PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Igor Akenfewa (ranked 4889 p4p, 4064 weight class) and Chris Coyle (ranked 453 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Akenfewa
vs
Coyle

187 cm
25
270
0 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
245
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Igor Akenfewa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chris Coyle!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akenfewa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Coyle counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Igor Akenfewa has been cut.

Coyle closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Coyle lands in his opponent's guard.
Akenfewa being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akenfewa has a closed guard, preventing Coyle from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akenfewa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Coyle seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
It looks like Coyle might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Coyle circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akenfewa really is a fat lump.
Akenfewa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Coyle swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Akenfewa tries to close the distance and clinch but Coyle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Akenfewa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Igor Akenfewa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akenfewa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Akenfewa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Coyle swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Akenfewa has Coyle up against the cage in a clinch.

Coyle works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Coyle is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coyle is continuing to stall.

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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Akenfewa tries to close the distance and clinch but Coyle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Akenfewa tries to clinch but Coyle moves away

and Coyle counters with a nice double leg into side control. Akenfewa won't be happy with that.
Akenfewa parries the strikes from Coyle easily there. Coyle is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Akenfewa to escape.
Coyle happy to just control the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Coyle dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Igor Akenfewa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akenfewa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Coyle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Akenfewa closes the distance looking to clinch

and Coyle counters with a shoot takedown. Akenfewa fights it but they end up in guard.
Coyle looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Chris Coyle has got the better of the ground game so far.
Coyle has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Akenfewa is proving hard to escape from.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coyle stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akenfewa swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Akenfewa throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Coyle escapes and throws Akenfewa's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coyle takes a little break here. Akenfewa wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Akenfewa tries to buck Coyle off but Coyle is having none of it.
Coyle happy to just control the position for now.
Akenfewa tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Coyle presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Akenfewa is desperately trying to improve his position but Coyle has a good base and remains in mount.
Coyle fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Coyle is working for a guillotine from mount but Akenfewa frees his head quite easily.
Coyle sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akenfewa is trying desperately to improve position.
Coyle controlling from mount.

That's four 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.
Coyle manages to capitalize on a mistake by Akenfewa to take his back!
Coyle is riding his opponent, not letting Akenfewa buck him off.
Akenfewa wants to escape the position.
Akenfewa has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Coyle.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Coyle. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akenfewa tries to roll but Coyle sticks to his back.

Coyle looking for the choke but no joy.
Coyle lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Coyle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Igor Akenfewa's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Coyle keeps the fight on the outside.
Akenfewa tries to clinch up but Coyle circles away and keeps his distance.

Akenfewa tries to sprawl but Coyle drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Coyle takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Coyle scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coyle looks to land a strike but Akenfewa avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Coyle stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Akenfewa has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Coyle manages to get his head free but now Akenfewa has transitioned to an armbar! Coyle grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Akenfewa! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Igor Akenfewa!
Igor Akenfewa thanked the fans post fight for their support.