PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aslanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 661 p4p, 1473 weight class) and Red Yabattoir (ranked 45 p4p, 95 weight class). Yabattoir has chosen Them A Big Chatter Box as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Akhtankhanov
vs
Yabattoir

178 cm
27
145
10 - 6 - 0

168 cm
26
148
10 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Red Yabattoir!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akhtankhanov smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Yabattoir takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Akhtankhanov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Blaze Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Yabattoir missing with a left hand there. Akhtankhanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jab, jab by Yabattoir - just one landing.
Akhtankhanov throws out a leg kick but Yabattoir moves out of range and Akhtankhanov only half commits.
Akhtankhanov motions for Yabattoir to come forward. Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yabattoir looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Yabattoir rushes Akhtankhanov and presses him up against the cage.
Yabattoir misses with a punch to the body.
Akhtankhanov stalling.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yabattoir.

Akhtankhanov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yabattoir clobbers Akhtankhanov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Yabattoir looks to throw the jab but Akhtankhanov is out of range.
Akhtankhanov is looking to counter punch.
Akhtankhanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akhtankhanov scores with a decent looking hook.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akhtankhanov 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.
Yabattoir has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov wants to land a leg kick but Yabattoir is out of range.
Yabattoir throws a counter combo.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook. Yabattoir ducked under it nicely.
Yabattoir gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Akhtankhanov misses with a straight right.
Yabattoir throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Akhtankhanov counters with a straight right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Akhtankhanov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Akhtankhanov swings for the body but Yabattoir moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a left hand but Yabattoir moved out of range nicely.
Yabattoir rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akhtankhanov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Akhtankhanov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Yabattoir has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A slow jab from Akhtankhanov misses its intended target.
Akhtankhanov throws a right and a left that Yabattoir avoids nicely.
Akhtankhanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yabattoir is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akhtankhanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Akhtankhanov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yabattoir misses with a wild body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Akhtankhanov misses the target.
A telegraphed right hand from Akhtankhanov misses the target.
Yabattoir moves away from the strike by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Akhtankhanov thows a leg kick but Yabattoir checks it

and Yabattoir counters with a single leg into guard. Akhtankhanov didn't expect that.
Akhtankhanov is trying to control the position but Yabattoir postures up.
Yabattoir slips nicely into half guard.
Yabattoir trying to pass the guard but Akhtankhanov defending well.
Yabattoir is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yabattoir is keen to just control but Akhtankhanov is a slippery customer.
Yabattoir has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Yabattoir tries to control but Akhtankhanov wriggling away.

Yabattoir is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Akhtankhanov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Yabattoir is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Akhtankhanov is surviving well by controlling Yabattoir's body position as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yabattoir trying to control but Akhtankhanov is having none of it.
Yabattoir with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Akhtankhanov wants to control but Yabattoir is having none of it.
Yabattoir takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Yabattoir thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
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 Aslanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Akhtankhanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yabattoir. That did some damage!
Yabattoir shoots in looking for a takedown but Akhtankhanov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yabattoir's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Akhtankhanov misses with a series of wild punches.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Yabattoir! But no joy.
Yabattoir on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. Akhtankhanov obviously looking to wear him down.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick that misses.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Yabattoir swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Akhtankhanov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Yabattoir circles away quickly and effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov misses with a low kick.
Yabattoir has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Yabattoir misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov throws a solid leg kick but Yabattoir takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good work by Yabattoir as he checks the leg kick.
Akhtankhanov thows a leg kick but Yabattoir checks it
letting Yabattoir counter with a right hand.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab to the head.
Akhtankhanov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Akhtankhanov throws the left hand but Yabattoir avoids the punch easily.
Yabattoir looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Yabattoir keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Yabattoir lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Akhtankhanov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Akhtankhanov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Yabattoir sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yabattoir tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Akhtankhanov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A punch combination from Akhtankhanov misses.
Yabattoir ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.
Yabattoir drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Akhtankhanov defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yabattoir looks to land a right hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akhtankhanov connects with an inside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Akhtankhanov misses.
A swing and a miss from Akhtankhanov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook but Yabattoir avoids it easily.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a combination but Yabattoir avoids it well.
Akhtankhanov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Yabattoir scores with a jab. Akhtankhanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Akhtankhanov throws out a leg kick but Yabattoir moves out of range and Akhtankhanov only half commits.
Yabattoir defending well as Akhtankhanov loads up on a big left hand.
A countering left hand to the body from Yabattoir misses.
Akhtankhanov misses with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov ducks right into an uppercut from Yabattoir.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Yabattoir's head.
Akhtankhanov staying out of range there.
Yabattoir misses the shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Yabattoir with the counter takedown but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Yabattoir is looking to clinch.
Yabattoir stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov throws a low kick, looking for Yabattoir's leg but Yabattoir calmly moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice shot that snaps Yabattoir's head back.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. That's going to slow Yabattoir down.
Akhtankhanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a right hand but Yabattoir moved out of range.
Good shot there by Akhtankhanov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yabattoir blocks a jab.
Akhtankhanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Yabattoir blocks a jab.
Yabattoir looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Yabattoir tries to clinch
and Akhtankhanov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akhtankhanov lands a really nice looking cross but Yabattoir seems unphased.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab.
It looked like Akhtankhanov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Yabattoir rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akhtankhanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akhtankhanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut. Yabattoir saw that one coming.
Akhtankhanov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Yabattoir. That did some damage!
Akhtankhanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Yabattoir moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Akhtankhanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A little jabbing left from Yabattoir on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Yabattoir darts in looking for a takedown but Akhtankhanov gets double underhooks and turns Yabattoir into the cage.
Yabattoir throws a hook but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.
Yabattoir throws a shot from downtown. Akhtankhanov moves away and avoids it.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Akhtankhanov moves away from the strike by Yabattoir.
Yabattoir just misses with a punch to the body.
Yabattoir looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhtankhanov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Yabattoir is able to avoid easily.
Yabattoir misses the jab.
Akhtankhanov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Akhtankhanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yabattoir can do to turn this around?
Yabattoir walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Akhtankhanov scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yabattoir uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akhtankhanov.
Yabattoir looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Yabattoir is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov wants to land a leg kick but Yabattoir is out of range.
Yabattoir is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Yabattoir misses with a lunging right hand
and Akhtankhanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Yabattoir fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Akhtankhanov sprawls well initially but Yabattoir persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Akhtankhanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yabattoir on the ground.

Yabattoir is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Akhtankhanov sees it coming and defends easily.

Yabattoir seems to be working for a kimura but Akhtankhanov defends the submission attempt.
Akhtankhanov is controlling Yabattoir's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Red Yabattoir has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yabattoir wants to advance to full mount but Akhtankhanov doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Red Yabattoir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov has Yabattoir pulled in close to control his posture.
Yabattoir content to stall in guard here.
Yabattoir wants to control from the top but Akhtankhanov keeps moving.
Yabattoir looking to sit in guard and control but Akhtankhanov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Yabattoir throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Yabattoir looking for a sweep. Not yet Yabattoir, not yet.
Yabattoir is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Yabattoir looking for a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov defends easily.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Yabattoir looking for a sweep. Not yet Yabattoir, not yet.

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

Yabattoir working for a triangle but Akhtankhanov defends it easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Yabattoir is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aslanbek 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
After winning the bout, Aslanbek Akhtankhanov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.