PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akop Karakhanyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ikaika Nakane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Karakhanyan
vs
Nakane

209 cm
19
300 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

196 cm
19
278 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Akop Karakhanyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ikaika Nakane!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakane swings widly with a right hand
and Karakhanyan counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Ikaika Nakane has been cut.
Karakhanyan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nakane is looking to chop away at Karakhanyan's legs.
A little feinted left hand from Karakhanyan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nakane misses with a few strikes there.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Karakhanyan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nakane throws out a loose jab but Karakhanyan uses good head movement to avoid it.
It looked like Karakhanyan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big right from Nakane misses.
It looked like Karakhanyan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nakane.
Nakane fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
An attempted straight right counter from Karakhanyan misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakane takes a swing at Karakhanyan's ribcage but misses.
Karakhanyan ducks under a wild hook from Nakane.
It looked like Karakhanyan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Karakhanyan slips a jab from Nakane.
Karakhanyan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nakane throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakane thows a leg kick but Karakhanyan checks it
enabling Karakhanyan to counter with a crisp jab.
Nakane misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Karakhanyan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nakane fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karakhanyan manages to avoid it.
A counter left hand to the body from Karakhanyan misses its target.
Nakane misses with a double jab.
Karakhanyan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Nakane lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Karakhanyan has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Akop Karakhanyan has been cut.
The fighters circling - Nakane throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
An attempted straight right counter from Karakhanyan misses the target.
Nakane fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Karakhanyan avoids the body shot from Nakane.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Karakhanyan takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakane throws an off balance right hand
and Karakhanyan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Karakhanyan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nakane.
Karakhanyan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Nakane throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Karakhanyan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nakane throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karakhanyan.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nakane changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nakane connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nakane cracks Karakhanyan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nakane ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A shot to the body from Nakane misses
and Karakhanyan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nakane scores with a crisp jab that stopped Karakhanyan in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karakhanyan slips under a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Nakane.
Nakane lands a really nice looking cross but Karakhanyan seems unphased.
Sloppy strikes from Nakane. Those never looked like landing.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Karakhanyan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Nakane connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Karakhanyan scrambles back to his feet.
Nakane throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Karakhanyan.
Nakane throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nakane misses with a hook to the body
and Karakhanyan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That has opened up Ikaika Nakane's cut even more.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karakhanyan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nakane scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Karakhanyan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nakane throws a hook but Karakhanyan blocks it.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nakane fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Karakhanyan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Karakhanyan is breathing heavily.
Nakane misses with a double jab.
A counter left hand to the body from Karakhanyan misses its target.
Nakane misses with a low kick.
Karakhanyan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Karakhanyan moves forwards but Nakane connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Karakhanyan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nakane scores with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikaika Nakane dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nakane cracks a nice hook into Karakhanyan's ribs.
Karakhanyan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've been informed that Nakane has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Karakhanyan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nakane.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter punch.
Nakane misses with a body shot.
A quick step to the side and Karakhanyan tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nakane.
Nakane ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karakhanyan moves away.
An attempted straight right counter from Karakhanyan misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karakhanyan on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nakane looks to throw the jab but Karakhanyan is out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Karakhanyan misses its target.
Nakane scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakane scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Karakhanyan is rocked!
Nakane tries to bum rush Karakhanyan with a series of wild strikes but Karakhanyan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Nakane lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Karakhanyan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Karakhanyan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Some wild striking there from Nakane.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter punch.
Nakane goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nakane has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakane dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nakane wants to slow Karakhanyan down by chopping away at his legs.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Nakane misses with a hook. Karakhanyan ducked under it nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Karakhanyan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakane misses with a wild combination.
It looked like Karakhanyan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nakane scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nakane attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Karakhanyan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nakane.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Nakane keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karakhanyan ducks under a wild hook from Nakane.
Karakhanyan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nakane connects with a nice looking jab.
Nakane loads up on a big right hand but Karakhanyan slips the punch.
Nakane throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakane displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Karakhanyan might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Nakane swinging wildly here.
Nakane tried to score with a low kick but Karakhanyan checks it.
Nakane throws a nice looking combination but Karakhanyan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nakane connects with a body shot that sends Karakhanyan's belly button to the back.
Ikaika Nakane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakane throws a left and a right that both miss
and Karakhanyan counters with a stiff right hand.
Nakane scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Karakhanyan doesn't seem bothered though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakane throws a low kick but Karakhanyan moves out of range easily.
Nakane works Karakhanyan's body with a nice hook.
Nakane looks to throw the jab but Karakhanyan is out of range.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Nakane scores with a punch to the head.
Karakhanyan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nakane.
Karakhanyan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karakhanyan avoids the body shot from Nakane.
Nakane misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ikaika Nakane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nakane misses with a straight left.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter punch.
Nakane misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Karakhanyan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nakane.
Nakane throws a leg kick
and Karakhanyan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakane digs a good body shot into Karakhanyan's ribs.
Karakhanyan slips under a jab.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter punch.
Nakane misses with a two punch combination.
Karakhanyan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Karakhanyan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nakane.
An attempted straight right counter from Karakhanyan misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakane. Karakhanyan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ikaika Nakane seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nakane is looking to chop away at Karakhanyan's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakane missing with a left hand there. Karakhanyan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An attempted straight right counter from Karakhanyan misses the target.
Nakane with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Karakhanyan slips a jab and a cross from Nakane.
Nakane lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Karakhanyan checks a leg kick.
Nakane misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Karakhanyan.
Nakane throws the left hand but Karakhanyan avoids the punch easily.
Karakhanyan throwing a counter right hand but Nakane manages to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Nakane.
Nakane swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Karakhanyan ducks under a wild hook from Nakane.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakane scores with a one two! Karakhanyan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nakane takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Decent striking displayed by Nakane there.
Nakane scores with a nice right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakane stuns Karakhanyan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nakane scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nakane throws a right and a left that Karakhanyan avoids nicely.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter punch.
Nakane throws a body punch but Karakhanyan moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Karakhanyan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nakane misses with a left hand
and Karakhanyan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nakane lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakane misses with a low kick.
Nakane misses with the combination.
Nakane fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karakhanyan manages to avoid it.
Karakhanyan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nakane scores with a one two! Karakhanyan had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nakane is looking to chop away at Karakhanyan's legs.
Karakhanyan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nakane takes a swing at Karakhanyan's ribcage but misses.
Nakane throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Karakhanyan counters with a crisp right hand that drops Nakane! Karakhanyan lets Nakane back up to his feet, looking for a finish!

Nakane is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nakane throws a body punch but Karakhanyan moves out of range.
It looked like Karakhanyan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nakane.
Ikaika Nakane is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakane cracks Karakhanyan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakane throws out a loose jab but Karakhanyan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nakane swings for the body but Karakhanyan moves out of range.
Karakhanyan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ikaika Nakane is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nakane looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nakane misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Karakhanyan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nakane missing with a left hand there. Karakhanyan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Karakhanyan is looking to counter punch.
Akop Karakhanyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice cross by Nakane.
Nakane misses with a two punch combination.
A nice combination there by Nakane.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ikaika Nakane comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nakane 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 26:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ikaika Nakane!
After winning the bout, Ikaika Nakane thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.