PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francisco Akonia (ranked 4280 p4p, 4325 weight class) and Fabio Filho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Akonia
vs
Filho

184 cm
21
260
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
220
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Francisco Akonia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fabio Filho!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Akonia misses.
Akonia misses with the combination.
Filho moves out of range of the strikes.
Filho slips a jab from Akonia.
Akonia misses with an uppercut
and Filho counters with a left to the body.
Akonia misses with a series of wild punches.

Filho drives through and clinches with Akonia against the cage.
Akonia misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akonia misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Filho fails to pull guard.
Akonia swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Akonia fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filho blocking some punches.
Akonia swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akonia working aggressively here.
Akonia keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Filho's efforts to push away.
Filho has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Akonia avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Akonia breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akonia circles away from the clinch attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Filho is defended easily by Akonia.
Francisco Akonia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabio Filho.
Filho tries to score a power double leg takedown but Akonia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Filho somewhat.
Horrible takedown attempt by Filho or perhaps it was just good defense by Akonia, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akonia rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Filho moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Francisco Akonia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Filho lands with an uppercut that bounces Akonia off the cage and back into range.

It looks like Francisco Akonia has been cut.
Filho dodges the punch combination from Akonia.
A telegraphed right hand from Akonia misses the target.
Akonia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Filho is looking for the big counter here.
Filho shoots in for a takedown but Akonia shows good takedown defense.
Akonia could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Akonia misses with a hook. Filho ducked under it nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Filho.

Akonia throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akonia misses with a straight right.
Filho shoots in looking for a takedown but Akonia manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Filho's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Filho looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filho displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akonia throws out the jab.
Akonia looks to land a left hand but Filho moved out of range nicely.
Filho dodges the punch combination from Akonia.
Filho steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Akonia.
Akonia throws a right and a left that both miss.
Filho slips a jab from Akonia.
Filho moves out of range of the strikes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Filho tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Filho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akonia misses with the head strike.
Akonia misses with the head strike.
Akonia tries to work over Filho's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Filho tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Akonia smiles and moves away.
Akonia throws a body punch but Filho moves out of range.
Filho appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Francisco Akonia is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Akonia forces Filho back against the cage and clinches.
Akonia swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Filho tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Akonia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akonia tries a body shot but Filho blocks it.
Filho has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Filho blocks an uppercut.
Akonia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akonia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Filho blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Akonia breaks from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Filho fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Akonia avoids it really well and circles away.
Akonia is looking to counter punch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Akonia dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francisco Akonia's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Filho.
The fight stays on the outside here - Filho looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Filho stalks Akonia and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Akonia's face. Akonia staggers backwards, shaken.
Filho wants to clinch but Akonia slips to the side
and Akonia counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Akonia clinches up with Filho and pushes him back against the cage.
Filho is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Filho.
Akonia has a couple of punches blocked by Filho.
Akonia can't break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akonia misses with the head strike.
Filho wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akonia has him pressed against the cage.
Filho tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Akonia smiles and moves away.
Akonia is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Filho can do to turn this around?
Filho fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filho shoots in but Akonia avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Francisco Akonia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabio Filho.
Filho is breathing heavily.

Akonia has closed the distance and engaged Filho in a clinch.
Akonia fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Filho has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Akonia regains guard immediately.
Filho throws a big right hand that misses.
Akonia is pulling down on Filho's head to control his posture.
Akonia trying to control the position.

Filho avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Akonia not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Akonia is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Filho wants to stall.
Akonia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akonia tries to work over Filho's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Filho tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Akonia just stands there and leans against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Filho.
Akonia throws a punch but it's blocked by Filho.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Filho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Filho blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Filho tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akonia's elbow.
Akonia fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akonia swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.
Filho is looking to control Akonia's arms but Akonia gets an underhook and turns him. Now Filho has his back to the cage.
Akonia can't find room to land a body shot as Filho controls the action.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Akonia fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akonia misses with a punch on the inside.
Filho prevents a body shot from Akonia.
Filho tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Akonia throws a punch but it's blocked by Filho.
Akonia throws a punch but it's blocked by Filho.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Filho.

Akonia escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akonia looks to throw the jab but Filho is out of range.

Akonia takes the fight into the clinch.
Akonia tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Filho's elbow.
Akonia tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Filho tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Akonia just stands there and leans against the cage.
Akonia swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akonia misses with a punch on the inside.
Filho tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akonia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akonia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Filho is trying to break the clinch but Akonia is controlling him.
Filho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Francisco Akonia dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Francisco Akonia's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Akonia throws a lazy right hand but Filho sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Filho moves in looking to clinch but Akonia pushes him off.
Akonia throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akonia looks to score with a jab to the body but Filho is just out of range.
A slow jab from Akonia misses its intended target.
Filho shoots in looking for a takedown but Akonia manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Filho's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Akonia swinging wildly here.
Akonia avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akonia takes a swing at Filho's ribcage but misses.
Fabio Filho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Filho tries to score a power double leg takedown but Akonia sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Filho somewhat.
Akonia looks to land a combination but Filho avoids it well.
Filho steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Akonia.
Filho changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Filho shoots in and drives through. Akonia sprawls well.
Francisco Akonia has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fabio Filho.
Filho takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Filho ducks under a wild hook from Akonia.
Akonia swinging wildly here.
Filho shoots in for a takedown but Akonia shows good takedown defense.
Akonia throwing a counter right hand but Filho manages to avoid it.
Akonia looks to throw the jab but Filho is out of range.
Akonia connects with a right hand. Filho shakes it off.
Filho dives in for a single leg takedown but Akonia sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Akonia is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Filho.
Akonia looks to land a left hand but Filho moved out of range nicely.
Akonia throws a right and a left that Filho avoids nicely.
Filho ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Filho wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Filho blocks a jab.
Akonia throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Filho sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Some wild striking there from Akonia.
Akonia swings for the body but Filho moves out of range.
Akonia slaps away a takedown attempt from Filho, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Filho ducks under a wild hook from Akonia.
Akonia feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Filhos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Akonia swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Filho on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Akonia moves into range and clinches up with Filho.
Filho is trying to pull guard but Akonia has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akonia looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Filho tries to circle away but Akonia has him pinned against the cage.
Akonia swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akonia tries a body shot but Filho blocks it.
Akonia misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akonia on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akonia.
Akonia misses with some punches.
Akonia misses with a short punch on the inside.
Filho blocks an uppercut.
Filho wants to take the fight to the mat but Akonia manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Filho prevents a body shot from Akonia.
Akonia misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akonia swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akonia swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akonia misses with a hook from the clinch.
Filho blocks an uppercut.
Akonia misses with a punch on the inside.
Akonia misses with a punch on the inside.
Akonia working aggressively here.
Akonia misses with the head strike.
Filho tries to pull guard but Akonia won't allow it.
Akonia throws a head punch that misses.
Akonia misses with some punches.
Akonia swings wildly with an uppercut but Filho uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akonia has a couple of punches blocked by Filho.
Fabio Filho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akonia.
Filho is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akonia is defending well for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Francisco Akonia showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Akonia 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francisco Akonia!