PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Charles Bukowski (ranked 796 p4p, 662 weight class) and Mehmet Shakaromanov (ranked 106 p4p, 87 weight class). Charles Bukowski could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mehmet Shakaromanov's chin.

Bukowski
vs
Shakaromanov

183 cm
34
190
23 - 20 - 0

185 cm
28
203
17 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING
âš”ï¸Conquest Nutritionâš”ï¸

Pulling Guard

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Charles Bukowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mehmet Shakaromanov!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shakaromanov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A big right from Shakaromanov misses.
Shakaromanov misses with the combination.
Bukowski throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shakaromanov on the side of the head.
Bukowski shoots for a double leg takedown but Shakaromanov sprawls well. He's pushed Bukowski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shakaromanov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Bukowski shoots and misses
and Shakaromanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bukowski closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shakaromanov circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bukowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bukowski gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bukowski looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Bukowski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakaromanov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bukowski.
Bukowski trying to control from half guard but Shakaromanov is working away.
Bukowski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shakaromanov trying to control here.
Shakaromanov is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Bukowski is staying active.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bukowski lands with a cross.

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.
Bukowski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shakaromanov is fending him off so far but Bukowski persists. Nope, Shakaromanov circles away and we're back to standing.
Bukowski doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Shakaromanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shakaromanov throws an overhand right that lands on Bukowski's shoulder, as Bukowski tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Shakaromanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bukowski misses with a takedown attempt
and Shakaromanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shakaromanov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Shakaromanov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bukowski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bukowski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shakaromanov.
Bukowski fails with the takedown
and Shakaromanov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shakaromanov takes one to the side of the head.
Shakaromanov stuffs the takedown.
Shakaromanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bukowski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski with a hook.
Bukowski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shakaromanov moves away.
Bukowski misses with a shot to the body
and Shakaromanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Charles Bukowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shakaromanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Bukowski closes the distance and clinches up with Shakaromanov, looking for a takedown. Bukowski pushes Shakaromanov against the cage but Shakaromanov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bukowski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Shakaromanov missing with a left hand there. Bukowski was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shakaromanov connects with a nice looking jab.
The fighters circling - Shakaromanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bukowski misses with a straight right.
Shakaromanov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bukowski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bukowski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shakaromanov.
Bukowski shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bukowski doesn't manage to clinch there - Shakaromanov circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bukowski has Shakaromanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Bukowski tries to throw a body punch but Shakaromanov avoids it by throwing Bukowski back against the cage.
Shakaromanov pushes Bukowski back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bukowski pressing his opponent against the cage.
Shakaromanov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bukowski has him pressed against the cage.

Bukowski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bukowski has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Shakaromanov.
Bukowski tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Shakaromanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Shakaromanov misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Bukowski misses the target.
Bukowski shoots in looking for a takedown but Shakaromanov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bukowski's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mehmet Shakaromanov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shakaromanov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bukowski.
Nice uppercut lands for Shakaromanov. That snapped Bukowski's head back.
Shakaromanov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bukowski was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Shakaromanov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bukowski.
Bukowski slips under a jab from Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov scores with a jab to the head.
Bukowski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shakaromanov.
Shakaromanov lands with a straight right. Bukowski didn't see that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bukowski looking to score a takedown here. Shakaromanov is defending well but Bukowski drives through and ends up in Shakaromanov's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bukowski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Shakaromanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shakaromanov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski wants to control from the top but Shakaromanov keeps moving.
Shakaromanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bukowski is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Shakaromanov wants to sweep here but Bukowski controlling him for the moment.

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

Bukowski closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shakaromanov to the mat! Shakaromanov manages to get full guard.
Shakaromanov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Bukowski puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Bukowski wants to take a breather but Shakaromanov is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shakaromanov keeping control of the position.
Shakaromanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bukowski. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bukowski throwing shots but Shakaromanov is blocking nicely.
Bukowski takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Well, if Bukowski 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.
Bukowski works his foot free and advances to mount.
Shakaromanov wants to hold on but Bukowski pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shakaromanov tries to reverse the position but Bukowski maintains control.
Bukowski lands a couple of good shots and Shakaromanov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Charles Bukowski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bukowski avoiding Shakaromanov 's attempts to control his hands.
Bukowski has Shakaromanov flattened out and is raining down punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski has Shakaromanov flattened out and is raining down punches.
Bukowski not allowing Shakaromanov to control his hands.
Will Bukowski go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Bukowski is riding his opponent, not letting Shakaromanov buck him off.
You can see the frustration on Shakaromanov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bukowski scores with strikes from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shakaromanov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bukowski closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shakaromanov circles away.
Shakaromanov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Bukowski shoots in but no luck this time.
A little jabbing left from Shakaromanov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bukowski misses with a left hand
and Shakaromanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Bukowski uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shakaromanov has time to react.
Bukowski shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Shakaromanov but Shakaromanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Bukowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bukowski on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukowski looks to land a left hand but Shakaromanov moved out of range nicely.
Shakaromanov misses with the combination.
Bukowski tries for a takedown but Shakaromanov circles away easily
enabling Shakaromanov to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shakaromanov defends well and Bukowski ends up having to push Shakaromanov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bukowski scores with a nice hook to the head.

Shakaromanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Bukowski 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.
Bukowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Shakaromanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bukowski is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Bukowski scoring with some ground and pound.
Shakaromanov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shakaromanov is trying to keep Bukowski in close.
Bukowski is stalling in the full guard.
Bukowski looking to sit in guard and control but Shakaromanov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Shakaromanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Bukowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shakaromanov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski wants to stand and escape but Shakaromanov is having none of it.
Shakaromanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bukowski wants to control but Shakaromanov passes easily into half guard.
Shakaromanov is looking to take a break and control but Bukowski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bukowski is controlling Shakaromanov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Bukowski is looking to control Shakaromanov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bukowski avoid being mounted?

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

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.
Bukowski staying out of range there.
Bukowski shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shakaromanov looks to throw the jab but Bukowski is out of range.
Bukowski swings widly with a right hand
and Shakaromanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bukowski with a lazy takedown attempt
and Shakaromanov counters with a straight right hand.
Shakaromanov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bukowski has time to react.
Bukowski throws a body punch but Shakaromanov moves out of range.
Bukowski swings for the body but Shakaromanov moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bukowski misses with a left hand
and Shakaromanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bukowski missing with a left hand there. Shakaromanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bukowski cracks Shakaromanov with a right hand to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mehmet Shakaromanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shakaromanov 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mehmet Shakaromanov!
Mehmet Shakaromanov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.