PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dawindi Buktot (ranked 24778 p4p, 24708 weight class) and Kulata Bitok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kulata Bitok has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Buktot
vs
Bitok

182 cm
21
160
16 - 22 - 2

182 cm
21
160
14 - 25 - 2

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 16 - 22 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dawindi Buktot!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 25 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kulata Bitok!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Bitok closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Buktot controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Bitok keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Bitok thows a huge punch but Buktot dodges it nicely.
Buktot tries to roll over but Bitok keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buktot is trying to maintain the position but Bitok is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Buktot shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bitok as he jumps to the side.

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.
Buktot goes for a double leg but Bitok avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bitok continues to drive forward.
Bitok appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bitok goes for a takedown attempt but Buktot pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice sprawl there from Buktot as Bitok shoots in.
It appears Buktot was looking to counter with a kick there.

Bitok closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Buktot quickly recovers to half guard.
Buktot trying to control here.
Bitok seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buktot preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Bitok keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Buktot is trying to maintain the position but Bitok is very close to passing his half guard.
Bitok performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Buktot is pressing down on Bitok's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bitok stays in close to Buktot's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bitok displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Buktot.
Bitok follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kulata Bitok dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bitok shoots in for a double leg but Buktot sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Buktot dives in and grabs Bitok's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bitok pushes down on Buktot's head and hops out.
Bitok feints the counter takedown.
Bitok has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Buktot scores with a takedown into Bitok's guard.
Bitok throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to his closed guard and prevents Buktot from doing any damage or advancing position.
Let's hope that Bitok has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buktot wants to control from the top but Bitok keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Buktot's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bitok has control of Buktot's left arm, preventing Buktot from doing any damage.

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

Buktot shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Buktot trying to control but Bitok is working from the bottom.
Buktot stays in close to Bitok's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to his closed guard and prevents Buktot from doing any damage or advancing position.
Buktot trying to control the position from guard on top but Bitok is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buktot engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bitok pulls Buktot in close to prevent any damage.
Buktot working some strikes from top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Buktot stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Buktot wants it to stay on the feet.
Buktot half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dawindi Buktot dominated that second round.
That's time! Buktot's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bitok goes for a double leg but Buktot avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Buktot continues to drive forward.
Buktot shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bitok counters with a nice body kick.
Buktot has a takedown stuffed.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bitok! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bitok shoots in for a double leg but Buktot sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bitok just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromBuktot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Buktot shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bitok pinned against the cage. Bitok gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bitok replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Buktot blocks it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dawindi Buktot. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Buktot tries for a takedown but Bitok sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bitok was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Bitok defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Buktot.
Bitok counters with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bitok dives in for a single leg takedown but Buktot sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Buktot jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Buktot tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bitok sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Buktot somewhat.
Bitok is looking for the big counter here.
Bitok misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bitok gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Buktot to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Buktot content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Buktot wants to control from the top but Bitok keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dawindi Buktot showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Buktot 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 George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dawindi Buktot!