PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Adrian Hunter (ranked 5037 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saifulla Rakhmonov (ranked 7640 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hunter
vs
Rakhmonov

179 cm
25
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
155 lbs
4 - 10 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Adrian Hunter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Saifulla Rakhmonov!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunter scores with a nice strike.
Rakhmonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hunter swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hunter.
Hunter dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hunter throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hunter fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rakhmonov manages to avoid it.
Hunter lands a jab.
No luck for Rakhmonov with that takedown attempt.
Hunter swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hunter throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rakhmonov counters with a one-two to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch lands to the side of Rakhmonov 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown but Hunter shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Adrian Hunter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saifulla Rakhmonov.
Hunter ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rakhmonov moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rakhmonov is defended easily by Hunter.
Nice defenses there by Rakhmonov.
Hunter connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hunter bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rakhmonov's head backwards.
Rakhmonov closes the distance but Hunter moves to the side
letting Hunter counter with a right hand.
Rakhmonov shoots for a double leg takedown but Hunter sprawls well. He's pushed Rakhmonov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It looked like Hunter wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A cross from Hunter lands.
Adrian Hunter is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter lands with a shot to the body.
Hunter is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rakhmonov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hunter throwing a counter right hand but Rakhmonov manages to avoid it.
Hunter cracks a nice hook into Rakhmonov's ribs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rakhmonov is defended easily by Hunter.
Hunter throwing a counter right hand but Rakhmonov manages to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunter lunges at Rakhmonov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rakhmonov's hand.
Hunter tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rakhmonov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Rakhmonov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hunter manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter lands a jab to the head.
Hunter scores with a jab.
Saifulla Rakhmonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rakhmonov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hunter swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hunter is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rakhmonov lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hunter has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hunter and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rakhmonov looks to score with a jab to the body but Hunter is just out of range.
Hunter was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hunter lands with a nice combination. Rakhmonov backs away looking to recover.
Hunter swats away the attempt to clinch by Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov shoots in but Hunter avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hunter bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rakhmonov's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hunter scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakhmonov shoots in but no luck this time.
Hunter thuds his right hand into Rakhmonov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rakhmonov tries to clinch but Hunter moves out of range.
Hunter throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rakhmonov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hunter sprawls well. Hunter wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rakhmonov gets slowly back to his feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Hunter misses its target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Hunter dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hunter takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Donk. Hunter catches Rakhmonov right on the button with a cross.
Rakhmonov blocks a jab.
Hunter misses with a body shot.
Hunter misses with a hook.
Rakhmonov feints the counter takedown.
Nice shot lands for Hunter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Danga de danga de dang - Hunter scores with a four punch combination!
Hunter defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.
Hunter connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rakhmonov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmonov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hunter throws out the jab.
Hunter throws a looping overhand right but Rakhmonov ducks down to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hunter. Rakhmonov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rakhmonov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hunter defends well and Rakhmonov ends up having to push Hunter into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hunter ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rakhmonov moves away.
Hunter fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Saifulla Rakhmonov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hunter leaves Rakhmonov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Adrian Hunter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saifulla Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov is looking to clinch.
Rakhmonov ducks under a wild hook from Hunter.
Rakhmonov tries to clinch up
and Hunter counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Hunter misses the target.
Hunter is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rakhmonov can do to turn this around?
Rakhmonov misses with a takedown attempt
and Hunter counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hunter fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rakhmonov wants to clinch
and Hunter counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hunter dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rakhmonov is trying desperately to land a takedown but Hunter is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hunter moves away.
Adrian Hunter is winning the standup battle so far.
Rakhmonov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hunter swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rakhmonov counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov has a takedown stuffed.
Hunter swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rakhmonov.
Rakhmonov takes one to the side of the head.
Rakhmonov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hunter.
Rakhmonov fails with the takedown.
It looked like Hunter was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Hunter throws out a powerful jab.
Rakhmonov shoots and misses
and Hunter counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rakhmonov is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Rakhmonov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hunter throws a jab but it's blocked by Rakhmonov.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Rakhmonov might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Hunter has got the better of the exchanges.
Donk. Hunter catches Rakhmonov right on the button with a cross.
Rakhmonov slips under a jab from Hunter.
Hunter will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
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!
Rakhmonov is looking to clinch but Hunter is avoiding it.
Rakhmonov moves in looking to clinch but Hunter pushes him off.
Rakhmonov is looking to clinch.
Hunter lands with a good body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adrian Hunter dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rakhmonov throws a sloppy head kick
and Hunter counters with a left to the body.
Hunter dodges the punch combination from Rakhmonov.
Hunter misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rakhmonov.
No joy there for Hunter, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Despite the aggression on Rakhmonov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Hunter lands the left hand.
Hunter fails to land with a series of punches.
Rakhmonov ducks under a wild hook from Hunter.
Rakhmonov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunter with a hook.
Hunter throws the left hand but Rakhmonov avoids the punch easily.
Hunter missing with a left hand there. Rakhmonov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rakhmonov walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter misses with a body shot.
Rakhmonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hunter swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rakhmonov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A quick step to the side and Hunter tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hunter.
Rakhmonov connects with a solid leg kick.
Rakhmonov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hunter as he jumps to the side.
Rakhmonov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hunter.
Rakhmonov is looking for the big counter here.
Rakhmonov walks into a stiff left hand from Hunter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Hunter to counter with a crisp jab.
Rakhmonov has a takedown stuffed.
Adrian Hunter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saifulla Rakhmonov.
Hunter throws a looping overhand right but Rakhmonov ducks down to avoid it.
Hunter scores with a sloppy right hand. Rakhmonov should have avoided that one.
Rakhmonov misses with a body shot.
Hunter is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rakhmonov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hunter pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rakhmonov wants to counter with a clinch but Hunter pushes him away.
Hunter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakhmonov.
Hunter fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rakhmonov on the side of the head.
Hunter throws a lazy right hand but Rakhmonov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rakhmonov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A quick step to the side and Hunter tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rakhmonov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rakhmonov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hunter misses the shot to the body.
Rakhmonov moves in looking to clinch but Hunter pushes him off.
Rakhmonov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmonov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hunter pinned against the cage. Hunter gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hunter throws a big shot that misses.
Rakhmonov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hunter.
Rakhmonov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hunter shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Rakhmonov eats them both and turns towards Hunter to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hunter misses with a looping left.
Adrian Hunter is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rakhmonov slips a jab from Hunter.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rakhmonov fails with the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adrian Hunter showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hunter 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adrian Hunter!
During a confident post fight interview, Adrian Hunter thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.