PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rustam Shakhbulatov (ranked 2536 p4p, 287 weight class) and Bobby Bianchi (ranked 915 p4p, 109 weight class). Shakhbulatov comes to the cage accompanied by Sabina Saidova - Dagestan. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Shakhbulatov
vs
Bianchi

178 cm
30
167 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

180 cm
27
164 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear
Juggernaut And Gladiators(90% Laundry)

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rustam Shakhbulatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bobby Bianchi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bianchi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shakhbulatov misses the shot to the body.
Bianchi misses the jab.
Nice defenses there by Shakhbulatov.
Shakhbulatov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Bianchi lands with a straight right. Shakhbulatov didn't see that one coming.
Bianchi throws a hook to the side of Shakhbulatov's head but Shakhbulatov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shakhbulatov attempts a counter takedown but Bianchi avoids it well and moves away.
Bianchi misses the jab.
Shakhbulatov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bianchi.
It looked like Shakhbulatov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shakhbulatov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shakhbulatov clinches.
Shakhbulatov can't find room to land a body shot as Bianchi controls the action.
Bianchi tries to circle away but Shakhbulatov has him pinned against the cage.
Shakhbulatov lands with a left to the head.

Shakhbulatov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Bianchi felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shakhbulatov trying to control from half guard but Bianchi is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shakhbulatov is pressing down on Bianchi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bianchi is holding on for now.

Shakhbulatov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bianchi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shakhbulatov prevents Bianchi from improving his position.
Bianchi trying to control but Shakhbulatov postures up.
Bianchi tries to get to full guard but Shakhbulatov has control of the leg.

Bianchi actively working from the bottom here.
Bianchi is looking for a sweep. Shakhbulatov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shakhbulatov prevents Bianchi from standing back up.
Shakhbulatov lands strikes from half guard.
Bianchi is staying active underneath Shakhbulatov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bianchi is trying to get back to full guard.
Shakhbulatov is trying to control. Bianchi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Bianchi desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Shakhbulatov is keen to just control but Bianchi is a slippery customer.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shakhbulatov prevents Bianchi from standing back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bianchi throws a lazy uppercut
and Shakhbulatov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bianchi misses with an uppercut.
Bobby Bianchi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shakhbulatov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bianchi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bianchi stuffs the takedown.
Bianchi lunges at Shakhbulatov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shakhbulatov's hand.
Shakhbulatov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bianchi tries to avoid it but Shakhbulatov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bianchi to the ground. Bianchi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shakhbulatov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bianchi misses with a two punch combination.
Shakhbulatov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bianchi cracks a nice hook into Shakhbulatov's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bianchi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bianchi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sloppy strikes from Bianchi. Those never looked like landing.
Shakhbulatov throwing a counter right hand but Bianchi manages to avoid it.
A cross from Bianchi lands.
Shakhbulatov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bianchi's waist but Bianchi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shakhbulatov off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Shakhbulatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A shot to the liver by Bianchi. Beautiful body shot.
Shakhbulatov throws a hook but Bianchi blocks it.
Shakhbulatov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shakhbulatov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bianchi is fending him off so far but Shakhbulatov persists. Nope, Bianchi circles away and we're back to standing.
Shakhbulatov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Shakhbulatov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bianchi swings for the body but Shakhbulatov moves out of range.
Bianchi misses with a hook.
Bianchi misses the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Shakhbulatov misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Bianchi 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.

Good exchange - Bianchi coming out on top.
Shakhbulatov blocks a jab.
Shakhbulatov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Shakhbulatov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shakhbulatov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bianchi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shakhbulatov moves in looking to clinch but Bianchi pushes him off.
Shakhbulatov loads up on a big right hand but Bianchi slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shakhbulatov fails with a takedown attempt.
Bianchi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bianchi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bianchi throws a predictable looking body shot
and Shakhbulatov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Shakhbulatov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
A big left from Bianchi misses.

Shakhbulatov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Shakhbulatov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bobby Bianchi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shakhbulatov dives in and grabs Bianchi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bianchi pushes down on Shakhbulatov's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Shakhbulatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shakhbulatov tries to clinch but Bianchi moves out of range.
Shakhbulatov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bianchi throws a big shot that misses.
Shakhbulatov blocks a jab.
Shakhbulatov attempts a counter takedown but Bianchi avoids it well and moves away.
Shakhbulatov fails with the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shakhbulatov is defended easily by Bianchi.
Shakhbulatov shoots in looking for a takedown. Bianchi tries to sprawl out of it but Shakhbulatov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bianchi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bobby Bianchi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shakhbulatov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bianchi throws a looping overhand right but Shakhbulatov ducks down to avoid it.
Bianchi walks into a jab.
Bianchi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shakhbulatov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Bianchi throws an off balance right hand
and Shakhbulatov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bianchi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Shakhbulatov gets the takedown into side control.

Bianchi throws Shakhbulatov to one side and escapes!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bianchi misses with a wild body shot.
Bianchi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shakhbulatov staying out of range there.
Bianchi missing with a left hand there. Shakhbulatov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shakhbulatov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bianchi misses with a hook.
Shakhbulatov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bianchi.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shakhbulatov. Bianchi does a little dance to reset his feet.
It seemed like Bianchi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bianchi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shakhbulatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shakhbulatov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Shakhbulatov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bianchi connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shakhbulatov's hands.
Bianchi throws out a loose jab but Shakhbulatov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shakhbulatov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Bianchi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shakhbulatov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Bianchi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Good shot there by Bianchi.
Bianchi scores with a body shot.
Shakhbulatov misses with a hook.
Bianchi ducks under a wild hook from Shakhbulatov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bianchi. Shakhbulatov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bianchi punishes Shakhbulatov's body with a nice straight punch.
Bianchi misses with a lunging right hand
and Shakhbulatov counters with a nice uppercut.
Shakhbulatov fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bianchi lands a jab to the nose.
A jab from Bianchi misses.
Bianchi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bianchi throws the left hand but Shakhbulatov avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bianchi looks to land a right hand but Shakhbulatov moved out of range.
Bianchi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shakhbulatovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Shakhbulatov ducks under a wild hook from Bianchi.
Shakhbulatov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Shakhbulatov moves out of range of the strikes.
Bianchi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shakhbulatov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Shakhbulatov tries to clinch but Bianchi is having none of it.
Shakhbulatov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bianchi.
Shakhbulatov takes one to the side of the head.
Shakhbulatov has a takedown stuffed.
Shakhbulatov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bianchi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bianchi throws a counter combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bianchi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bianchi throws a lazy right hand but Shakhbulatov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shakhbulatov staying out of range there.
Bianchi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Shakhbulatov looks for a takedown but Bianchi sprawls well.
Shakhbulatov slips under a jab.
Shakhbulatov throwing a counter right hand but Bianchi manages to avoid it.
Bianchi just misses with a punch to the body.

Shakhbulatov moves into range and clinches up with Bianchi.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bianchi misses with the head strike.
Shakhbulatov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shakhbulatov misses with a punch on the inside.
Bobby Bianchi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shakhbulatov working aggressively here.

Bianchi breaks from the clinch.
Bianchi lands with a cross.
Nice body punch from Bianchi.
Bianchi cracks Shakhbulatov with an open hand slap.
Shakhbulatov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A lazy left from Bianchi finds it's target.
A jab from Bianchi misses.
Bianchi swings for the body but Shakhbulatov moves out of range.
Shakhbulatov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Shakhbulatov moves in looking to clinch but Bianchi pushes him off.
Shakhbulatov shoots in and drives through. Bianchi sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Shakhbulatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shakhbulatov lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bianchi stuffs the takedown.
A punch lands to the side of Shakhbulatov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shakhbulatov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Bianchi kicks Shakhbulatov off and gets back to his feet.
Bianchi throws a shot from downtown. Shakhbulatov moves away and avoids it.
Shakhbulatov slips under a jab from Bianchi.
Rustam Shakhbulatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bianchi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shakhbulatov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shakhbulatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bianchi.
Bianchi throws a lazy uppercut
and Shakhbulatov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobby Bianchi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bianchi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobby Bianchi!
Bobby Bianchi seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.