PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aslanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 815 p4p, 1000 weight class) and Brayden Point (ranked 60 p4p, 74 weight class). Point has chosen Roots Reggae Music as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Akhtankhanov
vs
Point

178 cm
29
145
13 - 8 - 0

168 cm
41
145
38 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Shadow Realm Apparel
NARCOS

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 13 - 8 - 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 38 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Brayden Point!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Sano and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice combination there by Akhtankhanov.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice leg kick from Akhtankhanov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Akhtankhanov lands with a straight right. Point didn't see that one coming.
Akhtankhanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Point at a distance.
Akhtankhanov moves away from the strike by Point.
A counter left hand to the body from Akhtankhanov misses its target.
Akhtankhanov misses with a few strikes there.
Akhtankhanov throws a low kick but Point avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akhtankhanov.
Point throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.
Akhtankhanov jabs at Point's body.
The fighters circling - Point throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Point throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov misses with a shot to the body
and Akhtankhanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Akhtankhanov swinging wildly here.
Akhtankhanov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Blaze Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Akhtankhanov circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Akhtankhanov to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Point is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akhtankhanov is defending well for now.
Point throws a punch but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
A hook to the body from Point.
Point landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Point lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Akhtankhanov backwards.
Akhtankhanov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Point tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Akhtankhanov avoids it.
Point holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Point.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Point throws a knee to the head but misses.
Akhtankhanov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Point blocking some punches.
Akhtankhanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Point is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akhtankhanov is defending well for now.
Akhtankhanov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akhtankhanov blocking some punches.
Point with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Point tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Point scores with a nice hook to the head.
Point missing with knees to the body.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov is trying to force a seperation but Point has the dominant position.
Akhtankhanov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akhtankhanov tries to break the clinch but Point is controlling the position.
Point pushes Akhtankhanov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nice body punch from Point - that landed with a thud.
Akhtankhanov managing to block the knees to the body from Point.
Point misses with a knee to the head.
Akhtankhanov wants to break the clinch but can't.

Akhtankhanov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akhtankhanov throws a series of strikes that have Point backpedaling.
Akhtankhanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Point steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook. Point ducked under it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Point throws an off balance right hand
and Akhtankhanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Point swings for the body but Akhtankhanov moves out of range.
Point on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akhtankhanov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Point checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Akhtankhanov with the inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab to the nose.
Akhtankhanov scores with a leg kick.
Point avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Akhtankhanov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Point slips under a jab.
Point scores with a shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov misses with a low kick as Point jumps back.
Akhtankhanov motions for Point to come forward. Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Akhtankhanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Akhtankhanov swings widly with a right hand
letting Point counter with a right hand.
Akhtankhanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Good standup being displayed there by Point as he connects with a hook.
Akhtankhanov misses with a shot to the body
letting Point counter with a right hand.
Point scores with a jab to the head.
Akhtankhanov throws a front kick aimed at Point's knee but Point avoids it well.
Point has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Some bone on bone action there as Point checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Akhtankhanov throws a front kick aimed at Point's knee but Point avoids it well.
Akhtankhanov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Point rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Akhtankhanov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akhtankhanov throws a nice looking combination but Point bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Point let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Akhtankhanov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Akhtankhanov scores with the left hand. Point knows he should have avoided that one.
Point is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akhtankhanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Point is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Akhtankhanov throwing a counter right hand but Point manages to avoid it.
Point slips under a jab.
Point avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov clobbers Point with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
That kick from Akhtankhanov tenderised Point's leg. Point is trying to keep his angry face on.
Point looks to clinch
and Akhtankhanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A left lands for Akhtankhanov.
Point misses with an uppercut. Akhtankhanov saw that one coming.
Akhtankhanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Point tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Akhtankhanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Point is looking to clinch but Akhtankhanov is avoiding it.
Akhtankhanov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Point misses the target.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Point's sensitive parts.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akhtankhanov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Point slips a jab and a cross from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov misses with a double jab.
Point misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Point throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A clash of legs there as Point blocks the low kick.
Akhtankhanov misses with a looping right.
Point has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Point there as he acknowledges the shot.
Akhtankhanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Point.
Akhtankhanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Point moves away.
Point is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akhtankhanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Point misses the shot to the body.
Point connects with a right hand. Akhtankhanov shakes it off.
Akhtankhanov connects with an inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Point.
Point on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Akhtankhanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Point.
As Point looks to move away, Akhtankhanov throws a big counter combo but Point just gets out of the way.
Point on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. Akhtankhanov obviously looking to wear him down.
Nice uppercut there from Akhtankhanov.
Point walks into a left hand.
Akhtankhanov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Point on the side of the head.
Point takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Akhtankhanov's corner calls for a 1-2. Akhtankhanov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Point's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Point throws a jab but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Point throws a poor cross that misses
and Akhtankhanov counters with a stiff right hand.
Point connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Akhtankhanov's hands.
Point throws a jab when Akhtankhanov was well out of range.
Akhtankhanov thows a leg kick but Point checks it
and Point counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Point checks it.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot
and Point counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Point tries to clinch there but Akhtankhanov circles away.
Point takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Akhtankhanov misses with a jab, cross combination.
A good leg kick by Akhtankhanov.
Point misses the jab.
Point has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Akhtankhanov misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Akhtankhanov connects with a body shot that sends Point's belly button to the back.
Point comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Point throws a sloppy body shot
and Point takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Point takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Point throws a big shot that misses.

Point has managed to clinch.
Akhtankhanov is trying to push Point away but Point has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Akhtankhanov managing to block the knees to the body from Point.
Akhtankhanov avoiding damage as Point throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Point misses with the head strike.
Point misses with a hook from the clinch.
Point wants a takedown but no success here.
Point throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akhtankhanov blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Point tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Point throws a head punch that misses.
Point misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov has had enough of the clinch but Point keeps him there for the moment.
Point is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akhtankhanov is defending well for now.
Point misses with the head strike.
Point misses with a knee strike.
Point manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Point misses with a knee strike.
Point stalls.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Point throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akhtankhanov blocks it with crossed arms.
Point wants to stall.
Point tries to land a knee to the head but Akhtankhanov blocks with his arms.
Akhtankhanov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Point working aggressively here.

Point decides to pull guard.
Point looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Point is looking to sweep but instead, Akhtankhanov has passed into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Akhtankhanov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Brayden Point has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Point tries to roll over but Akhtankhanov keeps him under control.

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.
Point moves into full guard.
Point tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Point wants to hit a sweep here but Akhtankhanov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Point there!
Akhtankhanov content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Point bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
Brayden Point comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Akhtankhanov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.