PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arvynski Shimhaliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ulfric Taque (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Shimhaliev
vs
Taque

192 cm
25
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
26
280 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arvynski Shimhaliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ulfric Taque!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shimhaliev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Taque.
Shimhaliev tries to land a leg kick but Taque saw it coming and moves away.

Shimhaliev has Taque up against the cage in a clinch.

Shimhaliev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Taque tries for a takedown but Shimhaliev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Taque tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Shimhaliev is able to avoid easily.
Taque closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shimhaliev circles away.
Shimhaliev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Taque circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ulfric Taque seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shimhaliev tries to close the distance and clinch but Taque swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Shimhaliev moves into the clinch successfully.
Taque has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shimhaliev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Arvynski Shimhaliev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ulfric Taque.

Shimhaliev manages to break the clinch.
Shimhaliev throws a right hand that Taque ducks under and follows up with a left that Taque also avoids with ease.
Taque misses with a wild combination.

Taque scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Taque thows a huge punch but Shimhaliev dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimhaliev gets back to full guard.
Shimhaliev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Taque has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Shimhaliev wants to sweep here but Taque controlling him for the moment.

Taque drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Taque jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shimhaliev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Taque on the ground.
Shimhaliev controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Taque drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shimhaliev dives on top into guard.
Shimhaliev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Arvynski Shimhaliev.
Taque shoots in looking for a takedown. Shimhaliev tries to sprawl out of it but Taque keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shimhaliev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch up but Taque circles away and keeps his distance.
Shimhaliev stuffs the takedown attempt from Taque. Taque gets slowly back to his feet.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch up.
A jab from Taque misses.

Shimhaliev drives through and clinches with Taque against the cage.
Shimhaliev gets underhooks to prevent Taque's takedown attempt.
Taque looks winded!
Taque is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Shimhaliev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shimhaliev lands an elbow inside that Taque shrugs off.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Shimhaliev breaks from the clinch.
Shimhaliev fails in his attempt to clinch.

Shimhaliev has closed the distance and engaged Taque in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Taque takes an elbow to the temple.

Shimhaliev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Taque tries to sprawl but Shimhaliev drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Taque makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Shimhaliev tries to close the distance and clinch but Taque swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Taque misses with a takedown attempt - Shimhaliev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taque moves forwards but Shimhaliev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Shimhaliev wants to clinch up but Taque keeps it at a distance.

Shimhaliev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Taque, pushing him back against the cage.

Shimhaliev breaks the clinch.

Taque scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Taque is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shimhaliev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Shimhaliev is trying to control Taque's posture but Taque avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taque wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shimhaliev keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shimhaliev wants to get back to his feet but Taque drags him back down.
Shimhaliev takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shimhaliev is not content to let Taque control the position.

Taque looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvynski Shimhaliev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ulfric Taque's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Taque avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Taque avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shimhaliev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Taque paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shimhaliev slips a jab and a cross from Taque.
Taque fails with a takedown attempt.
Shimhaliev clobbers Taque with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Shimhaliev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Shimhaliev moves in looking to clinch but Taque pushes him off.
Shimhaliev is looking to clinch.

Shimhaliev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Taque manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Taque looking for a guillotine here but Shimhaliev defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taque working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shimhaliev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shimhaliev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Shimhaliev trying to control the position from guard on top but Taque is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimhaliev stays in close to Taque's body and controls the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Arvynski Shimhaliev.
Shimhaliev is looking to clinch.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Taque manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch there but Taque circles away.
Taque avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shimhaliev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shimhaliev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Taque wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shimhaliev has him pressed against the cage.
Shimhaliev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Taque's defenses.
Shimhaliev lands a nice elbow.

Shimhaliev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Taque fails with the takedown

and Shimhaliev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Shimhaliev lands an elbow inside that Taque shrugs off.
Shimhaliev lands a damaging elbow.

Shimhaliev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shimhaliev throws a jab but it's blocked by Taque.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Taque manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Taque swats away the attempt to clinch by Shimhaliev.
Taque wants to land a leg kick but Shimhaliev is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Taque closes the distance and clinches up with Shimhaliev, looking for a takedown. Taque pushes Shimhaliev against the cage but Shimhaliev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Arvynski Shimhaliev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ulfric Taque.
Taque throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Taque is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Taque gets tackled into the cage by Shimhaliev. Shimhaliev maintains the clinch.

Shimhaliev breaks the clinch.
Arvynski Shimhaliev is winning the standup battle so far.

Taque gets caught napping as Shimhaliev dives in and scores a takedown. Taque manages to retain guard.
Shimhaliev wants to control from the top but Taque keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Arvynski Shimhaliev.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Taque.
Taque fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shimhaliev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Taque swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Taque swats away the attempt to clinch by Shimhaliev.
Taque swats away the attempt to clinch by Shimhaliev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvynski Shimhaliev dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ulfric Taque's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shimhaliev.
Taque keeps the fight on the outside.
Shimhaliev moves in looking to clinch but Taque pushes him off.

Shimhaliev closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Taque's guard.
Taque is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shimhaliev is controlling him.

Taque is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Shimhaliev is aware though and is defending well.
Taque looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Arvynski Shimhaliev just wasn't active enough.
Taque misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shimhaliev.

Shimhaliev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Taque sprawls well initially but Shimhaliev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Shimhaliev decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
No joy there for Taque, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Taque takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Taque shoots in but no luck this time.

Shimhaliev moves into range and clinches up with Taque.
Shimhaliev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Shimhaliev breaks from the clinch.

Shimhaliev scores with a takedown into Taque's guard.
Shimhaliev trying to control the position from guard on top but Taque is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Arvynski Shimhaliev wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Nice sprawl there from Shimhaliev as Taque shoots in.
Ulfric Taque has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shimhaliev jabs Taque right on the nose. Taque blinks but takes it well.

Shimhaliev gets a clinch.

Shimhaliev breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Taque, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shimhaliev cracks Taque with a good jab.
Taque throws a hook but Shimhaliev blocks it.
Ulfric Taque is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Taque swats away the attempt to clinch by Shimhaliev.
Shimhaliev chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The fighters circling - Taque throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimhaliev stuffs the takedown.
Arvynski Shimhaliev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ulfric Taque.

Shimhaliev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Taque tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Shimhaliev is in Taque's guard.
Shimhaliev tries to stand but Taque is controlling from the bottom.
Shimhaliev has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Shimhaliev controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Arvynski Shimhaliev just wasn't active enough.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Taque manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Taque throws a right hand that Shimhaliev ducks under and follows up with a left that Shimhaliev also avoids with ease.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch there but Taque circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shimhaliev rushes Taque and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Taque misses with some punches.

Shimhaliev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shimhaliev tries to clinch there but Taque circles away.
Shimhaliev slaps away a takedown attempt from Taque, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Shimhaliev is looking to clinch but Taque is avoiding it.
Shimhaliev digs a good body shot into Taque's ribs.
Shimhaliev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shimhaliev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Taque gets cracked there but stands up to it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Taque has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Shimhaliev closes the distance and clinches.
Arvynski Shimhaliev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Shimhaliev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arvynski Shimhaliev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shimhaliev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arvynski Shimhaliev!