PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tamiwe Kamanula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Shunkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kamanula comes to the cage accompanied by LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out. Shunkov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kamanula
vs
Shunkov

165 cm
26
135 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

210 cm
25
138 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tamiwe Kamanula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Shunkov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Fedor Mirinova and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kamanula shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Kamanula stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
We've been told by Kamanula's head coaches at Bad Pluto! that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Shunkov goes for a double leg but Kamanula avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kamanula continues to drive forward.
Kamanula looking for a takedown.
Shunkov tries for a takedown but Kamanula manages to get underhooks.
Kamanula unloads a knee to the mid-section. Shunkov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kamanula using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shunkov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Shunkov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kamanula has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kamanula stops a takedown attempt from Shunkov.
Tamiwe Kamanula has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Shunkov.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Shunkov stops a takedown attempt from Kamanula.
Shunkov wants to take the fight to the mat but Kamanula manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shunkov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shunkov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kamanula avoids it.
A frustrated look appears on Shunkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kamanula escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Kamanula.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Shunkov is defended easily by Kamanula.

Shunkov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kamanula might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shunkov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Kamanula's legs.

Shunkov stands up.
Shunkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Kamanula tries to sprawl out of it but Shunkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kamanula manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Kamanula bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shunkov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kamanula.

Kamanula has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Kamanula tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shunkov avoids the head kick by Kamanula.
Shunkov avoids the head kick by Kamanula.
Shunkov shoots in for a double leg but Kamanula sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Kamanula feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kamanula is breathing heavily.
Kamanula throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kamanula got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shunkov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kamanula has managed to get both his arms back between Shunkov's legs - danger averted.
Shunkov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Shunkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kamanula throwing strikes from guard but Shunkov blocks nicely.
Shunkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Shunkov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Shunkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov is looking for a takedown.
Shunkov misses with the head strike.
Shunkov can't get the takedown.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shunkov throws an elbow but misses.
Shunkov goes for a takedown attempt but Kamanula pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Shunkov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kamanula counters with a head kick that crumples his opponent - he's in a world of trouble! Kamanula looks at the referee who does nothing so Kamanula lands a crushing right that sends Shunkov to the floor! This time the ref steps in to end the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tamiwe Kamanula!
After winning the bout, Tamiwe Kamanula thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.