PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antti Isotalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chingiz Akayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Isotalo comes to the cage accompanied by Snoop Dogg - Serial Killa. Akayev comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Wailing and the gnashing of teeth kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Antti Isotalo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Isotalo
vs
Akayev

195 cm
18
280 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

192 cm
18
275 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Coffee Shop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Isotalo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chingiz Akayev!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akayev throws a shot from downtown. Isotalo moves away and avoids it.

Akayev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Isotalo!
Isotalo tries to hold on but Akayev pushes him away.
Isotalo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Akayev on the ground.
Akayev scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Isotalo?
Akayev thowing shots but they're missing.
Akayev with good strikes from the mount here!
Isotalo is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Akayev with the ground and pound from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akayev looking to control but Isotalo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Isotalo tries to reverse the position but Akayev maintains control.
Isotalo tries to hold on but Akayev postures up.

Akayev working for a guillotine from mount but Isotalo is in no mood to give up.
Akayev scoring with strikes but Isotalo is staying in there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isotalo is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Akayev landing shots from mount.
Akayev looking to control but Isotalo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Akayev working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Isotalo is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Akayev misses with a head shot.
A nice elbow there by Akayev.
Isotalo is desperately trying to improve his position but Akayev has a good base and remains in mount.
Isotalo is bucking up trying to escape but Akayev cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Akayev has control of Isotalo's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Isotalo regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Isotalo is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Isotalo somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Isotalo misses the jab.
Akayev moves out of range as Isotalo throws a body kick.
Akayev swings for the body but Isotalo moves out of range.
Isotalo throws a shot from downtown. Akayev moves away and avoids it.
Isotalo connects with a single shot there.

It looks like Chingiz Akayev has been cut.
Akayev shoots in but Isotalo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Isotalo avoids the body shot from Akayev.
Isotalo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Akayev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Chingiz Akayev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo slips under a jab.
Akayev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Isotalo but Isotalo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Akayev looks for a takedown but Isotalo sprawls well.
Antti Isotalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chingiz Akayev.
Akayev looks gassed!
Isotalo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Isotalo throws a jab but it's blocked by Akayev.
Isotalo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Akayev.
A swing and a miss from Akayev.
Akayev throws a body punch but Isotalo moves out of range.
Isotalo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Isotalo moves out of range of the strikes.
Akayev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Isotalo swivels and escapes.
Akayev looks to land a right hand but Isotalo moved out of range.
Akayev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Isotalo moves away.
Nice straight punches there by Akayev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Akayev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo looks to land a left hand but Akayev moved out of range nicely.
Isotalo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Isotalo fakes the leg kick and cracks Akayev in the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Isotalo lands a glancing blow to the side of Akayev's head.
Isotalo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A punch lands to the side of Akayev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Isotalo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Isotalo misses with a kick to the body.
Akayev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Akayev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Isotalo misses with a looping right.
Akayev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Isotalo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A left lands for Akayev.
Isotalo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Akayev looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Isotalo is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chingiz Akayev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Chingiz Akayev's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Isotalo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akayev throws a body punch but Isotalo moves out of range.
Isotalo throws a hook but Akayev avoids it easily.
Akayev swings for the body but Isotalo moves out of range.
Akayev slips a jab and a cross from Isotalo.
Isotalo misses with a hook.
Akayev looks to score with a jab to the body but Isotalo is just out of range.

Akayev shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Akayev lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Akayev scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Isotalo is wriggling around trying to escape.
Isotalo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Akayev wants to control the pace but Isotalo is squirming around nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Akayev landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isotalo is wriggling around trying to escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Akayev scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Akayev has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Isotalo's face.
Akayev putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Akayev with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Isotalo is desperately trying to improve his position but Akayev has a good base and remains in mount.
Isotalo tries to hold on but Akayev pushes him away.
Chingiz Akayev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Akayev looking to finish Isotalo with some ground and pound. This is bad for Isotalo!
Akayev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akayev lands a big shot there that rocks Isotalo but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Akayev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Akayev working Isotalo over with strikes here.

Akayev looking to secure an arm triangle but Isotalo defends it well.
Akayev breaks from Isotalo's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo tries to lock up and control but Akayev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Akayev.
Isotalo is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Isotalo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Akayev landing strikes from the mount.
Isotalo wants to hold on but Akayev pushes him away.

Akayev is going olschool here, as he tries to force Isotalo to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Isotalo shrugs it off.
Isotalo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Akayev wants to control the pace but Isotalo is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akayev sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
BOOM! Akayev connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Isotalo tries to hold on but Akayev pushes him away.
Akayev landing shots from mount.
Akayev throws some wild stikes that Isotalo manages to avoid easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akayev trying to control but Isotalo is having none of it.

Akayev wants to finish this one by submission but Isotalo is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Akayev.
Isotalo working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akayev avoids the attempt from Isotalo to control.
Isotalo wants to try and get back to his feet.
Isotalo bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Akayev looking for a sweep. Not yet Akayev, not yet.
Akayev keeping moving, preventing Isotalo from controlling successfully.
Isotalo preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Akayev is on top in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Isotalo is looking to sweep but instead, Akayev has passed into half guard.
Isotalo is in trouble now - Akayev has advanced to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chingiz Akayev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Chingiz Akayev's cut.
That's time! Isotalo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Akayev just misses with a punch to the body.
Akayev lands a jab.
Isotalo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Akayev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Akayev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Akayev wants to take a breather but Isotalo is having none of it.
Isotalo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Akayev prevents Isotalo from standing back up.
Akayev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Isotalo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Isotalo tries to kick Akayev off but Akayev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Isotalo is refusing to be controlled, as Akayev sits in half guard.
Akayev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Isotalo defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akayev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Akayev fails with a takedown attempt.
Isotalo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Isotalo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Akayev thows a body shot but no joy.
Isotalo swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Akayev misses with a body shot.

Akayev feints and as Isotalo raises his hands in defense, Akayev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Isotalo looking to control.
Akayev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akayev scoring with some ground and pound.
Isotalo keeping full guard, as Akayev tries to pass.
Akayev landing some decent shots from guard.
Akayev prevents Isotalo from getting back to his feet.
Akayev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Isotalo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akayev's corner calls for a 1-2. Akayev obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akayev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Isotalo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Akayev jabs Isotalo right on the nose. Isotalo blinks but takes it well.
Akayev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Antti Isotalo is winning the standup battle so far.
Akayev bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Isotalo's head backwards.
Akayev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Isotalo avoids the body shot from Akayev.
Isotalo looks to throw the jab but Akayev is out of range.

Akayev shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Akayev was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Akayev cracks Isotalo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Akayev scoring with strikes but Isotalo is staying in there.
Akayev punishing his opponent with strikes.
Akayev raining down shots from the mount!

Akayev working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isotalo squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Akayev has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Isotalo's face.

Akayev is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Isotalo can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Isotalo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Akayev tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Isotalo is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Akayev cracks Isotalo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chingiz Akayev really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Chingiz Akayev's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Akayev sizes up Isotalo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Isotalo with a jab.
Akayev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Isotalo throws out the jab.
Isotalo avoids the body shot from Akayev.
Akayev looks for a takedown but Isotalo sprawls well.
Akayev throws a predictable looking body shot
and Isotalo counters with a two punch combo.
Isotalo slips under a jab.

Akayev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Isotalo to the mat! Isotalo manages to get full guard.
Akayev pushes down on Isotalo's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Akayev wants to take a breather but Isotalo is having none of it.
Isotalo pushes Akayev off looking to stand but Akayev dives back in and keeps control.
Akayev is trying to control the action in half guard but Isotalo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Akayev thows a huge punch but Isotalo dodges it nicely.
Isotalo wants to get back to his feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akayev throwing shots but Isotalo is blocking nicely.

Isotalo is defending against the submission attempts here by Akayev.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Akayev misses with a wild body shot.
Akayev is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Isotalo rather than just go for the knockout.
Isotalo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Isotalo takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Isotalo shoots for a takedown but Akayev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Akayev scores with a jab to the body.
Akayev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Isotalo.

Akayev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Akayev showed some decent athleticism there.
Akayev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akayev drops an elbow to the side of Isotalo's head.
Akayev working Isotalo over with strikes.
Isotalo is not content to let Akayev control the position.
Akayev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Akayev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Isotalo is positioning himself well to prevent Akayev advancing to mount.
Isotalo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Akayev wants to free his trapped foot but Isotalo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Akayev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Isotalo's head.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Akayev throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Isotalo on the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akayev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Isotalo sprawls well initially but Akayev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Isotalo is trying to stand up here but Akayev is controlling him well.

Akayev is trying to work for a kimura but Isotalo is defending well.
Isotalo is trying to stand up here but Akayev is controlling him well.
Akayev tries to pass to full mount but Isotalo defends it.
Isotalo is looking to escape.
Akayev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Isotalo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Akayev thows a huge punch but Isotalo dodges it nicely.
Isotalo is trying to stand back up but Akayev is controlling him

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Akayev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akayev working the ground and pound.
Isotalo tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Akayev is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Isotalo prevents Akayev from getting a body triangle.
Isotalo takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Isotalo trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Isotalo surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
Isotalo looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chingiz Akayev dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Chingiz Akayev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Akayev takes a swing at Isotalo's ribcage but misses.

Akayev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Akayev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Akayev is looking to take a break and control but Isotalo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Isotalo is trying to stand up here but Akayev is controlling him well.
Akayev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Akayev is working for a submission of some sort.
Isotalo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Akayev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akayev slips a nice elbow through Isotalo's hands, connecting with Isotalo's forehead.
Isotalo tries to kick Akayev off but Akayev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Akayev stalling.
Isotalo has his hands clasped together around Akayev's back. He's all about the action.
Akayev is keen to just control but Isotalo is a slippery customer.

Akayev is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Isotalo looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Akayev passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Isotalo!
Isotalo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Akayev won't let Isotalo get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Akayev trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Akayev is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Isotalo is surviving well by controlling Akayev's body position as best he can.
Isotalo's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Akayev punishing his opponent with strikes.
Isotalo is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Akayev landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akayev lands a heavy elbow.
Isotalo is trying to stand.
Akayev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Akayev trying to control but Isotalo is having none of it.
Akayev punishing his opponent with strikes.
Isotalo avoids a series of strikes thrown by Akayev.
Akayev landing punches.
Akayev looking to finish with strikes here!
Isotalo is trying to stand up.
Isotalo in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Akayev throwing strikes here but Isotalo is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

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.
Akayev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Isotalo is looking to escape.
Isotalo looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.
Akayev won't let Isotalo get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Akayev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Isotalo is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Antti Isotalo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Isotalo really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Akayev is landing with some decent strikes but Isotalo is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Isotalo in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Isotalo really wants to buck Akayev off and get back to his feet.
Chingiz Akayev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akayev lands a big elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chingiz Akayev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Akayev winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 43:50
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 45:50
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chingiz Akayev!
Chingiz Akayev is the new heavyweight champion!