PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aslanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 2727 p4p, 2911 weight class) and Chester Drawers (ranked 159 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Akhtankhanov
vs
Drawers

178 cm
23
145
3 - 2 - 0

169 cm
40
146
19 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chester Drawers!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akhtankhanov throws a hook to the side of Drawers's head but Drawers sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Drawers feints the counter takedown.
Drawers moves out of range of the strikes.
Akhtankhanov throws a sloppy body shot

and Drawers counters with a nice double leg into side control. Akhtankhanov won't be happy with that.
Drawers throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Akhtankhanov wants to control but Drawers postures up.

Drawers is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Akhtankhanov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Drawers looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drawers tries to advance to mount but can't.
Drawers throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Drawers goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Akhtankhanov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Drawers but great work by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov controls the position.
Drawers is looking to regain half guard here but Akhtankhanov keeps moving and retains side control.
Akhtankhanov wants to control but Drawers is keeping him busy.
Akhtankhanov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Drawers is not content to let Akhtankhanov control the position.
Drawers is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drawers is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Drawers keeps trying to improve his position.
Drawers is letting Akhtankhanov control him for a moment.
Drawers tries to bench press Akhtankhanov off him but Akhtankhanov keeps the position.
Akhtankhanov is looking to take a break and control but Drawers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Drawers is looking for a sweep.
Drawers gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Drawers looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Drawers looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Drawers is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov pulls his head out easily.
Akhtankhanov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Akhtankhanov tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Drawers.

Drawers is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov pulls his head out easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Drawers looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Drawers is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov pulls his head out easily.

Drawers looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Drawers tries to get to full guard but Akhtankhanov has control of the leg.

Drawers is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov pulls his head out easily.

Drawers is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov pulls his head out easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akhtankhanov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Akhtankhanov slows the pace down in half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
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 Aslanbek 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.

Akhtankhanov throws a jab but it's blocked by Drawers.
Drawers tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Akhtankhanov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Akhtankhanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Drawers tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Drawers walks into a straight right hand from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And Drawers tries to counter it with a takedown but Akhtankhanov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Akhtankhanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Drawers was well out of range. Poor timing from Akhtankhanov.
Drawers moves out of range of the strikes.
Drawers with the counter takedown but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Akhtankhanov tenderised Drawers's leg. Drawers is trying to keep his angry face on.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akhtankhanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Drawers manages to avoid it.
Drawers feints the counter takedown.
Akhtankhanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook. Drawers ducked under it nicely.
Drawers drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Akhtankhanov defends it well.
Drawers blocks a head kick by Akhtankhanov.
Drawers feints the counter takedown.
Drawers takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
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.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a left hand but Drawers moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drawers blocks a jab.
Drawers slips a jab and a cross from Akhtankhanov.
Drawers with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Akhtankhanov to score with a decent uppercut.
Akhtankhanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akhtankhanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drawers moves away.
Drawers is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick

and Drawers counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Drawers.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Drawers stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akhtankhanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drawers stopping the sweep attempt from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov keeping full guard, as Drawers tries to pass.
Akhtankhanov pulls Drawers in close to his closed guard and prevents Drawers from doing any damage or advancing position.
Akhtankhanov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Akhtankhanov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Akhtankhanov keeping full guard, as Drawers tries to pass.
Drawers with a flurry of punches that miss.
Drawers tries to free his leg and advance position but Akhtankhanov is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Drawers forces his way into half guard.

Drawers is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Drawers is looking for a kimura here.
Drawers is thwarting Akhtankhanov's attempts to control the position.
Drawers wants to pass the guard but Akhtankhanov is defending well.
Akhtankhanov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Drawers is fighting to break Akhtankhanov's control of his arms but Akhtankhanov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down 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.

A chopping leg kick lands by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Drawers checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Drawers is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Drawers blocks a jab.
Drawers changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Akhtankhanov misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drawers takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Drawers avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a looping left.
And Drawers tries to counter it with a takedown but Akhtankhanov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Akhtankhanov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Akhtankhanov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Drawers is out of range and Akhtankhanov settles back down.
And Drawers tries to counter it with a takedown but Akhtankhanov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Drawers tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Drawers walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Akhtankhanov throws a front kick that sends Drawers stumbling back into the cage.
Drawers uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Akhtankhanov.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akhtankhanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Drawers can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drawers slips under a jab from Akhtankhanov.
Drawers takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Drawers does a little dance to reset his feet.
Drawers tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Akhtankhanov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Drawers's hands.
Akhtankhanov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Akhtankhanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drawers moves away.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Drawers moves out of range.
Drawers with the counter takedown but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab when Drawers was well out of range.
Akhtankhanov tries to land a leg kick but Drawers saw it coming and moves away.
And Drawers tries to counter it with a takedown but Akhtankhanov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Akhtankhanov throws a body kick that misses.
Akhtankhanov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Drawers is able to avoid easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Drawers does a little dance to reset his feet.
Drawers ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.
Drawers drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Akhtankhanov defends it well.
Akhtankhanov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Drawers checks it well.
Drawers feints the counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Akhtankhanov misses with a right hand

and Drawers decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Akhtankhanov's guard.
Drawers pushes down on Akhtankhanov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Drawers is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Akhtankhanov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Drawers is pressing down on Akhtankhanov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Akhtankhanov is holding on for now.
Akhtankhanov wants to control but Drawers is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Akhtankhanov is looking to escape.
Chester Drawers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Drawers working the head and body with strikes.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akhtankhanov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Drawers trying to mount his opponent but Akhtankhanov defends it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Akhtankhanov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
A very excited looking Aslanbek Akhtankhanov made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.