PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Osama Akharraz (ranked 2553 p4p, 339 weight class) and Isaiah Sturridge (ranked 2204 p4p, 307 weight class). Sturridge has chosen Gimmie The Loot - By: The Notorious BIG as his entrance music. Osama Akharraz has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Akharraz
vs
Sturridge

225 cm
30
215 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

188 cm
27
220 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Osama Akharraz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaiah Sturridge!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Akharraz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Akharraz tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Akharraz lands with a shot to the body.
Isaiah Sturridge seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akharraz tries to clinch up but Sturridge circles away and keeps his distance.
Sturridge misses with a left hand

and Akharraz moves into the clinch.
Sturridge comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sturridge lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

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

Akharraz moves into the clinch.

Akharraz manages to break the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Akharraz.

Akharraz clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sturridge pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Akharraz lands a body punch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Sturridge throws an elbow but misses.
Akharraz trying to control the position but instead, Sturridge has worked for underhooks and has pushed Akharraz into the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akharraz.

It looks like Isaiah Sturridge has been cut.
Sturridge looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sturridge throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Sturridge is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Akharraz to keep the fight standing.
Akharraz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Akharraz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akharraz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sturridge cracks Akharraz with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sturridge lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Akharraz at a distance.
Akharraz misses with a looping right.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sturridge darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Akharraz uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sturridge.
Akharraz fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sturridge looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sturridge misses the jab.
Sturridge dodges the punch combination from Akharraz.

Sturridge closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Akharraz's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sturridge is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sturridge is standing up over Akharraz. Akharraz looks to escape but Sturridge dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sturridge lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Sturridge working the ground and pound.
Akharraz really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Akharraz is trying to get back to his feet.
Akharraz trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
We've been hearing good reports from Akharraz's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sturridge working the head and body with strikes.
Sturridge fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Akharraz managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sturridge.

Sturridge wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akharraz, who protects the arm well.
Check out the look on Sturridge's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sturridge tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sturridge has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Akharraz is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Sturridge asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Sturridge throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sturridge lands a nice forearm strike.
Sturridge cracks Akharraz with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sturridge scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Akharraz to see if he's OK.
Sturridge wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akharraz keeps working.
Akharraz wants to get back to his feet but Sturridge drags him back down.

Sturridge wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akharraz, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sturridge wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akharraz, who protects the arm well.
Sturridge trying to control the position but Akharraz is working away.
Akharraz wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Akharraz tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

Sturridge is persistently looking for the submission but Akharraz is defending it well.

Sturridge working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaiah Sturridge dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Isaiah Sturridge's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Akharraz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Akharraz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sturridge swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sturridge lands a jab to Akharraz's midsection.
Akharraz doesn't manage to clinch there - Sturridge circles away.
Akharraz misses with a head kick.
Akharraz ducks under a wild hook from Sturridge.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Sturridge goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sturridge throws a lazy right hand but Akharraz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sturridge has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Akharraz wants to clinch.
Sturridge misses with an uppercut. Akharraz saw that one coming.
Sturridge throws a shot from downtown. Akharraz moves away and avoids it.
Akharraz scores with a sloppy right hand. Sturridge should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sturridge misses with a looping right.
Akharraz is looking for a counter combo.
Sturridge swats away the attempt to clinch by Akharraz.
Akharraz wants to clinch up but Sturridge keeps it at a distance.
Sturridge throws a big shot that misses.
Akharraz lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice cross by Sturridge.
Sturridge thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akharraz lands a nice shot that snaps Sturridge's head back.
Sturridge walks into a jab.
Akharraz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sturridge manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sturridge looks to throw the jab but Akharraz is out of range.
Akharraz swinging wildly here.
And Sturridge tries to counter it with a takedown but Akharraz pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Akharraz closes the distance and pushes Sturridge back into the cage.

Sturridge breaks the clinch.
Akharraz takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Sturridge 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.
Sturridge has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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!
Sturridge stops Akharraz from standing up.
Akharraz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Sturridge pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akharraz is keeping the position for now.
Akharraz is looking to stand up but Sturridge isn't so interested in that idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akharraz wriggles free and stands up.
Sturridge throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sturridge lands with a straight right. Akharraz didn't see that one coming.
A big left from Sturridge misses.
Akharraz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sturridge swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sturridge avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sturridge swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sturridge loads up on a big right hand but Akharraz slips the punch.
Sturridge is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Akharraz rushes Sturridge and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Akharraz dodges an elbow strike from Sturridge.
Sturridge swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sturridge taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Akharraz wants to get back to striking at distance but Sturridge won't allow it.
Sturridge looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sturridge lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Akharraz backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Sturridge.

Sturridge jumps guard.
Akharraz has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Sturridge is proving hard to escape from.
Isaiah Sturridge has got the better of the ground game so far.
Akharraz wants to stand and escape but instead Sturridge has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Sturridge trying to control the position from guard on top but Akharraz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akharraz is looking to stand up but Sturridge isn't so interested in that idea.
Akharraz keeping moving, preventing Sturridge from controlling successfully.
Akharraz wants to stand up but Sturridge is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sturridge is pushing down on Akharraz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Akharraz is fighting to maintain full guard but Sturridge has managed to sneak the leg through.
Sturridge lands with a punch from half guard.

Akharraz is defending against the submission attempts here by Sturridge.
Sturridge wants to pass the guard but Akharraz is defending well.

Sturridge is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Akharraz is just riding it out for now. Sturridge eventually gives up the hold.

Sturridge is working for a kimura but Akharraz is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaiah Sturridge showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Isaiah Sturridge's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Akharraz tries to clinch up but Sturridge circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Akharraz misses the target.
Akharraz looks to throw the jab but Sturridge is out of range.
Sturridge throws out a loose jab but Akharraz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akharraz is looking for a counter combo.
Akharraz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Akharraz moves into the clinch.

Sturridge escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akharraz connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Akharraz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Akharraz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sturridge circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sturridge misses with a looping right.
Akharraz misses with a few strikes there.
Sturridge fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akharraz manages to avoid it.
Akharraz was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akharraz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sturridge keeps the fight on the outside.
Sturridge throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akharraz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sturridge is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
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!

Akharraz darts in and clinches Sturridge up against the cage.

Sturridge breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akharraz tries to clinch up but Sturridge circles away and keeps his distance.
Akharraz misses with a body shot.
Akharraz misses with an uppercut.
Akharraz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Akharraz clinches up with Sturridge and pushes him back against the cage.
Akharraz wants to break the clinch but can't.
Akharraz takes an elbow to the forehead.
Akharraz avoids a wild elbow strike from Sturridge.

Akharraz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akharraz tries to clinch up but Sturridge circles away and keeps his distance.
Sturridge is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sturridge throws a front kick aimed at Akharraz's knee but Akharraz avoids it well.
Sturridge walks into a jab.
Akharraz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sturridge tries a head kick but it misses.
Sturridge avoids the body shot from Akharraz.
Sturridge misses with a straight right.

Sturridge decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Akharraz wants to stand back up but Sturridge manages to pass into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sturridge wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akharraz, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Akharraz is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sturridge has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Akharraz wants to get back to his feet but Sturridge is dominant here and he's now got Akharraz's back!

Sturridge working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Akharraz wants to get back to his feet.

Sturridge has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Akharraz has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Akharraz is trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akharraz defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Sturridge is looking for the choke from the back position but Akharraz is controlling his hands well.

Akharraz is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
Akharraz wants to clinch.
Sturridge moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice body kick there by Sturridge.
Isaiah Sturridge seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akharraz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akharraz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sturridge paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sturridge keeps the fight on the outside.
Osama Akharraz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akharraz moves in looking to clinch but Sturridge pushes him off.
Akharraz wants to clinch.
Akharraz lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akharraz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sturridge rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akharraz counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A punch lands to the side of Akharraz 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Akharraz tries to clinch up.
Akharraz moves away from the strike by Sturridge.
Akharraz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sturridge.

Sturridge looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Akharraz!
Osama Akharraz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Isaiah Sturridge is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Akharraz tries to escape but Sturridge is in control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Isaiah Sturridge.
I've got Sturridge winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isaiah Sturridge!
Isaiah Sturridge seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.