PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between I Am (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eugeniy Akulenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Am comes to the cage accompanied by Mobb Deep - Shook Ones Part II. Akulenko comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Cowboys From Hell kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I Am could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Eugeniy Akulenko's chin.

Am
vs
Akulenko

175 cm
30
158 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

170 cm
34
160 lbs
31 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, I Am!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eugeniy Akulenko!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Matheus Silva and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Am has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Akulenko has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Akulenko throws an off balance right hand
and Am counters with a three punch combo that has Akulenko backing up. Akulenko nods at Am to acknowledge the strikes.
A jab from Am does it's job there.
Akulenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Am manages to avoid it.
Akulenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Akulenko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Am on the side of the head.
Am just misses with a punch to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Akulenko misses.
Akulenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Am throws a combination. Akulenko tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Am takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Am keeps the fight on the outside.
Am attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Akulenko let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Akulenko thuds a left hand into Am's body.
Am throws a low kick but Akulenko moves out of range easily.
Jab by Akulenko.
Am scores with a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akulenko throws a hook to the side of Am's head but Am sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akulenko scores with a punch to the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akulenko.
Akulenko walks into a left hand.
Am just misses with a punch to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Akulenko as he connects with a hook.
A jab from Akulenko misses.
Am has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Akulenko finds it's way round the side to connect with Am's head.
Am swings for the body but Akulenko moves out of range.
Am on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Am ducks under a wild hook from Akulenko.

Akulenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Am wants a takedown.

Am pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Am displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akulenko throws out the jab.
Eugeniy Akulenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Akulenko instigates a clinch.
Am has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Akulenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Am has Akulenko pressed against the cage.
Akulenko lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Am on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Akulenko lands a shoulder strike.
Am blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Am.
Akulenko lands an elbow inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Am.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Am avoids it.
Am on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Am stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Am tries to work over Akulenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Akulenko obliges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Akulenko lands a good knee to the midsection. Am won't want to take too many of those.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the head but Am blocks with his arms.
Akulenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Am is defending well for now.
Akulenko with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Am.
A head punch on the inside from Akulenko fails to land.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Am blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Am creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Akulenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nice body punch from Am.
A body shot lands from Am.
Akulenko misses with an elbow strike.
Akulenko trying to land knees to the body.
Akulenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Am.
I was talking to Am's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Akulenko working aggressively here.
Am working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Am tries to work over Akulenko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Am can't find room to land a body shot as Akulenko controls the action.
Akulenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Akulenko throws an elbow but it misses.
A short left from Am.
Akulenko can't find room to land a body shot as Am controls the action.
Nice body punch from Akulenko - that landed with a thud.
Akulenko throws a head punch that misses.
Akulenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Am.
Akulenko lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Akulenko on the inside.
Am scores with a hook to the body.
A short uppercut from Akulenko.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akulenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Am managing to block the knees to the body from Akulenko.
Am goes for a takedown attempt but Akulenko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for I Am. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akulenko looks to throw the jab but Am is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugeniy Akulenko dominated that round.
That's time! Am's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Akulenko misses with a straight left.
Akulenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Am on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Am throws a hook but Akulenko avoids it easily.
Good shot there by Am.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akulenko.

Am 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.
Akulenko is trying to keep Am in close.
Am wants to pass the guard but Akulenko is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akulenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Am is one step ahead there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Akulenko wants to get back to his feet but Am is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akulenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Akulenko wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Am trying to control but Akulenko is working from the bottom.
Akulenko has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Am has passed into side control.

Am looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Akulenko is trying to control Am's posture but Am avoids it.
Am tries to advance to mount but can't.
Akulenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko manages to get back to half guard.

Am is working for a kimura but Akulenko is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Am prevents Akulenko from improving his position.
Akulenko trying to control but Am postures up.
Akulenko is looking to improve his position.
Am wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akulenko keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Am seems to be looking for submissions.
Akulenko tries to kick Am off but Am keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Am wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akulenko keeps working.

Am is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Akulenko is looking to improve his position.

Am is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Akulenko tries to get to full guard but Am has control of the leg.
Am looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four 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.
Akulenko is looking to control Am's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Akulenko avoid being mounted?
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Akulenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Akulenko pushes Am off but Am dives into side control.
Akulenko tries to bench press Am off him but Am keeps the position.

Am tries for a kimura but Akulenko is defending well.
Akulenko is letting Am control him for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akulenko tries to buck Am off but Am is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

I Am dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Am ducks under a wild hook from Akulenko.
Am moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Eugeniy Akulenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akulenko tests Am's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Am lands a head shot.
Akulenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Am swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Akulenko, right into the meat.
Am defending well as Akulenko loads up on a big left hand.
A little feinted left hand from Am on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Akulenko thuds his right hand into Am's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akulenko misses with a hook. Am ducked under it nicely.
Akulenko works the jab nicely.
Am pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Akulenko back to the cage. Am follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akulenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Am getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akulenko clinches up against the cage.
Akulenko throws a head punch that misses.
Akulenko missing with knees to the body.
Akulenko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Am's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Akulenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Am blocks it with crossed arms.
Am is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A right hook to the body lands for Akulenko.
Akulenko lands a damaging elbow.
Am is leaning against Akulenko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Akulenko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ams head.
Akulenko trying to land knees to the body.
Akulenko prevents the takedown attempt.
Am throws a head punch that misses.
Akulenko misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Am is defending well for now.
Akulenko throws an elbow but it misses.
Akulenko misses with the head strike.

Am's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Am throws a low kick but it's checked well by Akulenko.
Am has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akulenko.
Am walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Akulenko checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Akulenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Am cracks a nice hook into Akulenko's ribs.
Akulenko dodges the punch combination from Am.
Am takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Akulenko loads up on a big right hand but Am slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Am looks to land a combination but Akulenko avoids it well.
Am scores with a body shot.
Am cracks Akulenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Am pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akulenko misses with a few strikes there.
Am swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Akulenko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Akulenko.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Am blocks an uppercut.

Akulenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Am throws a big shot that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Akulenko! But no joy.
Sloppy strikes from Am. Those never looked like landing.
Akulenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Am.
Akulenko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko lands a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akulenko takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Akulenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Am was well out of range. Poor timing from Akulenko.
Akulenko throws a low kick but Am avoids it.
Akulenko loads up on a big right hand but Am slips the punch.
Good shot there by Akulenko.
Akulenko looks to throw the jab but Am is out of range.
Akulenko lands a nice looking kick to the body. Am takes a step back to recover.
Akulenko blocks a low kick nicely.
Akulenko doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Akulenko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Am throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Am fails with the takedown
and Akulenko counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Am thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Akulenko getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Akulenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Akulenko feints a counter leg kick.
Akulenko thuds a left hand into Am's body.
Am misses with a wild combination.
Akulenko throws a hook but Am avoids it easily.
Akulenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Am was well out of range. Poor timing from Akulenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akulenko looks to land a right hand but Am moved out of range.
Am half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Akulenko misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Am counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Am throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Akulenko.
Akulenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akulenko tests Am's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Akulenko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Am on the side of the head.
Akulenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Akulenko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Am swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Akulenko counters with a low kick, right behind Am 's knee.
Akulenko takes a swing at Am's ribcage but misses.
Akulenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Akulenko lands a jab to the nose.
Am staying out of range there.
Akulenko wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Akulenko lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Am has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Am and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Am circles away quickly and effectively.
Akulenko throws a body punch but Am moves out of range.
Akulenko ducks right into an uppercut from Am.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akulenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Am moves away.
Akulenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akulenko misses with a straight right.
Am gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Akulenko takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Akulenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akulenko misses with an uppercut.
Am lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Am on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Am is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akulenko.
Am throws a nice looking combination but Akulenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Akulenko scores with a hook.
Am looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Akulenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Am circles away quickly and effectively.
Akulenko thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Am if he has to take too many more of those.
A swing and a miss from Akulenko.
Am dives in and grabs Akulenko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Akulenko pushes down on Am's head and hops out.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko takes a swing at Am's ribcage but misses.
Am throws a low kick but it's checked well by Akulenko.
Am throws a head kick but Akulenko moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Akulenko! But no joy.
Am swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Akulenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Am takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Am avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Am fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for I Am. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Am chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Akulenko can pounce on him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugeniy Akulenko dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Akulenko swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Am.
Nice shot lands for Akulenko.
Akulenko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akulenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Am.
Am misses with a double jab.
Am cracks the inside of Akulenko's front leg.
Am takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Akulenko bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Am throws a nice looking combination but Akulenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akulenko connects with a body shot.
Am looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Akulenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Am throws a sloppy head kick and Akulenko moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Am throws a sloppy head kick and Akulenko moves out of range easily.
Akulenko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Akulenko throws a hook but Am blocks it.
Akulenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Am.
Akulenko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Akulenko lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Akulenko lands with an uppercut that bounces Am off the cage and back into range.
Nice jab there from Am.
Akulenko tests Am's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Akulenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Am is just out of range.
Akulenko lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Akulenko tries to land a leg kick but Am saw it coming and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Am has time to react.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Am connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Akulenko throws a hook to the side of Am's head but Am sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akulenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Am.
I Am has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Am looks to land a left hand but Akulenko moved out of range nicely.
Am misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akulenko misses with a hook.
Akulenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Akulenko lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Am has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Am and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Am's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Akulenko connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Am scrambles back to his feet.
Am throws a head kick that misses
and Akulenko counters with a left to the body.
Am throws a leg kick that is checked
and Akulenko counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko missing with a left hand there. Am was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Am lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Am is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akulenko.
Akulenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Am is just out of range.
Eugeniy Akulenko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akulenko connects with the punch.
Akulenko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Am throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akulenko.
I Am is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akulenko connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Akulenko lands with a thumping leg kick.
Akulenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Am moves out of range of the leg kick from Akulenko.
Am bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Am throws a big counter combination but Akulenko scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Am defending well as Akulenko loads up on a big left hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akulenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A jab from Akulenko finds it's way through Am's defenses.
Akulenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Am, right into the meat.
A lazy body kick from Akulenko
and Am counters with a three punch combo that has Akulenko backing up. Akulenko nods at Am to acknowledge the strikes.
Am is looking to land body kicks.
Am throws a body shot but no joy.
Am misses with a combination
and Akulenko counters with a stiff right hand.
Am takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Am takes one on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eugeniy Akulenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Akulenko 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 46:49
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 46:49
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eugeniy Akulenko!
Eugeniy Akulenko is the new lightweight champion!
Eugeniy Akulenko was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.