PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dashawn Hopkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shamkhalaev has chosen CoCo (MAKJ Remix) - O.T. Genasis as his entrance music. Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hopkins
vs
Shamkhalaev

188 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

GREEN!160
Mohito Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dashawn Hopkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hopkins shoots in looking for a takedown but Shamkhalaev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hopkins's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hopkins changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shamkhalaev tries to avoid it but Hopkins manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shamkhalaev to the ground. Shamkhalaev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Shamkhalaev shoots in and drives through. Hopkins sprawls well.

Shamkhalaev drives through and clinches with Hopkins against the cage.
Shamkhalaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hopkins prevents it.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hopkins has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Shamkhalaev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dashawn Hopkins. 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.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hopkins creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Shamkhalaev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Hopkins has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Shamkhalaev after a bit of a struggle.
Hopkins takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Dashawn Hopkins has been cut.
Hopkins working hard to break the clinch.
Shamkhalaev working aggressively here.
Shamkhalaev stalling in the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shamkhalaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hopkins's brow.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.
Shamkhalaev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shamkhalaev just leaning against Hopkins, taking a breather.
Shamkhalaev stalling against the cage.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hopkins's defenses.
Shamkhalaev blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev blocks a body shot from Hopkins.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow that misses.
Hopkins takes an elbow to the temple.
Hopkins prevents a body shot from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev throws a head punch that misses.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hopkins blocks an elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Hopkins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Hopkins blocks an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but misses.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow that stopped Hopkins in his tracks for a moment.

Dashawn Hopkins's cut is getting worse.
Hopkins is trying to stall.

Hopkins drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shamkhalaev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Shamkhalaev is looking to stand up but Hopkins won't let him.
Shamkhalaev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shamkhalaev is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Shamkhalaev prevents Hopkins from getting back to his feet.
Hopkins has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shamkhalaev tries to stand but Hopkins is controlling from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hopkins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Shamkhalaev takes the fight into the clinch.
Shamkhalaev jumps guard but Hopkins stands there with Shamkhalaev around his waist. Shamkhalaev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.
Shamkhalaev lands a damaging elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dashawn Hopkins's cut.
That's time! Hopkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shamkhalaev rushes Hopkins and presses him up against the cage.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've been informed that Shamkhalaev has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hopkins avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Hopkins blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hopkins goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shamkhalaev prevents it.
Shamkhalaev stalling in the clinch.
Shamkhalaev leaning his opponent against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Shamkhalaev blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopkins avoids a wild elbow strike from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hopkins drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shamkhalaev pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hopkins clinches up with Shamkhalaev and pushes him back against the cage.
Hopkins is trying to force a seperation but Shamkhalaev has the dominant position.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow that stopped Hopkins in his tracks for a moment.
Shamkhalaev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shamkhalaev throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Shamkhalaev lands an elbow inside.
Shamkhalaev is looking to take this one to the mat.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.
Hopkins is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hopkins is looking to control Shamkhalaev's arms but Shamkhalaev gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hopkins has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins being controlled against the cage.
Shamkhalaev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Hopkins's defenses.

Dashawn Hopkins's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Shamkhalaev lands a nice elbow.

Shamkhalaev jumps guard and drags Hopkins to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shamkhalaev can do anything to dispel that myth.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shamkhalaev wants to get back to his feet but Hopkins is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hopkins stands and throws Shamkhalaev's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hopkins wants to control but Shamkhalaev is keeping him busy.
Hopkins is staying tight to Shamkhalaev's torso, preventing him from escaping.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hopkins decides to stand up, so the ref orders Shamkhalaev to his feet.
Hopkins misses with a takedown attempt - Shamkhalaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Shamkhalaev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dashawn Hopkins. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hopkins gets a clinch.
Hopkins goes for a takedown in the clinch but Shamkhalaev prevents it.
Hopkins has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Shamkhalaev after a bit of a struggle.
Shamkhalaev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hopkins takes an elbow to the temple.
Nice elbow from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hopkins is trying to drag Shamkhalaev to the mat but Shamkhalaev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hopkins takes an elbow to the forehead.

Jeez, Dashawn Hopkins's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Dashawn Hopkins's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev!
After the big win, Shakhbulat Shamkhalaev made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Mohito Fightwear and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.