PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between LeBron James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kwame Akabaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akabaro has chosen African Assassin - Mo Marah as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Kwame Akabaro has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

James
vs
Akabaro

180 cm
30
200 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

181 cm
31
198 lbs
20 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
GREEN!160

GREEN!160
Héritage!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, LeBron James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kwame Akabaro!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from James misses its intended target.
James looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Akabaro looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.
James is looking to counter punch.
A low kick from James misses
and Akabaro counters with a head kick. That will keep James thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
James wants to slow Akabaro down by chopping away at his legs.
James connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Akabaro darts in and clinches James up against the cage.
James misses with some punches.
Akabaro lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
James misses with some punches.
James throws a punch but it's blocked by Akabaro.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James with a knee to the head.
James tries to land knees in the clinch but Akabaro avoids the damage to the body.
Akabaro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akabaro blocking some punches.
I was talking to James's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akabaro scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akabaro throws a head punch that misses.
Akabaro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for James.

Akabaro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akabaro throws a nice inside leg kick.
James works Akabaro's body with a nice hook.
James misses with a looping right.
James fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Akabaro looks to land a body kick but James moved away.
James looks to score with a jab to the body but Akabaro is just out of range.
James throws out a leg kick but Akabaro moves out of range and James only half commits.
Akabaro was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
James takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Akabaro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Akabaro.
James was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nice uppercut there from Akabaro.
Akabaro slips a jab from James.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akabaro dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akabaro misses with a left hand
and James counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Akabaro thinking.
James doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A jab from James finds it's way through Akabaro's defenses.
Akabaro has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from James finds it's way round the side to connect with Akabaro's head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Akabaro, right into the meat.
James misses with a kick to the body.
Akabaro takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Akabaro lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
James ducks right into an uppercut from Akabaro.
James is looking to clinch.
James is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akabaro.
Akabaro lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
James misses with an uppercut.
Akabaro darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
James cracks Akabaro with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Akabaro moves out of range easily.
Akabaro gets cracked with a nice right hand there by James.
James is looking to score with low kicks.
James ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sloppy strikes from James. Those never looked like landing.
Akabaro misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akabaro misses with the combination.
Akabaro keeps the fight on the outside.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Akabaro! But no joy.
Good standup being displayed there by Akabaro as he connects with a hook.

Akabaro clinches.
James tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Akabaro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from James.
Nice defenses there by Akabaro.
James tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
James throws a head kick that misses.
Nice cross by Akabaro.
Akabaro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Akabaro misses with a low kick as James jumps back.
Akabaro displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
James looks to throw the jab but Akabaro is out of range.
James with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Akabaro throws a front kick that sends James stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akabaro throws a leg kick but James sees it coming and moves out of range.
Akabaro dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akabaro avoids the head kick by James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kwame Akabaro will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akabaro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by James.
Akabaro was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from James. Akabaro shrugs it off though.
James lands a leg kick that knocks Akabaro off balance momentarily.
Akabaro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
James looks to land a right hand but Akabaro moved out of range.
James looks to throw the jab but Akabaro is out of range.
Akabaro moves out of range of the strikes.
Akabaro only half commits to the counter leg kick.
James throws a quick inside leg kick.
James jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Some bone on bone action there as Akabaro checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akabaro takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Akabaro connects with an inside leg kick.
Akabaro throws a combination that misses

and James counters by moving into the clinch.
Akabaro doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Akabaro blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
James missing with knees to the body.
Akabaro lands with a left to the head.
Akabaro working aggressively here.
James landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by James.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akabaro lands a body shot in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Akabaro.
James tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
James goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
James keeps control of Akabaro as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Akabaro scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a short head shot on the inside.
James scores with a shot to the side of Akabaro's head.
Akabaro tries to stall but James uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short right from James on the inside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Akabaro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akabaro fakes a jab and throws a low kick but James checks it well.
James walks into a jab.
James misses the jab.
LeBron James is winning the standup battle so far.
Akabaro fakes a jab and throws a low kick but James checks it well.
Akabaro will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
James seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Akabaro takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Akabaro throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.
Akabaro throws a leg kick
and James counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Akabaro throws a series of punches but James moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James lands with an overhand left.
Nice defenses there by Akabaro.
James throws a big shot that misses.
James lands with a nice body kick.
Akabaro is breathing heavily.
Akabaro throws a nice outside leg kick.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akabaro moves away from the strike by James.
James lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
James scores with a decent looking hook.
Akabaro misses with a series of wild punches.
Akabaro scores with a push kick.
James scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James misses with an uppercut.
James changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
James swings for the body but Akabaro moves out of range.
As James backs off Akabaro throws a huge counter combo but James manages to avoid it all.
James fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Akabaro has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Akabaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James is looking to counter punch.
Akabaro throws a body kick that misses
enabling James to counter with a crisp jab.
James lands a right hook to the body.
Akabaro looks to land a body kick but James moved away.
Akabaro walks into a stiff left hand from James.
Akabaro punishes James's body with a nice straight punch.
Good work by James as he checks the leg kick.
Akabaro throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling James to counter with a crisp jab.
James does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Akabaro ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

LeBron James dominated that second round.
That's time! James's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

James takes one to the side of the head.
Akabaro tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akabaro throws an off balance right hand
and James connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
James throws a quick inside leg kick.
James throws a lazy right hand but Akabaro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Akabaro throws a low kick but James moves out of range easily.
James ducks under a wild hook from Akabaro.
Akabaro feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to James's calf.
James thuds his right hand into Akabaro's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
James throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akabaro throws a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akabaro swinging wildly here.
An inside leg kick lands from Akabaro.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akabaro paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A head kick misses from Akabaro.
James throws a hook but Akabaro blocks it.
James feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Akabaro's calf.
James on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Akabaro dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akabaro moves out of range as James throws a body kick.
James avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
James tries to counter by clinching up but Akabaro breaks away and moves out of range.
James has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Akabaro.
Akabaro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James digs a good hook to Akabaro's body.
James walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
James walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Akabaro checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A big right from James misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
James looks for the body kick but Akabaro saw that one coming.
Akabaro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from James.
A big left from James misses.
James misses with a wild combination.
James scores with a hook.
Akabaro circles away from the clinch attempt
and Akabaro cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Akabaro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Akabaro throws a nice inside leg kick.
Akabaro goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James feints and then cracks Akabaro's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akabaro down.
Akabaro needs to keep his hands up - James had a free shot at his head there.
Akabaro slips under a jab.
James lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
James gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Akabaro counters with a stiff right hand.
James throws a chopping leg kick but Akabaro manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Akabaro scores with a punch to the head.
Akabaro throws a lazy head kick

and James counters by clinching up.
James throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by James.
James prevents a body shot from Akabaro.
Akabaro misses with the head strike.
Akabaro has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. James seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Akabaro can turn it around.
James lands a right hand.
LeBron James has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Akabaro.
James misses with some punches.
James fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akabaro struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.
Akabaro lands a hook to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from James.
James throws an elbow but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akabaro.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James trying to land knees to the body.
James tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by James.
Akabaro misses with some punches.

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 LeBron James.
Well James has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kwame Akabaro!
Kwame Akabaro seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.