PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 1166 p4p, 139 weight class) and Charlie Wax (ranked 3056 p4p, 319 weight class). Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Charlie Wax's chin.

Shamkhalaev
vs
Wax

181 cm
35
162 lbs
25 - 19 - 2

179 cm
37
157 lbs
26 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Freebok (85% 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 25 - 19 - 2, fighting out of New York, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charlie Wax!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wax scores with a hook.
A solid leg kick lands there for Wax.
Some bone on bone action there as Shamkhalaev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Wax dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Shamkhalaev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wax.
Wax steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shamkhalaev.
Nice straight punches there by Shamkhalaev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Shamkhalaev.
Wax throws a body punch but Shamkhalaev moves out of range.
Shamkhalaev misses with a looping left.
Wax slips under a jab.
A slow jab from Shamkhalaev misses its intended target.
Wax waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev connects with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shamkhalaev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Wax doesn't seem bothered though.
Shamkhalaev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Shamkhalaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wax was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamkhalaev.
Wax has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Shamkhalaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wax.
Wax misses with a left hand
letting Shamkhalaev counter with a right hand.
Shamkhalaev missing with a left hand there. Wax was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wax takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev stuns Wax with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Shamkhalaev lands a lovely overhand right.
A left lands for Wax.
Wax misses with a looping left.
Wax moves out of range as Shamkhalaev strikes.
Shamkhalaev fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Wax on the side of the head.
A big left from Shamkhalaev misses.
Wax missing with a left hand there. Shamkhalaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Shamkhalaev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wax swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Shamkhalaev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shamkhalaev just misses with a punch to the body.
A jab from Shamkhalaev misses.
Wax misses with a straight left.
Shamkhalaev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wax tries to clinch but Shamkhalaev moves away
and Shamkhalaev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Shamkhalaev. Wax does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shamkhalaev misses the jab.
Wax throws a front kick aimed at Shamkhalaev's knee but Shamkhalaev avoids it well.
Shamkhalaev throws out a powerful jab.
Shamkhalaev takes one on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wax cracks Shamkhalaev with a good jab.
A decent looking cross lands there for Wax.
Shamkhalaev is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Wax keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Wax connects with a body shot that sends Shamkhalaev's belly button to the back.
Shamkhalaev takes a swing at Wax's ribcage but misses.
Wax lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wax uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wax.
Shamkhalaev takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Shamkhalaev lands the left hand.
Shamkhalaev misses with an uppercut. Wax saw that one coming.
Shamkhalaev throws a jab but it's blocked by Wax.
Wax misses with a looping left.
Wax rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Shamkhalaev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Wax thinking.
A telegraphed right hand from Shamkhalaev misses the target.
Shamkhalaev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev ducks under a wild hook from Wax.
Wax throws a combination that misses
enabling Shamkhalaev to counter with a crisp jab.
Wax throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wax pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wax scores with a nice right hand.
Shamkhalaev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamkhalaev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Shamkhalaev jabs at Wax's body.
Shamkhalaev tests Wax's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wax uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shamkhalaev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Wax under the eye.
Shamkhalaev lands the left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wax on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Wax misses with a hook.

Wax moves into the clinch successfully.
Wax misses with a punch on the inside.
Wax misses with the head strike.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with an uppercut but Wax uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamkhalaev.
Wax lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wax's elbow.
Shamkhalaev misses with some punches.
Wax gets through Shamkhalaev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev misses with the head strike.
Wax misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Wax.
Wax misses with a body punch.
Shamkhalaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wax misses with a punch to the body.
Shamkhalaev lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Wax backwards.
Wax tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shamkhalaev's elbow.
Wax blocks a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wax's elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wax swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wax working aggressively here.
Wax lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Wax.
Shamkhalaev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Wax misses with a body shot.
Wax misses with a hook to the body
and Shamkhalaev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shamkhalaev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nice defenses there by Shamkhalaev.
Wax throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Shamkhalaev.
Wax lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A left lands for Shamkhalaev.
Nice defenses there by Shamkhalaev.
Wax uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shamkhalaev.
Wax let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Shamkhalaev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Shamkhalaev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Wax throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot.
Wax throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wax misses with a hook. Shamkhalaev ducked under it nicely.
Shamkhalaev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Shamkhalaev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Wax on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shamkhalaev's corner calls for a 1-2. Shamkhalaev obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Wax.

It looks like Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has been cut.
Wax fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev throws a hook but Wax avoids it easily.
Wax looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Wax throws a jab but it's blocked by Shamkhalaev.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shamkhalaev. Wax does a little dance to reset his feet.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Wax in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Wax fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shamkhalaev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wax moves out of range of the strikes.
Wax is looking to land body kicks.
Wax has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Wax with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shamkhalaev misses the jab.
Wax throws a shot from downtown. Shamkhalaev moves away and avoids it.
Shamkhalaev misses with a looping right.
Wax throws a lazy uppercut
and Shamkhalaev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wax scores with a hook to the body. Shamkhalaev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shamkhalaev misses with an uppercut
enabling Wax to counter with a crisp jab.
Wax slips a jab from Shamkhalaev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wax looks to land a body kick but Shamkhalaev moved away.
Good exchange - Wax coming out on top.
Wax moves out of range as Shamkhalaev strikes.
Good work by Shamkhalaev as he checks the leg kick.
Wax uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shamkhalaev.
Nice body punch from Wax.
Wax lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wax avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wax misses the jab.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice looking body shot.
Wax throws a hook but Shamkhalaev avoids it easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Shamkhalaev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Wax just misses with a punch to the body.
Shamkhalaev uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wax looks to score with a jab to the body but Shamkhalaev is just out of range.
Wax misses with a wild body shot.
Wax misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wax misses with a hook.
Shamkhalaev was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Wax tries a head kick but it misses.
Shamkhalaev slips under a jab from Wax.
It looked like Shamkhalaev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Left hook, right uppercut from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev just misses with a punch to the body.
A slow jab from Wax misses its intended target.
Wax misses with a body kick.
Wax misses with a hook. Shamkhalaev ducked under it nicely.
Wax with a nice cross.
Shamkhalaev connects with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice looking body shot.
Wax takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wax's jab looks to have found its range, popping Shamkhalaev under the eye.
Wax scores with a hook to the body. Shamkhalaev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wax just misses with a punch to the body.
Shamkhalaev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Shamkhalaev fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses the shot to the body.
A big right from Shamkhalaev misses.
Jab, jab by Wax - just one landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Shamkhalaev misses the target.
Shamkhalaev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A slow jab from Wax misses its intended target.
Shamkhalaev lands with a cross.
Wax throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A decent looking cross lands there for Wax.
A swing and a miss from Wax.
Wax scores with a crisp jab that stopped Shamkhalaev in his tracks.
Wax throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shamkhalaev throws a looping overhand right but Wax ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wax tries to work over Shamkhalaev's front leg with a kick but Shamkhalaev checks it.
A jab from Wax misses.
Wax fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Wax misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Charlie Wax will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Some bone on bone action there as Shamkhalaev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A jab from Wax misses.
A lazy left from Shamkhalaev finds it's target.
Shamkhalaev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wax manages to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev throws a jab but it's blocked by Wax.
A countering left hand to the body from Wax misses.
Wax just misses with a punch to the body.
Shamkhalaev digs a good body shot into Wax's ribs.
Donk. Wax catches Shamkhalaev right on the button with a cross.
Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev is winning the standup battle so far.
Wax fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shamkhalaev manages to avoid it.
Shamkhalaev throws a lazy right hand but Wax sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Shamkhalaev gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Wax.
Shamkhalaev staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shamkhalaev. Wax does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wax throws a solid leg kick but Shamkhalaev takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Wax.
Wax waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shamkhalaev.
Wax misses with a left hand
and Shamkhalaev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wax misses with a body shot.
Wax lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shamkhalaev at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wax misses with a hook. Shamkhalaev ducked under it nicely.
Shamkhalaev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wax was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Wax moves away.
Shamkhalaev throws a good cross that connects.
Shamkhalaev slips under a jab from Wax.
Wax scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Shamkhalaev doesn't seem bothered though.
Wax looks to land a left hand but Shamkhalaev moved out of range nicely.
Shamkhalaev misses the jab.
Wax moves forwards but Shamkhalaev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Wax will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shamkhalaev throws the left hand but Wax avoids the punch easily.
Shamkhalaev scores with a jab to the body.
Shamkhalaev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shamkhalaev works Wax's body with a nice hook.
Wax misses with a hook. Shamkhalaev ducked under it nicely.
Wax misses the shot to the body.
Shamkhalaev throws a lazy uppercut
and Wax counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shamkhalaev takes a swing at Wax's ribcage but misses.
Wax throws out a counter right but Shamkhalaev avoids it with no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev misses with a wild body shot.
Wax with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Shamkhalaev to score with a decent uppercut.
Wax steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev staying out of range there.
Shamkhalaev just misses with a punch to the body.
Wax throws an overhand right that lands on Shamkhalaev's shoulder, as Shamkhalaev tries to avoid the shot.
Wax is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shamkhalaev stuns Wax with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Shamkhalaev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wax avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shamkhalaev moves out of range as Wax strikes.
Wax jabs Shamkhalaev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wax is looking to land body kicks.
Wax scoring well with a low kick there.
Wax motions for Shamkhalaev to come forward. Wax throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Shamkhalaev connects with a jab.
Shamkhalaev missing with a left hand there. Wax was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wax looks to score with a jab to the body but Shamkhalaev is just out of range.
Wax has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Shamkhalaev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Wax.
Wax will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Shamkhalaev walks into a stiff left hand from Wax.

Wax clinches up against the cage.
Wax tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shamkhalaev throws a punch but it's blocked by Wax.
Wax tries a knee to the head but Shamkhalaev blocks it.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Wax swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamkhalaev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wax lands with a left to the head.
Wax blocks an uppercut.
Wax misses with a short punch on the inside.

Shamkhalaev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wax takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wax lands a lovely overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wax pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wax attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Wax misses with a lunging right hand
and Shamkhalaev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wax gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Shamkhalaev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wax misses with an uppercut
enabling Shamkhalaev to counter with a crisp jab.
Shamkhalaev throws a right hand that misses
and Wax counters with a left to the body.
Shamkhalaev blocks a leg kick.
Shamkhalaev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wax tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shamkhalaev throws a body punch but Wax moves out of range.
Shamkhalaev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body shot.
Shamkhalaev misses with a body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shamkhalaev connects with a right hand. Wax shakes it off.
A slow jab from Shamkhalaev misses its intended target.
Wax slips under a jab.
Shamkhalaev with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev.
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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
After the fight, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.