PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akeen Coker (ranked 95 p4p, 12 weight class) and Mikhail Bakunin (ranked 265 p4p, 38 weight class). 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.

Coker
vs
Bakunin

180 cm
25
174 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

181 cm
36
178 lbs
27 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akeen Coker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mikhail Bakunin!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Franklyn Lucas and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coker tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Coker connects with a body shot.
Bakunin swinging wildly here.
Bakunin misses the shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Bakunin.
Bakunin checks a leg kick.

Coker clinches up with Bakunin and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Coker.
Coker blocking some punches.
Coker misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Bakunin fails to land.

Coker gets control of Bakunin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Coker will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Bakunin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Coker's guard.

Coker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bakunin throwing strikes but missing.
Bakunin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Coker working for a triangle but Bakunin defends it easily.
Coker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bakunin.
Bakunin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Bakunin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Coker, up you get!
Bakunin misses with a wild combination.
Coker lands a leg kick that knocks Bakunin off balance momentarily.
Coker lands with a good body shot.
Bakunin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Coker tests Bakunin's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coker misses with a body kick.
Bakunin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bakunin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Coker seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Coker is looking to score with low kicks.
Danga de danga de dang - Bakunin scores with a four punch combination!
Bakunin throws a nice looking combination but Coker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Coker swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coker stuns Bakunin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Good shot there by Bakunin.
Bakunin moves away from the strike by Coker.
Coker bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circling - Bakunin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bakunin throws a head kick but Coker moves out of range.
Coker fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bakunin checks it well.
A head kick misses from Bakunin.
Coker scores with a spinning back kick!
Coker takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A good leg kick by Coker.
Coker fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bakunin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bakunin avoids a kick to the body.
Bakunin misses with a head kick.
Coker avoids the head kick by Bakunin.
Coker was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coker throws an off balance right hand
and Bakunin counters with a straight right hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Coker. That's going to slow Bakunin down.
Coker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bakunin's calf.
Bakunin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bakunin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bakunin blocks a low kick nicely.
Bakunin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Coker throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bakunin throws a counter combo.
Bakunin throws a shot to the body.
Coker throws a hook to the side of Bakunin's head but Bakunin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bakunin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bakunin checks a leg kick.
A combination from Bakunin does no damage.
Coker scoring well with a low kick there.
Coker misses with an uppercut.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Bakunin lands a head kick. Coker smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bakunin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bakunin digs a good body shot into Coker's ribs.
Bakunin misses with an uppercut.
Bakunin misses with a body shot.
Coker checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin misses with a head kick.
Coker appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Coker avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bakunin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Coker.

Coker closes the distance and clinches.
Bakunin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bakunin can't find room to land a body shot as Coker controls the action.
Bakunin blocking some punches.
Coker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bakunin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Coker fails to land.
Bakunin tries a body shot but Coker blocks it.
Bakunin blocks an uppercut.
Coker stalling in the clinch but Bakunin improves position.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bakunin.
Bakunin throws a punch but it's blocked by Coker.
Coker lands with a right to the head.
Bakunin throws a punch but it's blocked by Coker.
A right hook to the body lands for Bakunin.
Coker has a couple of punches blocked by Bakunin.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bakunin lands a nice uppercut.
Bakunin blocks a body shot from Coker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mikhail Bakunin will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bakunin checks a leg kick.
Bakunin jabs Coker to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Coker throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nice defenses there by Coker.
Bakunin misses with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Bakunin.
Sloppy strikes from Bakunin. Those never looked like landing.
Coker thuds his right hand into Bakunin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bakunin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Coker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
No joy there for Bakunin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Coker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bakunin.
Coker scores with a spinning back kick!
Coker connects with an inside leg kick.
Coker digs a good hook to Bakunin's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bakunin throws a head kick that misses.
As Bakunin backs away, Coker returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Coker as he connects with a hook.
Coker looks to score with a jab to the body but Bakunin is just out of range.
Coker lands a jab to the head.
Coker lands a leg kick that knocks Bakunin off balance momentarily.
A clash of legs there as Bakunin blocks the low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coker dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bakunin. That did some damage!
Coker moves in looking to clinch but Bakunin pushes him off.
Bakunin lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Bakunin throws a right hand that Coker ducks under and follows up with a left that Coker also avoids with ease.
Bakunin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Bakunin throws a hook but Coker blocks it.
Bakunin throws a nice looking combination but Coker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bakunin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bakunin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Coker can pounce on him.
Bakunin throws an off balance right hand
enabling Coker to counter with a crisp jab.
Bakunin misses the jab.
Coker misses with an uppercut.
Coker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bakunin.
Good exchange - Coker coming out on top.
Bakunin throws a head kick that misses.
Bakunin looks to land a combination but Coker avoids it well.
Bakunin misses with a looping left.
Mikhail Bakunin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Coker slips a straight right by Bakunin.
Coker misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bakunin blocks a low kick nicely.
Coker throws a jab when Bakunin was well out of range.
Coker stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

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!
Bakunin misses the shot to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Bakunin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bakunin misses with a jab, cross combination.
A low kick from Coker misses
and Bakunin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Coker looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bakunin fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Coker checks it well.
Coker half committed to a counter leg kick.
Bakunin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Coker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mikhail Bakunin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bakunin throws a combination that misses
and Coker counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bakunin misses with a body shot.
Bakunin throws a hook but Coker blocks it.
Coker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Coker moves into the clinch successfully.
A nice right hand lands inside from Coker.
Coker struggles to land a body shot inside as Bakunin controls his hands.
Bakunin misses with the head strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bakunin letting Coker take a breather here.
A short right from Bakunin.
Coker lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coker stalling in the clinch but Bakunin improves position.
Coker throws a head punch that misses.
Coker blocks an uppercut.
Bakunin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A hook to the body from Coker.
Bakunin throws a punch but it's blocked by Coker.
Bakunin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Coker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bakunin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bakunin tries to throw a body punch but Coker avoids it by throwing Bakunin back against the cage.
Coker's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bakunin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Bakunin on the inside.
Bakunin lands a body punch in the clinch.
Bakunin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Coker.
Coker working aggressively here.
Coker takes a shot to the head.
Bakunin tries to throw a body punch but Coker avoids it by throwing Bakunin back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bakunin can't find room to land a body shot as Coker controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Bakunin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bakunin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bakunin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Coker backwards.
Coker blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bakunin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bakunin working aggressively here.
Bakunin pushes Coker back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Coker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bakunin's elbow.
Coker misses with a punch to the body.
Coker is trying to pull guard but Bakunin has him pressed against the cage.
Coker has a couple of punches blocked by Bakunin.
Bakunin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Coker jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bakunin walks away with a smile on his face. Coker gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bakunin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Coker.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Coker looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bakunin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Coker circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice cross by Coker.
Bakunin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Coker counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mikhail Bakunin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bakunin throws an overhand right that lands on Coker's shoulder, as Coker tries to avoid the shot.
Coker cracks Bakunin with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Bakunin. Those never looked like landing.
Coker connects with the punch.
Coker slips under a jab from Bakunin.
Bakunin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bakunin on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Coker misses with an uppercut.
Bakunin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Coker throws a leg kick that misses.
Coker misses the jab.
Coker swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Coker throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakunin's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Coker connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bakunin scrambles back to his feet.
Bakunin throws a right hand that Coker ducks under and follows up with a left that Coker also avoids with ease.
A little feinted left hand from Coker on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Coker blocks a head kick by Bakunin.
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!
A head kick misses from Bakunin.
Coker lands with a hook. Bakunin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Coker uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bakunin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bakunin. Coker does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakunin throws a series of punches but Coker avoids them all with ease.
A lazy left from Bakunin finds it's target.
Bakunin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Coker throws out a powerful jab.
Bakunin misses with a series of wild punches.
Bakunin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Coker connects with a solid leg kick.
Coker lands with a straight right. Bakunin didn't see that one coming.
Coker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Coker looks to score with a jab to the body but Bakunin is just out of range.
Coker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bakunin. Bakunin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Coker lands a slapping body shot.
Bakunin with a jab.
Bakunin throws a jab when Coker was well out of range.
Coker is looking to counter punch.
Coker looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Coker takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Coker looks for the body kick but Bakunin saw that one coming.
Bakunin pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin throws a right and a left that Coker avoids nicely.
Bakunin cracks Coker with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bakunin slips under a jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Coker.
Coker dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bakunin. That did some damage!
Bakunin ducks under a wild hook from Coker.
Bakunin avoids the body shot from Coker.
A slow jab from Coker misses its intended target.
A little jabbing left from Bakunin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bakunin throws a head kick that misses.
Bakunin throws a series of punches but Coker moves out of range.
Coker digs a good body shot into Bakunin's ribs.
Coker throws a nice outside leg kick.
Coker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Coker drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bakunin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Coker moves away.
Coker with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Coker tried to score with a low kick but Bakunin checks it.
Coker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bakunin throws out the jab.
It looked like Coker wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Coker misses with a body shot
and Bakunin counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin throws a shot from downtown. Coker moves away and avoids it.
Coker throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bakunin on the side of the head.
Bakunin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Coker takes a swing at Bakunin's ribcage but misses.
Bakunin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Coker fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bakunin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Coker scores with a jab to the jaw.
Coker tries to clinch up but Bakunin circles away and keeps his distance.
Bakunin tries to bum rush Coker with a series of wild strikes but Coker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Coker rushes Bakunin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bakunin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mikhail Bakunin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Coker blocking some punches.
Bakunin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Coker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bakunin scores with a shot to the side of Coker's head.
Bakunin misses with the head strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Coker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bakunin's elbow.
Bakunin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Coker swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coker working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Coker misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Coker fails to pull guard.
Bakunin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bakunin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bakunin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Coker or not.
Bakunin misses with the head strike.
Coker misses with a short punch on the inside.
Coker lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bakunin backwards.
Coker lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Coker.
Bakunin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good body shot from Bakunin.
Coker misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bakunin has a couple of punches blocked by Coker.
A short right from Bakunin on the inside.
Bakunin blocking some punches.
Bakunin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bakunin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Coker's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Akeen Coker did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's time! Coker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bakunin thows a left - swing and a miss!
An attempted straight right counter from Coker misses the target.
Bakunin misses with a jab to the body
and Bakunin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Coker checks the leg kick.
Bakunin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bakunin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakunin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bakunin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Coker scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bakunin doesn't seem bothered though.
A low kick from Coker misses
and Bakunin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Coker thinking.
Bakunin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Coker half committed to a counter leg kick.
Coker's corner calls for a 1-2. Coker obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Coker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bakunin.
Coker connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Coker tries to clinch but Bakunin moves out of range.
Bakunin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Coker digs a good hook to Bakunin's body.
Coker throws a good cross that connects.
Coker loads up on a big right hand but Bakunin slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coker thows a body kick. Bakunin tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Coker throws a front kick that sends Bakunin stumbling back into the cage.
Bakunin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Coker manages to avoid it.
Coker jabs Bakunin right on the nose. Bakunin blinks but takes it well.
Bakunin throws a body shot but no joy.
Bakunin has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The fighters circle momentarily. Coker darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bakunin throws a hook to the side of Coker's head but Coker sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bakunin misses with an uppercut.
Coker thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Bakunin if he has to take too many more of those.
Bakunin throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Coker ducks under a wild hook from Bakunin.
Sloppy strikes from Bakunin. Those never looked like landing.
It looked like Coker was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Bakunin.
Coker takes one to the side of the head.
An inside leg kick from Coker misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Coker.
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!
Coker will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Coker fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bakunin checks it well.
A slapping body kick lands there for Coker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coker lets loose with a powerful body kick. Bakunin will feel that in the morning.
Bakunin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Coker.
Bakunin misses with a hook.
Coker lands a front kick.
Bakunin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bakunin throws a counter combo.
Coker lands a lovely overhand right.
Bakunin misses with a wild body shot.
Coker takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Coker sizes up Bakunin with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bakunin lands a jab to Coker's midsection.

Bakunin gets tackled into the cage by Coker. Coker maintains the clinch.
Coker misses with a hook to the ribs.

Coker jumps into guard, dragging Bakunin to the mat.
Coker keeping full guard, as Bakunin tries to pass.

Coker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bakunin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Bakunin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin with a nice head shot there.
Bakunin wants to stand but Coker has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Coker isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bakunin stacks Coker on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bakunin!

Bakunin decides to stand up, so the ref orders Coker to his feet.
Bakunin cracks a nice hook into Coker's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Coker.
Coker takes a swing at Bakunin's ribcage but misses.
Coker throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bakunin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Coker pushes Bakunin away with a front kick.
Coker connects with an inside leg kick.
Bakunin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bakunin throws a right and a left that Coker avoids nicely.
Bakunin staying out of range there.
Bakunin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Coker finds it's way round the side to connect with Bakunin's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A solid leg kick lands there for Coker.
Coker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bakunin was well out of range. Poor timing from Coker.

Coker darts in and clinches Bakunin up against the cage.
Coker swings wildly with an uppercut but Bakunin uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Coker.
Bakunin swings wildly with an uppercut but Coker uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akeen Coker had his way with Mikhail Bakunin in that round.
That's time! Coker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A slapping leg kick lands for Coker.
Bakunin throws a lazy right hand but Coker sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bakunin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bakunin looks to throw a body kick
and Coker counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bakunin misses with a combination
and Coker counters with a solid body kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Bakunin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Coker lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bakunin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Bakunin misses the target.
Bakunin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Coker circles away quickly and effectively.
Bakunin throws a series of punches but Coker avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bakunin.
Bakunin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Coker moves away.
Coker works Bakunin's body with a nice hook.
Bakunin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bakunin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Coker slips under a jab.
Coker throws a body punch but Bakunin moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakunin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Coker feints and then cracks Bakunin's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bakunin down.
Bakunin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Coker.
Bakunin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Coker manages to avoid it.
Coker with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sloppy strikes from Bakunin. Those never looked like landing.
Coker throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Bakunin has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Coker.
Bakunin keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bakunin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Coker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bakunin.
Coker staying out of range there.
Coker tried to counter with a leg kick but Bakunin avoided it.

Coker rushes Bakunin and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Coker doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bakunin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Coker lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bakunin or not.
Coker blocks an uppercut.
Bakunin blocks a body shot from Coker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Coker.
Coker is struggling to control the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Coker lands an uppercut.
Bakunin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Coker can't find room to land a body shot as Bakunin controls the action.
Coker lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bakunin has a couple of punches blocked by Coker.
Bakunin throws a head punch that misses.
Coker lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bakunin backwards.
Bakunin can't find room to land a body shot as Coker controls the action.
Bakunin misses with some punches.
Coker is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bakunin is keeping busy.
Coker tries to pull guard but Bakunin holds him up against the cage and eventually Coker drops back down to his feet.
Coker swings wildly with an uppercut but Bakunin uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Coker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coker looking to stall.
Bakunin prevents a body shot from Coker.
Bakunin prevents a body shot from Coker.
Bakunin misses with the head strike.
Bakunin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Coker as the two fighters clinch.
Bakunin lands a body punch.
Coker digs a right hand underneath Bakunin's ribcage. Bakunin let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Coker pushes Bakunin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bakunin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Bakunin lands a body shot.
Coker tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bakunin smiles and moves away.
Bakunin throws an overhand right that lands on Coker's shoulder, as Coker tries to avoid the shot.
Coker throws a wild body kick that Bakunin sees coming a mile off.
Bakunin swings for the body but Coker moves out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Bakunin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bakunin takes a swing at Coker's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakunin blocks a leg kick.
Bakunin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Coker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bakunin.
Bakunin thows a left - swing and a miss!
A jab from Bakunin misses.
Coker throws a quick counter kick to the body but Bakunin avoids it.
Coker throws a leg kick but Bakunin moved away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Coker.
Bakunin throws a head kick that misses.
Bakunin throws a head kick but Coker moves out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coker with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bakunin throws a head kick that misses.
Bakunin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bakunin throws a series of punches but Coker avoids them all with ease.
Coker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Coker tries to clinch but Bakunin moves out of range.
Coker throws a leg kick but Bakunin moved away.
Coker feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bakunin's calf.
Bakunin throws out a loose jab but Coker uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akeen Coker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Coker 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 John Roberts scores the fight 48:47
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akeen Coker!
Akeen Coker retains his welterweight title!
After winning the bout, Akeen Coker thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Mikhail Bakunin had this to say: 'I tip my hat to Turbo he's a beast there's a reason he's been champ for so long and been so dominant. I will be back you can count on that'.