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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Raban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmie Akesson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akesson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Swedish National Anthem. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 200 cm
37
270 lbs
21 - 20 - 0 |
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192 cm
33
240 lbs
17 - 17 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
21 - 20 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Raban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Jimmie Akesson!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Ian Loll.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akesson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Raban has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Montreal Fighter's Gym (5* Sparring) in the buildup to the fight.
Raban tries to bum rush Akesson with a series of wild strikes but Akesson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Akesson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Raban ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Raban uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akesson.
Akesson cracks Raban with a right hand to the side of the head.
Akesson lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Raban fails with a takedown attempt.
Akesson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Raban throws a body punch but Akesson moves out of range.
Akesson misses with a hook. Raban ducked under it nicely.
Raban swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Raban needs to keep his hands up - Akesson had a free shot at his head there.
Akesson missing with a left hand there. Raban was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akesson misses with a straight right.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akesson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Raban at a distance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Akesson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Raban counters with a nice double leg into side control. Akesson won't be happy with that.
Raban content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Akesson is not content to let Raban control the position.
Raban in side control, throwing shots but Akesson defends.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The strikes coming from Raban are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Akesson defending against the ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akesson sneaks out the side door and pushes Raban away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Akesson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A little feinted left hand from Raban on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Akesson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Raban.
Raban lands with a nice combination. Akesson backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akesson feints a jab promting Raban to slip. Akesson then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Raban slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
It looks like James Raban has been cut.
Akesson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Akesson misses with a looping left.
Akesson slips a jab and a cross from Raban.
Akesson throws a right and a left that Raban avoids nicely.
Akesson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Raban bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Akesson misses with a double jab.
Akesson avoids the body shot from Raban.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raban slips under a jab from Akesson.
Akesson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akesson misses with an uppercut.
Jimmie Akesson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akesson avoids a kick to the body.
Raban clinches up with Akesson and pushes him back against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Raban.
Akesson has had enough of the clinch but Raban keeps him there for the moment.
Akesson blocking some punches.
Raban lands a nice uppercut.
Akesson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akesson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Raban counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Raban.
Akesson working a defensive guard here.
Raban working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raban distracts Akesson with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Raban with a flurry of punches that miss.
Akesson keeping moving, preventing Raban from controlling successfully.
Raban throwing strikes from guard but Akesson blocks nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akesson keeping full guard, as Raban tries to pass.
Raban is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Raban trying to control but Akesson is working from the bottom.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Jimmie Akesson will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Raban's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.
Raban on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Raban swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akesson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Akesson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Raban tries to counter with a takedown but Akesson is quick to defend against it.
Akesson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Akesson. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Akesson scores with a nice strike.
Akesson misses with the combination.
Raban throws a shot from downtown. Akesson moves away and avoids it.
Akesson misses with a hook. Raban ducked under it nicely.
Akesson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akesson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Akesson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Raban counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akesson is not content to let Raban control the position.
Raban has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Raban looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Akesson is avoiding damage well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Raban throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
A lull in the action here.
An elbow from Raban crashes against the mat.
Akesson defending against the ground and pound.
Akesson pushes Raban away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Raban gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Akesson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Raban tries to advance to mount but Akesson denies him.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Raban lands a few punches from side control.
Raban trying to control the action but Akesson is working from the bottom.
Raban misses with the ground and pound.
Raban tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Raban has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Raban misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raban wants to control for a moment but Akesson uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Raban missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Raban slips a nice elbow through Akesson's hands, connecting with Akesson's forehead.
Raban wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akesson keeps working.
Raban is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
James Raban overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Akesson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Raban.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Raban is looking to advance position but Akesson won't allow it.
Raban is trying to control the action in half guard but Akesson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Akesson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Raban on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Raban ducks under a wild hook from Akesson.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Raban takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A big right from Akesson misses.
Akesson misses with a looping right.
Raban lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Akesson circles away quickly and effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jimmie Akesson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Raban's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Raban takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Akesson connects with a right hand. Raban shakes it off.
Raban bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Akesson lands a right hook to the body.
Akesson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Raban on the side of the head.
Raban slips a jab and a cross from Akesson.
Raban scores with a nice strike.
James Raban is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akesson fails to land with a series of punches.
Raban misses with a looping left.
Akesson looks to land a combination but Raban avoids it well.
Akesson scores with a shot to the body.
Raban moves out of range as Akesson strikes.
Raban is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Akesson's half guard.
Akesson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Raban is on him like a limpet, forcing Akesson back against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Raban lands an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Akesson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Akesson wants to break free but Raban has control.
Raban lands a hook that snaps the head of Akesson backwards.
Raban lands a hook that snaps the head of Akesson backwards.
Raban working aggressively here.
Akesson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akesson misses with a looping right.
Raban scores with a shot to the body.
Akesson stuns Raban with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Akesson ducks under a wild hook from Raban.
Akesson misses with a straight right.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Raban.
Akesson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raban manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Akesson on his heels. He'll look to pass Akesson's guard now, I'm sure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raban throws a strike but Akesson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Akesson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Akesson stopping the sweep attempt from Raban.
Akesson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Akesson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Raban dives on top into guard.
Raban missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Raban trying to control the position from guard on top but Akesson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raban slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akesson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Akesson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jimmie Akesson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Akesson wants to hit a switch here but Raban passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Akesson there!
Raban sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Raban tries to control but Akesson wriggling away.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Akesson blocking the ground and pound.
Raban punching from mount but Akesson doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Raban working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Raban looking to control but Akesson is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Raban looking to finish with strikes here!
James Raban has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akesson trying desperately to get to his feet.
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 James Raban.
I think Akesson has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmie Akesson!
Jimmie Akesson made sure to mention his sponsor, M.O. Fight Wear in his post fight interview.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
50% |
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