PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sulimbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 5454 p4p, 1475 weight class) and CG Mannheim (ranked 258 p4p, 88 weight class). 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.

Akhtankhanov
vs
Mannheim

174 cm
21
130
2 - 0 - 0

163 cm
20
143
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sulimbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, CG Mannheim!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Columbo Gatti and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akhtankhanov feints and then cracks Mannheim's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mannheim down.
Mannheim misses with a looping left.
Mannheim throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mannheim throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.
Nice jab there from Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook but Mannheim blocks it.
Akhtankhanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov scoring well with a low kick there.
Akhtankhanov feints and then cracks Mannheim's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mannheim down.
Mannheim moves out of range of the leg kick from Akhtankhanov.
Mannheim looks for a takedown but Akhtankhanov sprawls well.
A punch lands to the side of Mannheim 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Akhtankhanov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mannheim lands a jab to the nose.
That kick from Akhtankhanov tenderised Mannheim's leg. Mannheim is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akhtankhanov misses the jab.
Akhtankhanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Mannheim takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Akhtankhanov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Akhtankhanov is looking to counter punch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Akhtankhanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Akhtankhanov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Mannheim fails with a takedown attempt.
Akhtankhanov moves away from the strike by Mannheim.
Mannheim rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akhtankhanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mannheim scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick which misses Mannheim's front leg but catches the back leg as Mannheim tries to avoid it.
Mannheim's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Akhtankhanov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mannheim throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akhtankhanov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mannheim lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Akhtankhanov gets caught napping as Mannheim dives in and scores a takedown. Akhtankhanov manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mannheim won't allow Akhtankhanov to get back to his feet.
Mannheim tries to free his leg and advance position but Akhtankhanov is retaining full guard.
Akhtankhanov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mannheim is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Mannheim lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Akhtankhanov is looking to stand up but Mannheim isn't so interested in that idea.
Mannheim pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akhtankhanov is keeping the position for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sulimbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A decent looking cross lands there for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov staying out of range there.
Mannheim looks to land a right hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mannheim doesn't seem bothered though.
Mannheim lands a jab to the head.
Mannheim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mannheim's head backwards.
Mannheim keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mannheim lands a jab to the nose.
Mannheim throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akhtankhanov lands a slapping body shot.
Akhtankhanov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mannheim uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov digs a good body shot into Mannheim's ribs.
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!
Mannheim misses the shot to the body.
Mannheim looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Akhtankhanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab.
Mannheim just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov thuds a left hand into Mannheim's body.
The crowd cheers as Akhtankhanov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mannheim doesn't seem phased though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mannheim shoots for a takedown but Akhtankhanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mannheim throws a big shot that misses.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mannheim takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mannheim backs up against the cage.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. That's going to slow Mannheim down.
Mannheim throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akhtankhanov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
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!
Akhtankhanov scores with a nice head shot.
Akhtankhanov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mannheim's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Akhtankhanov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mannheim scrambles back to his feet.
It looks like Akhtankhanov has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Mannheim misses the body punch
and Akhtankhanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akhtankhanov walks into a left hand.
Akhtankhanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mannheim can do to turn this around?
Mannheim shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Mannheim moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov lands with an overhand left.
Mannheim takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab.
Akhtankhanov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Jab, jab by Akhtankhanov - just one landing.
Akhtankhanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov scores with a leg kick.
Mannheim takes a swing at Akhtankhanov's ribcage but misses.
Mannheim looks to throw the jab but Akhtankhanov is out of range.
Mannheim thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mannheim digs a good body shot into Akhtankhanov's ribs.
Akhtankhanov with the inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Mannheim feints the counter takedown.
Akhtankhanov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Akhtankhanov scores with the left hand. Mannheim knows he should have avoided that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akhtankhanov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mannheim avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands a body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Akhtankhanov.
Mannheim throws a hook but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sulimbek Akhtankhanov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Akhtankhanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sulimbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mannheim throws a nice looking combination but Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mannheim waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akhtankhanov.
Mannheim pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mannheim lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. That's going to slow Mannheim down.
A nice leg kick from Akhtankhanov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mannheim throws a body punch but Akhtankhanov moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab from Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov is looking to counter the offense by Mannheim and move into the clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Akhtankhanov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mannheim chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Akhtankhanov can pounce on him.
Akhtankhanov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Akhtankhanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Mannheim is just out of range.
Mannheim with the counter takedown but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.
Akhtankhanov takes a swing at Mannheim's ribcage but misses.
Akhtankhanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mannheim.
Mannheim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Akhtankhanov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Akhtankhanov with a nice cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mannheim takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Decent striking displayed by Akhtankhanov there.
Akhtankhanov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mannheim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mannheim.
Mannheim with a lazy takedown attempt
and Akhtankhanov counters with a series of strikes. Mannheim will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mannheim swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Akhtankhanov lands a right hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov connects with a jab.
Sloppy strikes from Mannheim. Those never looked like landing.
Sulimbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mannheim staying out of range there.
A little jabbing left from Mannheim on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Akhtankhanov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Mannheim throws a poor cross that misses
and Akhtankhanov counters with a right hand to the body.
Mannheim misses with a right hand
letting Akhtankhanov counter with a right hand.
Mannheim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mannheim.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Mannheim moves out of range.
Mannheim takes a swing at Akhtankhanov's ribcage but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mannheim shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Akhtankhanov catches Mannheim with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A low kick lands for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mannheim's hands.
Mannheim takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mannheim falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Akhtankhanov counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Akhtankhanov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Akhtankhanov misses with a wild body shot.
Mannheim throws a looping overhand right but Akhtankhanov ducks down to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov with a nice calf kick.
Akhtankhanov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sulimbek Akhtankhanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Mannheim slips under a jab.
Mannheim has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mannheim moves out of range of the leg kick from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Mannheim is just out of range.
Mannheim avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Mannheim throws a looping overhand right but Akhtankhanov ducks down to avoid it.
Mannheim lunges at Akhtankhanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Akhtankhanov's hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mannheim swings for the body but Akhtankhanov moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Akhtankhanov connects with an inside leg kick.
Sulimbek Akhtankhanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akhtankhanov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
CG Mannheim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akhtankhanov cracks Mannheim with a right hand to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sulimbek Akhtankhanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Akhtankhanov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sulimbek Akhtankhanov!
Sulimbek Akhtankhanov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.