PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Clubber Lang (ranked 1496 p4p, 2509 weight class) and Atakan Akkaynak (ranked 226 p4p, 343 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lang
vs
Akkaynak

185 cm
24
190
6 - 5 - 0

180 cm
24
195
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Clubber Lang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Atakan Akkaynak!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Dean Styles and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akkaynak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akkaynak scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lang misses with a low kick.
Akkaynak circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lang just misses with a punch to the body.
Akkaynak throws a hook but Lang avoids it easily.
The crowd cheers as Lang lands an impressive looking overhand right. Akkaynak doesn't seem phased though.
Lang scores with a punch to the head.
Akkaynak loads up on a big right hand but Lang slips the punch.
We've been informed that Akkaynak has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Akkaynak thows a leg kick but Lang checks it
and Lang cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lang keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Akkaynak.
Lang scores with a kick to the midsection.
Akkaynak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Lang fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akkaynak manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akkaynak moves away.
Lang lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Lang looks to score with a jab to the body but Akkaynak is just out of range.
Akkaynak looks to land a body kick but Lang moved away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Akkaynak.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akkaynak misses with the ground and pound.
Lang defending against the ground and pound.
Akkaynak misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Akkaynak tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Lang is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Akkaynak's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Akkaynak sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lang defending well though.
Lang blocking the ground and pound attempt from Akkaynak.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lang regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Akkaynak.
Akkaynak with a nice head shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akkaynak stopping the sweep attempt from Lang.
Lang has Akkaynak pulled in close to control his posture.
Akkaynak advances to half guard.

Akkaynak is working for a submission of some sort.
Akkaynak thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lang's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Akkaynak is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Lang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lang is working hard here to advance position.
Akkaynak looks to land a strike but Lang avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Akkaynak throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lang works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Akkaynak loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lang has control of Akkaynak's left arm, preventing Akkaynak from doing any damage.
Akkaynak throwing strikes from guard but Lang blocks nicely.
Akkaynak working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lang's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akkaynak trying to control the position from guard on top but Lang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akkaynak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Akkaynak postures up in Lang's guard and throws a big left but Lang blocks it.
Lang seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Akkaynak has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lang can't keep his opponent in guard - Akkaynak advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Akkaynak frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Akkaynak punching from mount but Lang doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Akkaynak misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
The referee warns Lang that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Atakan Akkaynak dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akkaynak jabs Lang right on the nose. Lang blinks but takes it well.
Lang throws a front kick aimed at Akkaynak's knee but Akkaynak avoids it well.
Akkaynak feints the counter takedown.
Akkaynak throws a body punch but Lang moves out of range.
Lang checks a low kick from Akkaynak.

Lang clinches up with Akkaynak and pushes him back against the cage.
Lang misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akkaynak is trying to stall.
Lang misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lang has Akkaynak pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akkaynak is trying to stall.
Akkaynak has Lang pressed against the cage, preventing Lang from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang lands a body punch.
Lang struggles to land a body shot inside as Akkaynak controls his hands.
Akkaynak blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Lang lands a nice shot to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akkaynak.
Lang lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Akkaynak prevents a body shot from Lang.
Lang misses with a body punch.
Akkaynak's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Lang fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Lang on the inside.
Lang lands a left hand.
Lang misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akkaynak is trying to stall.

Akkaynak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lang is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akkaynak.
Akkaynak avoids the body shot from Lang.
Lang finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Akkaynak is looking to score with low kicks.
Lang takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Clubber Lang is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice body punch from Lang.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lang displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Akkaynak.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akkaynak misses with a hook. Lang ducked under it nicely.
Lang stuffs the takedown.
Akkaynak throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lang.
Lang walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lang misses with a kick to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Lang misses the target.
Akkaynak drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lang defends it well.
Lang moves out of range as Akkaynak strikes.
Lang lands with a nice body punch.
Lang keeps Akkaynak at a distance using the push kick.
Lang throws a big shot that misses.
Akkaynak is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Akkaynak jabs at Lang's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lang takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Lang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akkaynak moves away.
Lang throws a leg kick which misses Akkaynak's front leg but catches the back leg as Akkaynak tries to avoid it.
Akkaynak moves out of range as Lang strikes.
Lang throws a leg kick but Akkaynak checks it.
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!
Akkaynak throws a poor cross that misses
and Lang counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Lang throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Akkaynak counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Akkaynak wants to pass the guard but Lang is defending well.
Lang is controlling Akkaynak's trapped leg to prevent Akkaynak from advancing to side control.
Atakan Akkaynak has got the better of the ground game so far.
Akkaynak stalling away here and it's allowed Lang to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Akkaynak pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lang is keeping the position for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Clubber Lang dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akkaynak moves away.
Akkaynak smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lang throws a hook but Akkaynak avoids it easily.
Akkaynak takes a swing at Lang's ribcage but misses.
Akkaynak throws a lazy right hand but Lang sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Lang wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lang keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lang lands a leg kick that knocks Akkaynak off balance momentarily.
Lang fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Akkaynak has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Akkaynak misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akkaynak moves out of range of the strikes.
Akkaynak takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Akkaynak shoots in but no luck this time.
Akkaynak uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lang.
Akkaynak is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akkaynak misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Akkaynak takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lang lands with a shot to the body.
Akkaynak looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lang is fending him off so far but Akkaynak persists. Nope, Lang circles away and we're back to standing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lang. Akkaynak does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lang ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Lang.
Lang walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Lang wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lang ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Lang scores with a jab to the jaw.
Akkaynak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lang misses with a kick to the body

and Akkaynak counters with a single leg into guard. Lang didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akkaynak connects with a couple of short punches.
Lang looking to control.
Lang avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akkaynak trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lang manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Akkaynak manages to get himself to full guard.

Lang controlling from the top position.
Akkaynak looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lang is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang controls from within his opponent's guard.
Lang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Akkaynak being controlled here, momentarily.
Lang forces his way into half guard.
Lang stalling.
Akkaynak is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lang is taking a breather. Akkaynak says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Akkaynak is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lang's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lang's back!
Akkaynak misses with punches from the back.
Akkaynak tries to get the hooks in deep but Lang pushed the leg off.
Akkaynak looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Akkaynak has Lang flattened out and is raining down punches.
Lang avoids the strikes from Akkaynak.
Akkaynak throwing damaging strikes from the back! Lang could be in trouble here!
Akkaynak is landing with strikes. Lang can't take much more of this.
Akkaynak loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Lang hold on?
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Clubber Lang did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lang swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Lang has managed to clinch.
Lang misses with a hook to the ribs.

Akkaynak's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Akkaynak works over Lang's head and body with a nice combination.
Lang ducks under a wild hook from Akkaynak.
Akkaynak misses the body punch
and Lang counters with a nice uppercut.
Lang moves forwards but Akkaynak connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Lang clinches.

Lang escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lang motions for Akkaynak to come forward. Lang throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Akkaynak misses with a low kick.
Clubber Lang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lang checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang lands an overhand right.
Lang walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Akkaynak checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Akkaynak goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lang ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Lang lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lang throws a low kick but Akkaynak avoids it.
Lang uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akkaynak.
Lang tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Akkaynak misses with a takedown attempt
and Lang counters with a right hand to the body.
Jab, jab by Akkaynak - just one landing.
Akkaynak misses with a combination
and Lang makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lang takes the fight into the clinch.
Lang goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Lang lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Lang.

Akkaynak manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lang is stalling in the full guard.
Lang continues to stall.

Akkaynak has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Lang is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Akkaynak.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang is staying tight to Akkaynak's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Akkaynak misses with a strike from the bottom.
Akkaynak tries to buck Lang off but Lang is having none of it.
Akkaynak is trying to escape the position but Lang is controlling the position.
Akkaynak is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Akkaynak is still trying to improve position.
Akkaynak gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lang controlling the pace for now.
Akkaynak keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Lang controlling from mount.
Akkaynak is trying desperately to improve position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akkaynak keeps trying to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Clubber Lang had his way with Atakan Akkaynak in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Akkaynak connects with the punch.
It looks like Lang has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Lang attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Akkaynak takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Lang moves away from the strike by Akkaynak.
Akkaynak throws a body punch but Lang moves out of range.
Lang blocks a head kick by Akkaynak.

Akkaynak throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lang tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Akkaynak is in Lang's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akkaynak trying to control the position from guard on top but Lang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lang is controlling Akkaynak's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lang keeping full guard, as Akkaynak tries to pass.
Akkaynak won't allow Lang to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Akkaynak accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lang is pulling down on Akkaynak's head to control his posture.
Lang is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Akkaynak manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lang on his heels. He'll look to pass Lang's guard now, I'm sure.
Akkaynak loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Clubber Lang is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lang wants to sweep here but Akkaynak controlling him for the moment.
Akkaynak looking to sit in guard and control but Lang gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Akkaynak looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Lang pushes down on Akkaynak's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Akkaynak manages to get to full guard.
Lang stays in close to Akkaynak's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lang trying to control but Akkaynak is working from the bottom.
Lang's corner is telling him to maintain position.

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.
Akkaynak wants to sweep here but Lang controlling him for the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Atakan Akkaynak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nice sprawl there from Lang as Akkaynak shoots in.
Lang was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Akkaynak walks into a jab.
Lang takes one on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Atakan Akkaynak.
I think Lang has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 47:48
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 47:48
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Atakan Akkaynak!