PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yaniv Schulmann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waldo Claudiano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Schulmann
vs
Claudiano

181 cm
30
145 lbs
17 - 10 - 0

160 cm
25
149 lbs
4 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Yaniv Schulmann!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Waldo Claudiano!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Claudiano.

Claudiano shoots in and gets a takedown into Schulmann's guard.
Claudiano lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Claudiano stays in close to Schulmann's body and controls the position.
Schulmann wants to sweep here but Claudiano controlling him for the moment.
Claudiano looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Schulmann 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schulmann manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Claudiano manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schulmann wants to control from the top but Claudiano keeps moving.
Schulmann stopping the sweep attempt from Claudiano.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Schulmann accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Claudiano managing to control the position.
Schulmann throwing strikes but missing.
Schulmann trying to control the position from guard on top but Claudiano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schulmann wants to pass the guard but Claudiano is keeping the position.

That's two 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.
Schulmann trying to control the position from guard on top but Claudiano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schulmann postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Schulmann being controlled here momentarily.
Schulmann trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Schulmann is working hard here to advance position.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Schulmann is looking to control Claudiano's arms but Claudiano gets an underhook and turns him. Now Schulmann has his back to the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Schulmann.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Claudiano tries a body shot but Schulmann blocks it.
Claudiano throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Schulmanns head.
Claudiano scores with a hook to the body.
Schulmann tries to work over Claudiano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Claudiano lands a nice shot to the body.
Schulmann tries to stall but Claudiano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Schulmann just leaning against Claudiano, taking a breather.
Claudiano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Claudiano lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Schulmann.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Claudiano.
A short uppercut from Claudiano.

Claudiano is trying to trip Schulmann. He has hold of a leg but Schulmann is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Claudiano persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Schulmann looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Claudiano trying to control the position from guard on top but Schulmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schulmann has Claudiano pulled in close to control his posture.
Claudiano throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Claudiano is now in half guard.
Schulmann wants to get back to full guard.
Schulmann trying to control but Claudiano postures up.
Schulmann is trying to get back to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Claudiano is taking a breather. Schulmann says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Claudiano looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schulmann wants to get back to full guard.
Schulmann gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Claudiano postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waldo Claudiano dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Claudiano tries to clinch but Schulmann moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Claudiano there.
Schulmann lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Claudiano tries to clinch up but Schulmann circles away and keeps his distance.
Claudiano swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Schulmann connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Waldo Claudiano has been cut.
Schulmann misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Claudiano.
Waldo Claudiano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Claudiano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Claudiano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Schulmann tries to move into range but Claudiano moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Schulmann lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Claudiano missing with a left hand there. Schulmann was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Claudiano works the jab nicely.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Schulmann.
Schulmann tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Schulmann really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
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!

Schulmann drops Claudiano with a beautiful combination! Claudiano stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Schulmann is looking for the KO!
Yaniv Schulmann is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schulmann tries to keep at a distance but Claudiano has taken the fight into the clinch.
Claudiano lands with a right to the head.
Schulmann misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Schulmann.
Schulmann tries a body shot but Claudiano blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Schulmann fails to land.
A right hand to the body from Schulmann.
Schulmann lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Claudiano backwards.
Schulmann lands a left hand.
Claudiano misses with the head strike.
Claudiano misses with the head strike.
Waldo Claudiano seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Claudiano working aggressively here.
Schulmann tries to stall but Claudiano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Claudiano has a couple of punches blocked by Schulmann.
Claudiano fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Claudiano.
Come on Schulmann - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Schulmann blocks an uppercut.
Claudiano pushes Schulmann back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Claudiano lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Schulmann working aggressively here.
Schulmann tries to throw a body punch but Claudiano avoids it by throwing Schulmann back against the cage.
Claudiano swings wildly with an uppercut but Schulmann uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schulmann working aggressively here.
Claudiano lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Claudiano.
Schulmann stalling against the cage.
Schulmann blocking some punches.
Schulmann jumps guard but Claudiano stands there with Schulmann around his waist. Schulmann gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Schulmann lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann misses with some punches.
Claudiano working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Claudiano lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Schulmann is pushing Claudiano up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Schulmann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Claudiano lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Schulmann backwards.
Claudiano has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Schulmann seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Claudiano can turn it around.
Schulmann struggles to land a body shot inside as Claudiano controls his hands.
Claudiano throws a punch but it's blocked by Schulmann.
Schulmann manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Claudiano being controlled against the cage.
Nice body punch from Claudiano - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Claudiano blocking some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Schulmann misses with a body punch.
Schulmann misses with a body punch.
Claudiano throws a head punch that misses.
Claudiano lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Claudiano.
Schulmann stalls.
Claudiano tries to work over Schulmann's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Schulmann misses with the head strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Claudiano lands a nice shot to the body.
Schulmann is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Claudiano misses with the head strike.
Schulmann cracks Claudiano with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yaniv Schulmann will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Waldo Claudiano's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Claudiano scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Schulmann is looking for a sweep.
Schulmann is not content to let Claudiano control the position.
Schulmann tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Claudiano trying to control the position but Schulmann is working away.
Claudiano controlling from side mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Claudiano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Schulmann keeps working.
Schulmann is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claudiano wants to control but Schulmann is keeping him busy.
Schulmann sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Claudiano working the head and body with strikes.
Schulmann is trying to get back to full guard.
Claudiano seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Schulmann does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Claudiano working Schulmann over with strikes.
Claudiano is controlling the pace.
Schulmann is staying active underneath Claudiano, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fighters are battling for position here. Schulmann manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Claudiano trying to control the position from guard on top but Schulmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Claudiano slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Claudiano pushes down on Schulmann's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Claudiano throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Claudiano is looking to take a break and control but Schulmann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Schulmann tries to get to full guard but Claudiano has control of the leg.
Claudiano is trying to control. Schulmann wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schulmann is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Claudiano pulls his head out easily.
Schulmann is looking for a sweep. Claudiano is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Claudiano not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Claudiano is keen to just control but Schulmann is a slippery customer.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Claudiano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Claudiano seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Schulmann does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Schulmann is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Claudiano there.
Schulmann trying to control here.
Claudiano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Claudiano is looking to take a break and control but Schulmann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann trying to hold on to Claudiano's head to control him but Claudiano postures up.
Claudiano is looking to advance position but Schulmann won't allow it.
Claudiano looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Schulmann with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Claudiano working Schulmann over with strikes.
Schulmann is not content to let Claudiano control the position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Claudiano in particular looking to stall.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Schulmann trying to control from the bottom.
Claudiano controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waldo Claudiano really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Waldo Claudiano's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Schulmann uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Claudiano.
The fight stays on the outside here - Claudiano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Claudiano drops his hands momentarily and Schulmann takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Claudiano tries to clinch but Schulmann is having none of it.
Schulmann drops down looking for a counter takedown but Claudiano sprawls and moves away.
Schulmann avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Claudiano stuffs the takedown attempt from Schulmann. Schulmann gets slowly back to his feet.
Claudiano connects with a looping right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Claudiano looks to clinch
and Schulmann counters with a left and a right that stings Claudiano.
Schulmann misses with an uppercut.
Claudiano throws the left hand but Schulmann avoids the punch easily.
Schulmann fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claudiano tries to clinch there but Schulmann circles away.

Claudiano closes the distance and clinches.
Claudiano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Schulmann is trying to pull guard but Claudiano has him pressed against the cage.
Schulmann misses with a body punch.
Schulmann is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Claudiano is keeping busy.
Claudiano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Schulmann misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Schulmann blocking some punches.
Claudiano throws a head punch that misses.
Schulmann has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Claudiano avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yaniv Schulmann. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schulmann is trying to stall.
Schulmann misses with a hook to the ribs.
Claudiano swings wildly with an uppercut but Schulmann uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann throws a punch but it's blocked by Claudiano.
Schulmann misses with some punches.

Claudiano lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Waldo Claudiano has got the better of the ground game so far.
Schulmann has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Claudiano is working away from the top position though.
Claudiano has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Claudiano connects with a nice short shot to Schulmann's temple.
Schulmann manages to get to full guard.
Claudiano stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Schulmann swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Schulmann controlling the position.
Claudiano wants to control from the top but Schulmann keeps moving.
Claudiano slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schulmann trying to control from the bottom.
Claudiano is looking to take a break and control but Schulmann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Claudiano seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Claudiano takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Claudiano scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Claudiano is looking to take a break and control but Schulmann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Claudiano in particular looking to stall.
Claudiano passes into side control, despite Schulmann's attempt to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Schulmann tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schulmann is not content to let Claudiano control the position.
Schulmann tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Claudiano wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Claudiano is looking to take a break and control but Schulmann is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Claudiano just content to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schulmann takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Schulmann is trying to control Claudiano's posture but Claudiano avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waldo Claudiano dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Waldo Claudiano's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Claudiano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Schulmann counters with a left to the body.

Claudiano drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Claudiano slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Claudiano with a flurry of punches that miss.
Claudiano stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Schulmann swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Schulmann working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Claudiano working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Claudiano throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Schulmann works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Schulmann keeping moving, preventing Claudiano from controlling successfully.
Claudiano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claudiano engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Schulmann looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Schulmann keeping moving, preventing Claudiano from controlling successfully.

Schulmann has his foot on Claudiano's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Claudiano works his way back into a safe position though.
Claudiano looking to pass the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Schulmann takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Claudiano scores with a punch to the head.
Yaniv Schulmann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Claudiano avoids a kick to the body.
Claudiano takes a swing at Schulmann's ribcage but misses.

Claudiano closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Schulmann's guard.
Claudiano trying to control the position from guard on top but Schulmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Claudiano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Schulmann is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Claudiano is aware though and is defending well.
Claudiano working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Claudiano is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Claudiano is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Claudiano trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Claudiano trying to control the position from guard on top but Schulmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schulmann throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Claudiano trying to control the position from guard on top but Schulmann is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Claudiano tries to clinch up
and Schulmann counters with a one-two to the body.
Claudiano wants to clinch up but Schulmann keeps it at a distance.
A counter left hand to the body from Schulmann misses its target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claudiano wants to clinch.
Schulmann appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Claudiano closes the distance and clinches.
Claudiano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A hook to the body from Schulmann.
Claudiano working aggressively here.
Claudiano misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Schulmann.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A right hand to the body from Claudiano.
Claudiano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Claudiano digs a right hand underneath Schulmann's ribcage. Schulmann let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Schulmann misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Waldo Claudiano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Claudiano 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 46:49
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Waldo Claudiano!
Waldo Claudiano is the new bantamweight champion!
Yaniv Schulmann spoke after the fight, saying 'Upon completing this tournament, which ends after one more fight, Im cutting ties with my current manager.'.