PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ezra Roach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sam Akash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Roach
vs
Akash

159 cm
20
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
21
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ezra Roach!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sam Akash!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Akash looking to score a takedown here. Roach is defending well but Akash drives through and ends up in Roach's guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Roach preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Akash slips nicely into half guard.
Akash controlling the action here.

Roach is defending against the submission attempts here by Akash.
Roach works his way to full guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roach tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Akash stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Roach swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Akash passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Roach seems a little lost for a moment, as Akash dominates the positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roach avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Akash.
Akash tries to advance to mount but can't.
Akash remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Roach pushes Akash away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Akash gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akash wants to lay and pray for a moment but Roach keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Sam Akash.

Akash moves into the clinch.
Roach could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Akash drags the fight down to the ground.
Roach working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Roach decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Akash shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Roach is trying to defend but Akash finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Akash works his way into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akash can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Roach is looking to escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akash postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Roach looks a forlorn figure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Akash dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Roach changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akash tries to avoid it but Roach manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akash to the ground. Akash escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Roach takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Ezra Roach has been cut.
Roach throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Akash rushes Roach and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Akash leaning against his opponent.
Roach is trying to pull guard but Akash has him pressed against the cage.
Roach is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Akash taking a breather.
Roach tries to score a body lock takedown but Akash shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ezra Roach. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roach wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akash has Roach pressed against the cage, preventing Roach from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Akash has Roach pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Akash pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Roach tumbling to the mat - Akash dives into Roach's guard.
Akash landing with the ground and pound.
Akash stays in close to Roach's body and controls the position.

Akash got a little sloppy there for a moment and Roach has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Akash has managed to get both his arms back between Roach's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akash drops back, looking for a kneebar! Roach looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Roach looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Roach!
Akash defending against the ground and pound.
Akash is trying to control Roach's posture but Roach avoids it.
Roach cracks Akash with a big right hand but Akash just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Akash. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Akash gets back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akash wants to get back to full guard.
Akash is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Roach's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Roach's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akash lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Akash has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Roach has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Akash struggling to keep hold of the position.

Akash is looking for the choke from the back position but Roach is controlling his hands well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akash is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Akash has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Akash is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Akash has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Akash showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ezra Roach's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Roach gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Akash trying to control but Roach is working from the bottom.

Roach has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Akash can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Akash trying to control but Roach is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Roach is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Akash is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sam Akash was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Akash closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Roach quickly recovers to half guard.
Roach tries to kick Akash off but Akash keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Roach is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akash is trying to control. Roach wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sam Akash was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Akash stuffs the takedown.

Akash throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Roach was covering up waiting for the punch and Akash finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roach has a closed guard, preventing Akash from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akash is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Roach is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sam Akash wasn't active enough on the ground.
Roach shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Akash pinned against the cage. Akash gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

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.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Roach enables Akash to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Roach manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Akash gets to his feet - Roach follows without any prompting.

Roach gets caught flat footed, as Akash shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Roach might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Akash drops back, looking for a kneebar! Roach looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Roach looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Roach!
Roach working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Akash comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Akash 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Akash!