PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mookie Magaba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Speedy Atkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Magaba's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Three Days Grace - Animal I Have Become . Atkins has chosen big in japan as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Magaba
vs
Atkins

171 cm
27
158 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

167 cm
28
150 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mookie Magaba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Speedy Atkins!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Chris Edwards and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Magaba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Magaba throws a chopping leg kick but Atkins manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Atkins gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Magaba tries to break the clinch but Atkins is controlling the position.
Magaba is looking for a takedown.
Magaba fails to pull guard.

Magaba jumps guard and drags Atkins to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Atkins stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Magaba swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Atkins pushing down on Magaba's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Magaba tries to roll over but Atkins keeps him under control.
Magaba wants to control but Atkins is keeping busy.
Atkins not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Magaba is looking for a sweep. Atkins is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Magaba moves into full guard.
Atkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Magaba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Atkins stopping the sweep attempt from Magaba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magaba utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Magaba is on top in guard.
Magaba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Atkins is keeping the position for now.
Atkins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Atkins looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Magaba looking to pass the guard.

Atkins throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Atkins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Magaba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Atkins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Magaba pushing down on Atkins's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magaba wants to free his trapped foot but Atkins is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Atkins has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Magaba is working away from the top position though.
Magaba sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Atkins defending well though.
Magaba thows a huge punch but Atkins dodges it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Magaba is thwarting Atkins's attempts to control the position.
Atkins tries to roll over but Magaba keeps him under control.

Atkins looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Magaba is nestled in close to Atkins, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Magaba is looking for a kimura but Atkins is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Magaba to get the leverage.
Magaba frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Magaba scoring with strikes but Atkins is staying in there.
Magaba avoids the attempt from Atkins to control.
Atkins flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Atkins is trying desperately to improve position.
Atkins throwing hammer fists to the chest of Magaba. What's that going to do exactly?
Magaba prevents Atkins from getting the reversal.

Atkins defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Magaba.
Magaba is trying to take his opponent's back.
Atkins is desperately trying to improve his position but Magaba has a good base and remains in mount.
Magaba fails to advance to Atkins's back.
Atkins is trying to escape the mount.

Magaba looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Atkins regains half guard.
Magaba looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins trying to control but Magaba postures up.
Atkins wants to improve his position but Magaba is controlling well.
Magaba trying to mount his opponent but Atkins defends 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!

Atkins looking for submissions off his back.

Magaba is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Magaba is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Atkins is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Magaba's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Magaba's back!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Atkins patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Atkins keeps control of the position as Magaba tries to break free.
Atkins trying to control momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mookie Magaba will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Good work by Atkins as he checks the leg kick.
Atkins chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Magaba avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Magaba tries to keep at a distance but Atkins has taken the fight into the clinch.
Magaba fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Magaba manages to break the clinch.
A combination from Magaba does no damage.
Magaba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Magaba throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Atkins counters with a nice body shot.
Atkins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Atkins tries to clinch but Magaba moves out of range.
Atkins doesn't manage to clinch there - Magaba circles away.
Magaba shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Atkins as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mookie Magaba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atkins fails with an attempt to clinch.
Atkins scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Magaba doesn't seem bothered though.
Atkins tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magaba throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Atkins takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Atkins bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Magaba's head.

Atkins clinches.
Atkins lands a body punch in the clinch.
Atkins lands a knee to the head.
Magaba is looking for a takedown.
Atkins cracks Magaba with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Magaba manages to break the clinch.
Atkins rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Magaba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Magaba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Magaba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Magaba throws a leg kick but Atkins moved away.
Magaba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
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!
Atkins misses with a double jab.
Magaba shoots and misses
and Atkins counters with a two punch combo.
Nice uppercut lands for Atkins. That snapped Magaba's head back.
Atkins tries to clinch up.
Atkins stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Magaba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magaba misses with a low kick.
Mookie Magaba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Atkins goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Atkins lands a nice hook to Magaba's body. Magaba takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Magaba avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Atkins just misses with a punch to the body.
Atkins tries to clinch there but Magaba circles away.
Magaba finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Atkins looks to score with a jab to the body but Magaba is just out of range.
Atkins is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Magaba rather than just go for the knockout.
Atkins tries to clinch but Magaba moves out of range.
Atkins throws a head kick that misses.
Magaba swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Atkins throws a nice looking combination but Magaba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Atkins darts in and clinches Magaba up against the cage.
Atkins digs a right hand into Magaba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Magaba's gas tank.
Atkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Magaba controls his hands.
Magaba tries to pull guard but Atkins holds him up against the cage and eventually Magaba drops back down to his feet.
Atkins just leaning against Magaba, taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins tries to throw a body punch but Magaba avoids it by throwing Atkins back against the cage.
Atkins makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Atkins cracks Magaba with a nice body shot.
Atkins unloads a knee to the mid-section. Magaba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Atkins has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. So far he's outscoring his opponent in the clinch so it seems to have been worthwhile.
Atkins misses with a punch to the body.
Atkins lands a knee to the body.
A short body shot lands from Atkins as the two fighters clinch.
Atkins taking a breather.
Magaba jumps guard but Atkins stands there with Magaba around his waist. Magaba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Magaba tries to pull guard but Atkins won't allow it.
Atkins lands with a left to the head.
Speedy Atkins seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Atkins doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Atkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Magaba controls his hands.
Atkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atkins tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Atkins tries a body shot but Magaba blocks it.
Magaba has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Atkins is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Magaba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Atkins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Magaba prevents a body shot from Atkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins presses Magaba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Atkins digs a right hand underneath Magaba's ribcage. Magaba let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Nice body punch from Atkins.
A short right from Atkins.
Atkins lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Magaba.
Atkins trying to stall but Magaba improves his position.
Magaba jumps guard but Atkins turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Atkins lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Magaba or not.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Atkins scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Atkins lands a shot to the body.
Good body shot from Atkins.
Magaba jumps guard but Atkins turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Atkins struggles to land a body shot inside as Magaba controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Atkins.
A hook to the body from Atkins.
Magaba prevents a body shot from Atkins.
Atkins lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Speedy Atkins showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Atkins tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Magaba manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Atkins looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Atkins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Atkins checks a low kick from Magaba.
Magaba shoots for a double leg takedown but Atkins sprawls well. He's pushed Magaba's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Atkins fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Magaba, pushing him back against the cage.
A body shot lands from Atkins.
Atkins looking to stall.
Good body shot from Atkins.
Atkins lands a right hand.
Magaba jumps guard but Atkins stands there with Magaba around his waist. Magaba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Magaba is trying to pull guard but Atkins turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mookie Magaba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atkins is looking to control Magaba's arms but Magaba gets an underhook and turns him. Now Atkins has his back to the cage.
Atkins lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Magaba backwards.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Atkins lands with a short shot to the head.
Magaba wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Atkins has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkins working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Atkins tries a body shot but Magaba blocks it.
Atkins scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Magaba is rocked!
Atkins tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Oh Magaba is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Magaba is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Atkins pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Magaba has had enough of the clinch but Atkins keeps him there for the moment.
Magaba seems to have got his legs back now.
A short right from Atkins.
A right hook to the body lands for Atkins.
Atkins lands a shot to the body.
A body shot lands from Atkins.
Atkins presses Magaba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Atkins pushes Magaba back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Atkins stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Atkins lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Atkins works on Magaba's body with a couple of short punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Atkins is leaning against Magaba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Atkins.
Good body shot from Atkins.
A nice left hand lands by Atkins.
Atkins stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkins lands an uppercut.
Atkins connects with a nasty looking knee right to Magaba's face.
Magaba is looking for a takedown.
Atkins missing with knees to the body.
Atkins lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Magaba.
A left hand lands to the body for Atkins.
Atkins presses Magaba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Magaba fails to pull guard.
Atkins stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A short uppercut from Atkins.
Atkins has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Magaba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Atkins just stands there and leans against the cage.
Atkins with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Atkins misses with a punch to the body.

Magaba has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Atkins uses from the top position.

Atkins thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Atkins with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Magaba wants to sweep here but Atkins controlling him for the moment.
Atkins trying to control but Magaba is working from the bottom.
Atkins postures up in Magaba's guard and throws a big left but Magaba blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Atkins thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Mookie Magaba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Atkins avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Atkins trying to control the position from guard on top but Magaba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Magaba wants to sweep here but Atkins controlling him for the moment.
Magaba keeping moving, preventing Atkins from controlling successfully.
Magaba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins distracts Magaba with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Atkins drops back looking for a leg! Magaba is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Magaba manages to kick Atkins off! Atkins jumps back into Magaba's guard.
Atkins throwing strikes from guard but Magaba blocks nicely.
Magaba bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Atkins's guard.

Atkins is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Magaba is aware though and is defending well.
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!
Magaba sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Atkins's guard.

Magaba is working for a kimura but Atkins is defending it quite comfortably.

Magaba is looking for a kimura but Atkins is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Magaba to get the leverage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Atkins taking some punishment here, with Magaba in his half guard.

Magaba seems to be working for a kimura but Atkins defends the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Speedy Atkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Atkins has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Speedy Atkins!
After the fight, Speedy Atkins was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.