PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Laoka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kwame Akabaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laoka's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Bell Tolls. Akabaro has chosen African Assassin - Mo Marah 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.

Laoka
vs
Akabaro

188 cm
33
186 lbs
19 - 9 - 3

181 cm
35
198 lbs
24 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

Voodoo 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 19 - 9 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Katsu Laoka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kwame Akabaro!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Laoka checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Good exchange - Laoka coming out on top.
A lazy body kick from Akabaro
and Laoka counters with an inside leg kick.
Akabaro throws a body shot but no joy.
We've been told by Laoka's head coaches at LOD: Lightning Kicks (MaxID266K) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Akabaro throws a body shot but no joy.
An attempted straight right counter from Laoka misses the target.
Laoka takes a swing at Akabaro's ribcage but misses.
Akabaro scores with a nice body kick.
Akabaro delivers a nice body kick.
Laoka throws a looping overhand right but Akabaro ducks down to avoid it.
Akabaro looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Akabaro misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Laoka gets tackled into the cage by Akabaro. Akabaro maintains the clinch.
Laoka lands with a short shot to the head.
Laoka scores with a hook to the body.
A short right from Laoka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akabaro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akabaro misses with a punch to the body.
Laoka swings wildly with an uppercut but Akabaro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Laoka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akabaro letting Laoka take a breather here.
We've been informed that Akabaro 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 can't find room to land a body shot as Laoka controls the action.
Laoka is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Akabaro is keeping busy.
Laoka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Laoka misses with a knee to the head.
Laoka stalling against the cage.
A short uppercut from Laoka.
A short uppercut from Laoka.
Akabaro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Laoka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laoka.
Laoka scores with a shoulder strike.
Akabaro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Laoka tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Akabaro avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka trying to stall but Akabaro improves his position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Laoka stalling.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akabaro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akabaro blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Laoka.
A shot in the inside from Laoka.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laoka.
Laoka looking to stall.
Akabaro lands a shoulder strike.
Laoka is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Laoka misses with the head strike.
Akabaro lands with a short shot to the head.
Laoka prevents a body shot from Akabaro.
A hook to the body from Akabaro.
Akabaro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Laoka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akabaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.
Akabaro lands with a left to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Akabaro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laoka tries to work over Akabaro's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akabaro lands a shot to the body.
Akabaro lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Akabaro.
Akabaro tries to throw a body punch but Laoka avoids it by throwing Akabaro back against the cage.
Akabaro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Laoka tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Akabaro lands with a right to the head.
Akabaro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Laoka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Laoka misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from Akabaro.
Akabaro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akabaro lands a body shot in the clinch.
Laoka is breathing heavily.
Still in the clinch, Akabaro scores with a nice short uppercut.
Akabaro is working Laoka over against the cage.
Nice body punch from Akabaro - that landed with a thud.
Akabaro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Akabaro blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Laoka stalling in the clinch but Akabaro improves position.
Akabaro tries to work over Laoka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akabaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laoka misses with a punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice left hand lands by Akabaro.
Akabaro stalling the fight.
Laoka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akabaro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akabaro throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Laokas head.
Laoka scores with a knee to the head.
Akabaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.
A left hand lands to the body for Akabaro.
Laoka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Laoka looking to stall.
Akabaro misses with a punch to the body.
Laoka struggles to land a body shot inside as Akabaro controls his hands.
Akabaro blocks a body shot from Laoka.
Akabaro tries a body shot but Laoka blocks it.
Akabaro gets through Laoka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Akabaro tries to throw a body punch but Laoka avoids it by throwing Akabaro back against the cage.
Laoka is looking to control Akabaro's arms but Akabaro gets an underhook and turns him. Now Laoka has his back to the cage.
Laoka struggles to land a body shot inside as Akabaro controls his hands.
Akabaro tries to throw a body punch but Laoka avoids it by throwing Akabaro back against the cage.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Akabaro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Laoka.
Akabaro replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Laoka blocks it well.
Nice uppercut lands for Akabaro. That snapped Laoka's head back.
Laoka keeps the fight on the outside.

Akabaro drops Laoka with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Laoka looks back up at him and smiles so Akabaro waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Laoka is rocked!
Akabaro keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Oh Laoka is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Laoka moves out of range of the body kick from Akabaro.
Laoka seems to have got his legs back now.
Laoka moves out of range as Akabaro throws a body kick.
Akabaro misses with a body shot.
Akabaro connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Laoka momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laoka misses the shot to the body.
Akabaro avoids the body shot from Laoka.
Akabaro tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akabaro takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Akabaro tries to clinch up.
Akabaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Laoka.
Katsu Laoka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akabaro's jab looks to have found its range, popping Laoka under the eye.
Nice cross by Laoka.
Nice straight punches there by Laoka. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Laoka.
Laoka is looking to slow Akabaro down with leg kicks.
Akabaro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Laoka misses with a hook. Akabaro ducked under it nicely.
Akabaro blocks a low kick nicely.
Laoka takes a swing at Akabaro's ribcage but misses.
Akabaro follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Kwame Akabaro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Laoka avoids the head kick by Akabaro.
Akabaro throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Laoka counters with a right hand to the body.
Laoka lands with a hook. Akabaro tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Akabaro avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Akabaro will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akabaro now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Akabaro chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Laoka can pounce on him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akabaro doesn't manage to clinch there - Laoka circles away.
Laoka tried to score with a low kick but Akabaro checks it.
Laoka blocks a head kick by Akabaro.
Laoka scores with a jab.
Akabaro misses with a hook to the body
and Laoka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Laoka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Akabaro moves away from the strike by Laoka.
Akabaro defending well as Laoka loads up on a big left hand.
Akabaro misses with a wild body shot.
Akabaro misses with a hook
and Laoka counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Akabaro thinking.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Akabaro in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Akabaro on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Laoka with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro looks to clinch
and Laoka makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Laoka misses with a double jab.
A little jabbing left from Akabaro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
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.
Laoka tries a low kick but Akabaro avoids it.
Akabaro throws a body shot but no joy.
Laoka avoids the body shot from Akabaro.
Laoka swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Akabaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Laoka.
Akabaro misses with a wild body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Laoka on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Akabaro fails with an attempt to clinch.
Laoka is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Laoka misses with a wild body shot.
Laoka connects with a right hand. Akabaro shakes it off.
Laoka misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Akabaro counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Akabaro.
Kwame Akabaro seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Akabaro swings wildly with an uppercut but Laoka uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laoka prevents a body shot from Akabaro.
A right hook to the body lands for Laoka.
Akabaro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laoka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Laoka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laoka.
Laoka is leaning against Akabaro and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laoka blocking some punches.
Akabaro misses with some punches.
Laoka lands a nice uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akabaro.
Laoka can't find room to land a body shot as Akabaro controls the action.
Akabaro can't find room to land a body shot as Laoka controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laoka.
Akabaro misses with a punch to the body.
Laoka lands a hook that snaps the head of Akabaro backwards.
Akabaro tries a body shot but Laoka blocks it.
Akabaro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Laoka misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Laoka dominated that second round.
That's time! Laoka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Akabaro slips a jab from Laoka.
Akabaro goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Laoka tries to bum rush Akabaro with a series of wild strikes but Akabaro uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Laoka backing away here, and Akabaro unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Laoka's jab looks to have found its range, popping Akabaro under the eye.
Akabaro is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Laoka rather than just go for the knockout.
Laoka punishes Akabaro's body with a nice straight punch.
Laoka throws a nice inside leg kick.
Laoka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Akabaro throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laoka lands with a straight right. Akabaro didn't see that one coming.
Akabaro throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Laoka connects with a looping right hand.
Akabaro misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laoka scores with a kick to the midsection.
Laoka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laoka misses with a two punch combination.
Akabaro let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Akabaro looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Akabaro scores with a jab to the body.
Akabaro tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Laoka is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Akabaro pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akabaro throws a body kick that misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Laoka. That snapped Akabaro's head back.
Laoka avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Akabaro throws the left hand but Laoka avoids the punch easily.
Laoka buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Akabaro tries to clinch but Laoka moves away
and Laoka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laoka digs a good body shot into Akabaro's ribs.
Laoka misses with a jab to the body

and Akabaro counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
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!
Akabaro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akabaro tries a body shot but Laoka blocks it.
Akabaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.
A nice right hand lands inside from Laoka.
Laoka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Laoka avoiding damage.
Akabaro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akabaro lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Akabaro goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Laoka presses Akabaro against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Laoka pushes Akabaro back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Akabaro lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Laoka.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Laoka is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laoka lands a left hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laoka.
Laoka stalling in the clinch but Akabaro improves position.
Akabaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.
Laoka is trying to maintain a safe position but Akabaro gets an underhook and turns Laoka into the cage.
Akabaro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Akabaro letting Laoka take a breather here.
Laoka crunches a lovely knee into Akabaro's ribcage.
Akabaro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A nice left hand lands by Laoka.
Laoka lands a shoulder strike.
Akabaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.
A right handed body shot lands from Akabaro.
Laoka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Akabaro.
Laoka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Laoka lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Akabaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laoka's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Laoka displaying some good clinch control by pressing Akabaro up against the cage.
Akabaro tries a body shot but Laoka blocks it.
Akabaro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Akabaro misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akabaro digs a right hand underneath Laoka's ribcage. Laoka let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Akabaro can't find room to land a body shot as Laoka controls the action.
Akabaro gets through Laoka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
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!
Laoka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Laoka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Akabaro presses Laoka against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Laoka prevents a body shot from Akabaro.
Laoka prevents a body shot from Akabaro.
Laoka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akabaro blocks it with crossed arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katsu Laoka showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Laoka 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Laoka!
Katsu Laoka tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
The defeated Kwame Akabaro had this to say: 'You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance!'.