitok makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Buktot really felt that one!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dawindi Buktot. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bitok drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Buktot looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bitok is one step ahead there.
Buktot is trying to keep Bitok in close.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bitok missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bitok closes the distance and clinches up with Buktot, looking for a takedown. Bitok pushes Buktot against the cage but Buktot circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Buktot shoots in but no luck this time.
Buktot tries for a takedown but Bitok circles away easily
and Bitok counters with a big head kick but Buktot shrugs it off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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.
Bitok keeping moving, preventing Buktot from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bitok wants to sweep here but Buktot controlling him for the moment.
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.
Bitok keeps trying to improve his position.
Bitok trying to control the position here.
Buktot is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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.
Buktot wants to control from the top but Bitok keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Bitok closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Buktot to the mat! Buktot manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok controls from within his opponent's guard.
Buktot working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bitok.
Buktot is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Buktot looking to control.

That's four 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 stands up and waves to Buktot to follow him.
Buktot shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bitok but Bitok pushes him off and we're back to square one.
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.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dawindi Buktot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bitok fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Buktot avoids it really well and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kulata Bitok comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bitok has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30

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