PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Apo Abukay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Speedy Atkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Atkins is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: payback is a mother - local h. Apo Abukay had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 147.1lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Apo Abukay could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Speedy Atkins's chin.

Abukay
vs
Atkins

180 cm
26
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

167 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Apo Abukay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Speedy Atkins!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atkins lands a jab to Abukay's midsection.
Abukay circles away from the clinch attempt.
Atkins lands a right hook to the body.
Atkins lands with a shot to the body.
Atkins tries to clinch up but Abukay circles away and keeps his distance.
Atkins throws a series of punches but Abukay moves out of range.

Atkins takes the fight into the clinch.

Atkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Abukay swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Abukay fails with a takedown attempt.
Atkins closes the distance but Abukay moves to the side

and Abukay counters with a single leg into guard. Atkins didn't expect that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Atkins can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Abukay controls the pace.
Atkins keeping moving, preventing Abukay from controlling successfully.

Abukay decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Atkins, up you get!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abukay shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Atkins pinned against the cage. Atkins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Atkins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Atkins clinches up with Abukay and pushes him back against the cage.
Atkins looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Atkins pressing his opponent against the cage.

Atkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Atkins fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Atkins misses with a head kick.

Atkins clinches with his opponent.
Atkins is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Atkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Atkins throws a series of punches but Abukay avoids them all with ease.
Atkins moves in looking to clinch but Abukay pushes him off.
Atkins tries to clinch up but Abukay circles away and keeps his distance.
Abukay dodges the punch combination from Atkins.
Abukay blocks a head kick by Atkins.
Abukay fails with an attempt to clinch.
Abukay is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Atkins.
Nice sprawl there from Atkins as Abukay shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apo Abukay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Atkins plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Atkins tries to clinch but Abukay moves out of range.
Atkins stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Atkins wants it to stay on the feet.
A combination from Atkins does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins misses with a few strikes there.
Abukay takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Speedy Atkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Abukay tries to keep at a distance but Atkins has taken the fight into the clinch.
Atkins is trying to push Abukay away but Abukay has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Atkins scores a nice knee to the body.
Atkins lands an uppercut.
Abukay misses with a hook to the ribs.

Atkins pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Atkins throws a head kick that misses.
Abukay showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Atkins.
A solid body kick from Atkins.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Atkins closes the distance and pushes Abukay back into the cage.
Abukay can't get the takedown.
Abukay has Atkins pressed against the cage, preventing Atkins from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Atkins is trying to break the clinch but Abukay has him pressed against the cage.
Abukay fails to pull guard.
Abukay is breathing heavily.

Atkins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Atkins throws a shot to the body.

Atkins closes the distance and clinches.
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!
Abukay misses with a hook to the ribs.
Atkins is looking to break free of the clinch but Abukay has double underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abukay wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Atkins wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Abukay tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abukay paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Atkins is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Atkins lands with a nice combination. Abukay backs away looking to recover.
Atkins looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Abukay misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Apo Abukay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Atkins tries to clinch

and Abukay counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Abukay advances position into side control!
Atkins wants to get back to his feet.

Abukay working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
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!
Atkins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Abukay wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abukay wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Atkins, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Abukay is looking to take a break and control but Atkins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Atkins is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Abukay is controlling him well.
Atkins is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Abukay tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Abukay has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Abukay trying to control the position but Atkins is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkins wants to get back to his feet.
Atkins tries to improve position but can't.
Abukay will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Atkins pushes Abukay away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Abukay gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Atkins is looking for a sweep.
The referee asks Abukay politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Abukay prefers to stall for the moment though.
Atkins tries to bench press Abukay off him but Abukay keeps the position.
Atkins is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Abukay is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Atkins knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Abukay trying to control the position but Atkins is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abukay is chipping away with strikes.

Abukay decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Abukay swats away the attempt to clinch by Atkins.
Abukay shoots in looking for a takedown. Atkins tries to sprawl out of it but Abukay keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Atkins manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Atkins misses with a two punch combination.
Atkins lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Atkins works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Atkins moves into the clinch.
Atkins is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Atkins lands a hook to the side of the head.
Atkins putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Abukay in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Atkins is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Atkins is struggling to control the position.

Atkins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abukay is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Atkins.
Atkins stalks Abukay and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Abukay's face. Abukay staggers backwards, shaken.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abukay is trying hard to land a takedown here. Atkins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Apo Abukay will probably get the nod.
That's time! Abukay's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Atkins scores with a spinning back kick!
Atkins lands a jab to Abukay's midsection.

Abukay rushes Atkins and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Atkins wants to break free but Abukay has control.

Atkins breaks from the clinch.
Abukay fails with the takedown.
Atkins throws a series of punches but Abukay avoids them all with ease.
Abukay slips a jab and a cross from Atkins.

Atkins closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Atkins throws a knee to the head but misses.
Abukay tries to pull guard but Atkins holds him up against the cage and eventually Abukay drops back down to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Atkins is trying to push Abukay away but Abukay has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abukay tries to break free but Atkins pushes him back against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Atkins takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Abukay keeps control of Atkins as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Atkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Atkins lands with a straight right. Abukay didn't see that one coming.
Atkins moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Atkins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Atkins stuffs the takedown attempt from Abukay. Abukay gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apo Abukay. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Atkins has managed to clinch.
Atkins is trying to break the clinch but Abukay is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkins has had enough of the clinch but Abukay keeps him there for the moment.
A nice left hand lands by Atkins.
Atkins wants to break free but Abukay has control.
Atkins wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Abukay is trying to break free.
Atkins has Abukay pressed against the cage.
Atkins wants to break free but Abukay has control.
Atkins tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Abukay's elbow.

Atkins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Abukay looks for a takedown but Atkins sprawls well.
Atkins tries to close the distance and clinch but Abukay swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkins throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Abukay.
Atkins wants to clinch up but Abukay keeps it at a distance.
Abukay shoots in for a double leg but Atkins sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Atkins connects with a leg kick. Abukay looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Atkins moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Atkins is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Abukay rather than just go for the knockout.
Atkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Atkins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Abukay misses with a low kick.

Atkins moves into the clinch successfully.
Abukay prevents Atkins from breaking the clinch.
Atkins looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Atkins breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkins lands a slapping body shot.
Atkins fails in his attempt to clinch.
Abukay swats away the attempt to clinch by Atkins.
Atkins scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Abukay closes this distance looking for a takedown but Atkins circles away.
Abukay takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Atkins slips a jab from Abukay.
Abukay fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Atkins avoids it really well and circles away.

Atkins closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Atkins's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

And that's the end of the fight!
Speedy Atkins comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Atkins has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Speedy Atkins!
Speedy Atkins made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'what's up now punk? you ain't no shark, your a straight up hack with no cardio. '.