PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anike Chukwu (ranked 4928 p4p, 405 weight class) and Sunshine Okafor (ranked 4930 p4p, 404 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Chukwu
vs
Okafor

178 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 Sydney, Anike Chukwu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sunshine Okafor!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Leandro Rodrigues and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Okafor forces Chukwu back against the cage and clinches.

Okafor is trying to trip Chukwu. He has hold of a leg but Chukwu is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Okafor persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Okafor really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Chukwu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Chukwu looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Okafor puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Chukwu looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Okafor works his way into side control.
Chukwu tries to buck Okafor off but Okafor is having none of it.

Okafor looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Chukwu being controlled for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chukwu is looking to regain half guard here but Okafor keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chukwu manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Chukwu looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Chukwu is working for a submission of some sort.
Okafor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chukwu is working away from the top position though.
Okafor tries to roll over but Chukwu keeps him under control.
Okafor is not content to let Chukwu control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okafor has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Chukwu is working away from the top position though.
Chukwu slows the pace down in half guard.

Chukwu seems to be working for a kimura but Okafor defends the submission attempt.
Okafor trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Chukwu manages to pass to mount!
Okafor tries to hold on but Chukwu pushes him away.

Chukwu looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Chukwu misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okafor tries to hold on but Chukwu pushes him away.
Chukwu misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Okafor tries to hold on but Chukwu pushes him away.

Chukwu looking to secure an arm triangle but Okafor defends it well.
Okafor blocking the ground and pound.
Chukwu can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Okafor is looking to escape.
Okafor is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Okafor is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chukwu is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Okafor is surviving well by controlling Chukwu's body position as best he can.
Okafor wants to control but Chukwu is having none of it.
Okafor is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Chukwu is staying active.

Chukwu looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Chukwu looking to control but Okafor is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Okafor tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Chukwu throws some wild stikes that Okafor manages to avoid easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Chukwu working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Okafor is trying to escape the mount.
Chukwu wants to get back to his feet but Okafor is holding on tight.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anike Chukwu dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Chukwu shoots in looking for a takedown but Okafor manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Chukwu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Chukwu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Okafor can do to turn this around?

Chukwu pushes Okafor up against the cage in a clinch.
Okafor lands with a light punch inside.

Chukwu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Okafor closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Okafor lands in his opponent's guard.
Okafor must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Okafor is looking to work some ground and pound but Chukwu has wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chukwu is on top in guard.

Chukwu drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Okafor manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Chukwu has Okafor in his guard.

Okafor in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Chukwu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Okafor.
Okafor wants to control from the top but Chukwu keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Okafor got a little sloppy there for a moment and Chukwu has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Okafor has managed to get both his arms back between Chukwu's legs - danger averted.
Chukwu pulls Okafor in to control the position.

Chukwu has his foot on Okafor's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Okafor works his way back into a safe position though.

Chukwu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Okafor pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Chukwu is keeping the position for now.

Chukwu had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Okafor defends it easily.
Chukwu keeping moving, preventing Okafor from controlling successfully.
Anike Chukwu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Chukwu is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Okafor defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Okafor thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Okafor avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Chukwu had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Okafor defends it easily.

Chukwu working for a triangle but Okafor defends it easily.

Okafor drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Okafor jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chukwu is controlling Okafor's posture.
Chukwu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Chukwu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Okafor advances position into side control!
You can see the frustration on Chukwu's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Chukwu is trying to buck Okafor off.
You can see the frustration on Chukwu's face as Okafor controls the position.

Okafor tries for a kimura but Chukwu is defending well.
Chukwu tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Okafor wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Okafor wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Chukwu, who protects the arm well.
Okafor tries to advance to mount but Chukwu denies him.
Chukwu regains half guard.
Chukwu is trying to get back to full guard.

Okafor is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Chukwu makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Chukwu.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sunshine Okafor showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Chukwu has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Chukwu there as he acknowledges the shot.

Okafor drives through with a takedown into Chukwu's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Chukwu holds on and takes a little breather.

Chukwu is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Okafor defends well.

Chukwu working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Okafor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Okafor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Okafor trying to control but Chukwu is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Okafor is stalling in the full guard.

Chukwu is looking for a triangle but Okafor pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okafor tries to free his leg and advance position but Chukwu is retaining full guard.

Okafor thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Okafor is looking to work some ground and pound but Chukwu has wrist control.
Okafor wants to pass the guard but Chukwu is keeping the position.
Okafor trying to control the position from guard on top but Chukwu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Okafor avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Chukwu has his foot on Okafor's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Okafor works his way back into a safe position though.
Okafor wants to pass the guard but Chukwu is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Okafor postures up in Chukwu's guard and throws a big left but Chukwu blocks it.

Chukwu working for a triangle but Okafor defends it easily.

Chukwu has his foot on Okafor's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Okafor works his way back into a safe position though.
Okafor trying to control but Chukwu is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Chukwu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Chukwu controls Okafor momentarily but Okafor frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Okafor shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Chukwu as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chukwu looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Okafor!

Chukwu tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Chukwu working away.
Chukwu tries to score with some ground and pound. Okafor controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Chukwu thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Okafor is not content to let Chukwu control the position.
Okafor tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Okafor trying his best to control but Chukwu has mounted him.
Okafor tries to hold on but Chukwu postures up.

Chukwu working for a guillotine from mount but Okafor is in no mood to give up.
Okafor tries to lock up and control but Chukwu gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Chukwu landing strikes from the mount.
Okafor avoids a series of strikes thrown by Chukwu.

Chukwu working for a guillotine from mount but Okafor is in no mood to give up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Okafor tries to lock up and control but Chukwu gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okafor is working to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anike Chukwu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Chukwu 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anike Chukwu!