PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sultanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 1850 p4p, 1994 weight class) and Rico Axelrod (ranked 251 p4p, 269 weight class). Rico Axelrod is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Akhtankhanov
vs
Axelrod

176 cm
21
155
3 - 0 - 0

178 cm
21
155
5 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sultanbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rico Axelrod!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Russell Pearce and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelrod throws a looping overhand right but Akhtankhanov ducks down to avoid it.
Axelrod misses with a looping left.
Axelrod throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.
Akhtankhanov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Axelrod scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Axelrod misses with a hook.
Akhtankhanov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Axelrod pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a left hand but Axelrod moved out of range nicely.
Axelrod swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a right hand but Axelrod moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov misses with a looping left.
Axelrod misses with a straight right.
Akhtankhanov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Axelrod at a distance.
Axelrod rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Akhtankhanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
We've been informed that Axelrod has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Axelrod throws a hook but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.
Akhtankhanov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Axelrod swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akhtankhanov slips under a jab.
Axelrod looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Akhtankhanov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Axelrod misses with a looping left.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Axelrod defending well as Akhtankhanov loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov moves out of range as Axelrod strikes.
Axelrod throws a jab when Akhtankhanov was well out of range.
Akhtankhanov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Akhtankhanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Axelrod counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A jab from Akhtankhanov does it's job there.
Axelrod throws a jab but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Axelrod lands an overhand right.
Axelrod looks to land a right hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range.
Akhtankhanov tried to score with a low kick but Axelrod checks it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A right handed body shot lands from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov lands a left hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right from Akhtankhanov on the inside.
Akhtankhanov lands with a right to the head.
Axelrod throws a punch but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Axelrod misses with a body punch.
Akhtankhanov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov blocking some punches.
Akhtankhanov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Axelrod's elbow.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body punch.
Axelrod can't find room to land a body shot as Akhtankhanov controls the action.
Akhtankhanov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Axelrod misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akhtankhanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Axelrod lands a body shot.
Axelrod swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Axelrod tries to throw a body punch but Akhtankhanov avoids it by throwing Axelrod back against the cage.
Akhtankhanov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Axelrod lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Akhtankhanov backwards.
Axelrod tries to work over Akhtankhanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short shot to the head.
Akhtankhanov lands with a right to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Axelrod can't find room to land a body shot as Akhtankhanov controls the action.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Axelrod uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov lands with a light punch inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Akhtankhanov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rico Axelrod will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Akhtankhanov misses with a looping left.
Axelrod looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Axelrod might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Axelrod throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akhtankhanov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Axelrod misses the target.
Axelrod takes a swing at Akhtankhanov's ribcage but misses.
Akhtankhanov moves out of range of the strikes.
Akhtankhanov avoids the body shot from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Akhtankhanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Axelrod throws the left hand but Akhtankhanov avoids the punch easily.
Akhtankhanov misses the shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Axelrod ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.
Axelrod lands with a straight right. Akhtankhanov didn't see that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhtankhanov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice defenses there by Akhtankhanov.
Axelrod throws a lazy right hand but Akhtankhanov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Axelrod misses with an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Axelrod jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Akhtankhanov lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelrod lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Akhtankhanov feints and then cracks Axelrod's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Axelrod down.
Axelrod dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akhtankhanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Axelrod looks to land a left hand but Akhtankhanov moved out of range nicely.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut. Axelrod saw that one coming.
Akhtankhanov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Akhtankhanov jabs Axelrod right on the nose. Axelrod blinks but takes it well.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Akhtankhanov tried to counter with a leg kick but Axelrod avoided it.
Axelrod on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Axelrod looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Axelrod doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Axelrod throws a jab when Akhtankhanov was well out of range.

Akhtankhanov clinches up with Axelrod and pushes him back against the cage.

Axelrod breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rico Axelrod seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akhtankhanov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelrod throws a hook to the side of Akhtankhanov's head but Akhtankhanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Axelrod avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov moves away from the strike by Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Axelrod momentarily.
Axelrod throws a jab but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Axelrod.
A left and a right from Axelrod both land. Nice combination.
A thudding body kick lands there by Akhtankhanov!
Axelrod scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A low kick lands for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Axelrod looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Axelrod avoids the body shot from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akhtankhanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice straight punches there by Akhtankhanov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Akhtankhanov.
Axelrod tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Akhtankhanov lands a glancing blow to the side of Axelrod's head.
Axelrod misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Akhtankhanov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sultanbek Akhtankhanov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Akhtankhanov needs to keep his hands up - Axelrod had a free shot at his head there.
Axelrod doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Axelrod throws an overhand right that lands on Akhtankhanov's shoulder, as Akhtankhanov tries to avoid the shot.
A low kick lands for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov defending well as Axelrod loads up on a big left hand.
Akhtankhanov moves away from the strike by Axelrod.
Axelrod misses with a left hand
and Akhtankhanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Axelrod jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Axelrod ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akhtankhanov moves away.
Axelrod throws a jab but it's blocked by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A swing and a miss from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Akhtankhanov throws a big shot that misses.
Axelrod misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Akhtankhanov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
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!
Axelrod throws out a powerful jab.
Axelrod takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A good leg kick by Akhtankhanov.
Axelrod throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akhtankhanov sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelrod waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akhtankhanov.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Akhtankhanov, as that shot connected.
Akhtankhanov tries to clinch up but Axelrod circles away and keeps his distance.
Akhtankhanov is looking to slow Axelrod down with leg kicks.
Akhtankhanov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Axelrod throws out the jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov sizes up Axelrod with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Axelrod's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Akhtankhanov moves out of range as Axelrod strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Akhtankhanov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Axelrod misses with a looping left.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Axelrod.
Axelrod misses the jab.
Akhtankhanov ducks under a wild hook from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov works Axelrod's body with a nice hook.
Akhtankhanov lands a lovely overhand right.
Akhtankhanov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Akhtankhanov throws a body punch but Axelrod moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akhtankhanov loads up on a big right hand but Axelrod slips the punch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Axelrod! But no joy.
Akhtankhanov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Axelrod.
Akhtankhanov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Axelrod circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelrod misses with a looping left.
A telegraphed right hand from Axelrod misses the target.
Akhtankhanov jabs at Axelrod's body.
Axelrod takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Axelrod lands with a cross.
Axelrod misses with an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Axelrod.
Axelrod on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Akhtankhanov. Akhtankhanov obviously looking to wear him down.
Axelrod misses with a straight left.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Axelrod takes a swing at Akhtankhanov's ribcage but misses.
Axelrod takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Akhtankhanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Axelrod manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akhtankhanov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Axelrod throws a hook but Akhtankhanov avoids it easily.
Jab from Axelrod.
Axelrod scores with a hook.
Axelrod keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rico Axelrod.
I think Axelrod 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rico Axelrod!