PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kron Silva (ranked 1204 p4p, 141 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 609 p4p, 74 weight class). Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Silva
vs
Shamkhalaev

160 cm
37
145 lbs
24 - 9 - 2

181 cm
35
162 lbs
25 - 17 - 2

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Kron Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 17 - 2, fighting out of New York, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Shamkhalaev.
Silva half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Silva closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Shamkhalaev throws a predictable looking body shot

and Silva counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Silva wants to take a breather but Shamkhalaev is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Silva missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shamkhalaev's head.
Shamkhalaev is looking for a sweep. Silva is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Silva is pressing down on Shamkhalaev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shamkhalaev is holding on for now.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shamkhalaev's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silva not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Silva is trying to work for a kimura but Shamkhalaev is defending well.
Shamkhalaev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Silva lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shamkhalaev is looking to control Silva's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shamkhalaev avoid being mounted?
Shamkhalaev is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Silva is staying active.
Silva sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shamkhalaev defending well though.
Silva not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Shamkhalaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silva.
Silva is nestled in close to Shamkhalaev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Silva is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Silva lands a couple of elbows.
Silva stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shamkhalaev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silva is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva is looking to work some ground and pound but Shamkhalaev has wrist control.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Shamkhalaev is keeping the position.
Silva has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Silva trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Silva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shamkhalaev is keeping the position for now.
Shamkhalaev utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Shamkhalaev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Silva is controlling him.
Silva postures up in Shamkhalaev's guard and throws a big left but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Silva wants to pass the guard but Shamkhalaev is keeping the position.
Shamkhalaev is trying to control the position but Silva postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva pushing down on Shamkhalaev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Silva wants to pass to mount but Shamkhalaev is defending the position.
Shamkhalaev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Silva throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Silva wants to free his trapped foot but Shamkhalaev is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Shamkhalaev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Silva is looking to advance position but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.
Silva scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Silva has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Silva punching from mount but Shamkhalaev doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Shamkhalaev's face.
Silva is landing with some decent strikes but Shamkhalaev is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Silva prevents Shamkhalaev from getting the reversal.
Silva throwing strikes here but Shamkhalaev is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Silva lands a couple of good shots and Shamkhalaev has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
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!
Silva throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Silva misses with an elbow to the head.
Silva is landing with strikes from the back.
Shamkhalaev looks winded!
Shamkhalaev is trapped and Silva is scoring with shots to the head and body.

Silva is persistently looking for the submission but Shamkhalaev is defending it well.

Silva is persistently looking for the submission but Shamkhalaev is defending it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A jab from Shamkhalaev misses.
Silva attempts a counter takedown but Shamkhalaev avoids it well and moves away.
Shamkhalaev has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Silva is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Shamkhalaev throws out a loose jab but Silva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some bone on bone action there as Shamkhalaev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
The fighters circling - Shamkhalaev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Silva feinted with a counter takedown.
Shamkhalaev throws a body shot but no joy.
Silva tries to counter with a takedown but Shamkhalaev is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev throws a big shot that misses.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot.
Silva looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shamkhalaev lands with an uppercut that bounces Silva off the cage and back into range.
Shamkhalaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Silva is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shamkhalaev can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses the shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Silva.
Shamkhalaev misses the jab.
Silva half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Silva uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shamkhalaev.
Silva attempts a counter takedown but Shamkhalaev avoids it well and moves away.
Silva lands a jab to the nose.
Silva keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shamkhalaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Silva was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamkhalaev.
Silva ducks under a wild hook from Shamkhalaev.
Silva scores with a jab to the body.
Silva ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Silva here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Silva uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shamkhalaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva clobbers Shamkhalaev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shamkhalaev avoids a kick to the body.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Silva appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Silva.
Silva keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shamkhalaev.
Silva feinted with a counter takedown.
Shamkhalaev lands with a nice body punch.
Silva uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shamkhalaev.
Silva bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Silva drops down looking for a counter takedown but Shamkhalaev sprawls and moves away.
Shamkhalaev misses with a left hand

and Silva decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shamkhalaev's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev is trying to keep Silva in close.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Shamkhalaev blocks nicely.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Shamkhalaev blocks nicely.
Shamkhalaev keeping full guard, as Silva tries to pass.
Silva throwing strikes from guard but Shamkhalaev blocks nicely.
Kron Silva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shamkhalaev wants to get back to his feet but Silva is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shamkhalaev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shamkhalaev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Silva.
Silva throwing strikes but missing.
Shamkhalaev keeping moving, preventing Silva from controlling successfully.
Silva is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shamkhalaev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silva is pushing down on Shamkhalaev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Shamkhalaev is fighting to maintain full guard but Silva has managed to sneak the leg through.
Shamkhalaev is breathing heavily.
Silva is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Shamkhalaev is defending against the submission attempts here by Silva.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shamkhalaev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Silva.
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 Kron Silva will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Silva.
Silva attempts a counter takedown but Shamkhalaev avoids it well and moves away.
Shamkhalaev walks into a stiff left hand from Silva.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook.
Shamkhalaev throws out a loose jab but Silva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev throws a poor cross that misses

so Silva counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Shamkhalaev manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Silva misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Silva digs a good hook to Shamkhalaev's body.

Silva closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Silva lands in his opponent's guard.

Shamkhalaev has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Silva is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Shamkhalaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva tries to score a body lock takedown but Shamkhalaev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Silva blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Silva.
Shamkhalaev tries to throw a body punch but Silva avoids it by throwing Shamkhalaev back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev has a couple of punches blocked by Silva.
Shamkhalaev tries a body shot but Silva blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Silva.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Silva is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch on the inside.
Silva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shamkhalaev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kron Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Silva wants to take the fight to the mat but Shamkhalaev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Silva lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Shamkhalaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Silva backwards.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Shamkhalaev.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Silva.
Silva blocks an uppercut.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Silva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body punch.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Silva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Silva.
Shamkhalaev misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shamkhalaev misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants a takedown but no success here.
Silva tries to throw a body punch but Shamkhalaev avoids it by throwing Silva back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev tries to throw a body punch but Silva avoids it by throwing Shamkhalaev back against the cage.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Silva prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Silva tries for a takedown. No joy.
Silva prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Silva blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Silva wants a takedown.
Silva drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A head punch on the inside from Shamkhalaev fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Shamkhalaev scores with a decent looking hook.
Silva throws a lazy uppercut
and Shamkhalaev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Silva scores with a body shot.
Silva paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Shamkhalaev stuffs the takedown.
Shamkhalaev looks to land a right hand but Silva moved out of range.
Silva drops down looking for a counter takedown but Shamkhalaev sprawls and moves away.
Shamkhalaev throws a jab when Silva was well out of range.
Silva attempts a counter takedown but Shamkhalaev avoids it well and moves away.
Silva moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev misses the jab.
Shamkhalaev misses the jab.

Silva looking to score a takedown here. Shamkhalaev is defending well but Silva drives through and ends up in Shamkhalaev's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shamkhalaev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silva pushing down on Shamkhalaev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Shamkhalaev is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Silva looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shamkhalaev is looking for a sweep. Silva is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shamkhalaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silva.
Silva working the head and body with strikes.
Shamkhalaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silva.
Silva not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Silva thows a huge punch but Shamkhalaev dodges it nicely.
Silva throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Silva is looking to advance position but Shamkhalaev won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silva throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Silva wants to pass to mount but Shamkhalaev is defending the position.
Silva not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Silva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shamkhalaev's head.
Silva is keen to just control but Shamkhalaev is a slippery customer.
Silva sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shamkhalaev defending well though.
Silva frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Silva fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Silva throwing strikes here but Shamkhalaev is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Silva working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Silva lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Silva landing strikes from the mount and Shamkhalaev is in trouble!
Shamkhalaev taking shots to the head.
Silva lands a big shot there that rocks Shamkhalaev but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Shamkhalaev is rocked!
Silva postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Shamkhalaev in real trouble here! The ref calls for Shamkhalaev to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kron Silva!
Kron Silva bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.