PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akeen Coker (ranked 167 p4p, 21 weight class) and De Bruyne (ranked 248 p4p, 31 weight class). Bruyne has chosen Busta Rhymes - Other Side Of The Road as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Coker
vs
Bruyne

165 cm
33
153 lbs
28 - 12 - 2

175 cm
32
150 lbs
30 - 9 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Project Mayhem

Humanoid Nutrition (160Q for 180$)
Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akeen Coker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 9 - 3, fighting out of St Petersburg, De Bruyne!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Daniel Bishop and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bruyne uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Coker.
Bruyne is trying to counter with his kicks.
Coker moves out of range of the strikes.
Bruyne throws a jab but it's blocked by Coker.
Coker throws a low kick, looking for Bruyne's leg but Bruyne calmly moves out of range.
Coker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bruyne blocks the body kick.
Bruyne walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Coker just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Bruyne. That snapped Coker's head back.
Coker looks to score with a jab to the body but Bruyne is just out of range.
Coker misses with a looping right.
Bruyne missing with a left hand there. Coker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Coker misses with a straight right.
Coker lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bruyne is looking to clinch.
Bruyne misses with a wild body shot.
Akeen Coker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Coker throws a push kick but Bruyne slaps the foot to one side.
Bruyne fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Coker on the side of the head.
Coker scores with the left hand. Bruyne knows he should have avoided that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Coker shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bruyne's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruyne tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Coker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bruyne is keeping the position for now.
Coker trying to control but Bruyne is working from the bottom.
Coker pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bruyne is keeping the position for now.
Coker won't allow Bruyne to sweep him here.
Bruyne manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Coker manages to get himself to full guard.

Coker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bruyne can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bruyne slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coker tries to buck Bruyne off but Bruyne is having none of it.
Bruyne tries to score with some ground and pound. Coker controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Coker is being controlled here.
Coker gets back to half guard.
Coker tries to get to full guard but Bruyne has control of the leg.
Bruyne keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Bruyne wants to pass the guard but Coker is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruyne takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Coker is trying to maintain the position but Bruyne is very close to passing his half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bruyne is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Bruyne.
Bruyne throws a leg kick which misses Coker's front leg but catches the back leg as Coker tries to avoid it.

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.
Coker lands with a thumping leg kick.
Coker misses with a low kick.
Bruyne just misses with a punch to the body.
A quick step to the side and Coker tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Coker shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bruyne manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Coker looking to pass the guard.
Coker passes into half guard.
Bruyne keeping hold of Coker's head, controlling as best he can.
Coker looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akeen Coker dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bruyne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bruyne avoids the body shot from Coker.
Coker seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Bruyne lands with a right hand.
Coker misses with an attempted mid kick.
A big right from Bruyne misses.
Coker throws a solid leg kick but Bruyne takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Coker.
Coker on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Coker fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bruyne looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bruyne throws a body shot but no joy.
Coker fires out a quick counter leg kick but Bruyne just manages to avoid it.
Coker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Coker walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bruyne checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Coker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bruyne was well out of range. Poor timing from Coker.
Bruyne connects with a leg kick. Coker looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bruyne throws out a powerful jab.
Coker throws a hook but Bruyne avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Bruyne on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bruyne lands a leg kick that knocks Coker off balance momentarily.

Bruyne fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Coker, pushing him back against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Coker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bruyne throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Coker sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coker slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bruyne thuds a left hand into Coker's body.
Jab, jab by Coker - just one landing.
Coker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bruyne throws out the jab.
Coker appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Coker throws a body shot but no joy.
Coker slips under a jab from Bruyne.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Coker, as that shot connected.
De Bruyne is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bruyne tries to clinch but Coker moves out of range.
Coker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bruyne takes a swing at Coker's ribcage but misses.
Coker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bruyne.
Coker throws a leg kick but Bruyne moved away.
Bruyne swings for the body but Coker moves out of range.
Coker throws a sloppy head kick and Bruyne moves out of range easily.
Coker keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bruyne.
Coker uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bruyne.
A punch combination from Bruyne misses.
Bruyne looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruyne ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Coker scores with a leg kick.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Bruyne 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.
Coker throws a low kick but Bruyne moves out of range easily.
Bruyne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice body kick there by Coker.
Bruyne ducks under a wild hook from Coker.
Coker throws a front kick aimed at Bruyne's knee but Bruyne avoids it well.
Bruyne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Coker.
Coker misses the shot to the body.
Bruyne looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Coker lands a glancing blow to the side of Bruyne's head.
Bruyne lands with a straight right. Coker didn't see that one coming.
Coker throws a hook but Bruyne avoids it easily.
Bruyne throws out a counter right but Coker avoids it with no problem.
Bruyne is looking to score with low kicks.
Bruyne throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Coker on the side of the head.
Coker moves out of range as Bruyne strikes.
Bruyne looks to land a body kick but Coker moved away.
Coker throws a hook but Bruyne avoids it easily.
Coker jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruyne wants to slow Coker down by chopping away at his legs.
Coker throws the left hand but Bruyne avoids the punch easily.
Bruyne waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Coker.
Some bone on bone action there as Coker checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Coker doesn't manage to clinch there - Bruyne circles away.
Bruyne throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Coker's head.
Bruyne uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Coker.
Bruyne scores with a jab to the head.
Bruyne lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Bruyne on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Coker throws a leg kick
and Bruyne counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Coker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bruyne is fending him off so far but Coker persists. Nope, Bruyne circles away and we're back to standing.
Coker slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bruyne checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jab from Bruyne.
Coker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Coker swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Coker throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bruyne counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Coker thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bruyne was well out of range. Poor timing from Coker.
Nice defenses there by Bruyne.
Bruyne moves out of range as Coker strikes.
Coker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bruyne.
Bruyne connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bruyne uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Coker.
Bruyne throws a big shot that misses.
Bruyne avoids the body shot from Coker.
Coker dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bruyne. That did some damage!
Coker missing with a left hand there. Bruyne was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bruyne tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bruyne clobbers Coker with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Coker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Coker tries a low kick but Bruyne avoids it.
Bruyne takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bruyne takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bruyne throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Akeen Coker will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A big right from Bruyne misses.
Coker was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
De Bruyne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters circling a little - Coker finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Bruyne throws a right hand that Coker ducks under and follows up with a left that Coker also avoids with ease.
Nice defenses there by Bruyne.
Donk. Coker catches Bruyne right on the button with a cross.
Coker just misses with a punch to the body.
Coker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Bruyne uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Coker.
Coker attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Coker is looking to slow Bruyne down with leg kicks.
Bruyne tries a low kick but Coker avoids it.
Bruyne throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coker on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Coker throws a hook to the side of Bruyne's head but Bruyne sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Coker slips under a jab from Bruyne.
Bruyne takes a swing at Coker's ribcage but misses.
Coker scores with a nice head shot.
Akeen Coker is winning the standup battle so far.
Bruyne keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Coker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Bruyne.
A clash of legs there as Coker blocks the low kick.
Bruyne fails to land with a series of punches.
No luck for Coker with that takedown attempt.
Nice shot by Coker.
Coker tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Coker throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bruyne was covering up waiting for the punch and Coker finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Coker controlling from the top position.
Bruyne is controlling Coker's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coker looking to pass the guard.
Bruyne controls Coker momentarily but Coker frees himself.
Bruyne keeping moving, preventing Coker from controlling successfully.
Coker stands and throws Bruyne's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Bruyne tries to improve position but can't.
Coker is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Coker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Bruyne sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Coker is keen to just control but Bruyne is a slippery customer.
Coker content to control rather than advance.
Bruyne desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Bruyne is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Coker pulls his head out easily.
Akeen Coker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bruyne is looking for a sweep. Coker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Coker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Coker misses with a low kick.
Bruyne blocks a head kick by Coker.
Coker punishes Bruyne's body with a nice straight punch.
A swing and a miss from Bruyne.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Coker connects with a solid leg kick.
Good exchange - Coker coming out on top.
Bruyne closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Coker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akeen Coker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Coker, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akeen Coker!
Akeen Coker decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.