PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 576 p4p, 71 weight class) and Manny Puno (ranked 727 p4p, 90 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Shamkhalaev
vs
Puno

181 cm
35
162 lbs
25 - 17 - 1

180 cm
33
158 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Groove Gear
Sin City Allstars

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 25 - 17 - 1, fighting out of New York, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Manny Puno!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puno darts in looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev gets double underhooks and turns Puno into the cage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A looping hook to the body misses from Puno. Shamkhalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Puno looks to throw the jab but Shamkhalaev is out of range.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Puno dives in for a single leg takedown but Shamkhalaev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Puno misses with a lunging right hand
and Shamkhalaev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shamkhalaev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Puno slips a straight right by Shamkhalaev.
Puno darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Shamkhalaev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Puno.
Shamkhalaev misses with a looping right.
Shamkhalaev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Shamkhalaev misses the shot to the body.
A slow jab from Puno misses its intended target.
A counter left hand to the body from Shamkhalaev misses its target.
Shamkhalaev throws a body punch but Puno moves out of range.
Shamkhalaev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Puno misses the jab.
Shamkhalaev takes a swing at Puno's ribcage but misses.

Puno closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Puno lands in his opponent's guard.
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.
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!
Puno is pushing down on Shamkhalaev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shamkhalaev is fighting to maintain full guard but Puno has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev is trying to stand back up but Puno is controlling him
Shamkhalaev is trying to control but can't.
Puno is trying to control. Shamkhalaev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Puno throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Shamkhalaev to regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Puno in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Shamkhalaev has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Puno has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev tries a body shot but Puno blocks it.
Shamkhalaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Puno pushes Shamkhalaev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puno goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Puno can't find room to land a body shot as Shamkhalaev controls the action.
Puno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Puno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shamkhalaev's elbow.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev blocks an uppercut.
Shamkhalaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Puno successfully pulls guard.
Puno has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Puno looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shamkhalaev is one step ahead there.
Shamkhalaev is fighting to break Puno's control of his arms but Puno is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Shamkhalaev is looking to stand up but Puno won't let him.
Puno is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shamkhalaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Puno.
Shamkhalaev throws a body punch but Puno moves out of range.
Puno changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Puno. Shamkhalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shamkhalaev lands a body shot.
Shamkhalaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Puno moves away.
Puno walks into a jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Shamkhalaev misses the target.
Puno tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Shamkhalaev is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Puno missing with a left hand there. Shamkhalaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shamkhalaev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Puno throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shamkhalaev sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Puno throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Shamkhalaev tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Puno is in Shamkhalaev's guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Puno stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shamkhalaev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Puno is in close to Shamkhalaev's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shamkhalaev is trying to keep Puno in close.
Puno throws a strike but Shamkhalaev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puno has Shamkhalaev pulled in close to control his posture.
Puno is continuing to stall.
Shamkhalaev wants to stand but Puno is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shamkhalaev scores with a jab. Puno acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Puno ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Puno moves forwards but Shamkhalaev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Puno moves out of range of the leg kick from Shamkhalaev.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Puno.
Shamkhalaev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Puno scoring with punches from side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The ground and pound from Puno seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Puno tries to advance position but instead Shamkhalaev slips a leg back in to half guard.
Puno lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno is stalling here. Shamkhalaev is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Puno seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Shamkhalaev has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Shamkhalaev wants to stand but Puno is controlling his arm.
Puno struggling a bit here.
Puno tries to buck Shamkhalaev off but Shamkhalaev is having none of it.
Shamkhalaev tries to stand but Puno is controlling his head.
Puno is trying to control Shamkhalaev's posture but Shamkhalaev avoids it.
Shamkhalaev tries to stand but Puno is controlling his head.
Puno is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno gets back to half guard.
Puno holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Puno has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shamkhalaev is working away from the top position though.
Shamkhalaev is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Puno is trying to get back to full guard.
Puno manages to get to full guard.
Puno is adopting a defensive guard.
Shamkhalaev preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Shamkhalaev puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
It looks like Shamkhalaev is going to stand back up.
Puno controlling the position for now.
Puno tries to get to full guard but Shamkhalaev has control of the leg.
Puno controlling the position well.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Puno rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shamkhalaev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev throws an overhand right that lands on Puno's shoulder, as Puno tries to avoid the shot.
Puno might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Puno misses with a straight right.
Puno bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Puno throws a lazy uppercut
and Shamkhalaev counters with a right hand to the body.
Puno looks to score with a jab to the body but Shamkhalaev is just out of range.
Puno throws the left hand but Shamkhalaev avoids the punch easily.
Shamkhalaev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Puno circles away quickly and effectively.
Puno paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Puno gets a double leg takedown into Shamkhalaev's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Puno missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shamkhalaev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Puno is controlling him.
Shamkhalaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Puno is working Shamkhalaev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Puno postures up.
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 Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Shamkhalaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Shamkhalaev slips under a jab.
Puno connects with a body shot that sends Shamkhalaev's belly button to the back.
Manny Puno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shamkhalaev looks to score with a jab to the body but Puno is just out of range.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is winning the standup battle so far.
Shamkhalaev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Shamkhalaev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Puno closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Puno landing strikes.
Puno postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Puno is putting a hurting on Shamkhalaev here, landing some big shots from side control.
Puno throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Puno misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Puno wants to control but Shamkhalaev is keeping him busy.
Puno grinds an elbow into Shamkhalaev's temple.
Puno trying to control the position but Shamkhalaev is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shamkhalaev sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shamkhalaev gets back to half guard.
Puno wants to pass the guard but Shamkhalaev is defending well.
Puno wants to take a breather but Shamkhalaev is having none of it.
Puno sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Shamkhalaev regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Puno.
Puno trying to control but Shamkhalaev is working from the bottom.
Manny Puno has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Puno throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Puno loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shamkhalaev takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Shamkhalaev ducks right into an uppercut from Puno.
Shamkhalaev connects with a single shot there.
Shamkhalaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Puno was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamkhalaev.
Puno feints the counter takedown.
Shamkhalaev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Puno decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Puno working the head and body with strikes.
Puno sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shamkhalaev defending well though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shamkhalaev wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno working Shamkhalaev over with strikes.
Puno drops an elbow to the side of Shamkhalaev's head.
Shamkhalaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Puno.
Puno is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Shamkhalaev taking some punishment here, with Puno in his half guard.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nice strikes from Puno there.
Puno lands with a punch from half guard.
Puno working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Puno sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shamkhalaev defending well though.
Puno looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Shamkhalaev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Puno is trying to control. Shamkhalaev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Puno throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Puno 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.
Puno misses with a head shot. Shamkhalaev uses the momentum to regain guard.
Puno landing with the ground and pound.
Puno wants to control from the top but Shamkhalaev keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Puno stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shamkhalaev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Manny Puno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An inside leg kick lands from Shamkhalaev.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Puno comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shamkhalaev 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!