PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ricco Rodrigez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexandr Shunkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shunkov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Nirvana-Smells Like Teen Spirit kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Alexandr Shunkov enters the cage!

Rodrigez
vs
Shunkov

178 cm
25
139 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

210 cm
26
138 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ricco Rodrigez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandr Shunkov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rodrigez stuffs the takedown.
Shunkov dodges the punch combination from Rodrigez.

Rodrigez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shunkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rodrigez after a bit of a struggle.
Shunkov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Rodrigez tries to sprawl out of it but Shunkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rodrigez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ricco Rodrigez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Shunkov.
Shunkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rodrigez's waist but Rodrigez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shunkov off to one side.

Rodrigez forces Shunkov back against the cage and clinches.
Shunkov wants a takedown.
Shunkov tries to score a body lock takedown but Rodrigez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shunkov trying to stall but Rodrigez improves his position.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch.

Rodrigez moves into the clinch.
Rodrigez avoids the elbow strike from Shunkov, against the cage.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shunkov dodges the punch combination from Rodrigez.
Rodrigez misses with a few strikes there.
Shunkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rodrigez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shunkov somewhat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rodrigez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shunkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shunkov shoots in and bounces Rodrigez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rodrigez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Shunkov stays in close to Rodrigez's body and controls the position.
Shunkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rodrigez wants to stand but Shunkov is controlling the position.

Alexandr Shunkov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Shunkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rodrigez doesn't manage to clinch there - Shunkov circles away.
Shunkov fails to land the takedown.
Ricco Rodrigez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rodrigez stuffs the takedown attempt from Shunkov. Shunkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Shunkov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rodrigez defends well and Shunkov ends up having to push Rodrigez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rodrigez prevents it.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch.

Rodrigez has taken the fight to the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Rodrigez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rodrigez wants to clinch.
Rodrigez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Shunkov shoots in but no luck this time.
Rodrigez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shunkov circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodrigez misses with a few strikes there.
Rodrigez misses with a two punch combination.
Rodrigez is breathing heavily.
Shunkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rodrigez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shunkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shunkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Shunkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigez avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shunkov, pushing him back against the cage.
Shunkov is looking to control Rodrigez's arms but Rodrigez gets an underhook and turns him. Now Shunkov has his back to the cage.
Shunkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rodrigez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rodrigez misses with a double jab.

Shunkov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rodrigez napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Shunkov stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shunkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shunkov moves in looking to clinch but Rodrigez pushes him off.
Shunkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rodrigez is looking to clinch but Shunkov is avoiding it.
Rodrigez moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodrigez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shunkov drives through with a takedown into Rodrigez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Shunkov wants to control from the top but Rodrigez keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Shunkov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Shunkov gets to his feet - Rodrigez follows without any prompting.
Shunkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rodrigez misses with the combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shunkov dives in and grabs Rodrigez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rodrigez pushes down on Shunkov's head and hops out.
Shunkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shunkov circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Alexandr Shunkov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shunkov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rodrigez as he avoids it easily.
Rodrigez misses with a wild combination.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Rodrigez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shunkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rodrigez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rodrigez throws a right hand that Shunkov ducks under and follows up with a left that Shunkov also avoids with ease.
Shunkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rodrigez's waist but Rodrigez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shunkov off to one side.
Ricco Rodrigez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Shunkov.

Shunkov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Shunkov showed some decent athleticism there.

Shunkov decides to return to a standing position.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Rodrigez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shunkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rodrigez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shunkov tries for a takedown but Rodrigez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rodrigez rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shunkov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shunkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rodrigez circles away.
Shunkov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rodrigez clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigez stops a takedown attempt from Shunkov.

Rodrigez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rodrigez moves into range and clinches up with Shunkov.
Shunkov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Rodrigez gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shunkov.
Shunkov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch.
Shunkov shoots in for a double leg but Rodrigez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Shunkov tries to keep at a distance but Rodrigez has taken the fight into the clinch.

Rodrigez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rodrigez instigates a clinch.
Shunkov wants a takedown.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Shunkov tries to keep at a distance but Rodrigez has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch.
Shunkov keeps the fight on the outside.
Rodrigez tries to clinch there but Shunkov circles away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rodrigez throws a right and a left that Shunkov avoids nicely.
Shunkov lands a leg kick that knocks Rodrigez off balance momentarily.
Shunkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rodrigez circles away.
Shunkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Rodrigez.
Shunkov dodges the punch combination from Rodrigez.
Rodrigez tries to clinch there but Shunkov circles away.
A punch combination from Rodrigez misses.
Shunkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rodrigez but Rodrigez pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Shunkov shoots in and gets a takedown into Rodrigez's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shunkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Shunkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Rodrigez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigez wants to get back to his feet but Shunkov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shunkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Alexandr Shunkov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Rodrigez misses with a double jab.
Rodrigez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Shunkov.
Rodrigez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shunkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shunkov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rodrigez tries to avoid it but Shunkov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rodrigez to the ground. Rodrigez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rodrigez tries to clinch there but Shunkov circles away.
Shunkov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ricco Rodrigez is winning the standup battle so far.
Shunkov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shunkov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Rodrigez on his heels. He'll look to pass Rodrigez's guard now, I'm sure.
Shunkov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Shunkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Shunkov is stalling in the full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shunkov postures up and lands a big shot to Rodrigez's brow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rodrigez is looking to stand up but Shunkov isn't so interested in that idea.

Shunkov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandr Shunkov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rodrigez tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shunkov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a takedown but Rodrigez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shunkov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rodrigez fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rodrigez keeps the fight on the outside.

Shunkov closes the distance and pushes Rodrigez back into the cage.
Shunkov is working for takedown but Rodrigez is calmly controlling the position for now.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shunkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Rodrigez.

Rodrigez drives through and clinches with Shunkov against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shunkov.
Shunkov tries to land a knee to the head but Rodrigez blocks with his arms.

Rodrigez breaks from the clinch.
Rodrigez misses with a double jab.
Rodrigez tries to clinch up but Shunkov circles away and keeps his distance.
Shunkov fails with the takedown.
Ricco Rodrigez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexandr Shunkov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shunkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigez avoids it really well and circles away.
Rodrigez doesn't manage to clinch there - Shunkov circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shunkov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rodrigez tries to avoid it but Shunkov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rodrigez to the ground. Rodrigez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shunkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rodrigez swivels and escapes.

Rodrigez moves into range and clinches up with Shunkov.

Rodrigez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rodrigez defends it nicely.
Rodrigez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rodrigez tries to close the distance and clinch but Shunkov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rodrigez fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Shunkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Shunkov swats away the attempt to clinch by Rodrigez.
Rodrigez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shunkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ricco Rodrigez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shunkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rodrigez looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov prevents Rodrigez from escaping the position.
Alexandr Shunkov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Shunkov decides to take the fight back to the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shunkov darts in looking for a takedown but Rodrigez gets double underhooks and turns Shunkov into the cage.
Shunkov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rodrigez stops a takedown attempt from Shunkov.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Rodrigez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rodrigez is looking to clinch.
Rodrigez misses with the combination.
Shunkov shoots in but no luck this time.
A punch combination from Rodrigez misses.
Shunkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rodrigez pinned against the cage. Rodrigez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rodrigez tries to clinch there but Shunkov circles away.
Rodrigez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov tries for a takedown but Rodrigez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Rodrigez pushes Shunkov up against the cage in a clinch.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shunkov doesn't manage to clinch there - Rodrigez circles away.
Shunkov shoots in and drives through. Rodrigez sprawls well.
Rodrigez misses with a two punch combination.
Shunkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rodrigez but Rodrigez pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Rodrigez drives through and clinches with Shunkov against the cage.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodrigez tries to clinch but Shunkov moves out of range.
Rodrigez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rodrigez wants it to stay on the feet.

Rodrigez drives through and clinches with Shunkov against the cage.
Shunkov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rodrigez pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Rodrigez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice takedown defense from Rodrigez. No joy for Shunkov on that attempt.
Rodrigez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shunkov circles away quickly and effectively.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rodrigez's waist but Rodrigez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shunkov off to one side.
Rodrigez misses with a series of wild punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Shunkov slips a jab and a cross from Rodrigez.
Shunkov fails with a takedown attempt.

Rodrigez rushes Shunkov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rodrigez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shunkov keeps the fight on the outside.
Shunkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rodrigez circles away.
Rodrigez misses with a wild combination.
Shunkov shoots in for a takedown but Rodrigez shows good takedown defense.
Shunkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rodrigez's waist but Rodrigez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Shunkov off to one side.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rodrigez tries to bum rush Shunkov with a series of wild strikes but Shunkov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shunkov darts in looking for a takedown but Rodrigez gets double underhooks and turns Shunkov into the cage.

Rodrigez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ricco Rodrigez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexandr Shunkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Shunkov shoots in looking for a takedown. Rodrigez tries to sprawl out of it but Shunkov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rodrigez manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricco Rodrigez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shunkov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandr Shunkov!
Alexandr Shunkov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.