PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hector Romero (ranked 6 p4p, 1 weight class) and Linus Akerman (ranked 122 p4p, 20 weight class). Romero kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Havana. 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.

Romero
vs
Akerman

183 cm
35
171 lbs
30 - 10 - 0

180 cm
31
177 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hector Romero!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Linus Akerman!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akerman connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Romero's hands.
Romero lands with a thumping leg kick.
Romero thumps Akerman with a low kick.
Akerman tries to close the distance and clinch but Romero swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Akerman throws a jab when Romero was well out of range.
Romero connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Akerman's hands.
An inside leg kick from Akerman misses.
Romero fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Romero feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Akerman's calf.
Romero lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Romero scores with a kick to the midsection.
Romero looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Akerman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Romero takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Romero defending well as Akerman loads up on a big left hand.
Romero misses the shot to the body.
Romero lands with a thumping leg kick.
The fighters circling - Romero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akerman cracks Romero with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Romero throws a solid leg kick but Akerman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Romero.
Nice uppercut there from Akerman.
Romero avoids the body shot from Akerman.
Romero thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akerman doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Romero looks to land a right hand but Akerman moved out of range.
Romero throws an overhand right that lands on Akerman's shoulder, as Akerman tries to avoid the shot.
Akerman cracks Romero with a good jab.
Romero with a hook.
Akerman scores with a shot to the body.
Romero lands with a right hand.
A clash of legs there as Romero blocks the low kick.
Romero takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Romero buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Akerman moves away from the strike by Romero.
Akerman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Akerman moves away from the strike by Romero.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akerman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The fighters circling - Romero throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Akerman catches Romero with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Romero uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akerman.
Romero throws a wild body kick that Akerman sees coming a mile off.
Akerman throws a push kick but Romero slaps the foot to one side.
Romero feints and then cracks Akerman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akerman down.
Romero swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Akerman counters with an outside leg kick.
Romero throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Akerman counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Romero dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Romero misses the jab.
Akerman cracks the inside of Romero's front leg.
A solid leg kick lands there for Romero.

Romero throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Akerman tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Romero is in Akerman's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Romero lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Akerman keeping full guard, as Romero tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Akerman's head.
Romero scoring with some ground and pound.
Akerman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Romero.
Romero wants to control from the top but Akerman keeps moving.
Romero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Romero trying to control but Akerman is working from the bottom.
Akerman 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.
Romero lands a couple of digs.
Akerman trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Romero accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Romero trying to control the position from guard on top but Akerman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akerman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Romero is one step ahead there.
Akerman wants to stand but Romero is controlling the position.
Romero is in close to Akerman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Romero wants to pass the guard but Akerman is keeping the position.
Romero trying to control but Akerman is working from the bottom.
Romero showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Romero moves out of range of the body kick.
Romero is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Akerman can do to turn this around?
Akerman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Akerman blocks a jab.
Akerman's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Romero punishes Akerman's body with a nice straight punch.
Romero cracks a nice hook into Akerman's ribs.
Akerman misses with a body shot.
Akerman wants to land a leg kick but Romero is out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Romero.
Akerman connects with a single shot there.
Akerman will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Akerman ducks under a wild hook from Romero.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Akerman! But no joy.
Romero lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Akerman looks to land a body kick but Romero moved away.
Romero blocks a jab.
Romero stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Akerman.
Romero connects with a nice looking jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akerman throws a leg kick but Romero sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Romero tries to counter with a takedown but Akerman is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akerman takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Akerman takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Romero connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Romero lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A jab from Akerman misses.
Romero changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Romero thuds his shin into the meat of Akerman's side.
Akerman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Romero.
Akerman just misses with a punch to the body.
Romero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Romero throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Akerman tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Romero is in Akerman's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Romero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akerman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Romero 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.
Romero tries to free his leg and advance position but Akerman is retaining full guard.
Akerman looking for a sweep. Not yet Akerman, not yet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akerman working a defensive guard here.
Romero wants to control from the top but Akerman keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Akerman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Akerman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Romero lands a couple of digs.
Akerman looking to control but Romero passes into half guard.

Akerman is defending against the submission attempts here by Romero.
Romero takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akerman wants to control but Romero is keeping busy.
Akerman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Romero is looking to work some ground and pound but Akerman has wrist control.
Romero trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Akerman manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Romero has a closed guard, preventing Akerman from standing up.
Akerman preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romero keeping full guard, as Akerman tries to pass.
Akerman is looking to stand up but Romero won't let him.
Akerman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Romero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Akerman defends it easily.
Hector Romero overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Akerman postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Romero dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Akerman finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Akerman waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Romero.
Romero throws a low kick but Akerman avoids it.
Hector Romero is winning the standup battle so far.
Romero misses with a low kick.
Romero misses the jab.
Akerman throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Romero.
Romero connects with a looping right hand.
Romero attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Romero misses with a low kick.
Romero misses with a body shot.
Akerman jabs at Romero's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Romero.
Romero keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akerman tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Romero moves out of range as Akerman throws a body kick.
Romero takes a swing at Akerman's ribcage but misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Akerman! But no joy.
Romero throws a low kick but Akerman avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Akerman.
Akerman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Romero.
Hector Romero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Akerman closes the distance and pushes Romero back into the cage.
Romero lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Romero can't find room to land a body shot as Akerman controls the action.

Akerman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Romero just misses with a punch to the body.
Akerman looks to land a left hand but Romero moved out of range nicely.
Akerman throws a body punch but Romero moves out of range.
Akerman throws a jab when Romero was well out of range.
Akerman misses the shot to the body.
Akerman checks the leg kick.
Akerman lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Akerman scores with a head kick.
Linus Akerman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Romero motions for Akerman to come forward. Romero throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Romero with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akerman takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Akerman avoids the body shot from Romero.

Akerman darts in and clinches Romero up against the cage.
Romero is trying to pull guard but Akerman turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Akerman softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Akerman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akerman stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Akerman misses with an attempted mid kick.
Akerman ducks under a wild hook from Romero.
Romero throws out a loose jab but Akerman uses good head movement to avoid it.
A good leg kick by Romero.
Akerman checks a leg kick.
Romero digs a good hook to Akerman's body.
Romero throws a low kick, looking for Akerman's leg but Akerman calmly moves out of range.
Akerman looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Romero takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Akerman is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akerman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akerman takes one to the chin there.
Akerman tries to clinch but Romero is having none of it.
Romero changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Akerman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Romero misses with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Romero.
Akerman tries a quick counter leg kick but Romero is wise to it.
Akerman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Akerman appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Romero misses with a body shot.
Romero blocks a low kick nicely.
Romero blocks the body kick.
Akerman connects with a leg kick. Romero looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Akerman on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Romero feints and then cracks Akerman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akerman down.
The fighters circling - Akerman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Akerman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akerman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Romero throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akerman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Akerman flicks out a counter leg kick but Romero steps away.
Romero attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Romero avoids the body shot from Akerman.
Romero throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Akerman counters with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akerman wants to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Romero misses the target.
Akerman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Akerman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Romero ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Romero fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Akerman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Romero just misses with a punch to the body.
Akerman wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Romero connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Romero comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Linus Akerman just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Akerman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Romero.
A big right from Akerman misses.
Romero fails with the takedown
and Akerman counters with a straight right hand.
Romero throws a body punch but Akerman moves out of range.
Romero lands with a shot to the body.
Romero uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Akerman has time to react.
Akerman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Romero shoots in for a takedown but Akerman shows good takedown defense.
Romero misses the jab.
Romero throws a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Romero tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Akerman defends well and Romero ends up having to push Akerman into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hector Romero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A thudding body kick lands there by Akerman!
Romero takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Akerman checks a leg kick nicely.
Akerman pivots, looking for a leg kick but Romero is out of range and Akerman settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Akerman.
Romero connects with a good right hand that stumbles Akerman. Akerman circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Romero thows a leg kick but Akerman checks it
and Akerman counters with a nice body kick.
Romero fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Akerman checks it well.
Romero throws a push kick but Akerman slaps the foot to one side.
Akerman dips to his left and cracks Romero with an uppercut!
Romero moves out of range as Akerman strikes.
Romero is looking to score with low kicks.
Akerman follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Romero tries for a takedown but Akerman circles away easily
letting Akerman counter with a right hand.
Akerman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romero.
A jab from Romero misses.
Romero avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Akerman checks a leg kick nicely.
Akerman takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akerman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romero.
A leg kick checked by Romero.
Akerman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Romero throws out the jab.
Romero takes one to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Romero throws a jab when Akerman was well out of range.
Akerman misses with an uppercut. Romero saw that one coming.
Romero lands a nice shot to the body.
Romero throws out a leg kick but Akerman moves out of range and Romero only half commits.
Romero lands an overhand right.
Akerman is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Akerman keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Romero throws a front kick aimed at Akerman's knee but Akerman avoids it well.
Romero has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Akerman.
A slow jab from Romero misses its intended target.
Akerman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Romero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero moves away from the strike by Akerman.
Romero takes a swing at Akerman's ribcage but misses.
Akerman throws a head kick but Romero moves out of range.
Romero checks the leg kick.
Romero scores with a nice head shot.
Romero stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Akerman lands a nice shot that snaps Romero's head back.
Akerman tried to score with a low kick but Romero checks it.
Akerman with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Romero to score with a decent uppercut.
Romero connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Romero throws a leg kick
and Akerman counters with an outside leg kick.
Romero misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Romero blocks the low kick.
Romero throws a low kick, looking for Akerman's leg but Akerman calmly moves out of range.
Romero misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Romero 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Akerman throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Romero on 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!
Akerman slips a straight right by Romero.
Romero throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Romero throws a front kick aimed at Akerman's knee but Akerman avoids it well.
Akerman lands a nice hook to Romero's body. Romero takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Akerman moves into range and clinches up with Romero.

Romero manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Akerman controls from within his opponent's guard.

Romero had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Akerman defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Hector Romero will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

The fighters circling - Akerman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Romero throws a leg kick
letting Akerman counter with a right hand.
Romero lands a body shot.
Romero swings for the body but Akerman moves out of range.
Romero is looking to slow Akerman down with leg kicks.
Romero cracks a nice hook into Akerman's ribs.
Romero lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Romero scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Romero walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Akerman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akerman takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Good leg kick by Akerman there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Akerman misses with a kick to the body

so Romero counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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!
Romero looking to sit in guard and control but Akerman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Romero keeping moving, preventing Akerman from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero has a closed guard, preventing Akerman from standing up.
Akerman looking to sit in guard and control but Romero gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Romero trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Akerman manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Akerman controlling from the top position.
Linus Akerman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hector Romero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Romero working for submissions but it's allowed Akerman to get to half guard.
Akerman scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Romero works his way to full guard. Good work.
Akerman wants to pass the guard but Romero is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Romero looking for a guillotine here but Akerman defends easily.
Romero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Akerman controls from within his opponent's guard.
Akerman is looking to stand up but Romero won't let him.
Akerman is stalling in the full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Romero working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Akerman.

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 Hector Romero.
I think Romero 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Linus Akerman!
Linus Akerman is the new welterweight champion!