PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ravi Shankoli (ranked 809 p4p, 97 weight class) and Frank Martin (ranked 2658 p4p, 287 weight class). Shankoli comes to the cage accompanied by Ravi Shankar - Om Shiva. Martin has chosen Henry V as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Shankoli
vs
Martin

187 cm
36
191 lbs
47 - 17 - 0

184 cm
32
185 lbs
15 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 47 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Ravi Shankoli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Martin!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Russell Pearce and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shankoli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Martin.
Martin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Martin lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Martin scoring well with a low kick there.
Shankoli looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Martin is looking to slow Shankoli down with leg kicks.
Martin throws a leg kick
and Shankoli counters with a nice kick to the body.
Shankoli fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A solid leg kick lands there for Martin.
Shankoli throws the kick towards the body but Martin avoids it.
Martin tries to land a front kick but Shankoli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shankoli lands a really nice looking cross but Martin seems unphased.

It looks like Frank Martin has been cut.
Shankoli misses with a wild combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Shankoli drops Martin with a beautiful combination! Martin stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Shankoli is looking for the KO!
Martin throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Martin.
A low kick from Martin is predictable there

and Shankoli counters with a crisp right hand that drops Martin! Shankoli lets Martin back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Martin is rocked!
Martin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Frank Martin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Martin throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Martin looks for the body kick but Shankoli saw that one coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Martin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shankoli. That did some damage!
Martin throws a head kick but Shankoli moves out of range.
Shankoli connects with a solid leg kick.
Martin throws a head kick but Shankoli moves out of range.
Shankoli misses with a few strikes there.
Martin throws a head kick that Shankoli semi-blocks.
Martin throws a wild body kick that Shankoli sees coming a mile off.
Shankoli throws a big counter combination but Martin scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Martin connects with the punch.
Shankoli connects with a single shot there.

That has opened up Frank Martin's cut even more.
Martin blocks a head kick by Shankoli.
Martin paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shankoli.
Martin tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Shankoli wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
An inside leg kick lands from Martin.
Martin throws a head kick but Shankoli moves out of range.
Shankoli seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Shankoli checks a leg kick.
Shankoli went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Shankoli fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Martin is out of range.
Shankoli comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Martin looks winded!
Martin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Shankoli tries to land a front kick but Martin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shankoli throws a head kick but Martin moves out of range.
Martin tries to counter with a clinch but Shankoli shakes him off and moves away.
Martin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Martin throws a leg kick but Shankoli checks it.
Crunch! Martin slams his shin into Shankoli's torso.
Martin throws a head kick that misses.
Martin throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin thows a leg kick but Shankoli checks it
and Shankoli counters with a head kick from the bowels of hell that crumples Martin! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Ravi Shankoli!
In his post fight interview, Ravi Shankoli gave a big smile as he said 'His spirit was strong, but my intention was to crush him. Psychologically, as well as physically with my boxing. I knew that he would be a willing opponent, and he showed heart, but my soul wanted this more! I feel strongly against animal violence, but in this case taking the hammer to the panda wa'.