PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vitaliy Shunkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodrigo Rojas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shunkov
vs
Rojas

175 cm
25
164 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vitaliy Shunkov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrigo Rojas!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Leandro Rodrigues and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shunkov shoots in for a double leg but Rojas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vitaliy Shunkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shunkov fails with a takedown attempt.

Rojas looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Shunkov!
Shunkov is looking to regain half guard here but Rojas keeps moving and retains side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rojas misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Shunkov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shunkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shunkov trying to hold on to Rojas's head to control him but Rojas postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shunkov wants to improve his position but Rojas is controlling well.
Shunkov is trying to stand up here but Rojas is controlling him well.

Shunkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shunkov has his hands clasped together around Rojas's back. He's all about the action.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shunkov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

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.
Shunkov can't keep his opponent in guard - Rojas advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rojas moves into full mount! Shunkov won't be happy about that!
Shunkov reaches up and holds on to Rojas to control the position.
Rojas can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Shunkov is looking to escape.

Rojas jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Shunkov manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojas creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
You can see the frustration on Shunkov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rojas is trying to ground and pound but Shunkov uses the momentary lack of control by Rojas to regain half guard.

Shunkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Shunkov wants to get back to his feet.

That's four 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.
Shunkov wants to improve his position but Rojas is controlling well.
Shunkov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Rojas has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Shunkov tries to hold on but Rojas postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodrigo Rojas dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A telegraphed right hand from Rojas misses the target.
Rojas has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Shunkov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Rojas tries to clinch up

and Shunkov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Shunkov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rojas has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shunkov seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Shunkov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Shunkov fails to move to back control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas is looking to get to half guard.
Shunkov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Shunkov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rojas is on top in guard.
Shunkov wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov is working hard here to advance position.
Shunkov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Shunkov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rojas wants to control from the top but Shunkov keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov has Rojas pulled in close to control his posture.

Rojas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rojas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Shunkov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rojas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rojas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shunkov's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov trying to hold on to Rojas's head to control him but Rojas postures up.
Rojas is keen to just control but Shunkov is a slippery customer.
Vitaliy Shunkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shunkov wants to control but Rojas is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shunkov pushes Rojas off looking to stand but Rojas dives back in and keeps control.
Shunkov is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Shunkov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Shunkov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shunkov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rojas did well to prevent Shunkov getting side control.

Rojas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Shunkov pulls his head out easily.
Shunkov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Shunkov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rojas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shunkov controlling from the full mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Shunkov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Shunkov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Shunkov landing punches.
Shunkov is looking to stand but Shunkov has his arms wrapped tightly around him, looking to prevent the damage.
Shunkov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rojas's face.
Shunkov working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov wants to stand but Rojas is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.

Shunkov is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Rojas has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Rojas!
Rojas preventing the sweep.
Rojas tries to free his leg and advance position but Shunkov is retaining full guard.
Rojas preventing the sweep.
Shunkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shunkov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov wants to stand up but Rojas is controlling the position.

Shunkov is working for a kimura but Rojas is defending it quite comfortably.
Shunkov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rojas wants to control the action here but instead Shunkov manages to pass to full mount!

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.
Rojas is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Shunkov wants to get back to his feet but Rojas is holding on tight.
Shunkov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Shunkov is looking to work his way around to Rojas's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shunkov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Shunkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rojas can do to turn this around?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Shunkov clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Shunkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Rojas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rojas wants it to stay on the feet.
Rojas throws a combination that misses
and Shunkov counters with a left and a right that stings Rojas.
Shunkov shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vitaliy Shunkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rojas tries to clinch but Shunkov moves away

so Shunkov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Rojas is looking for a triangle but Shunkov pushes his legs off easily.
Shunkov tries to stand but Rojas is controlling from the bottom.
Rojas is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shunkov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rojas can't keep his opponent in guard - Shunkov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Shunkov wants to pass the guard but Rojas is defending well.
Shunkov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Rojas is defending against the submission attempts here by Shunkov.
It looks like Shunkov is going to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov stalling.
Nice strikes from Shunkov there.
Shunkov passes to full mount!
Shunkov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shunkov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Rojas tries to reverse the position but Shunkov maintains control.
Shunkov landing strikes from the mount.
BOOM! Shunkov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Shunkov controlling the position easily from mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vitaliy Shunkov had his way with Rodrigo Rojas in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Shunkov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rojas did well to prevent Shunkov getting side control.
Rojas is trying to get back to full guard.

Shunkov is working for a kimura but Rojas is defending it quite comfortably.
Rojas wants to improve his position but Shunkov is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shunkov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rojas is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojas won't allow Shunkov to pass to mount.
Rojas wants to improve his position but Shunkov is controlling well.

Shunkov has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Rojas defend it? Shunkov steps over the head and cranks it - Rojas is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Shunkov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Vitaliy Shunkov!
Vitaliy Shunkov retains his lightweight title!
Vitaliy Shunkov decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.