PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zeke Akintan (ranked 8009 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khalid Ismail (ranked 5172 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeke Akintan is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Akintan
vs
Ismail

185 cm
21
185 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

186 cm
25
183 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zeke Akintan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Khalid Ismail!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Dirk Anderson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akintan goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Akintan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Akintan throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ismail's head.
Akintan misses with a few strikes there.
Ismail tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Akintan defends well and Ismail ends up having to push Akintan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Akintan jabs Ismail to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Akintan lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ismail backs up against the cage.
Akintan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ismail fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akintan plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ismail darts in looking for a takedown but Akintan gets double underhooks and turns Ismail into the cage.
A counter left hand to the body from Akintan misses its target.
Akintan throws a head kick but Ismail moves out of range.
Ismail misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akintan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Zeke Akintan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khalid Ismail.
Ismail tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Akintan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Akintan jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ismail tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Akintan defends well and Ismail ends up having to push Akintan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Akintan misses with a shot to the body
and Ismail counters with a three punch combo that has Akintan backing up. Akintan nods at Ismail to acknowledge the strikes.
Ismail takes a kick to the side of the head.
Akintan throws a lazy head kick

and Ismail counters with a crisp one two that drops Akintan! Ismail thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Akintan to his feet! Akintan is in big trouble!
Akintan displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ismail.
Akintan went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ismail will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ismail with a poor takedown

and Akintan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
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!
Akintan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Akintan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akintan throws a push kick but Ismail slaps the foot to one side.
Ismail is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ismail.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Akintan.
Akintan is looking to counter the offense by Ismail and move into the clinch.
Ismail swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like Akintan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ismail has a takedown stuffed.
Ismail looks winded!
Ismail dives in and grabs Akintan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Akintan pushes down on Ismail's head and hops out.
Akintan throws a series of punches but Ismail avoids them all with ease.
Good leg kick by Akintan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ismail.
As Ismail looks to move away, Akintan throws a big counter combo but Ismail just gets out of the way.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ismail is defended easily by Akintan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akintan misses with a two punch combination.
Ismail blocks a head kick by Akintan.
Akintan goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akintan.
Nice defenses there by Ismail.
Akintan throws a front kick that sends Ismail stumbling back into the cage.
Akintan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ismail circles away quickly and effectively.
Ismail is looking to clinch but Akintan is avoiding it.
Ismail looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Akintan went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ismail displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akintan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismail shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Akintan as he avoids it easily.
Akintan throws a head kick but Ismail moves out of range.
Akintan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
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!
Ismail tries to score a power double leg takedown but Akintan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ismail somewhat.
Akintan misses with a head kick.
Akintan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Zeke Akintan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ismail throws a head kick but Akintan moves out of range.
Ismail changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akintan tries to avoid it but Ismail manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akintan to the ground. Akintan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ismail is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zeke Akintan dominated that round.
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.

A head kick misses from Ismail.
Akintan lands a head kick!
Ismail misses with a low kick.
Akintan appears to be looking for a big counter.
Akintan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ismail on the side of the head.
Ismail moves in looking to clinch but Akintan pushes him off.
Ismail tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Akintan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akintan.
Ismail fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ismail or perhaps it was just good defense by Akintan, which made it look bad.
Zeke Akintan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akintan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ismail moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ismail takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ismail looks to score with a jab to the body but Akintan is just out of range.
Akintan seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ismail shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ismail throws a head kick that misses
and Akintan counters with a three punch combo that has Ismail backing up. Ismail nods at Akintan to acknowledge the strikes.
Ismail takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ismail dives in and grabs Akintan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Akintan pushes down on Ismail's head and hops out.
Zeke Akintan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khalid Ismail.
Ismail is breathing heavily.
Ismail has his takedown stuffed

and Akintan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Akintan.
Akintan has had enough of the clinch but Ismail keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Akintan's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Akintan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akintan thows a body kick. Ismail tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Akintan connects with a leg kick. Ismail looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Akintan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ismail has his takedown stuffed
and Akintan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Akintan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ismail misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akintan lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ismail throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ismail fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Akintan lands with a slapping head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akintan thumps Ismail with a low kick.
Ismail shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Akintan as he avoids it easily.
Akintan lands a nice looking body kick.
Akintan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Akintan.
Zeke Akintan is winning the standup battle so far.
Ismail shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Akintan defends it nicely.
Akintan lands with a kick to the temple. Ismail shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Akintan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akintan connects with a leg kick. Ismail looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Akintan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ismail fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Akintan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ismail can do to turn this around?
Akintan feints a jab promting Ismail to slip. Akintan then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ismail slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ismail closes the distance and clinches up with Akintan, looking for a takedown. Ismail pushes Akintan against the cage but Akintan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Akintan looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Akintan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Akintan throws a head kick that misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akintan.
Akintan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck for Ismail with that takedown attempt.
Akintan throws a counter high kick but Ismail was just alert enough to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Akintan is looking to slow Ismail down with leg kicks.
Ismail tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akintan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ismail fails with a takedown attempt.
Ismail is trying desperately to land a takedown but Akintan is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ismail.
A head kick misses from Akintan.
Akintan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akintan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ismail counters with a straight right hand.
Ismail shoots in for a takedown but Akintan shows good takedown defense.
Ismail avoids the head kick by Akintan.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akintan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akintan throws a sloppy head kick and Ismail moves out of range easily.
Akintan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ismail shoots for a takedown but Akintan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Zeke Akintan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khalid Ismail.
Akintan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Akintan throws a head kick but Ismail moves out of range.
Akintan misses with a head kick.
Ismail fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ismail gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Akintan counters with a nice body shot.
Akintan tries a head kick but it misses.
Ismail's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Akintan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akintan lands a head kick. Ismail smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ismail tries to clinch up.
Akintan avoids the body shot from Ismail.
Ismail is trying hard to land a takedown here. Akintan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Akintan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ismail pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ismail tries to close the distance and clinch but Akintan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ismail or perhaps it was just good defense by Akintan, which made it look bad.
Akintan connects with a body shot.
Ismail fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismail takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ismail misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akintan attempts a counter takedown but Ismail avoids it well and moves away.
Akintan throws a nice head kick!
Ismail takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Akintan throws a sloppy head kick and Ismail moves out of range easily.
Akintan scores with a head kick. Ismail tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Akintan tried to score with a low kick but Ismail checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ismail moves out of range as Akintan throws a body kick.
Ismail changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ismail avoids the head kick by Akintan.
Ismail shoots in but no luck this time.
Ismail looks for a takedown but Akintan sprawls well.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Ismail crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Akintan - the referee stops the clock and Ismail gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Akintan. Ismail manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Akintan is looking to wear down Ismail with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Akintan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ismail circles away quickly and effectively.
Akintan looks for the body kick but Ismail saw that one coming.
Khalid Ismail has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zeke Akintan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akintan misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zeke Akintan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Akintan 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 30:26
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zeke Akintan!