PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Babak Akjo (ranked 4332 p4p, 5990 weight class) and Joe Exotic (ranked 485 p4p, 574 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Akjo
vs
Exotic

174 cm
25
190
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
180
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Babak Akjo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Joe Exotic!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Michael Johnstone and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akjo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Exotic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A swing and a miss from Akjo.
As Akjo backs off Exotic throws a huge counter combo but Akjo manages to avoid it all.
Akjo misses with a straight left.
Akjo blocks a head kick by Exotic.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akjo. That's going to slow Exotic down.
Akjo avoids the head kick by Exotic.
Akjo scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Akjo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akjo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akjo throws a leg kick which misses Exotic's front leg but catches the back leg as Exotic tries to avoid it.
Exotic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Akjo.
Akjo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Exotic doesn't seem bothered though.
Exotic checks a leg kick.
Exotic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Akjo's head backwards.
A head kick misses from Akjo.
A swing and a miss from Akjo.
Exotic moves away from the strike by Akjo.
Akjo misses with a wild body shot.
Akjo tests Exotic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Exotic throws a sloppy head kick and Akjo moves out of range easily.
Exotic tried to score with a low kick but Akjo checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akjo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akjo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Akjo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Exotic misses with a head kick.
Akjo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Akjo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Exotic blocks a head kick by Akjo.
Akjo jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Exotic closes the distance and clinches.

Akjo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akjo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Exotic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akjo misses with a low kick.
Exotic throws a head kick but Akjo moves out of range.
Exotic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akjo.
Akjo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Akjo is breathing heavily.
Exotic tries to clinch up.
Akjo swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Akjo misses with a wild body shot.

Exotic pushes Akjo up against the cage in a clinch.
Exotic lands an elbow inside.
Akjo pushes Exotic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akjo working aggressively here.
Akjo misses with the head strike.
Exotic throws an elbow but it misses.
Akjo blocks an elbow strike.
Exotic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akjo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Akjo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Akjo blocks an elbow strike from Exotic.
Exotic lands a nice elbow.
Exotic misses with an elbow over the top.

Akjo breaks the clinch.
A low kick lands for Exotic.
The fight stays on the outside here - Exotic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Akjo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Exotic moves away.
Akjo misses with a hook.
Akjo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Akjo throws a leg kick but Exotic checks it.
Exotic lands a head shot.

Exotic clinches up with Akjo and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akjo managing to block the knees to the body from Exotic.
Akjo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akjo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Exotic is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akjo is defending well for now.
Exotic misses with an elbow strike.
Exotic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Exotic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Akjo breaks the clinch.
Akjo takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Exotic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Akjo.
Akjo throws a nice looking combination but Exotic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Exotic defending well as Akjo loads up on a big left hand.
Exotic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Exotic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Exotic closes the distance and clinches.
Akjo avoids a wild elbow strike from Exotic.
Akjo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akjo tries to break free but Exotic pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akjo avoids the elbow strike from Exotic, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Exotic throws an elbow but misses.

Akjo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Exotic throws a head kick that misses.
Exotic dips to his left and cracks Akjo with an uppercut!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Exotic.
Exotic throws a quick inside leg kick.

Akjo gets tackled into the cage by Exotic. Exotic maintains the clinch.
Akjo blocks an elbow strike.
Exotic lands a nice elbow.
Exotic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Exotic throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akjo blocks it with crossed arms.
Akjo takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Exotic missing with knees to the body.
Akjo is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Exotic's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Exotic lands an elbow that stopped Akjo in his tracks for a moment.
Exotic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Exotic.
Akjo blocks the elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joe Exotic will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Akjo moves out of range of the body kick from Exotic.
Akjo misses with a wild body shot.
Akjo looks to score with a jab to the body but Exotic is just out of range.
Exotic throws a counter combo.
Exotic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Exotic scores with a nice strike.
Exotic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Exotic moves into the clinch.
Exotic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Akjo avoids it.
Akjo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Akjo comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Akjo blocks an elbow strike from Exotic.
A nice left hand lands by Akjo.
Akjo digs a right hand into Exotic's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Exotic's gas tank.
Akjo avoids the elbow strike from Exotic, against the cage.
Akjo lands a hook that snaps the head of Exotic backwards.
Akjo gets through Exotic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Akjo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Joe Exotic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Exotic is breathing heavily.
Akjo lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Akjo lands a hook that snaps the head of Exotic backwards.
Akjo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Exotic throws an elbow but misses.
Akjo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akjo lands with a left to the head.
Exotic is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akjo is defending well for now.
Akjo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Akjo breaks the clinch.
Akjo swats away the attempt to clinch by Exotic.
Exotic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Akjo is looking to land body kicks.
Akjo misses with a wild combination.
Babak Akjo is winning the standup battle so far.
Exotic misses with a wild combination.
Akjo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The fight stays on the outside here - Exotic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akjo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Akjo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Akjo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Exotic wants to clinch up but Akjo keeps it at a distance.
Exotic lands an overhand right.
Exotic lands a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akjo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Exotic finds it's way round the side to connect with Akjo's head.
Exotic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Akjo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Akjo avoids the head kick by Exotic.
Exotic delivers a nice body kick.

Exotic closes the distance and clinches.
Exotic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Akjo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akjo.
Exotic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Exotic dodges an elbow strike from Akjo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akjo dodges an elbow strike from Exotic.
Akjo misses with a punch on the inside.
Exotic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akjo.
Exotic misses with a knee strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Exotic throws an elbow but misses.
Akjo working aggressively here.
Exotic blocks an elbow strike.
Akjo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Exotic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akjo.
Exotic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Akjo avoids a wild elbow strike from Exotic.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Exotic.
Exotic misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akjo.
Exotic looks to throw an elbow but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Exotic just misses with a elbow thrown towards Akjo's brow.
Exotic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Exotic lands a nice elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akjo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Exotic tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Akjo avoids it.
Akjo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Akjo lands with a light punch inside.

Akjo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Exotic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Akjo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Akjo lands with a hook. Exotic tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Exotic scores with a head kick.
Exotic tries to clinch but Akjo moves out of range.
Akjo throws a body shot but no joy.

Exotic moves into the clinch.

Akjo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akjo throws a body punch but Exotic moves out of range.
A head kick from Exotic lands but Akjo takes it in his stride.
Exotic throws a head kick that half lands.
Exotic with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Akjo to score with a decent uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joe Exotic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Exotic closes the distance and pushes Akjo back into the cage.
Akjo digs a right hand underneath Exotic's ribcage. Exotic let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Exotic lands an elbow that stopped Akjo in his tracks for a moment.
Akjo working aggressively here.

Akjo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akjo misses with a straight right.
Akjo misses with an uppercut.
Akjo tries a head kick but it misses.
Akjo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akjo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A head kick from Akjo lands but Exotic takes it in his stride.
Exotic tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Akjo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Akjo lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Akjo moves out of range of the body kick from Exotic.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Exotic throws a nice looking combination but Akjo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Akjo throws a big shot that misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Exotic. Akjo shrugs it off though.
Exotic wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Exotic fails in his attempt to clinch.
Akjo went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Akjo throws a big shot that misses.
Exotic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Exotic misses with an uppercut. Akjo saw that one coming.
Akjo throws a shot from downtown. Exotic moves away and avoids it.
Exotic tries a head kick but it misses.

Exotic instigates a clinch.
Exotic misses with a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akjo.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akjo.

Akjo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Exotic feints a jab promting Akjo to slip. Exotic then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Akjo slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Akjo throws a hook to the side of Exotic's head but Exotic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akjo throws a head kick but Exotic moves out of range.
Exotic tries to clinch but Akjo moves out of range.
Exotic throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Akjo's head.
Exotic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akjo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Exotic is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Exotic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Akjo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Exotic scores with a jab to the head.

Akjo is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Exotic connects with a leg kick.
Oh Akjo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ohhhhhhhhhh, brutal head kick from Exotic! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:16 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Joe Exotic!