PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hunter Akbar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maddox Rayborn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akbar comes to the cage accompanied by New Slaves. 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.

Akbar
vs
Rayborn

188 cm
36
196 lbs
24 - 9 - 0

188 cm
21
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
Spartan Nutrition

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 24 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hunter Akbar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maddox Rayborn!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rayborn thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akbar drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rayborn sprawls and moves away.

Akbar drives through with a takedown into guard.
Akbar works over Rayborn with some ground and pound from guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Rayborn holds on and takes a little breather.
Akbar throws a big elbow that misses.
Rayborn really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Akbar. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Akbar drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Akbar jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rayborn wants to sweep here but Akbar controlling him for the moment.
Rayborn managing to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Akbar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Akbar is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rayborn can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Akbar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rayborn trying to control the position.
Akbar is fighting to break Rayborn's control of his arms but Rayborn is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Akbar is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Akbar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Akbar wants to control from the top but Rayborn keeps moving.
Rayborn is trying to hold Akbar in close to prevent damage but Akbar has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Akbar lands with a punch from half guard.
Rayborn has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Akbar is working away from the top position though.
Rayborn keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Rayborn has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Akbar is working away from the top position though.
Rayborn wants to sweep but Akbar has passed to side control!
Akbar wants to stand but Rayborn has his arm trapped.
Rayborn is trying to control Akbar's posture but Akbar avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rayborn is looking to reverse the position.
Rayborn is still trying to improve position.
Rayborn taking punishment in the form of punches.
Rayborn is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akbar lands a nice forearm strike.
Rayborn is trying to get back to his feet.

Akbar is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rayborn knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Akbar is trying to get an arm triangle but Rayborn is defending well.
Rayborn taking a bit of punishment here - Akbar scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rayborn tries to improve position but can't.
Rayborn is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Akbar is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rayborn has escaped the position, nice work there.
Akbar wants to control but Rayborn is keeping him busy.
Rayborn is looking for a sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Akbar working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Akbar working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Akbar dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rayborn misses with a double jab

and Akbar counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rayborn working a defensive guard but Akbar passes into half guard.
Rayborn is trying to control but can't.
Akbar throwing shots but Rayborn is blocking nicely.

Akbar seems to be working for a kimura but Rayborn defends the submission attempt.
Rayborn wants to control but Akbar passes into side.
Rayborn is trying to control Akbar's posture but Akbar avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Akbar tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rayborn is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rayborn is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Akbar's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rayborn trying to control here.
Rayborn is looking to improve his position.
Rayborn trying to control from the bottom.
Hunter Akbar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rayborn is trying to control Akbar's posture. Akbar takes advantage of the lull and advances to side control. He also appears to have an arm triangle here! Uh oh, big trouble for Rayborn! Akbar is rotating here... this could be the end... Rayborn is out! Akbar has ended this one emphatically! Great submission!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Hunter Akbar!
During a confident post fight interview, Hunter Akbar thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Maddox Rayborn spoke after the fight, saying 'your girl kept be up last night you loves the dangle nuts dangle'.