PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shahram Sheikhan (ranked 3121 p4p, 5397 weight class) and Rafa Peziev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sheikhan
vs
Peziev

170 cm
33
146
4 - 5 - 0

161 cm
24
147
4 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Experienced

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shahram Sheikhan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafa Peziev!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Konstantin Menshow and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheikhan takes a swing at Peziev's ribcage but misses.
Sheikhan tried to score with a low kick but Peziev checks it.
Sheikhan throws a hook but Peziev blocks it.

Peziev scores with a takedown into Sheikhan's guard.
Peziev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sheikhan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Peziev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sheikhan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sheikhan 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.
Peziev landing some decent shots from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Peziev postures up.
Peziev throws a big right hand that misses.
Sheikhan working a defensive guard here.
Peziev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheikhan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Peziev.
Sheikhan looking for a sweep. Not yet Sheikhan, not yet.
Peziev sitting in guard here, content to control.
Peziev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sheikhan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Peziev trying to control the position from guard on top but Sheikhan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Peziev working some strikes from top position.
Peziev is stalling in the full guard.
Peziev lands a couple of digs.
Sheikhan keeping full guard, as Peziev tries to pass.
Sheikhan pulls Peziev in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peziev cracks Sheikhan with a solid left hand.
Peziev postures up and lands a big shot to Sheikhan's brow.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sheikhan wants to stand up but Peziev is controlling him.
Sheikhan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Peziev landing some decent shots from guard.
Sheikhan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sheikhan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Peziev throws a strike but Sheikhan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Peziev is looking for a triangle but Sheikhan pushes his legs off easily.

Peziev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
We've been hearing good reports from Sheikhan's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Peziev keeping moving, preventing Sheikhan from controlling successfully.
We've been informed that Peziev has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Peziev has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sheikhan is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Peziev.
Peziev is not content to let Sheikhan control the position.
Peziev is trying to escape the position but Sheikhan is controlling the position.

That's four 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.
Peziev is looking for a sweep.
Peziev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sheikhan has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sheikhan trying to control the action but Peziev is working from the bottom.
Sheikhan wants to stand but Peziev has his arm trapped.
Sheikhan controls the position.
Peziev is looking to reverse the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sheikhan controls the position.
Peziev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sheikhan is controlling the pace.

Peziev looking for submissions off his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafa Peziev dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sheikhan tried to score with a low kick but Peziev checks it.
Sheikhan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sheikhan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Peziev was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheikhan.
Sheikhan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Peziev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sheikhan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Peziev manages to avoid it.

Sheikhan clinches.
Sheikhan lands a knee to the head.
Sheikhan gets underhooks to prevent Peziev's takedown attempt.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sheikhan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Peziev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sheikhan after a bit of a struggle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheikhan gets through Peziev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Peziev jumps into guard, dragging Sheikhan to the mat.

Peziev has his foot on Sheikhan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sheikhan works his way back into a safe position though.

Peziev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sheikhan showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheikhan has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Sheikhan wants to control from the top but Peziev keeps moving.
Sheikhan content to stall in guard here.
Sheikhan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Sheikhan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Peziev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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.
Peziev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Peziev has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sheikhan is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Peziev.
Peziev is looking to reverse the position.
Sheikhan controlling from side mount.
Peziev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Peziev tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Sheikhan presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Sheikhan controlling from mount.
Peziev is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sheikhan controlling his opponent.
Peziev slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Sheikhan seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Peziev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Peziev trying to control here.
Peziev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Peziev looking for submissions off his back.
Sheikhan content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Peziev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Peziev is not content to let Sheikhan control the position.
Peziev is looking for a sweep. Sheikhan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Peziev is trying to stand back up but Sheikhan is controlling him

Sheikhan decides to stand up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sheikhan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sheikhan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Peziev moves away.
Shahram Sheikhan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Sheikhan misses

and Peziev counters with a shoot takedown. Sheikhan fights it but they end up in guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shahram Sheikhan dominated that second round.
That's time! Sheikhan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Sheikhan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Peziev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It seemed like Peziev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sheikhan throws a sloppy body shot
and Peziev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Peziev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sheikhan is looking to wear down Peziev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sheikhan scores with a push kick.
Sheikhan explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Some bone on bone action there as Peziev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Peziev throws a counter combo.
Sheikhan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy left from Sheikhan finds it's target.
Sheikhan throws a nice looking combination but Peziev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sheikhan misses with a low kick.
Sheikhan throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Sheikhan lands.
The fighters circling - Sheikhan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sheikhan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Peziev on the side of the head.
Peziev checks the leg kick.
Peziev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Peziev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sheikhan.
Peziev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Peziev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sheikhan throws a half hearted mid kick.
Peziev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sheikhan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Peziev somewhat.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sheikhan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Peziev fails to land the takedown.
Sheikhan attempts a counter takedown but Peziev avoids it well and moves away.
Shahram Sheikhan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafa Peziev.
Sheikhan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sheikhan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Peziev was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheikhan.
Sheikhan lands a slapping body shot.
Sheikhan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Peziev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sheikhan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Peziev doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Sheikhan to counter with a crisp jab.
Shahram Sheikhan is winning the standup battle so far.
Sheikhan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sheikhan digs a good hook to Peziev's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sheikhan misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheikhan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Peziev manages to avoid it.
Peziev throws out a counter right but Sheikhan avoids it with no problem.
Peziev fails to land the takedown.
Peziev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Peziev looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sheikhan is looking to land body kicks.
Peziev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sheikhan is fending him off so far but Peziev persists. Nope, Sheikhan circles away and we're back to standing.
Sheikhan lands with an uppercut that bounces Peziev off the cage and back into range.
Shahram Sheikhan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sheikhan swings for the body but Peziev moves out of range.
Peziev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sheikhan.
Peziev shoots for a double leg takedown but Sheikhan sprawls well. He's pushed Peziev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Peziev walks into a straight right hand from Sheikhan.
Peziev takes one to the side of the head.
Sheikhan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sheikhan throws a body punch but Peziev moves out of range.
Peziev appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheikhan misses with an uppercut

and Peziev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Peziev.

Sheikhan wriggles free and stands up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sheikhan drives through and clinches with Peziev against the cage.
Sheikhan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sheikhan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sheikhan missing with knees to the body.
Sheikhan prevents the takedown attempt.
Peziev tries for a takedown but Sheikhan manages to get underhooks.
Peziev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sheikhan tries to throw a body punch but Peziev avoids it by throwing Sheikhan back against the cage.
Sheikhan lands a hook to the side of the head.
Peziev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Peziev tries to score a body lock takedown but Sheikhan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sheikhan misses with a knee strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Sheikhan.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shahram Sheikhan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sheikhan 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shahram Sheikhan!
The defeated Rafa Peziev had this to say: 'I be back, fuuuk the rucians!'.