PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rustam Shakhbulatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro De Pacas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shakhbulatov comes to the cage accompanied by Sabina Saidova - Dagestan. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shakhbulatov
vs
De Pacas

178 cm
26
166 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
163 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rustam Shakhbulatov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pedro De Pacas!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
De Pacas misses with a two punch combination.
Shakhbulatov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and De Pacas counters with a two punch combo.
De Pacas lands a jab to Shakhbulatov's midsection.
We've been told by Shakhbulatov's head coaches at Westside Martial Arts that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Shakhbulatov tries for a takedown but De Pacas circles away easily
and De Pacas counters with a two punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
De Pacas feints a jab promting Shakhbulatov to slip. De Pacas then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Shakhbulatov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Rustam Shakhbulatov has been cut.
De Pacas lands the left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by De Pacas. Beautiful body shot.
Pedro De Pacas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shakhbulatov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and De Pacas counters with a three punch combo that has Shakhbulatov backing up. Shakhbulatov nods at De Pacas to acknowledge the strikes.
De Pacas's coach down at Cobb was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on De Pacas's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Shakhbulatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
De Pacas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
De Pacas lunges at Shakhbulatov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shakhbulatov's hand.
Shakhbulatov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
De Pacas fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Shakhbulatov on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shakhbulatov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into De Pacas's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if De Pacas can do anything to dispel that myth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
De Pacas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Shakhbulatov is controlling him.
Shakhbulatov with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shakhbulatov trying to control the position from guard on top but De Pacas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
De Pacas wants to get back to his feet but Shakhbulatov passes into half guard.

Shakhbulatov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shakhbulatov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Shakhbulatov wants to control but De Pacas is keeping him busy.
De Pacas tries to kick Shakhbulatov off but Shakhbulatov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shakhbulatov wants to pass to mount but De Pacas is defending the position.

Shakhbulatov is trying to work for a kimura but De Pacas is defending well.
Shakhbulatov wants to pass to mount but De Pacas is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
De Pacas is not content to let Shakhbulatov control the position.
De Pacas on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shakhbulatov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

De Pacas is defending against the submission attempts here by Shakhbulatov.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Shakhbulatov in particular looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pedro De Pacas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rustam Shakhbulatov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shakhbulatov closes the distance looking to clinch
and De Pacas counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
De Pacas swinging wildly here.
De Pacas changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shakhbulatov tries for a takedown but De Pacas circles away easily
letting De Pacas counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shakhbulatov gets tackled into the cage by De Pacas. De Pacas maintains the clinch.

De Pacas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shakhbulatov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
De Pacas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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

Shakhbulatov in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... De Pacas is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rustam Shakhbulatov!
Rustam Shakhbulatov retains his lightweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Rustam Shakhbulatov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.