PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Toke Axelsen (ranked 2519 p4p, 2990 weight class) and Mohammed Abul (ranked 315 p4p, 367 weight class). Axelsen's entrance music is Dervhengrym - Ulfhednar. A fine choice. Abul has chosen Fear of the Dark as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Axelsen
vs
Abul

181 cm
19
178
2 - 0 - 0

184 cm
19
183
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

New Standard

New Standard
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toke Axelsen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mohammed Abul!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelsen throws a combination. Abul tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Axelsen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Abul.
Abul staying out of range there.
Axelsen looks to land a right hand but Abul moved out of range.
Axelsen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Abul.
Abul misses with a looping left.
Abul throws a shot from downtown. Axelsen moves away and avoids it.
Toke Axelsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abul avoids the body shot from Axelsen.
A jab lands there for Axelsen.
A nice combination there by Axelsen.
Axelsen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Axelsen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Abul does it's job there.
Axelsen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Abul throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Axelsen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Abul.
Decent striking displayed by Axelsen there.
Abul throws a body shot but no joy.
Axelsen throwing a counter right hand but Abul manages to avoid it.
Axelsen moves out of range of the strikes.
Axelsen throwing a counter right hand but Abul manages to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Abul throws out a loose jab but Axelsen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abul throws a jab but it's blocked by Axelsen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abul moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Abul throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Axelsen throwing a counter right hand but Abul manages to avoid it.
Abul missing with a left hand there. Axelsen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Axelsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Abul manages to avoid it.
Axelsen misses with a straight left.
Nice cross by Axelsen.

Abul is rocked!
A big right from Axelsen misses.
Axelsen swings for the body but Abul moves out of range.
Axelsen misses with a wild combination.
Abul let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A big right from Axelsen misses.
Abul takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Axelsen looks to land a left hand but Abul moved out of range nicely.
Axelsen is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Abul throws a hook but Axelsen avoids it easily.
Axelsen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Axelsen lands an overhand right.
Abul takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from Abul misses its intended target.
Abul has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abul lands a glancing blow to the side of Axelsen's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Axelsen. Abul does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jab by Abul.
Axelsen throws a shot from downtown. Abul moves away and avoids it.
Axelsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abul.
Abul misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Axelsen counters with a stiff right hand.
Axelsen misses with a hook.
Abul lands a slapping body shot.
Axelsen throws a shot from downtown. Abul moves away and avoids it.
It seemed like Abul was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Axelsen lands with a good body shot.
Abul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Axelsen.
Abul appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Abul moves out of range as Axelsen strikes.
Axelsen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Abul.
Axelsen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Abul gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Axelsen.
The fighters circling - Axelsen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Axelsen with a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Axelsen. That snapped Abul's head back.
Abul ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Abul.
Axelsen is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Abul gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Abul is still on wobbly legs! Can Axelsen finish him?
Axelsen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Abul.
Axelsen throws a big shot that misses.
Abul takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Abul throws a big shot that misses.
Axelsen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
The fighters circle momentarily. Axelsen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Axelsen lunges at Abul with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Abul's hand.
Abul throws out a loose jab but Axelsen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Axelsen appears to be looking for a big counter.
Abul uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Axelsen.
Abul is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Axelsen.
Axelsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Abul throws a lazy right hand but Axelsen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Axelsen throws a hook but Abul avoids it easily.
Axelsen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Abul.
Abul ducks under a wild hook from Axelsen.
Abul seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abul throws a right and a left that both miss.
Abul displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Axelsen throws out the jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Axelsen as he connects with a hook.
Axelsen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Axelsen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Axelsen throws out a loose jab but Abul uses good head movement to avoid it.
Axelsen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Abul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Axelsen.
Abul looks to land a right hand but Axelsen moved out of range.
Axelsen throws an off balance right hand
and Abul counters with a nice uppercut.
Abul uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Axelsen.
Abul scores with a body shot.
Abul smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Axelsen misses with a lunging right hand
and Abul counters with a straight right hand.
Abul tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Axelsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Abul.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abul. Axelsen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Decent striking displayed by Axelsen there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Abul jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Abul misses with a head kick.
A little feinted left hand from Axelsen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Axelsen blocks a jab.
Axelsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Abul manages to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Toke Axelsen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Abul connects with a single shot there.
Abul connects with a single shot there.
Axelsen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Abul can do to turn this around?
Abul throws a hook to the side of Axelsen's head but Axelsen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Axelsen throws a jab but it's blocked by Abul.
Abul looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Axelsen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Axelsen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Abul sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Abul moves away from the strike by Axelsen.
Abul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Axelsen.
Abul throws out a counter right but Axelsen avoids it with no problem.
Axelsen throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Abul to counter with a crisp jab.
Axelsen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Axelsen misses the target.
Axelsen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Axelsen misses with a few strikes there.
Abul doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Axelsen looks to land a right hand but Abul moved out of range.
Abul misses with a straight right.
Toke Axelsen is winning the standup battle so far.
Abul throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Axelsen throwing a counter right hand but Abul manages to avoid it.
Axelsen swings for the body but Abul moves out of range.
Axelsen thuds his right hand into Abul's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abul throws a jab but it's blocked by Axelsen.
A jab from Abul does it's job there.
Axelsen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Abul staying out of range there.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Abul in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Axelsen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abul ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Abul looks to land a right hand but Axelsen moved out of range.
Abul throws a hook to the side of Axelsen's head but Axelsen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Axelsen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Axelsen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Abul closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A head kick misses from Abul.
The fighters circling - Abul throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Abul misses with a body shot.
Axelsen lands a slapping body shot.
Axelsen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Axelsen throws a poor cross that misses
and Abul counters with a stiff right hand.
Abul scores with a nice head shot.
Abul has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Axelsen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Abul stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen throws a body punch but Abul moves out of range.
Abul let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Abul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Axelsen manages to avoid it.
Axelsen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Abul misses with a jab to the body
and Axelsen counters with a nice uppercut.
Abul misses with a looping right.
Nice shot by Abul.
Axelsen catches Abul with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Axelsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Abul.
Abul ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Abul digs a good body shot into Axelsen's ribs.
Abul throws an overhand right that lands on Axelsen's shoulder, as Axelsen tries to avoid the shot.
Abul misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Abul scores with a jab.
Abul throws a lazy right hand but Axelsen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Abul connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Axelsen looks to land a right hand but Abul moved out of range.
Axelsen misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen misses with a body shot.
Axelsen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Abul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Axelsen manages to avoid it.
Axelsen lands a nice shot to the body.
Abul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Axelsen throws a sloppy body shot
and Abul cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Axelsen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A combination from Axelsen does no damage.
Abul throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Axelsen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Abul punishes Axelsen's body with a nice straight punch.
Axelsen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Abul dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Axelsen cracks Abul with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Abul throws the left hand but Axelsen avoids the punch easily.
A swing and a miss from Abul.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Axelsen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Axelsen connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen throws a lazy uppercut
and Abul connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Axelsen swings for the body but Abul moves out of range.
Abul looks to land a left hand but Axelsen moved out of range nicely.
Abul swings for the body but Axelsen moves out of range.
Abul displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Axelsen throws out the jab.
Abul defending well as Axelsen loads up on a big left hand.
Abul steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Axelsen.
Abul swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Abul swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Axelsen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Axelsen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Axelsen defending well as Abul loads up on a big left hand.
Axelsen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Axelsen misses with a hook.
Abul fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Axelsen manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Abul scores with a decent looking hook.
Abul ducks under a wild hook from Axelsen.
Abul's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Axelsen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Abul scrambles back to his feet.
Axelsen misses with a looping left.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mohammed Abul will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Axelsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abul.
Axelsen misses the body punch
and Abul counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Abul takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A combination from Axelsen does no damage.
A countering left hand to the body from Abul misses.
Axelsen looks to land a left hand but Abul moved out of range nicely.
Abul on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Abul ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Abul ducks under a wild hook from Axelsen.
Abul throws a looping overhand right but Axelsen ducks down to avoid it.
Abul misses with a body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Axelsen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Axelsen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Abul moves out of range of the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Abul! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Abul slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Abul throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abul moves out of range of the strikes.
Axelsen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Abul cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abul swings for the body but Axelsen moves out of range.
Abul is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Axelsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Abul! But no joy.
Axelsen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Axelsen moves out of range as Abul strikes.
Axelsen lands a lovely overhand right.
Nice defenses there by Abul.
Abul fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Axelsen.
Axelsen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Abul uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Axelsen.
Abul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice body punch from Axelsen.
Abul takes one on the button.
A swing and a miss from Abul.
A telegraphed right hand from Abul misses the target.
Abul throws a shot from downtown. Axelsen moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abul moves out of range as Axelsen strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circle momentarily. Axelsen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Axelsen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Abul.
Axelsen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Abul.
Axelsen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abul. Axelsen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Axelsen defending well as Abul loads up on a big left hand.
Axelsen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Abul.
Axelsen misses with a straight left.
Abul moves out of range of the strikes.
Axelsen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Abul misses with a body shot.
Abul throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Axelsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Abul swings for the body but Axelsen moves out of range.
Axelsen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Axelsen throws out a loose jab but Abul uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abul uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Axelsen.
Abul is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Axelsen with a body shot.
Abul thuds a left hand into Axelsen's body.
Axelsen misses with a left hand
and Abul counters with a stiff right hand.
Abul pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Axelsen ducks under a wild hook from Abul.
Axelsen connects with the punch.
Axelsen lands with an overhand left.
Axelsen swings for the body but Abul moves out of range.
A slow jab from Axelsen misses its intended target.
Axelsen misses with a wild body shot.
Abul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Axelsen is looking to counter punch.
Abul throws out a loose jab but Axelsen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Axelsen thuds a left hand into Abul's body.
Some wild striking there from Axelsen.
Abul looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Abul jabs Axelsen right on the nose. Axelsen blinks but takes it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abul digs a good body shot into Axelsen's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Axelsen throws a shot from downtown. Abul moves away and avoids it.
Axelsen misses with a wild body shot.
Axelsen defending well as Abul loads up on a big left hand.
Abul looks to land a right hand but Axelsen moved out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Axelsen misses the target.
Abul defending well as Axelsen loads up on a big left hand.
Nice jab there from Axelsen.
Axelsen with a hook.
Axelsen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Axelsen defending well as Abul loads up on a big left hand.
Abul walks into a jab.
Axelsen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Abul swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Abul on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nice defenses there by Abul.
Abul swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Toke Axelsen.
Well Axelsen 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toke Axelsen!
Toke Axelsen is the new welterweight champion!
After winning the bout, Toke Axelsen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.