PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tank Tribute (ranked 1199 p4p, 1553 weight class) and Bjorn Akerfeldt (ranked 169 p4p, 213 weight class). Tribute comes to the cage accompanied by tank abbot tribute. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tribute
vs
Akerfeldt

184 cm
25
205
10 - 5 - 0

196 cm
23
224
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tank Tribute!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bjorn Akerfeldt!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Summer Carpenter and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tribute fails to land with a series of punches.

Akerfeldt closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Tribute did well to prevent Akerfeldt getting side control.

Akerfeldt is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tribute defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tribute trying to control here.
Akerfeldt is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tribute gets back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tribute trying to control the position.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Akerfeldt working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Tribute is on top in guard.

Akerfeldt tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tribute showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

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

Akerfeldt working for a triangle but Tribute defends it easily.
Tribute might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Tribute is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two 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.

Akerfeldt escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tribute gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Akerfeldt looking for a guillotine here but Tribute defends easily.
Tribute tries to free his leg and advance position but Akerfeldt is retaining full guard.
Tribute sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Akerfeldt is trying to control the position but Tribute postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akerfeldt looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Akerfeldt looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Akerfeldt can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tribute controls the pace.

Akerfeldt looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Akerfeldt is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Tribute engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Akerfeldt is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tribute is aware though and is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Akerfeldt can't keep his opponent in guard - Tribute advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Akerfeldt tries to get to full guard but Tribute has control of the leg.
Tribute slows the pace down in half guard.

Akerfeldt actively working from the bottom here.
Tribute content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Akerfeldt actively working from the bottom here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tribute takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bjorn Akerfeldt will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Akerfeldt misses with a shot to the body
and Tribute counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Akerfeldt shoots in looking for a takedown but Tribute manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Akerfeldt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Akerfeldt looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Tribute!
Tribute struggling a bit here.
Tribute is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Akerfeldt is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Tribute bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Akerfeldt had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tribute defends it easily.

Akerfeldt working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tribute doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tribute manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tribute controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akerfeldt has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tribute can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tribute stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akerfeldt swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tribute is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Tribute looking to pass the guard.

Akerfeldt is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tribute is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Tribute got a little sloppy there for a moment and Akerfeldt has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tribute has managed to get both his arms back between Akerfeldt's legs - danger averted.

Akerfeldt has an active guard here but Tribute has managed to pass into half guard.
Tribute wants to free his trapped foot but Akerfeldt is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Tribute stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Akerfeldt to get to his feet.
Tribute lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Akerfeldt fails in his attempt to clinch.
Akerfeldt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Tribute pinned against the cage. Tribute gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
An attempted straight right counter from Tribute misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akerfeldt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Tribute is fending him off so far but Akerfeldt persists. Nope, Tribute circles away and we're back to standing.
Tank Tribute has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bjorn Akerfeldt.
Akerfeldt uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tribute.
Akerfeldt takes a jab right on the kisser.
Akerfeldt blocks a jab.
Akerfeldt misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Tribute to counter with a crisp jab.
Akerfeldt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tribute swivels and escapes.
Akerfeldt is breathing heavily.
Tribute throws the left hand but Akerfeldt avoids the punch easily.
Tribute stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Akerfeldt shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tribute but Tribute pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Akerfeldt ducks under a wild hook from Tribute.
Akerfeldt dives in and grabs Tribute's left leg, looking for a takedown. Tribute pushes down on Akerfeldt's head and hops out.

Tribute feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Akerfeldt sprawling to the canvas! Akerfeldt rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Tribute finish him?!

Akerfeldt is rocked!

It looks like Bjorn Akerfeldt has been cut.
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!
Akerfeldt tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tribute sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akerfeldt somewhat.
Tank Tribute is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tribute jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A jab from Tribute misses.
Akerfeldt dives in for a single leg takedown but Tribute sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Akerfeldt fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tribute throws a looping overhand right but Akerfeldt ducks down to avoid it.
Akerfeldt tries to close the distance and clinch but Tribute swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Akerfeldt throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tribute.
Akerfeldt displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tribute throws out the jab.
Tribute misses with an uppercut. Akerfeldt saw that one coming.
Tribute defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Akerfeldt.
Tribute is looking to counter punch.
Akerfeldt keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tribute.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tank Tribute dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Bjorn Akerfeldt's cut.
That's time! Tribute's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Akerfeldt wants to clinch
and Tribute counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bjorn Akerfeldt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tribute stuffs the takedown.
Akerfeldt tries to clinch up but Tribute circles away and keeps his distance.
Akerfeldt gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Tribute counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tribute Throws a clean left jab. Tribute Twirls his body and connects with a Spinning Back Fist that connects flush with Akerfeldt's chin! Akerfeldt crumbles to the ground and Tribute follows up with some unanswered strikes. It's all over!! Nice standup skills displayed by Tribute!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Tank Tribute!
In his post fight interview, Tank Tribute gave a big smile as he said '🤷‍♂️'.