PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Shapirov (ranked 2313 p4p, 275 weight class) and Salman Shamkhalaev (ranked 1864 p4p, 227 weight class). Shamkhalaev comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Alter Bridge - Ties That Bind kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Salman Shamkhalaev told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Shapirov
vs
Shamkhalaev

170 cm
19
163 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
165 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexei Shapirov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Salman Shamkhalaev!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Fujiwara and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shapirov connects with a single shot there.
Shapirov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shamkhalaev has time to react.
Shapirov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Shapirov wants it to stay on the feet.
Shapirov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Shapirov lands a head shot.
Shamkhalaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shamkhalaev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shapirov defends it well.
Shapirov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Shapirov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shapirov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamkhalaev wants to counter the offense by Shapirov and move into the clinch position.
A shot to the body from Shapirov misses

and Shamkhalaev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Shapirov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shapirov tries to get out of the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shamkhalaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Shapirov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shamkhalaev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shapirov's guard.

Shamkhalaev wants to work for an arm triangle but Shapirov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shamkhalaev is pressing down on Shapirov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Shapirov is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shapirov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shamkhalaev.
Shapirov is looking for a sweep. Shamkhalaev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shamkhalaev wants to pass to mount but Shapirov is defending the position.

Shamkhalaev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shapirov is just riding it out for now. Shamkhalaev eventually gives up the hold.
Shapirov trying to hold on to Shamkhalaev's head to control him but Shamkhalaev postures up.

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.
Shamkhalaev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shapirov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Shamkhalaev might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Shapirov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Shapirov actively working from the bottom here.
Shamkhalaev trying to control from half guard but Shapirov is working away.

Shamkhalaev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Shamkhalaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shapirov wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shapirov is working hard here to advance position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Shamkhalaev is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Shamkhalaev looking to secure an arm triangle but Shapirov defends it well.
Shapirov tries to hold on but Shamkhalaev pushes him away.
Shapirov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Shapirov regains half guard.
Shamkhalaev trying to control from half guard but Shapirov is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Shamkhalaev.
Shamkhalaev wants to control but Shapirov is keeping him busy.

Shamkhalaev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shapirov sees it coming and defends easily.
Shamkhalaev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Shamkhalaev is looking to take a break and control but Shapirov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shamkhalaev lands with a punch from half guard.

Shamkhalaev seems to be looking for submissions.
Shapirov wants to control but Shamkhalaev is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev is looking to take a break and control but Shapirov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shamkhalaev landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Shapirov is looking to improve his position.
Shamkhalaev seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shapirov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Shapirov is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The PIT Hawaiian Kempo, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Shapirov tries to get to full guard but Shamkhalaev has control of the leg.
Shamkhalaev works his way into full mount!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev looking to control but Shapirov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Shamkhalaev is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Shapirov to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Shapirov shrugs it off.

Shamkhalaev goes for an armbar but Shapirov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Shapirov.
Shapirov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Shamkhalaev has his hands on Shapirov's head, controlling the position.
Shapirov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shapirov tries to free his leg and advance position but Shamkhalaev is retaining full guard.

Shamkhalaev working for a triangle but Shapirov defends it easily.
Shapirov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shapirov trying to control the position from guard on top but Shamkhalaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's eight 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.
Shapirov being controlled here momentarily.

Shamkhalaev has his foot on Shapirov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Shapirov works his way back into a safe position though.

Shapirov is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Shamkhalaev has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Shapirov is looking to defend but Shamkhalaev has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Shapirov! Shamkhalaev pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Shapirov taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Salman Shamkhalaev!
Salman Shamkhalaev is the new lightweight champion!
A relieved looking Salman Shamkhalaev thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.