PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kwame Akabaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akabaro comes to the cage accompanied by African Assassin - Mo Marah. Howlett has chosen X-Men Theme Music as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Akabaro
vs
Howlett

181 cm
36
198 lbs
27 - 11 - 1

181 cm
29
186 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Hellbent
Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 160$)

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 27 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kwame Akabaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howlett misses with a hook.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Akabaro sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Akabaro throws a lazy body kick
and Howlett counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Howlett tries to score with a low kick but Akabaro moves his leg out of the way.
Howlett lands with a cross.
A jab from Howlett misses.
Akabaro looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Howlett dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Howlett looks to score with a jab to the body but Akabaro is just out of range.
A left and a right from Akabaro both land. Nice combination.
Akabaro moves out of range of the leg kick from Howlett.
Akabaro throws a head kick but Howlett moves out of range.
Akabaro has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Howlett finds it's way round the side to connect with Akabaro's head.
We've been informed that Howlett has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Akabaro takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
James Howlett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Howlett with a jab.
Howlett throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Akabaro. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Akabaro.
Howlett throws a sloppy head kick and Akabaro moves out of range easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Howlett.
Howlett misses with a low kick as Akabaro jumps back.
Howlett misses with a wild body shot.
Akabaro darts in trying to clinch
and Howlett counters with a body kick.
Akabaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Howlett was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Akabaro fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Howlett misses with a body shot.
Howlett turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Akabaro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Akabaro ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Howlett lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett misses with a hook to the body
and Akabaro counters with a thumping low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akabaro misses with a leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Akabaro.
Howlett scoring well with a low kick there.
Howlett scores with a leg kick.
Howlett lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Akabaro at a distance.
Howlett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little jabbing left from Howlett on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Good leg kick by Howlett there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Akabaro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice straight punches there by Howlett. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Howlett.
Akabaro swings widly with a right hand
and Howlett counters with a stiff right hand.
Akabaro needs to keep his hands up - Howlett had a free shot at his head there.
Howlett throws out a leg kick but Akabaro moves out of range and Howlett only half commits.
Akabaro takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett misses with a looping left.
Howlett lands a leg kick that knocks Akabaro off balance momentarily.
Howlett misses with a low kick.
Akabaro was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A leg kick checked by Howlett.
A little jabbing left from Howlett on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Howlett wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Akabaro looks for the body kick but Howlett saw that one coming.
Akabaro lands with a straight right. Howlett didn't see that one coming.
Akabaro's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Howlett connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Akabaro scrambles back to his feet.
Howlett cracks Akabaro with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Howlett looks to land a body kick but Akabaro moved away.
Howlett digs a good body shot into Akabaro's ribs.
Nice shot by Howlett.
Howlett has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akabaro.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howlett dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Akabaro. That did some damage!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro throws a leg kick
and Akabaro takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Akabaro moved away.
Akabaro throws a wild body kick that Howlett sees coming a mile off.
Howlett comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Howlett throws a hook to the side of Akabaro's head but Akabaro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akabaro misses with a body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Howlett 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Akabaro connects with an inside leg kick.
Howlett pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
As Howlett backs away, Akabaro returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Akabaro is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Akabaro displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Howlett throws out the jab.
Akabaro on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Howlett. Howlett obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akabaro avoids the body shot from Howlett.
Howlett attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Howlett is looking to slow Akabaro down with leg kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Akabaro blocks a low kick nicely.
Akabaro tries to score with a low kick but Howlett moves his leg out of the way.
Howlett fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Akabaro.
Akabaro throws a leg kick but Howlett moved away.
Howlett throws the left hand but Akabaro avoids the punch easily.
Akabaro half committed to a counter leg kick.
Akabaro throws a sloppy head kick and Howlett moves out of range easily.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Akabaro might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Howlett misses with a body shot.
Howlett throws a body shot but no joy.
Howlett throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Howlett throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Howlett lands a nice shot that snaps Akabaro's head back.
That kick from Howlett tenderised Akabaro's leg. Akabaro is trying to keep his angry face on.
Akabaro misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Howlett makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Howlett jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Akabaro slips a straight right by Howlett.
Akabaro throwing a counter right hand but Howlett manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akabaro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Howlett throws a hook but Akabaro avoids it easily.
Akabaro scoring well with a low kick there.
Akabaro has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Howlett.
Howlett thumps Akabaro with a low kick.
Akabaro lands a nice leg kick that just misses Howlett's sensitive parts.
Akabaro ducks right into an uppercut from Howlett.
Akabaro connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Akabaro slips under a jab.
Akabaro seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
It looks like Akabaro has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Akabaro moves out of range as Howlett strikes.
Akabaro was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Akabaro throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
James Howlett seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akabaro just misses with a punch to the body.
Howlett lands a nice looking body shot.
Howlett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Howlett missing with a left hand there. Akabaro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Akabaro half committed to a counter leg kick.
A big left from Akabaro misses.
Howlett misses with a head kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A short right from Akabaro on the inside.
Akabaro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akabaro lands a body punch.
A right hand to the body from Akabaro.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Howlett.
Akabaro looking to stall.
Akabaro tries to throw a body punch but Howlett avoids it by throwing Akabaro back against the cage.
Howlett swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Howlett.
Akabaro misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Howlett fails to land.
Still in the clinch, Akabaro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Akabaro prevents a body shot from Howlett.
Akabaro tries to throw a body punch but Howlett avoids it by throwing Akabaro back against the cage.
Howlett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Howlett struggles to land a body shot inside as Akabaro controls his hands.
Akabaro tries to work over Howlett's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akabaro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akabaro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Howletts head.
Akabaro throws a punch but it's blocked by Howlett.
Howlett can't find room to land a body shot as Akabaro controls the action.
Akabaro works on Howlett's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro lands a left hand that snaps the head of Howlett backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akabaro.
Akabaro struggles to land a body shot inside as Howlett controls his hands.
A short body shot lands from Howlett as the two fighters clinch.
Still in the clinch, Akabaro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Akabaro blocks an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akabaro struggles to land a body shot inside as Howlett controls his hands.
Akabaro stalls.
Kwame Akabaro has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Howlett breaks the clinch.
Howlett getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Howlett scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Akabaro doesn't seem bothered though.
A big left from Howlett misses.
Akabaro misses with a right hand
and Howlett counters with a straight right hand.
Akabaro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Akabaro just misses with a punch to the body.
Akabaro drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Akabaro avoids the body shot from Howlett.
Akabaro half committed to a counter leg kick.
Howlett swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akabaro looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Nice defenses there by Howlett.
Howlett connects with an inside leg kick.
Howlett throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Akabaro stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Akabaro tries to score with a low kick but Howlett moves his leg out of the way.
Howlett swings for the body but Akabaro moves out of range.
Akabaro has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Howlett misses with a head kick.
Akabaro swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akabaro tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Howlett tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akabaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Howlett.
Akabaro tried to counter with a leg kick but Howlett avoided it.
Howlett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akabaro.
Howlett 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Howlett throws a low kick but Akabaro avoids it.
A slapping body kick lands there for Howlett.
Akabaro throws a leg kick that is checked
and Howlett counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Akabaro tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Howlett 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 lazy uppercut
and Howlett counters with a low kick, right behind Akabaro 's knee.
Akabaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Howlett.
Akabaro misses with a shot to the body
and Howlett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Akabaro lands a nice hook to Howlett's body. Howlett takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
An inside leg kick lands from Howlett.
Akabaro stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Howlett punishes Akabaro's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Howlett.
Akabaro misses with a left hand
and Howlett counters with a stiff right hand.
Howlett misses with a wild body shot.
Akabaro looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Akabaro jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Howlett moves out of range of the body kick from Akabaro.
Akabaro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Howlett.
A swing and a miss from Akabaro.
Howlett avoids the head kick by Akabaro.
And Howlett responds with a good body kick, but Akabaro manages to step out the way in time.

Howlett clinches up against the cage.
Akabaro has a couple of punches blocked by Howlett.
Akabaro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akabaro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Howlett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akabaro tries a body shot but Howlett blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro tries to throw a body punch but Howlett avoids it by throwing Akabaro back against the cage.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.
Howlett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Howlett.
Howlett misses with a punch on the inside.
Akabaro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Howlett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akabaro lands a body punch.
Akabaro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akabaro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akabaro is looking to control Howlett's arms but Howlett gets an underhook and turns him. Now Akabaro has his back to the cage.
Howlett prevents a body shot from Akabaro.
Akabaro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Howlett misses with a body punch.
Akabaro is working Howlett over against the cage.
Howlett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Howlett.
Howlett lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Akabaro backwards.
Akabaro misses with a punch to the body.
Akabaro stalling.
Howlett lands a left hand.
Akabaro tries a body shot but Howlett blocks it.
Kwame Akabaro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Howlett is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Akabaro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akabaro misses with a punch to the body.
Akabaro lands a body punch.
Howlett tries a body shot but Akabaro blocks it.
Akabaro swings wildly with an uppercut but Howlett uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Howlett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Howlett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Howlett winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Howlett!
A very excited looking James Howlett made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
Kwame Akabaro was interviewed post fight and said 'You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance!'.