PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tico Tico (ranked 581 p4p, 602 weight class) and Aslanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 43 p4p, 46 weight class). Tico comes to the cage accompanied by Paco De Lucia - Tico Tico . Aslanbek Akhtankhanov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Tico
vs
Akhtankhanov

163 cm
31
139
23 - 14 - 0

178 cm
31
145
16 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

NARCOS
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tico Tico!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tico slips under a jab.
Tico throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Tico thumps Akhtankhanov with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov lands the left hand.
Tico lands a nice shot that snaps Akhtankhanov's head back.
Tico misses with a left hand
and Tico takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A decent looking cross lands there for Akhtankhanov.
Tico has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Tico sees it coming and moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Tico tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akhtankhanov with a nice calf kick.
Akhtankhanov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akhtankhanov moves out of range as Tico strikes.
A slow jab from Tico misses its intended target.
Akhtankhanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tico.
Akhtankhanov flicks out a counter leg kick but Tico steps away.
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!
Nice body punch from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Akhtankhanov misses.
Tico misses with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Tico.
Tico misses with a lunging right hand
and Akhtankhanov counters with a stiff right hand.
Tico jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tico lands with an uppercut that bounces Akhtankhanov off the cage and back into range.
Tico takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Tico throws a right hand that misses
and Akhtankhanov counters with a left and a right that stings Tico.
Tico lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tico lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Akhtankhanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Akhtankhanov scores with a body shot.
Akhtankhanov moves out of range as Tico strikes.
Akhtankhanov checks a low kick from Tico.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tico checks a leg kick nicely.
Akhtankhanov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tico's hands.
Akhtankhanov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Akhtankhanov thows a leg kick but Tico checks it
and Tico counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The fighters circling - Akhtankhanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice shot lands for Tico.
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.
Tico swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Akhtankhanov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Akhtankhanov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tico is out of range and Akhtankhanov settles back down.
Akhtankhanov punishes Tico's body with a nice straight punch.
Akhtankhanov punishes Tico's body with a nice straight punch.
Akhtankhanov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Tico looks to land a left hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range nicely.
Tico keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Akhtankhanov.
Tico turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tico misses with a low kick.
Tico misses with a straight left.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Tico throws out a loose jab but Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tico looks to throw the jab but Akhtankhanov is out of range.
Akhtankhanov lands with a cross.
Akhtankhanov slips a jab from Tico.
Tico walks into a jab.
Akhtankhanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tico.
Akhtankhanov misses with a left hand
and Tico counters with a straight right hand.
Akhtankhanov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Akhtankhanov misses with a low kick.
Tico was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Akhtankhanov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akhtankhanov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tico in his tracks.
Akhtankhanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tico looks to land a left hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range nicely.
A little jabbing left from Akhtankhanov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tico misses with a hook. Akhtankhanov ducked under it nicely.
Tico uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akhtankhanov.
Tico stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
No joy there for Tico, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tico backing away here, and Akhtankhanov unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Tico chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A low kick from Akhtankhanov misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Akhtankhanov just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tico looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Akhtankhanov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Tico counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tico swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Aslanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Akhtankhanov scores with a decent looking hook.
Tico throws a push kick but Akhtankhanov slaps the foot to one side.
Tico throws a front kick aimed at Akhtankhanov's knee but Akhtankhanov avoids it well.
Akhtankhanov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Tico connects with a body shot that sends Akhtankhanov's belly button to the back.
Akhtankhanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Akhtankhanov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Akhtankhanov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tico throws a leg kick which misses Akhtankhanov's front leg but catches the back leg as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Tico.
Akhtankhanov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Akhtankhanov defending well as Tico loads up on a big left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akhtankhanov lunges at Tico with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tico's hand.
Tico misses the jab.
Tico throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akhtankhanov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tico looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Akhtankhanov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Akhtankhanov staying out of range there.
Akhtankhanov lands a right hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov tests Tico's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tico.
Akhtankhanov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov misses with a left hand
and Tico counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Tico lands a jab to Akhtankhanov's midsection.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tico throws a jab when Akhtankhanov was well out of range.
Akhtankhanov scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov lands a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tico misses with a looping left.
Akhtankhanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tico.
Tico slips under a jab.
Akhtankhanov misses the jab.
Tico lands a nice looking body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Akhtankhanov blocks the leg kick.
Tico throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tico throws a hook but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
Tico buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Akhtankhanov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Akhtankhanov scores with the left hand. Tico knows he should have avoided that one.
Tico misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Tico looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Akhtankhanov misses with a low kick.
A quick step to the side and Tico tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Tico throws a leg kick but Akhtankhanov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Tico swings for the body but Akhtankhanov moves out of range.
Tico feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Akhtankhanovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tico takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Akhtankhanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tico.
Tico swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Tico.
Akhtankhanov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Tico throws a jab when Akhtankhanov was well out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tico with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tico. Akhtankhanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tico's jab looks to have found its range, popping Akhtankhanov under the eye.
Tico tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Tico.
Nice shot lands for Akhtankhanov.
Tico connects with a leg kick.
Tico lands with a shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Tico walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tico misses with a hook. Akhtankhanov ducked under it nicely.
Tico keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tico.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aslanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tico tries to move into range but Akhtankhanov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Akhtankhanov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tico connects with the punch.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick which misses Tico's front leg but catches the back leg as Tico tries to avoid it.
Tico will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A jab from Akhtankhanov finds it's way through Tico's defenses.
An inside leg kick from Tico misses.
Akhtankhanov feints and then cracks Tico's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tico down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tico motions for Akhtankhanov to come forward. Tico throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Akhtankhanov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a right hand but Tico moved out of range.
Tico ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A big left from Akhtankhanov misses.
Nice defenses there by Akhtankhanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Tico. That snapped Akhtankhanov's head back.
Tico staying out of range there.
Akhtankhanov throws a solid leg kick but Tico takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Akhtankhanov.
Tico loads up on a big right hand but Akhtankhanov slips the punch.
Akhtankhanov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Akhtankhanov throws a nice looking combination but Tico bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tico throws a looping overhand right but Akhtankhanov ducks down to avoid it.
Tico stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Akhtankhanov.
Tico takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tico moves forwards but Akhtankhanov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tico looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Tico tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tico Tico has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov lands with an uppercut that bounces Tico off the cage and back into range.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Tico counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice jab there from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tico circles away quickly and effectively.
Tico feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Tico uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Akhtankhanov.
Tico throws a hook but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
Akhtankhanov scoring well with a low kick there.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Tico.
Akhtankhanov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Tico throws a leg kick
and Akhtankhanov counters with a nice uppercut.
Tico avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Tico throws a big shot that misses.
Akhtankhanov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tico throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Tico moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov tries to bum rush Tico with a series of wild strikes but Tico uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Akhtankhanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A counter left hand to the body from Tico misses its target.
Tico looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Akhtankhanov tries to land a leg kick but Tico saw it coming and moves away.
Tico 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 throws a shot from downtown. Tico moves away and avoids it.
Tico was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Akhtankhanov slips a jab and a cross from Tico.
Tico lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Akhtankhanov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tico throws a head kick that misses.
Akhtankhanov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tico looks to land a right hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tico moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akhtankhanov scores with a body shot.
Tico throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Tico misses with a straight right.
Akhtankhanov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Akhtankhanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tico thuds a left hand into Akhtankhanov's body.
Tico takes a swing at Akhtankhanov's ribcage but misses.
Tico scores with a leg kick.
Tico dodges the punch combination from Akhtankhanov.
Tico loads up on a big right hand but Akhtankhanov slips the punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Aslanbek Akhtankhanov.
Well Akhtankhanov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
During a confident post fight interview, Aslanbek Akhtankhanov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.