PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akeen Coker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Thumbhisbum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Coker
vs
Thumbhisbum

165 cm
24
152 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

174 cm
25
157 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akeen Coker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Benjamin Thumbhisbum!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thumbhisbum on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thumbhisbum. Coker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Coker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice body kick from Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Coker tries to score with a low kick but Thumbhisbum moves his leg out of the way.
A jab from Thumbhisbum finds it's way through Coker's defenses.
Thumbhisbum thows a body kick. Coker tries to catch it but that hurt him.
An inside leg kick from Thumbhisbum misses.
Thumbhisbum thumps Coker with a low kick.
Coker throws a leg kick
and Thumbhisbum counters with a straight right hand.
Thumbhisbum swats away the attempt to clinch by Coker.
Coker gets off balance looking for a body kick
letting Thumbhisbum counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Coker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Thumbhisbum finds it's way round the side to connect with Coker's head.
Thumbhisbum lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Coker circles away quickly and effectively.
Coker moves out of range of the strikes.
Thumbhisbum looks to land a right hand but Coker moved out of range.
Coker appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Coker looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum jabs Coker to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Thumbhisbum has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Coker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Coker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Thumbhisbum throws out the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thumbhisbum. Coker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Both fighters circling a little - Coker finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Thumbhisbum connects with a right hand. Coker shakes it off.
Thumbhisbum ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Coker attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Coker misses with a looping right.
A little jabbing left from Thumbhisbum on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thumbhisbum scores with a three punch combo!
Thumbhisbum jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Coker drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coker lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Coker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thumbhisbum is out of range.
Coker connects with a leg kick. Thumbhisbum looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Thumbhisbum gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coker trying to control but Thumbhisbum is working from the bottom.
Thumbhisbum controlling Coker's posture.
Coker trying to control the position from guard on top but Thumbhisbum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thumbhisbum working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Coker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Thumbhisbum manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Coker manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coker is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Thumbhisbum controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Coker manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Thumbhisbum manages to get himself to full guard.

Coker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Coker working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Thumbhisbum being controlled here, momentarily.
Thumbhisbum preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coker postures up in Thumbhisbum's guard and throws a big left but Thumbhisbum blocks it.
Coker has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Coker lands a couple of elbows.
Thumbhisbum pulls Coker in close to prevent any damage.
Coker throws a strike but Thumbhisbum rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Coker pulls Thumbhisbum in close to prevent any damage.
Thumbhisbum controlling from the top position.
Coker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Coker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Coker cracks the inside of Thumbhisbum's front leg.
A swing and a miss from Thumbhisbum.
Coker swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Thumbhisbum scoring well with a low kick there.
Coker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thumbhisbum digs a good body shot into Coker's ribs.
Thumbhisbum throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thumbhisbum throws a body punch but Coker moves out of range.
Thumbhisbum misses with a hook.
Coker looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Coker thows a leg kick but Thumbhisbum checks it
and Thumbhisbum counters with an inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thumbhisbum scores with a jab to the body.
Good work by Thumbhisbum as he checks the leg kick.
Coker tries to work over Thumbhisbum's front leg with a kick but Thumbhisbum checks it.
Thumbhisbum throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Thumbhisbum looks to land a right hand but Coker moved out of range.
Coker appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coker throws a lazy right hand but Thumbhisbum sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Coker misses with a kick to the body.
Thumbhisbum appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Coker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Thumbhisbum looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Coker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Thumbhisbum.
Coker lands with a straight right. Thumbhisbum didn't see that one coming.
Thumbhisbum misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Coker.
Coker connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Thumbhisbum's hands.
Coker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thumbhisbum is fending him off so far but Coker persists. Nope, Thumbhisbum circles away and we're back to standing.
Coker has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Coker there as he acknowledges the shot.
Thumbhisbum rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Coker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Coker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thumbhisbum fakes the leg kick and cracks Coker in the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Thumbhisbum scores with a four punch combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Coker lands a nice looking kick to the body. Thumbhisbum takes a step back to recover.
Thumbhisbum steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Coker. That one must have hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Thumbhisbum throws a head kick that misses
and Coker counters with a nice kick to the body.
Thumbhisbum connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Coker with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Coker looks for the body kick but Thumbhisbum saw that one coming.
Thumbhisbum scores with a jab to the jaw.
Thumbhisbum has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Thumbhisbum gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Coker won't allow Thumbhisbum to sweep him here.
Coker postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Coker throwing strikes from guard but Thumbhisbum blocks nicely.
Thumbhisbum preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coker trying to control the position from guard on top but Thumbhisbum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Thumbhisbum looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Coker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Coker looking to sit in guard and control but Thumbhisbum gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Coker looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thumbhisbum postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Coker keeping moving, preventing Thumbhisbum from controlling successfully.
Coker controls Thumbhisbum momentarily but Thumbhisbum frees himself.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Thumbhisbum gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Coker throwing strikes but missing.
Thumbhisbum has his hands on Coker's head, controlling the position.
Coker preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Akeen Coker will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A nice leg kick lands there from Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Thumbhisbum lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Good shot there by Thumbhisbum.
Coker moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
That kick from Coker tenderised Thumbhisbum's leg. Thumbhisbum is trying to keep his angry face on.
Coker takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Coker will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Thumbhisbum on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Thumbhisbum slips under a jab.
Coker slips a straight right by Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Thumbhisbum as he connects with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Coker misses with a wild combination.
Thumbhisbum throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Coker's calf.
Coker blocks a jab.
Coker connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Thumbhisbum momentarily.
Thumbhisbum throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Benjamin Thumbhisbum seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thumbhisbum misses with a wild combination.
Thumbhisbum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Coker 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 Thumbhisbum has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Thumbhisbum and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Thumbhisbum thuds a left hand into Coker's body.
Coker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Coker falls off balance throwing a combination
and Thumbhisbum counters with a three punch combo that has Coker backing up. Coker nods at Thumbhisbum to acknowledge the strikes.
Thumbhisbum tries a low kick but Coker avoids it.
Thumbhisbum takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Thumbhisbum throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Coker avoids the head kick by Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Coker scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Coker tries to clinch there but Thumbhisbum circles away.
Thumbhisbum looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Coker throws a leg kick but Thumbhisbum checks it.
Coker takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Coker connects with an inside leg kick.
Coker throws a hook but Thumbhisbum avoids it easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Coker.
A punch combination from Thumbhisbum misses.
Thumbhisbum throws a low kick but Coker moves out of range easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Coker, right into the meat.
Thumbhisbum darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coker thuds his shin into the meat of Thumbhisbum's side.
Coker shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A head kick misses from Coker.
Thumbhisbum moves out of range of the leg kick from Coker.
Coker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Coker swings for the body but Thumbhisbum moves out of range.
Thumbhisbum has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Coker.
Coker throws a push kick but Thumbhisbum slaps the foot to one side.
A slapping body kick lands there for Coker.
Thumbhisbum lands with a straight right. Coker didn't see that one coming.
Thumbhisbum throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Coker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Coker looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Coker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Coker is looking to slow Thumbhisbum down with leg kicks.
Thumbhisbum lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum lands a leg kick that knocks Coker off balance momentarily.
Some bone on bone action there as Thumbhisbum checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Coker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thumbhisbum misses with a straight left.
Coker throws a low kick but Thumbhisbum moves out of range easily.
A good leg kick by Coker.
Benjamin Thumbhisbum is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thumbhisbum scores with a jab. Coker acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Thumbhisbum looks to land a right hand but Coker moved out of range.
Coker avoids the body shot from Thumbhisbum.
Coker throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Thumbhisbum follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Thumbhisbum has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Coker finds it's way round the side to connect with Thumbhisbum's head.
Thumbhisbum finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Coker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Coker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Benjamin Thumbhisbum just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Coker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Coker misses with a body kick.
A big left from Thumbhisbum misses.
Coker throwing a counter right hand but Thumbhisbum manages to avoid it.
Coker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Coker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Coker scoring well with a low kick there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Coker. Thumbhisbum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Coker motions for Thumbhisbum to come forward. Coker throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Thumbhisbum avoids the head kick by Coker.
Thumbhisbum scores with a nice right hand.
Coker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thumbhisbum dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Coker. That did some damage!
Thumbhisbum misses with a hook. Coker ducked under it nicely.
Thumbhisbum on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Thumbhisbum throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Thumbhisbum with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thumbhisbum misses with a low kick as Coker jumps back.
A thudding body kick lands there by Coker!
Coker lands with an uppercut that bounces Thumbhisbum off the cage and back into range.
Coker lands an overhand right.
Coker slips a straight right by Thumbhisbum.
A slapping leg kick lands for Thumbhisbum.
Coker throws a solid leg kick but Thumbhisbum takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Coker.
Thumbhisbum lands with a cross.
Coker misses with a jab to the body
and Thumbhisbum counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thumbhisbum misses with a hook. Coker ducked under it nicely.
Coker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thumbhisbum circles away.
Thumbhisbum checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice cross by Coker.
Coker throws a leg kick but Thumbhisbum checks it.
Coker blocks a jab.
Coker moves out of range as Thumbhisbum strikes.
Thumbhisbum has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Coker.
Thumbhisbum looks to land a body kick but Coker moved away.

Coker moves into the clinch.
Coker looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Coker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Thumbhisbum backwards.
Coker throws a punch but it's blocked by Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum lands with a short head shot on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Thumbhisbum just misses with a elbow thrown towards Coker's brow.
A short right from Coker.
Coker gets through Thumbhisbum's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum lands a shot to the body.
Coker gets through Thumbhisbum's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Coker can't find room to land a body shot as Thumbhisbum controls the action.
Thumbhisbum's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thumbhisbum misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thumbhisbum on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Coker slowing the pace effectively.
Thumbhisbum misses with a hook from the clinch.
Coker misses with a punch on the inside.
Coker struggles to land a body shot inside as Thumbhisbum controls his hands.
Coker tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Thumbhisbum just stands there and leans against the cage.
Coker misses with a punch on the inside.
Coker prevents a body shot from Thumbhisbum.
Coker wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akeen Coker. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coker lands an elbow inside.
A head punch on the inside from Thumbhisbum fails to land.
Thumbhisbum lands a shot to the body.
Coker can't find room to land a body shot as Thumbhisbum controls the action.
Thumbhisbum can't find room to land a body shot as Coker controls the action.
Coker trying to stall but Thumbhisbum improves his position.
A head punch on the inside from Thumbhisbum fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Thumbhisbum lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Coker prevents a body shot from Thumbhisbum.
Coker lands a shoulder strike.
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!
Thumbhisbum misses with a hook from the clinch.
Coker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thumbhisbum's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Akeen Coker will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Coker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Coker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Coker closes the distance and clinches up with Thumbhisbum, looking for a takedown. Coker pushes Thumbhisbum against the cage but Thumbhisbum circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A slow jab from Thumbhisbum misses its intended target.
Thumbhisbum throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Thumbhisbum cracks Coker with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Thumbhisbum throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Coker's head.
Coker lands a jab to the nose.
Thumbhisbum tries to land a leg kick but Coker saw it coming and moves away.
Coker pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coker moves away from the strike by Thumbhisbum.
A slapping body kick lands there for Coker.
Coker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Thumbhisbum.
Coker tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coker misses with a kick to the body
and Thumbhisbum counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Coker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thumbhisbum pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Coker misses with a kick to the body.
Thumbhisbum misses with a head kick.
Thumbhisbum misses with a looping right.
Coker changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Coker misses the target.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Coker checks a leg kick.
Coker fails with the takedown.
Thumbhisbum looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Thumbhisbum needs to keep his hands up - Coker had a free shot at his head there.
Coker looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Coker shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Thumbhisbum manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thumbhisbum seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Coker trying to control the position from guard on top but Thumbhisbum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Coker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Coker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Coker content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Thumbhisbum being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coker trying to control the position from guard on top but Thumbhisbum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Coker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Coker throws an elbow that misses. Thumbhisbum uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Coker's guard. Nice move by Thumbhisbum!
Thumbhisbum controls from within his opponent's guard.
Thumbhisbum trying to control but Coker is working from the bottom.

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.
Thumbhisbum throwing strikes from guard but Coker blocks nicely.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Coker lands a nice looking kick to the body. Thumbhisbum takes a step back to recover.
Coker tries for a takedown but Thumbhisbum sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akeen Coker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Coker throws a head kick but Thumbhisbum moves out of range.
Thumbhisbum doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Coker throws a half hearted mid kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Thumbhisbum.
Thumbhisbum throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thumbhisbum misses with a wild body shot.
Thumbhisbum bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Coker's head backwards.
Coker connects with a solid leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Akeen Coker.
I think Coker has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 48:47
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akeen Coker!
Akeen Coker retains his featherweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Akeen Coker thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.