PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khaba Dagestanskiy (ranked 922 p4p, 1406 weight class) and Manu Ahonen (ranked 26 p4p, 50 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dagestanskiy
vs
Ahonen

175 cm
28
175
10 - 5 - 0

182 cm
39
170
20 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
Arcticus University: London

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Khaba Dagestanskiy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manu Ahonen!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ahonen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Dagestanskiy wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Dagestanskiy tests Ahonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Some wild striking there from Dagestanskiy.
And Ahonen tries to counter it with a takedown but Dagestanskiy pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ahonen throws out a loose jab but Dagestanskiy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dagestanskiy misses with a wild combination.
Ahonen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ahonen slaps away a takedown attempt from Dagestanskiy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ahonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dagestanskiy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Dagestanskiy throws a looping overhand right but Ahonen ducks down to avoid it.
Dagestanskiy misses with a body shot.
Dagestanskiy takes a swing at Ahonen's ribcage but misses.
Ahonen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy misses with a left hand
and Ahonen counters with a leg kick.
Ahonen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ahonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dagestanskiy misses with a body shot.
Dagestanskiy walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Dagestanskiy misses with a body shot.
Dagestanskiy connects with a body shot.
Khaba Dagestanskiy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ahonen throws a series of strikes that have Dagestanskiy backpedaling.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ahonen. Dagestanskiy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dagestanskiy fails with a takedown attempt.
We've been informed that Ahonen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Dagestanskiy fails to land with a series of punches.
Dagestanskiy is looking to wear down Ahonen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Dagestanskiy misses with a looping left.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Dagestanskiy does no damage.
A jab from Ahonen misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dagestanskiy's sensitive parts.
The fighters circling - Dagestanskiy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ahonen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ahonen misses the shot to the body.

Ahonen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ahonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ahonen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dagestanskiy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dagestanskiy looking to control.
Dagestanskiy looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Dagestanskiy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dagestanskiy holds on and takes a little breather.
Ahonen is looking to work some ground and pound but Dagestanskiy has wrist control.
Ahonen wants to control from the top but Dagestanskiy keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dagestanskiy tries to clinch but Ahonen moves out of range.
Dagestanskiy displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ahonen.
Dagestanskiy lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Dagestanskiy connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ahonen's hands.
Ahonen tries to score with a low kick but Dagestanskiy moves his leg out of the way.
Dagestanskiy half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dagestanskiy darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
No joy there for Dagestanskiy, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Dagestanskiy looks to land a right hand but Ahonen moved out of range.
Dagestanskiy walks into a left hand.
Dagestanskiy wants to clinch
and Ahonen counters with a straight right hand.
Dagestanskiy swings widly with a right hand
and Ahonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Dagestanskiy gets a takedown into half guard.
Ahonen trying to control from the bottom.
Ahonen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dagestanskiy postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Khaba Dagestanskiy will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ahonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ahonen connects with a looping right hand.
Ahonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khaba Dagestanskiy is winning the standup battle so far.
Dagestanskiy uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ahonen.
Dagestanskiy throwing a counter right hand but Ahonen manages to avoid it.
Dagestanskiy staying out of range there.
Dagestanskiy uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ahonen.
Ahonen throws a body punch but Dagestanskiy moves out of range.
Ahonen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Dagestanskiy finds it's way round the side to connect with Ahonen's head.

Ahonen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Dagestanskiy tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ahonen is in Dagestanskiy's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dagestanskiy looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dagestanskiy is trying to control the position but Ahonen postures up.
Ahonen cracks Dagestanskiy with a solid left hand.
Dagestanskiy is pulling down on Ahonen's head. It's preventing any offense from Ahonen, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahonen trying to control but Dagestanskiy is working from the bottom.
Ahonen stopping the sweep attempt from Dagestanskiy.
Dagestanskiy is working hard here to advance position.
Ahonen passes Dagestanskiy's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ahonen lands a nice short elbow.
Ahonen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ahonen working Dagestanskiy over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Dagestanskiy tries to get to full guard but Ahonen has control of the leg.
Ahonen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ahonen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Dagestanskiy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ahonen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ahonen's back!
The referee is taking a good look at Ahonen as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Dagestanskiy!
Ahonen tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Manu Ahonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ahonen tries to escape but Dagestanskiy has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Ahonen breaks Dagestanskiy's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Ahonen lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Dagestanskiy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dagestanskiy is pulling down on Ahonen's head to control his posture.
Ahonen lands a couple of digs.
Ahonen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ahonen landing with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ahonen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ahonen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dagestanskiy works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ahonen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Dagestanskiy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ahonen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ahonen throws an elbow that misses. Dagestanskiy uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ahonen's guard. Nice move by Dagestanskiy!

Ahonen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dagestanskiy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manu Ahonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Dagestanskiy. Ahonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dagestanskiy connects with a crisp jab.
Dagestanskiy ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ahonen moves away.
Dagestanskiy swings for the body but Ahonen moves out of range.
Dagestanskiy lands a head shot.
Ahonen throws a looping overhand right but Dagestanskiy ducks down to avoid it.
Dagestanskiy appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ahonen scores with a hook.
Ahonen misses with a right hand
and Dagestanskiy counters with a straight right hand.
Ahonen misses with a leg kick

and Dagestanskiy counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Ahonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dagestanskiy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dagestanskiy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Dagestanskiy landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dagestanskiy wants to control from the top but Ahonen keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ahonen looking for a sweep. Not yet Ahonen, not yet.
Ahonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Dagestanskiy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Dagestanskiy throws an elbow that misses. Ahonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dagestanskiy's guard. Nice move by Ahonen!

Dagestanskiy tries to strike from the bottom.
Ahonen throws a big right hand that misses.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy pulls Ahonen in to control the position.
Ahonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dagestanskiy is keeping the position for now.
Ahonen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ahonen trying to control but Dagestanskiy is working from the bottom.
Ahonen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dagestanskiy is looking to stand up but Ahonen isn't so interested in that idea.

Ahonen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ahonen pushes down on Dagestanskiy's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ahonen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dagestanskiy defending well though.
Dagestanskiy is trying to control but can't.
Ahonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dagestanskiy keeps working.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ahonen moves out of range as Dagestanskiy strikes.
Dagestanskiy moves away from the strike by Ahonen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Ahonen.
Ahonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dagestanskiy throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ahonen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Ahonen.

Dagestanskiy shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Dagestanskiy showed some decent athleticism there.

Ahonen manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ahonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dagestanskiy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice uppercut there from Ahonen.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Manu Ahonen.
Well Ahonen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Manu Ahonen!