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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sultanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 2378 p4p, 2454 weight class) and Manny Mercado (ranked 294 p4p, 300 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.
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| 176 cm
22
155
3 - 1 - 0 |
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168 cm
21
160
4 - 2 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sultanbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Mercado!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Chad Campbell and Joseph Jones.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercado checks the leg kick nicely there.
Akhtankhanov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mercado checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Akhtankhanov lands a right hook to the body.
Mercado has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Akhtankhanov finds it's way round the side to connect with Mercado's head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Mercado.
Mercado checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mercado is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akhtankhanov.
Mercado cracks Akhtankhanov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov works Mercado's body with a nice hook.
Akhtankhanov misses the jab.
Mercado tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercado lands with a nice body kick.
Mercado misses with a low kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akhtankhanov.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akhtankhanov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akhtankhanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercado moves away.
Mercado misses with an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Akhtankhanov scores with a sloppy right hand. Mercado should have avoided that one.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Mercado.
Akhtankhanov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Akhtankhanov - just one landing.
Akhtankhanov misses with a leg kick.
Mercado throws a big counter head kick but Akhtankhanov avoids it with no problem.
Mercado scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mercado comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Akhtankhanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Akhtankhanov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mercado looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mercado misses with a body shot.
Mercado lands a slapping body shot.
Mercado swinging wildly here.
Mercado misses with a straight left.
Akhtankhanov avoids a kick to the body.
A quick step to the side and Akhtankhanov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mercado takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mercado takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercado drops his hands momentarily and Akhtankhanov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Akhtankhanov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Mercado on the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Akhtankhanov blocks a low kick nicely.
Akhtankhanov tries to clinch but Mercado moves out of range.
Mercado uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Akhtankhanov.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercado with the inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercado moves away.
Mercado counters with a body kick.
Akhtankhanov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Mercado.
Akhtankhanov takes a swing at Mercado's ribcage but misses.
Mercado on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Mercado throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akhtankhanov takes the fight into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Mercado.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov throws a punch but it's blocked by Mercado.
Akhtankhanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Akhtankhanov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mercado backwards.
Mercado swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akhtankhanov throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Akhtankhanov fails to land.
Mercado struggles to land a body shot inside as Akhtankhanov controls his hands.
Mercado misses with a body punch.
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mercado.
Mercado has had enough of the clinch but Akhtankhanov keeps him there for the moment.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Mercado uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mercado is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Akhtankhanov is keeping busy.
Mercado lands a left hand.
Mercado blocks an uppercut.
Mercado tries to break free but Akhtankhanov pushes him back against the cage.
Mercado pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akhtankhanov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Good leg kick by Akhtankhanov.
Mercado keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A big left from Mercado misses.
Mercado checks a leg kick.
Akhtankhanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Akhtankhanov throws a front kick aimed at Mercado's knee but Mercado avoids it well.
Akhtankhanov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Akhtankhanov misses its intended target.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Mercado moved away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mercado! But no joy.
Akhtankhanov slips a jab from Mercado.
A nice leg kick from Mercado, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mercado pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akhtankhanov misses with a right hand
and Mercado counters with a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercado slips a straight right by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov thuds a left hand into Mercado's body.
Mercado misses with a head kick.
Mercado throws an off balance right hand
and Akhtankhanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice looking body kick.
Mercado throws a body shot but no joy.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mercado throws a chopping leg kick but Akhtankhanov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mercado fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Akhtankhanov is out of range.
Mercado pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mercado avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Mercado pushes Akhtankhanov away with a front kick.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick that is checked
and Mercado counters with a stiff right hand.
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 Sultanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Akhtankhanov throws a shot from downtown. Mercado moves away and avoids it.
Mercado shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Akhtankhanov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mercado.
A big right from Akhtankhanov misses.
Akhtankhanov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mercado has time to react.
Mercado throws a head kick that misses.
That kick from Mercado tenderised Akhtankhanov's leg. Akhtankhanov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Mercado displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akhtankhanov throws out the jab.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Some bone on bone action there as Mercado checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Mercado has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Mercado there as he acknowledges the shot.
Mercado looks for the body kick but Akhtankhanov saw that one coming.
Akhtankhanov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice hook to Mercado's body. Mercado takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Akhtankhanov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercado sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mercado scores with a nice strike.
A jab from Mercado misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercado on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. Akhtankhanov obviously looking to wear him down.
Akhtankhanov clinches with his opponent.
Mercado blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado breaks from the clinch.
Mercado ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mercado avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mercado scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Mercado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mercado throws a low kick but it's checked well by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov missing with a left hand there. Mercado was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akhtankhanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mercado manages to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov digs a good body shot into Mercado's ribs.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Mercado moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Akhtankhanov avoids the head kick by Mercado.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mercado takes a step back to recover.
Akhtankhanov misses with a wild body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercado swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mercado avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mercado throws a jab when Akhtankhanov was well out of range.
Mercado pulls out of a head kick attempt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Mercado is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Mercado does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akhtankhanov moves away from the strike by Mercado.
Akhtankhanov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mercado uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akhtankhanov.
Mercado throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.
Mercado fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Akhtankhanov on the side of the head.
Mercado avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Mercado waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mercado takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Akhtankhanov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Mercado on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. Akhtankhanov obviously looking to wear him down.
Mercado tries a head kick but it misses.
Akhtankhanov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Mercado misses with a head kick.
Mercado moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Akhtankhanov takes a swing at Mercado's ribcage but misses.
Mercado looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Akhtankhanov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mercado doesn't seem bothered though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado scores with a kick to the midsection.
Mercado throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mercado scores with a crisp jab that stopped Akhtankhanov in his tracks.
Akhtankhanov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mercado is out of range and Akhtankhanov settles back down.
Mercado slips a jab from Akhtankhanov.
Mercado swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Akhtankhanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akhtankhanov lunges at Mercado with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mercado's hand.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akhtankhanov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mercado finds it's way round the side to connect with Akhtankhanov's head.
Mercado misses with a hook
and Akhtankhanov counters with an outside leg kick.
Good work by Akhtankhanov as he checks the leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mercado.
Akhtankhanov moves away from the strike by Mercado.
Akhtankhanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mercado looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Mercado tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fighters circling - Akhtankhanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Akhtankhanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mercado was well out of range. Poor timing from Akhtankhanov.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercado moves away from the strike by Akhtankhanov.
Mercado throws a looping overhand right but Akhtankhanov ducks down to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov lands a head shot.
Mercado thumps Akhtankhanov with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Mercado checks it.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Mercado wants to land a leg kick but Akhtankhanov is out of range.
Mercado gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Akhtankhanov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mercado throws a body shot but no joy.
Mercado ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akhtankhanov moves away.
Akhtankhanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akhtankhanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mercado moves away.
Akhtankhanov jabs Mercado to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mercado throws a jab but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Mercado takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Akhtankhanov takes one to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Sultanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Mercado misses with a left hand
and Akhtankhanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Mercado misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Akhtankhanov.
Mercado slips under a jab.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Mercado throws a counter combo.
Akhtankhanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mercado throws out the jab.
Akhtankhanov slips a jab from Mercado.
Mercado checks the leg kick.
Akhtankhanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mercado throws a body punch but Akhtankhanov moves out of range.
Mercado lands with a kick to the ribs.
Mercado tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercado.
Some bone on bone action there as Akhtankhanov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mercado on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A punch combination from Mercado misses.
Akhtankhanov is looking to counter punch.
Mercado with a nice calf kick.
A combination from Mercado does no damage.
Akhtankhanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akhtankhanov scores with a body shot.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercado misses with a double jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mercado at a distance.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick
and Mercado counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Akhtankhanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akhtankhanov checks a leg kick.
Akhtankhanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akhtankhanov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akhtankhanov.
Mercado throws a predictable looking body shot
and Mercado takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mercado wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mercado pivots, looking for a leg kick but Akhtankhanov is out of range and Mercado settles back down.
A shot to the liver by Mercado. Beautiful body shot.
Mercado closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mercado is looking to chop away at Akhtankhanov's legs.
Akhtankhanov checks a leg kick.
Mercado lands with a kick to the temple. Akhtankhanov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov connects with a single shot there.
Mercado scores with a nice right hand.
Akhtankhanov wants to slow Mercado down by chopping away at his legs.
Mercado ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook but Mercado avoids it easily.
Akhtankhanov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mercado tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mercado can't find room to land a body shot as Akhtankhanov controls the action.
A short right from Mercado on the inside.
Mercado's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Akhtankhanov blocking some punches.
Mercado breaks from the clinch.
Akhtankhanov scores with a leg kick.
Akhtankhanov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mercado.
Mercado lands a right hook to the body.
Mercado takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercado takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mercado throws a leg kick but Akhtankhanov moved away.
Mercado scores with a head kick.
Akhtankhanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Mercado circles away.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mercado has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mercado tries to score with a low kick but Akhtankhanov moves his leg out of the way.
Mercado swats away the attempt to clinch by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mercado.
Mercado throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Akhtankhanov's head.
Akhtankhanov scores with a hook to the body. Mercado takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mercado throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Mercado throws a wild body kick that Akhtankhanov sees coming a mile off.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akhtankhanov.
Mercado does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mercado. Akhtankhanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akhtankhanov wants to slow Mercado down by chopping away at his legs.
Mercado misses with a hook.
Akhtankhanov blocks a head kick by Mercado.
Akhtankhanov misses the body punch
and Mercado counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov thumps Mercado with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mercado scores with a nice right hand.
Manny Mercado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akhtankhanov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Akhtankhanov scores with a jab. Mercado acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mercado tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercado.
Mercado misses with the combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Akhtankhanov. Mercado shrugs it off though.
An inside leg kick lands from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov avoids the body shot from Mercado.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Manny Mercado.
Well Akhtankhanov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sultanbek Akhtankhanov!
After the fight, Sultanbek Akhtankhanov was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
82% |
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