PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Wojtek Kaktus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akin Dembele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dembele has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. 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.

Kaktus
vs
Dembele

166 cm
25
133 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

166 cm
24
133 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Wojtek Kaktus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Akin Dembele!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, David Hoff and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kaktus.
Dembele feints the counter takedown.
Dembele shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kaktus but Kaktus pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kaktus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dembele takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kaktus fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kaktus looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dembele!

Dembele throws Kaktus to one side and escapes!
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!
Kaktus rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dembele moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dembele is looking for the big counter here.

Kaktus feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kaktus throwing strikes from guard but Dembele blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dembele is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Dembele is working an open guard so Kaktus takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kaktus has his takedown stuffed
and Dembele counters with a head kick. That will keep Kaktus thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Dembele leaves Kaktus with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dembele throws a counter combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wojtek Kaktus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaktus stuffs the takedown attempt from Dembele. Dembele gets slowly back to his feet.
Dembele looks winded!
Dembele shoots in looking for a takedown. Kaktus tries to sprawl out of it but Dembele keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kaktus manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kaktus pushes Dembele up against the cage in a clinch.
Dembele looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Dembele breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dembele misses with a takedown attempt

and Kaktus counters by clinching up.

Kaktus jumps guard.
Kaktus controlling Dembele's posture.

Kaktus is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaktus working for a triangle but Dembele defends it easily.

Dembele gets to his feet - Kaktus follows without any prompting.
Dembele closes the distance and clinches up with Kaktus, looking for a takedown. Dembele pushes Kaktus against the cage but Kaktus circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Kaktus pushes Dembele up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Dembele tries to pull guard but Kaktus won't allow it.
Kaktus dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Dembele can't get the takedown.
Dembele wants a takedown.
Kaktus using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dembele has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dembele keeps control of Kaktus as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kaktus manages to pull guard.
Kaktus throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Kaktus looking for a guillotine here but Dembele defends easily.
Kaktus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wojtek Kaktus dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dembele changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kaktus tries to avoid it but Dembele manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kaktus to the ground. Kaktus escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kaktus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kaktus throws a sloppy head kick and Dembele moves out of range easily.
Dembele wants to counter with a clinch but Kaktus pushes him away.
Kaktus shoots in for a takedown but Dembele shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dembele fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kaktus attempts a counter takedown but Dembele avoids it well and moves away.
Kaktus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dembele pinned against the cage. Dembele gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dembele with a poor takedown
and Kaktus counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Wojtek Kaktus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akin Dembele.
Dembele is breathing heavily.
A leg kick checked by Dembele.
Kaktus misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaktus goes for a double leg but Dembele avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dembele continues to drive forward.
Dembele shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kaktus counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Dembele fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kaktus lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Dembele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kaktus moves into the clinch.
Kaktus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dembele just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dembele fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A frustrated look appears on Kaktus's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaktus displaying some good clinch control by pressing Dembele up against the cage.
Kaktus is pressed up against the cage. Dembele has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kaktus down to the mat. Kaktus avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wojtek Kaktus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kaktus throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kaktus pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Dembele back to the cage. Kaktus follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A head kick misses from Kaktus.
Kaktus tries to close the distance and clinch but Dembele swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kaktus goes for a double leg but Dembele avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dembele continues to drive forward.
Kaktus throws a right and a left that Dembele avoids nicely.
Dembele blocks a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dembele shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaktus dives in and grabs Dembele's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dembele pushes down on Kaktus's head and hops out.
Dembele tries to counter by closing the distance.
Dembele looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Kaktus rushes Dembele and presses him up against the cage.
Kaktus has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kaktus throws an elbow that misses.
Dembele fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kaktus.

Dembele breaks from the clinch.
Kaktus shoots in for a double leg but Dembele sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaktus shoots in but Dembele avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dembele avoids the head kick by Kaktus.
No luck for Kaktus with that takedown attempt.
Dembele is looking for the big counter here.
Kaktus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dembele can do to turn this around?
Dembele throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kaktus doesn't manage to clinch there - Dembele circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kaktus misses with a double jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kaktus.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wojtek Kaktus dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kaktus stuffs the takedown.
It looked like Kaktus was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kaktus.
Wojtek Kaktus is winning the standup battle so far.
Kaktus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kaktus lands with a good body shot.
Dembele shoots in for a takedown but Kaktus shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dembele shoots for a takedown but Kaktus saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wojtek Kaktus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akin Dembele.

Dembele gets tackled into the cage by Kaktus. Kaktus maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaktus tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dembele just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaktus tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kaktus blocks a body shot from Dembele.
Kaktus is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaktus is trying to push Dembele away but Dembele has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Dembele breaks the clinch.
Kaktus throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kaktus tries a head kick but it misses.
Dembele changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kaktus keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Kaktus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kaktus dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kaktus controlling the action here for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dembele breaks the clinch.

Kaktus gets a clinch.
Kaktus misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kaktus presses Dembele against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Dembele has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kaktus is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kaktus has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dembele is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kaktus is defending well for now.
Dembele has Kaktus pressed against the cage, preventing Kaktus from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dembele tries to break free but Kaktus pushes him back against the cage.
Dembele fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kaktus tries for a takedown but Dembele manages to get underhooks.
Kaktus is trying to break free.
Kaktus blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kaktus looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kaktus tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kaktus has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dembele avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kaktus wants to break the clinch but can't.

Dembele breaks from the clinch.

Dembele moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaktus has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dembele avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kaktus wants to break free but Dembele has control.
Kaktus tries to pull guard but Dembele holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaktus drops back down to his feet.
Dembele misses with a body punch.
Kaktus throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Dembele manages to break the clinch.
Kaktus feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Dembeles jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dembele lands with a slapping head kick.

Dembele tries to keep at a distance but Kaktus has taken the fight into the clinch.
Akin Dembele has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wojtek Kaktus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kaktus blocks the elbow strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wojtek Kaktus showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kaktus 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wojtek Kaktus!