PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roman Akinfeev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Wagner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akinfeev comes to the cage accompanied by 50 - Psycho. Wagner has chosen Motorhead - Deaf forever as his entrance music. Roman Akinfeev had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Akinfeev
vs
Wagner

196 cm
31
265 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

206 cm
28
278 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
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 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roman Akinfeev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chad Wagner!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wagner fails with the takedown.
Akinfeev shoots in but Wagner avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Akinfeev fails with a takedown attempt.
Akinfeev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Wagner gets a takedown into half guard.
Wagner trying to pass the guard but Akinfeev defending well.

Wagner is trying to work for a kimura but Akinfeev is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner trying to control from half guard but Akinfeev is working away.
Wagner might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Akinfeev kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Akinfeev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wagner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akinfeev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Akinfeev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wagner is aware though and is defending well.

Wagner avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Wagner wants to control from the top but Akinfeev keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akinfeev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner trying to stand up but can't free himself from Akinfeev's guard.
Wagner wants to pass the guard but Akinfeev is keeping the position.

Akinfeev is looking for a triangle but Wagner pushes his legs off easily.
Wagner trying to control the position from guard on top but Akinfeev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Akinfeev working for a triangle but Wagner defends it easily.
Wagner wants to control from the top but Akinfeev keeps moving.
Akinfeev is looking to stand up but Wagner isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner stands and throws Akinfeev's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Wagner is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Akinfeev knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Akinfeev is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Akinfeev is not content to let Wagner control the position.

Akinfeev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wagner pulls his head out easily.

Akinfeev actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akinfeev is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akinfeev is looking for a sweep. Wagner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wagner is just content to waste time from the top position. Akinfeev takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Wagner trying to control but Akinfeev is working from the bottom.
Wagner works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Akinfeev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Akinfeev can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Wagner controls the pace.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akinfeev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wagner wants to pass the guard but Akinfeev is keeping the position.
Wagner sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Akinfeev's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Wagner dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Wagner wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Wagner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wagner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akinfeev tries to avoid it but Wagner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akinfeev to the ground. Akinfeev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wagner throws a shot from downtown. Akinfeev moves away and avoids it.
Horrible takedown by Akinfeev or perhaps it was just good defense by Wagner which made him look bad.
Wagner lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Wagner darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Roman Akinfeev has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wagner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Akinfeev as he jumps to the side.
Akinfeev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Wagner but Wagner pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner scores with a jab. Akinfeev acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wagner fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Akinfeev.
Wagner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akinfeev manages to avoid it.
Akinfeev stuffs the takedown.
Roman Akinfeev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chad Wagner.

Wagner shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Wagner stands and steps away. Akinfeev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akinfeev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Wagner scores with the left hand. Akinfeev knows he should have avoided that one.
Wagner has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akinfeev throws a shot from downtown. Wagner moves away and avoids it.
Akinfeev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Wagner fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Akinfeev sprawls well initially but Wagner persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Akinfeev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wagner winds up and cracks Akinfeev with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Akinfeev is looking to escape.
Wagner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akinfeev keeps working.

Wagner is looking for a kimura here.

Akinfeev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wagner is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Akinfeev defends it well.
Wagner is keen to just control but Akinfeev is a slippery customer.
Akinfeev is looking to control Wagner's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Akinfeev avoid being mounted?

Akinfeev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Akinfeev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wagner pulls his head out easily.

Akinfeev is defending against the submission attempts here by Wagner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akinfeev is trying to stand.

Akinfeev pushes Wagner off and gets back to his feet.
Wagner throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wagner throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akinfeev.
Wagner uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Akinfeev.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice sprawl there from Wagner as Akinfeev shoots in.
Wagner shoots in but Akinfeev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Wagner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Roman Akinfeev's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Wagner lands with a right hand.
Chad Wagner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Akinfeev.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wagner. Akinfeev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wagner connects with a crisp jab.

Roman Akinfeev's cut is getting worse.
Chad Wagner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wagner shoots for a takedown but Akinfeev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A low kick from Wagner misses
and Akinfeev counters with a thumping low kick.

Akinfeev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Wagner manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Wagner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akinfeev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner working a defensive guard here.
Akinfeev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wagner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Akinfeev tries to free his leg and advance position but Wagner is retaining full guard.
Wagner wants to stand and escape but Akinfeev is having none of it.
Akinfeev throws and elbow that misses. Wagner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Akinfeev's guard. Nice move by Wagner!
Wagner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akinfeev is keeping the position for now.
Wagner passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wagner trying to control the position but Akinfeev is working away.
Akinfeev pushes Wagner away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Wagner gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Akinfeev throws Wagner to one side and escapes!
Wagner misses with a hook. Akinfeev ducked under it nicely.
Wagner scores with a crisp jab that stopped Akinfeev in his tracks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wagner throws a low kick but it's checked well by Akinfeev.
Wagner shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wagner just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Chad Wagner has been cut.
Akinfeev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Wagner swivels and escapes.
Wagner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akinfeev dives in and grabs Wagner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wagner pushes down on Akinfeev's head and hops out.
Roman Akinfeev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Akinfeev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akinfeev fails with a takedown attempt.
Wagner circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wagner shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Akinfeev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wagner looking to control but Akinfeev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Wagner gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Wagner connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Wagner scores with a nice strike.
Akinfeev tries for a takedown but Wagner sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Chad Wagner is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wagner cracks Akinfeev with a right hand to the side of the head.
Wagner tried to score with a low kick but Akinfeev checks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chad Wagner.
Well Wagner has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Wagner!