PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chris Envy (ranked 4439 p4p, 3902 weight class) and Aleksandr Abakumov (ranked 0 p4p, 349 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Envy
vs
Abakumov

180 cm
24
155
2 - 0 - 0

173 cm
24
155
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chris Envy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Aleksandr Abakumov!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Chris Dean and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Envy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Envy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Envy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Abakumov avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chris Envy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Envy throws a combination that misses

and Abakumov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Abakumov trying to control the position from guard on top but Envy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Envy wants to sweep here but Abakumov controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abakumov stands up over Envy, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Abakumov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Abakumov throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abakumov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Envy keeping full guard, as Abakumov tries to pass.
Abakumov trying to control the position from guard on top but Envy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abakumov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Envy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Abakumov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Envy looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Envy looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Envy!

Abakumov is looking for a sweep.

Envy is trying to get an arm triangle but Abakumov is defending well.
Abakumov tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Envy trying to control the action but Abakumov is working from the bottom.
Abakumov tries to improve position but can't.
Abakumov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Envy's best efforts.
Abakumov wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Abakumov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Abakumov.
Envy preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abakumov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Abakumov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Envy trying to control but Abakumov is working from the bottom.
Abakumov is trying to control the position but Envy postures up.
Envy won't allow Abakumov to sweep him here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Envy trying to control the position from guard on top but Abakumov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Abakumov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Envy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Abakumov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Abakumov stuffs the takedown.
And Abakumov tries to counter it with a takedown but Envy pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Abakumov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Envy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Envy slips under a jab from Abakumov.
Abakumov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Abakumov throws a right hand that misses
letting Envy counter with a right hand.
Abakumov moves out of range of the body kick.
Envy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abakumov.
Envy is looking for a counter combo.
Envy blocks a jab.
Abakumov takes a swing at Envy's ribcage but misses.
Abakumov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Envy.
Envy throws a head kick but Abakumov moves out of range.
Envy is breathing heavily.
Abakumov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Envy manages to avoid it.
Envy appears to be looking for a big counter.

Envy forces Abakumov back against the cage and clinches.
Abakumov has Envy pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Envy manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abakumov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Abakumov tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Abakumov dominated that round.
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.

Nice sprawl there from Envy as Abakumov shoots in.
Envy takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Abakumov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Envy closes the distance and clinches up with Abakumov, looking for a takedown. Envy pushes Abakumov against the cage but Abakumov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Abakumov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Envy shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Abakumov pinned against the cage. Abakumov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Envy tries to clinch but Abakumov moves away

and Abakumov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Envy scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Abakumov manages to mount him!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abakumov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Envy looks a forlorn figure.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Abakumov is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Envy has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Envy!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Envy avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Abakumov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Envy has picked Abakumov up and slammed him! Abakumov can't keep hold of the triangle and Envy manages to pass to side control!
Abakumov is not content to let Envy control the position.
Abakumov tries to bench press Envy off him but Envy keeps the position.
Abakumov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Envy is thwarting Abakumov's attempts to control the position.
Abakumov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Envy's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Envy's back!
Envy tries to roll but Abakumov sticks to his back.

Abakumov looking for the choke but no joy.
Envy can't escape the position.
Abakumov lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Envy hold on?!
Abakumov is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Envy. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

Envy showing good submission defense here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abakumov lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Abakumov has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Envy.
Abakumov is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Envy up.
Abakumov lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Abakumov.
I would not like to be Envy right now.
Abakumov is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Abakumov gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Abakumov gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Abakumov apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Abakumov misses with a looping left.
Chris Envy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Abakumov throws out a loose jab but Envy uses good head movement to avoid it.
Abakumov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Chris Envy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksandr Abakumov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Envy avoids the body shot from Abakumov.
Envy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Abakumov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Abakumov looks for a takedown but Envy sprawls well.
Envy tries to counter by clinching up but Abakumov breaks away and moves out of range.
Aleksandr Abakumov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abakumov fails to land the takedown.
Envy throws a series of strikes that have Abakumov backpedaling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Abakumov looks to throw the jab but Envy is out of range.
Abakumov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Envy manages to avoid it.
Abakumov throws a big shot that misses.
Aleksandr Abakumov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Abakumov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Abakumov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Envy tries for a takedown but Abakumov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Abakumov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Envy manages to avoid it.

Abakumov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Abakumov trying to control but Envy is working from the bottom.
Abakumov passes Envy's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Abakumov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Abakumov looks to land a strike but Envy avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abakumov postures up and lands a big shot to Envy's brow.
Envy utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Abakumov chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abakumov scoring with punches to the head and body.

Envy looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Abakumov trying to control but Envy is working from the bottom.
Envy working a defensive guard here.
Abakumov lands a couple of elbows.
Abakumov looking to pass the guard.
Abakumov chips away with some ground and pound.
Abakumov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Envy tries to strike from the bottom.

Envy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Abakumov lands a couple of digs.
Abakumov trying to control the position from guard on top but Envy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abakumov working some strikes from top position.
Envy keeping moving, preventing Abakumov from controlling successfully.
Abakumov tries to free his leg and advance position but Envy is retaining full guard.
Abakumov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Abakumov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Envy is keeping the position for now.
Aleksandr Abakumov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Envy can't keep his opponent in guard - Abakumov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Abakumov not doing much here.
Abakumov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Envy staying out of range there.
Envy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Envy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abakumov.
Abakumov looks to land a right hand but Envy moved out of range.
Abakumov misses with a hook
and Envy counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Abakumov looks to score with a jab to the body but Envy is just out of range.
Envy feinted with a counter takedown.

Abakumov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Envy looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Envy's face as Abakumov controls the position.
Chris Envy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Envy is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandr Abakumov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Abakumov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Topper Green scores the fight for Aleksandr Abakumov!
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight for Aleksandr Abakumov!
Judge John Mangel scores the fight for Aleksandr Abakumov!

Aleksandr Abakumov wins by unanimous decision!