PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sultanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 2056 p4p, 905 weight class) and Johnny Billabong (ranked 254 p4p, 120 weight class). Billabong has chosen Waltzing Matilda as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Akhtankhanov
vs
Billabong

176 cm
22
155
4 - 2 - 0

171 cm
23
155
9 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
Conquer

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sultanbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Johnny Billabong!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Jonathan Paton and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akhtankhanov scores with a jab. Billabong acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A swing and a miss from Akhtankhanov.
Billabong changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A punch lands to the side of Billabong 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Billabong moves away from the strike by Akhtankhanov.
Billabong doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
We've been told by Akhtankhanov's head coaches at Torcida MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Billabong thuds a left hand into Akhtankhanov's body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Billabong. Akhtankhanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Billabong fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akhtankhanov lands with an uppercut that bounces Billabong off the cage and back into range.
Billabong takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Akhtankhanov misses with a looping left.
Akhtankhanov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Billabong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akhtankhanov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab.
Billabong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov tests Billabong's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Akhtankhanov missing with a left hand there. Billabong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Akhtankhanov tries to keep at a distance but Billabong has taken the fight into the clinch.

Billabong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akhtankhanov throws a solid leg kick but Billabong takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Akhtankhanov.
Billabong looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov throws an overhand right that lands on Billabong's shoulder, as Billabong tries to avoid the shot.
Nice defenses there by Billabong.
Billabong takes a jab right on the kisser.
Akhtankhanov takes a swing at Billabong's ribcage but misses.
Billabong gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook but Billabong blocks it.
Billabong is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Billabong waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands a slapping body shot.
Akhtankhanov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Billabong throws a shot from downtown. Akhtankhanov moves away and avoids it.
Good shot there by Akhtankhanov.
Billabong scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Akhtankhanov misses with a left hand
and Billabong counters with a nice body shot.
Akhtankhanov throws a looping overhand right but Billabong ducks down to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Billabong.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akhtankhanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Billabong throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Billabong with the counter takedown but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.
Billabong connects with a jab.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Billabong.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab but it's blocked by Billabong.
A nice leg kick from Akhtankhanov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Billabong looks to land a right hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range.
A swing and a miss from Billabong.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov misses with a low kick.
Billabong connects with a nice looking jab.
Akhtankhanov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook. Billabong ducked under it nicely.
Billabong slips under a jab.
A little jabbing left from Billabong on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Billabong takes a swing at Akhtankhanov's ribcage but misses.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook
and Billabong counters with a straight right hand.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akhtankhanov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Billabong.
Billabong tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Akhtankhanov swings widly with a right hand

and Billabong counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Billabong throws a big elbow that misses.
Billabong throws a big elbow that misses.
Akhtankhanov wants to sweep but no luck.
Billabong postures up in Akhtankhanov's guard and throws a big left but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
Billabong sitting in guard here, content to control.
Billabong distracts Akhtankhanov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Billabong trying to control but Akhtankhanov is working from the bottom.
Billabong throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Akhtankhanov controls Billabong momentarily but Billabong frees himself.
Billabong trying to control but Akhtankhanov is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Akhtankhanov throws out a loose jab but Billabong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov tried to score with a low kick but Billabong checks it.
Billabong fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a right hand but Billabong moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov throws a shot from downtown. Billabong moves away and avoids it.
Akhtankhanov loads up on a big right hand but Billabong slips the punch.
Billabong jabs at Akhtankhanov's body.
Billabong looks to land a right hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Billabong counters with a left to the body.
Akhtankhanov misses with a left hand
and Billabong counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Akhtankhanov thinking.
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 Sultanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Akhtankhanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Billabong bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice shot that snaps Billabong's head back.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook to the body
enabling Billabong to counter with a crisp jab.
Billabong throws a hook to the side of Akhtankhanov's head but Akhtankhanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook. Billabong ducked under it nicely.
Billabong uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook

and Billabong counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Akhtankhanov!
Billabong trying to control the position but Akhtankhanov is working away.
Billabong misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Billabong tries to score with some ground and pound. Akhtankhanov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Billabong looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Akhtankhanov is avoiding damage well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Billabong looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Akhtankhanov is avoiding damage well.
Billabong working the body and head with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong throws an elbow but Akhtankhanov slips to the side and avoids it well.
Akhtankhanov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Billabong wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The strikes coming from Billabong are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Akhtankhanov is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Billabong landing strikes.
Billabong in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Billabong working the head with strikes.
Billabong lands an elbow.
Akhtankhanov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Billabong working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Billabong.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Billabong working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Billabong fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Billabong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akhtankhanov keeps working.
Akhtankhanov takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Billabong remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Akhtankhanov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Billabong's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Akhtankhanov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Akhtankhanov tries to get to full guard but Billabong has control of the leg.
Akhtankhanov trying to control here.

Billabong is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Akhtankhanov is trying to maintain the position but Billabong is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Billabong thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Akhtankhanov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Akhtankhanov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Billabong.
Billabong controlling the action here.
Billabong is looking to take a break and control but Akhtankhanov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Billabong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Billabong clobbers Akhtankhanov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Billabong slips a straight right by Akhtankhanov.
Billabong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Billabong throws a good cross that connects.
Akhtankhanov missing with a left hand there. Billabong was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab from Billabong.
Akhtankhanov appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Billabong.
Billabong lands a body shot.
Billabong ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov slips a jab from Billabong.

Billabong shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Billabong showed some decent athleticism there.
Billabong looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Billabong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akhtankhanov keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Billabong uses his free foot to push down on Akhtankhanov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Akhtankhanov.
Billabong throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Poor strikes thrown by Billabong there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Billabong can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Akhtankhanov is looking to escape.
Akhtankhanov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Billabong has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Billabong controlling from the full mount.
Akhtankhanov is trying desperately to improve position.
Akhtankhanov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Billabong takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Billabong is landing with some decent strikes but Akhtankhanov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Billabong lands a couple of good shots and Akhtankhanov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Billabong is punishing Akhtankhanov with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Billabong throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Billabong scores with punches to the body.
Billabong keeps control of the position as Akhtankhanov tries to break free.

Billabong is persistently looking for the submission but Akhtankhanov is defending it well.

Billabong is looking for the choke from the back position but Akhtankhanov is controlling his hands well.
Billabong is riding his opponent, not letting Akhtankhanov buck him off.
Akhtankhanov covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Billabong tightening his grip on Akhtankhanov, looking for the choke.
Well, with Billabong on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Akhtankhanov is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Billabong throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Akhtankhanov looking very determined here, making life difficult for Billabong.
Akhtankhanov is really stuck here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Billabong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Billabong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Billabong!
Johnny Billabong tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.