PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Rock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Beslan Shamhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Beslan Shamhalaev will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rock
vs
Shamhalaev

188 cm
19
180 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

188 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bruce Rock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Beslan Shamhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shamhalaev closes the distance and clinches.
Shamhalaev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rock looking for a takedown.
Shamhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamhalaev lands a hook that snaps the head of Rock backwards.

It looks like Bruce Rock has been cut.
Rock is trying to force a seperation but Shamhalaev has the dominant position.
Shamhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rock tries for a takedown but Shamhalaev manages to get underhooks.
Shamhalaev stops a takedown attempt from Rock.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruce Rock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shamhalaev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Shamhalaev stops a takedown attempt from Rock.
Shamhalaev landing knees to the head.
Shamhalaev lands a knee to the head.
Rock tries to score a body lock takedown but Shamhalaev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rock is breathing heavily.
Shamhalaev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short left from Shamhalaev.
Shamhalaev lands a knee to the head.
Shamhalaev landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Shamhalaev.
Shamhalaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rock takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamhalaev landing knees to the head.
Shamhalaev is trying to maintain a safe position but Rock gets an underhook and turns Shamhalaev into the cage.
A knee to the head by Shamhalaev.

Rock is rocked!
Rock takes a knee right on the jaw!
Oh Rock is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rock letting Shamhalaev take a breather here.
Shamhalaev with a knee to the head.
Shamhalaev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Shamhalaev with a knee to the head.
Shamhalaev connects with a knee to the head.
We've been hearing reports that Rock has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Shamhalaev lands an elbow that stopped Rock in his tracks for a moment.
Rock takes a shot to the head.
A knee to the head by Shamhalaev.
Shamhalaev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Shamhalaev scores a nice knee to the body.
Rock tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shamhalaev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Rock is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shamhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Rock takes a knee right on the jaw!
Shamhalaev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Rock's face.
Rock avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamhalaev.
Shamhalaev landing knees to the head.
Shamhalaev lands with a right to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamhalaev with a knee to the head.
Shamhalaev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Rock is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Shamhalaev scores with a shot to the side of Rock's head.
Shamhalaev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Shamhalaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rock takes a knee right on the jaw!
Shamhalaev landing knees to the head.
Shamhalaev connects with a knee to the head.
Rock misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shamhalaev.
Shamhalaev lands a shoulder strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rock's brow.
Rock seems to have got his legs back now.
Rock drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shamhalaev pulls his leg out and moves away.

Shamhalaev instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rock can't get the takedown.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Rock has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Shamhalaev regains guard immediately.
Rock tries to free his leg and advance position but Shamhalaev is retaining full guard.
Rock slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rock grinds an elbow into Shamhalaev's temple.
Shamhalaev taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rock is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Shamhalaev is trying to escape and Rock transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Shamhalaev is forced to tap! Nice work there by Rock! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bruce Rock!
After winning the bout, Bruce Rock thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.