PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ispa Perkele (ranked 277 p4p, 478 weight class) and Sultanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 43 p4p, 67 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Perkele
vs
Akhtankhanov

178 cm
27
165
19 - 4 - 0

176 cm
27
155
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

30th Century Beer Store
Dirty Commie $50

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ispa Perkele!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sultanbek Akhtankhanov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Alyssa Summers and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut. Perkele saw that one coming.
Decent striking displayed by Perkele there.
Akhtankhanov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Akhtankhanov throws out a powerful jab.
Perkele throws a low kick but Akhtankhanov moves out of range easily.
Akhtankhanov throws a low kick, looking for Perkele's leg but Perkele calmly moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Perkele just misses with a punch to the body.
Akhtankhanov sizes up Perkele with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Akhtankhanov connects with a body shot that sends Perkele's belly button to the back.
Perkele pivots, looking for a leg kick but Akhtankhanov is out of range and Perkele settles back down.
Perkele misses with a looping right.
Nice uppercut there from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele misses with a body kick.
Akhtankhanov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Perkele does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov slips a straight right by Perkele.
Akhtankhanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Perkele manages to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Perkele checks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkele keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Perkele blocks the leg kick.
Perkele throws a jab but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Nice uppercut there from Perkele.
A slow jab from Perkele misses its intended target.
Akhtankhanov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Akhtankhanov misses with a leg kick
and Perkele counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A jab from Akhtankhanov finds it's way through Perkele's defenses.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab when Perkele was well out of range.
Perkele throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.
Perkele scores with a jab. Akhtankhanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Perkele listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Perkele tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akhtankhanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Perkele displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akhtankhanov throws out the jab.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A swing and a miss from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov with a nice cross.
Perkele throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Some bone on bone action there as Akhtankhanov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Perkele jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Perkele misses with a looping left.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab when Perkele was well out of range.
Perkele throws a head kick that misses.
Akhtankhanov misses with a looping right.
Perkele checks the leg kick.
Perkele loads up on a big right hand but Akhtankhanov slips the punch.
Akhtankhanov cracks Perkele with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab.
Akhtankhanov checks the leg kick.
Perkele throws a wild body kick that Akhtankhanov sees coming a mile off.
Perkele looks to land a left hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range nicely.
Akhtankhanov misses with a wild body shot.
Perkele looks to land a right hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Perkele.
Akhtankhanov lands with a good body shot.
Akhtankhanov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Akhtankhanov on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Perkele manages to avoid it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov connects with a single shot there.
Jab by Akhtankhanov.
Perkele ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.
A quick step to the side and Perkele tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akhtankhanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Perkele.
Akhtankhanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Perkele was well out of range. Poor timing from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov digs a good hook to Perkele's body.
A slow jab from Perkele misses its intended target.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Perkele.
Akhtankhanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Perkele is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Perkele.
A left lands for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov swings for the body but Perkele moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Perkele stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akhtankhanov connects with a leg kick.

Perkele clinches with his opponent.
Akhtankhanov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Perkele up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Perkele.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Perkele lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Akhtankhanov or not.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Akhtankhanov misses with some punches.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Perkeles head.
Akhtankhanov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Perkele misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice uppercut.
Perkele throws a punch but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Perkele blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Perkele.
Akhtankhanov lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akhtankhanov misses with a punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A body shot lands from Akhtankhanov.
A hook to the body from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sultanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Akhtankhanov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Akhtankhanov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Akhtankhanov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Perkele wants to clinch.
It seemed like Akhtankhanov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Akhtankhanov lands with a shot to the body.
Perkele scores with a body shot.
Akhtankhanov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Akhtankhanov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Perkele on the side of the head.
Perkele misses with a straight right.
Akhtankhanov throws out a counter right but Perkele avoids it with no problem.
Perkele scores with a hook to the body. Akhtankhanov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Perkele misses with a wild body shot.
A shot to the liver by Perkele. Beautiful body shot.
Akhtankhanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A slow jab from Akhtankhanov misses its intended target.
Akhtankhanov scores with a jab. Perkele acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Perkele misses with a hook. Akhtankhanov ducked under it nicely.
Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Perkele.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkele motions for Akhtankhanov to come forward. Perkele throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Akhtankhanov thuds a left hand into Perkele's body.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Perkele's sensitive parts.
Perkele swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akhtankhanov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Perkele throws a good cross that connects.
Akhtankhanov with a nice cross.
Perkele lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Donk. Akhtankhanov catches Perkele right on the button with a cross.
Perkele throws a jab but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Perkele chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Akhtankhanov can pounce on him.
Perkele swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akhtankhanov scores with a leg kick.
Akhtankhanov drops his hands momentarily and Perkele takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akhtankhanov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut. Perkele saw that one coming.
Perkele ducks right into an uppercut from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele lands an overhand right.

Perkele drives through and clinches with Akhtankhanov against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov lands an uppercut.
Perkele blocking some punches.
Akhtankhanov lands with a right to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Perkele backwards.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Akhtankhanov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Perkele lands a hook that snaps the head of Akhtankhanov backwards.
Perkele throws a punch but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.
Perkele works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Akhtankhanov blocks an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Perkele.
A nice left hand lands by Perkele.
Perkele working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Perkele.
Perkele stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A head punch on the inside from Perkele fails to land.
A nice right hand lands inside from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akhtankhanov.
A shot in the inside from Perkele.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Perkele.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Perkele lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Perkele lands with a short shot to the head.
Perkele lands a left hand.
A nice left hand lands by Perkele.
Perkele lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Akhtankhanov backwards.
Perkele lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Perkele displaying some good clinch control by pressing Akhtankhanov up against the cage.
Perkele has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
A nice right hand lands inside from Perkele.
Akhtankhanov scores with a shot to the side of Perkele's head.
Akhtankhanov throws a head punch that misses.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Perkele misses with an elbow strike.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with the head strike.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Perkele misses with a punch to the body.
Perkele is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short shot to the head.
Perkele tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Perkele can't find room to land a body shot as Akhtankhanov controls the action.
Akhtankhanov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Akhtankhanov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Perkele uses good head movement to avoid it.
Perkele working aggressively here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Perkele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akhtankhanov throws a head punch that misses.
Akhtankhanov blocking some punches.
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.
Akhtankhanov can't find room to land a body shot as Perkele controls the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ispa Perkele will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Perkele.
Akhtankhanov throws out a counter right but Perkele avoids it with no problem.
Akhtankhanov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Akhtankhanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Perkele wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Perkele throws a nice inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov connects with a solid leg kick.
A left lands for Perkele.
Akhtankhanov clobbers Perkele with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Perkele throws out a loose jab but Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Perkele throws a hook but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Perkele sees it coming and moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a left hand but Perkele moved out of range nicely.
Perkele's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Akhtankhanov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Perkele scrambles back to his feet.
Perkele throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.

Perkele clinches up with Akhtankhanov and pushes him back against the cage.
Perkele is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Akhtankhanov is keeping busy.
Perkele lands a nice uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akhtankhanov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Perkele prevents a body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a punch to the body.
Perkele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akhtankhanov misses with some punches.
Akhtankhanov is stalling here.
Perkele pushes Akhtankhanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Perkele lands with a short shot to the head.
Perkele tries a body shot but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
Perkele lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Perkele looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Perkele lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akhtankhanov has a couple of punches blocked by Perkele.
Akhtankhanov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele blocks an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov lands with a left to the head.
Perkele blocks a body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akhtankhanov throws a head punch that misses.
Perkele struggles to land a body shot inside as Akhtankhanov controls his hands.
Akhtankhanov throws a punch but it's blocked by Perkele.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele prevents a body shot from Akhtankhanov.
A right handed body shot lands from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akhtankhanov throws a head punch that misses.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Perkele working aggressively here.
Perkele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Perkele misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A left hand lands to the body for Perkele.
Perkele tries a body shot but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
Perkele misses with the head strike.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele blocks a body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Perkele tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akhtankhanov's elbow.
Akhtankhanov blocks an uppercut.
Perkele misses with some punches.
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akhtankhanov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Perkele throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Akhtankhanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Perkele lands a left hand.
Perkele misses with a body punch.
Akhtankhanov tries to work over Perkele's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Perkele lands a shoulder strike.
Perkele tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akhtankhanov's elbow.
I was talking to Perkele's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Perkele.
Perkele pushes Akhtankhanov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Perkele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akhtankhanov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Perkele blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Perkele working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Akhtankhanov lands a shoulder strike.
Perkele gets through Akhtankhanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akhtankhanov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Perkeles head.
Perkele presses Akhtankhanov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Perkele misses with a short punch on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Perkele.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Akhtankhanov tries to work over Perkele's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akhtankhanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akhtankhanov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Perkele tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Perkele misses with some punches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Perkele as Akhtankhanov tries to tie him up.
A short right from Perkele.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Akhtankhanov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Perkele throws an elbow but misses.
Akhtankhanov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Perkele swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Perkele.
A short right from Akhtankhanov on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ispa Perkele clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Perkele gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.
Perkele throws a head punch that misses.
Akhtankhanov blocks an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akhtankhanov misses with a punch to the body.
Perkele can't find room to land a body shot as Akhtankhanov controls the action.
Perkele tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akhtankhanov lands a shoulder strike.
Akhtankhanov blocks a body shot from Perkele.
Perkele misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akhtankhanov misses with a punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov scores with a shot to the side of Perkele's head.
Perkele swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Perkele blocks an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perkele misses with the head strike.
Akhtankhanov blocks an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Perkele lands a hook that snaps the head of Akhtankhanov backwards.
A short uppercut from Perkele.
Perkele tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Perkele misses with a punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov misses with a punch on the inside.
Perkele looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Perkele's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Perkele being controlled against the cage.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Perkele uses good head movement to avoid it.
Perkele misses with some punches.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body punch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Perkele's elbow.
Perkele lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akhtankhanov blocking some punches.
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Perkele uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akhtankhanov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Perkele.
Perkele misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akhtankhanov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov has a couple of punches blocked by Perkele.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Perkele.
Perkele misses with a punch on the inside.
Perkele misses with a punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Akhtankhanov taking a breather.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Perkele uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov tries to throw a body punch but Perkele avoids it by throwing Akhtankhanov back against the cage.
Perkele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele lands a left hand.
Akhtankhanov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Perkele lands a left hand.
Perkele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov lands a left hand.
Perkele gets through Akhtankhanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov can't find room to land a body shot as Perkele controls the action.
Akhtankhanov can't find room to land a body shot as Perkele controls the action.
Perkele effectively controlling the action here.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Akhtankhanov fails to land.
Akhtankhanov throws a head punch that misses.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Perkele uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov tries to throw a body punch but Perkele avoids it by throwing Akhtankhanov back against the cage.
Akhtankhanov misses with the head strike.
Perkele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele cracks Akhtankhanov with a nice body shot.
Akhtankhanov is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Perkele working aggressively here.
Akhtankhanov misses with the head strike.
Perkele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele is pushing Akhtankhanov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Perkele.
Akhtankhanov tries a body shot but Perkele blocks it.
Perkele working aggressively here.
Perkele swings wildly with an uppercut but Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Perkele lands an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov has a couple of punches blocked by Perkele.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Ispa Perkele will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Perkele attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Akhtankhanov lands an overhand right.
Perkele on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Perkele avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Akhtankhanov scores with a jab. Perkele acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Perkele wants to slow Akhtankhanov down by chopping away at his legs.
Perkele throws a lazy right hand but Akhtankhanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Akhtankhanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Perkele.
Akhtankhanov defending well as Perkele loads up on a big left hand.
Perkele displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akhtankhanov throws out the jab.
Perkele was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Perkele takes a swing at Akhtankhanov's ribcage but misses.
Akhtankhanov scores with the left hand. Perkele knows he should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Perkele scores with the left hand. Akhtankhanov knows he should have avoided that one.
Perkele connects with a right hand. Akhtankhanov shakes it off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Perkele does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick which misses Perkele's front leg but catches the back leg as Perkele tries to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Perkele.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a straight left.
Perkele checks a leg kick.
Akhtankhanov scores with a shot to the body.
Perkele takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Perkele gets off balance looking for a body kick
letting Akhtankhanov counter with a right hand.
Akhtankhanov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Perkele chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Akhtankhanov can pounce on him.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akhtankhanov takes a swing at Perkele's ribcage but misses.
Akhtankhanov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Perkele.
Perkele uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Akhtankhanov has time to react.
Perkele wants to clinch.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Perkele checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Akhtankhanov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Perkele connects with a body shot that sends Akhtankhanov's belly button to the back.
Akhtankhanov dodges the punch combination from Perkele.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Akhtankhanov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Akhtankhanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A leg kick checked by Perkele.
Perkele looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Perkele throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akhtankhanov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
As Akhtankhanov tries to get set, Perkele tries to push him back and clinch up but Akhtankhanov manages to avoid the attempt.
Perkele throws out a loose jab but Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov takes one to the side of the head.
Jab by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab when Perkele was well out of range.
Akhtankhanov tests Perkele's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Perkele throws a leg kick but Akhtankhanov moved away.
Perkele on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Perkele closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Perkele.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Akhtankhanov.
Perkele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Perkele blocking some punches.
Perkele lands with a short shot to the head.
Perkele lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Perkele misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body punch.
Akhtankhanov misses with a punch on the inside.
Perkele can't find room to land a body shot as Akhtankhanov controls the action.
Perkele throws a punch but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Perkele stalling the fight.
Akhtankhanov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akhtankhanov blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Perkele fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Perkele controls his hands.
A body shot lands from Perkele.
Akhtankhanov is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Perkele misses with a short punch on the inside.
Perkele lands a hook that snaps the head of Akhtankhanov backwards.
Akhtankhanov struggles to land a body shot inside as Perkele controls his hands.
Perkele lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Akhtankhanov or not.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Perkele lands a right hand that snaps the head of Akhtankhanov backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Perkele working aggressively here.
A short right from Akhtankhanov on the inside.
Perkele has a couple of punches blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Perkele tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice uppercut.
Perkele blocks an uppercut.
Perkele blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov has a couple of punches blocked by Perkele.
Akhtankhanov lands an uppercut.
Perkele throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Perkele has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 48:47
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 48:47
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ispa Perkele!
Ispa Perkele is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath and clearly excited Ispa Perkele thanked Arcticus University: London for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).