PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rand James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Caden Akergaard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

James
vs
Akergaard

191 cm
22
290 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

211 cm
27
265 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rand James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Caden Akergaard!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akergaard misses with the body kick
and James counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Akergaard thinking.
Caden Akergaard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
James throws a left and a right that both miss

and Akergaard counters with a nice double leg into side control. James won't be happy with that.
James tries to bench press Akergaard off him but Akergaard keeps the position.
Akergaard grinds an elbow into James's temple.
Akergaard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

James sneaks out the side door and pushes Akergaard away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
James misses with the combination.

Akergaard dives in and scores a takedown into James's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akergaard won't allow James to get back to his feet.
Akergaard passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Akergaard wants to control but James is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akergaard working the head and body with strikes.
James gets back to half guard.
Akergaard prevents James from improving his position.
Ground and pound from Akergaard.
Akergaard trying to pass the guard but James defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akergaard looking for a submission but James manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Akergaard stays in close to James's body and controls the position.
Akergaard wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akergaard wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
James is pulling down on Akergaard's head. It's preventing any offense from Akergaard, at least for the moment.
James keeping moving, preventing Akergaard from controlling successfully.

Rand James has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Akergaard tries to score a power double leg takedown but James sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akergaard somewhat.
A head kick misses from James.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
James throws a head kick but Akergaard moves out of range.
Akergaard dodges the punch combination from James.
Akergaard scores with a leg kick.
Akergaard bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
James is breathing heavily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from James enables Akergaard to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. James manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Akergaard sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed James's guard.
James might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Akergaard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Akergaard postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for James to stand up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akergaard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between James's hands.
Akergaard lands with a kick to the ribs.
James takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
James avoids a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Akergaard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Akergaard has a takedown stuffed.
Akergaard throws a quick inside leg kick.
Akergaard is looking to slow James down with leg kicks.
A combination from James does no damage.
Akergaard thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on James if he has to take too many more of those.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and James wants it to stay on the feet.
James chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Akergaard can pounce on him.
Akergaard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Akergaard lands a nice leg kick that just misses James's sensitive parts.
Rand James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akergaard fails to land the takedown.
Rand James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caden Akergaard.
Akergaard throws a body kick that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Akergaard throws a leg kick which misses James's front leg but catches the back leg as James tries to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Akergaard.
Akergaard tries to score a power double leg takedown but James sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akergaard somewhat.
James steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Akergaard. That one must have hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James tries to move into range but Akergaard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good work by James as he checks the leg kick.
Akergaard scores with a shot to the body.

Akergaard throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. James tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Akergaard is in James's guard.
Akergaard advances position into side control!
Akergaard wants to lay and pray for a moment but James keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Caden Akergaard has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Akergaard quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Akergaard but it's paid off an James is forced to tap! Nice work by Akergaard.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Caden Akergaard!