PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aslanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 2000 p4p, 2101 weight class) and Jake Reaper (ranked 111 p4p, 115 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Akhtankhanov
vs
Reaper

178 cm
24
145
5 - 3 - 0

185 cm
24
144
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

HELLBENT
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jake Reaper!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jonathan Paton and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Reaper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akhtankhanov throws a lazy uppercut
and Reaper counters with a good low kick that Akhtankhanov was not able to check.
Reaper with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Akhtankhanov to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice cross by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Reaper. Akhtankhanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reaper looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Reaper is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Akhtankhanov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reaper.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice shot that snaps Reaper's head back.
Reaper misses with a kick to the body.
Reaper keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Akhtankhanov.
Reaper 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.
Reaper just misses with a punch to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut.
Reaper goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Reaper counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Reaper misses with a wild body shot.
Reaper checks the leg kick nicely there.
Akhtankhanov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Akhtankhanov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Reaper keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Akhtankhanov moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromReaper.
Akhtankhanov misses with a wild body shot.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut. Reaper saw that one coming.
Despite the aggression on Reaper's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Akhtankhanov feints and then cracks Reaper's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reaper down.
Reaper wants to slow Akhtankhanov down by chopping away at his legs.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reaper.
A shot to the body from Reaper misses
and Akhtankhanov counters with a nice uppercut.
Akhtankhanov misses with a shot to the body
and Reaper connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reaper walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akhtankhanov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reaper counters with a low kick, right behind Akhtankhanov 's knee.
Akhtankhanov lands with a cross.
Reaper moves into range and connects with a jab.
Jab by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov thuds his right hand into Reaper's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Akhtankhanov loads up on a big right hand but Reaper slips the punch.
Akhtankhanov lands with an uppercut that bounces Reaper off the cage and back into range.
Akhtankhanov scoring well with a low kick there.
Akhtankhanov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Reaper sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Reaper takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Akhtankhanov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Akhtankhanov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Akhtankhanov is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Akhtankhanov misses with a wild body shot.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Reaper checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Reaper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akhtankhanov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov connects with a body shot.
Reaper slips a jab from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov scores with a leg kick.
Reaper misses with a hook. Akhtankhanov ducked under it nicely.
Reaper's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Reaper keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook
and Reaper counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akhtankhanov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reaper counters with a low kick, right behind Akhtankhanov 's knee.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook. Reaper ducked under it nicely.
Reaper has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Reaper uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov checks a leg kick nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov scores with a hook to the body. Reaper takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Akhtankhanov misses.
Akhtankhanov misses the body punch
and Reaper makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Akhtankhanov tries to score with a low kick but Reaper moves his leg out of the way.
Reaper lands a nice leg kick that just misses Akhtankhanov's sensitive parts.
Akhtankhanov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Akhtankhanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Reaper is just out of range.
Akhtankhanov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Akhtankhanov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akhtankhanov misses with a right hand
and Reaper counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov scores with a punch to the head.
Reaper swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Akhtankhanov throwing a counter right hand but Reaper manages to avoid it.
Reaper has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that round.
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.

Akhtankhanov motions for Reaper to come forward. Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a left hand but Reaper moved out of range nicely.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Reaper checks a leg kick.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Akhtankhanov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Reaper's head.
Reaper looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Reaper throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Akhtankhanov lands a slapping body shot.
Reaper takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Akhtankhanov tries to work over Reaper's front leg with a kick but Reaper checks it.
Reaper looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Akhtankhanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Reaper counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook
and Akhtankhanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Akhtankhanov connects with a jab.
Reaper throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Reaper stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reaper tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Akhtankhanov is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut.
As Akhtankhanov backs off Reaper throws a huge counter combo but Akhtankhanov manages to avoid it all.
Akhtankhanov throws an off balance right hand
and Reaper counters with a straight right hand.
Akhtankhanov scores with a punch to the head.
Akhtankhanov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Reaper might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Akhtankhanov has got the better of the exchanges.
Reaper misses with a straight left.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut
and Reaper counters with a slapping leg kick.
Reaper takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Akhtankhanov throws a hook but Reaper blocks it.
Reaper looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Akhtankhanov lands a jab to the nose.
Reaper takes one to the chin there.
Reaper slips under a jab from Akhtankhanov.
A nice side step and Reaper releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Reaper displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Akhtankhanov throws out the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from Akhtankhanov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Reaper moves out of range of the strikes.
Akhtankhanov moves out of range of the leg kick from Reaper.
Good leg kick by Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut. Reaper saw that one coming.
Reaper takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Akhtankhanov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Reaper is out of range.
Akhtankhanov throws a jab but it's blocked by Reaper.
Akhtankhanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Reaper counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akhtankhanov misses with a wild body shot.
A big left from Akhtankhanov misses.
Reaper looks to land a body kick but Akhtankhanov moved away.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a right hand but Reaper moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Reaper counters with a slapping leg kick.
Akhtankhanov throws a body shot but no joy.
Akhtankhanov misses with a left hand
enabling Reaper to counter with a crisp jab.
Akhtankhanov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov misses with a looping left.
Reaper doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Reaper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akhtankhanov throws a solid leg kick but Reaper takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Reaper's head backwards.
Akhtankhanov cracks Reaper with an open hand slap.
Reaper checks a leg kick nicely.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick
and Reaper connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reaper throws a leg kick that misses.
Akhtankhanov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Akhtankhanov tries to land a leg kick but Reaper saw it coming and moves away.
Reaper flicks out a counter leg kick but Akhtankhanov steps away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body punch
and Reaper counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reaper checks a leg kick nicely.
A nice side step and Reaper releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Reaper fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Reaper has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Akhtankhanov throws a sloppy body shot
and Reaper counters with a low kick, right behind Akhtankhanov 's knee.
Akhtankhanov catches Reaper with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Akhtankhanov connects with an inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook
and Reaper counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Akhtankhanov. That snapped Reaper's head back.
Akhtankhanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Reaper walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Reaper ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Reaper misses with a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aslanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick but Reaper sees it coming and moves out of range.
Akhtankhanov throws a poor cross that misses
and Reaper counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice defenses there by Reaper.
Reaper moves away from the strike by Akhtankhanov.
Reaper slips under a jab from Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot.
Reaper doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Akhtankhanov staying out of range there.
Akhtankhanov throws an overhand right that lands on Reaper's shoulder, as Reaper tries to avoid the shot.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick
enabling Reaper to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhtankhanov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Akhtankhanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Reaper counters with an outside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Reaper counter with a right hand.
Akhtankhanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reaper manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov swings widly with a right hand
and Reaper counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Akhtankhanov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Reaper counters with a leg kick.
Akhtankhanov avoids the body shot from Reaper.
Akhtankhanov throws a leg kick
and Reaper counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a right hand but Reaper moved out of range.
Reaper looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Akhtankhanov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Reaper has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Akhtankhanov throws a chopping leg kick but Reaper manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Reaper takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Reaper misses with a leg kick
and Akhtankhanov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Reaper's knee momentarily.
Reaper swings for the body but Akhtankhanov moves out of range.
Reaper blocks a leg kick.
Reaper misses with a double jab
and Akhtankhanov counters with a series of strikes. Reaper will be more careful next time no doubt.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reaper throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akhtankhanov cracks Reaper with an open hand slap.
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!
Reaper lands a nice shot that snaps Akhtankhanov's head back.
Akhtankhanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reaper.
Reaper takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jake Reaper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akhtankhanov throws a sloppy body shot
letting Reaper counter with a right hand.
Akhtankhanov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Reaper.
Akhtankhanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Reaper is just out of range.
Reaper looks to score with a jab to the body but Akhtankhanov is just out of range.
Akhtankhanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Akhtankhanov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akhtankhanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Reaper can do to turn this around?
Akhtankhanov throws a jab when Reaper was well out of range.
Jab by Akhtankhanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Reaper avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Good work by Reaper as he checks the leg kick.
Reaper is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Akhtankhanov with a body shot.
Akhtankhanov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Reapers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Akhtankhanov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Akhtankhanov lands a head shot.
A jab from Reaper misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akhtankhanov.
Akhtankhanov misses with a low kick.
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reaper throws a hook but Akhtankhanov blocks it.
It looked like Akhtankhanov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Reaper just misses with a punch to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhtankhanov. Reaper does a little dance to reset his feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Reaper! But no joy.
Reaper's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Akhtankhanov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Reaper scrambles back to his feet.
Akhtankhanov looks to throw the jab but Reaper is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reaper takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A leg kick checked by Reaper.
A nice leg kick from Akhtankhanov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Akhtankhanov misses with an uppercut
and Reaper counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akhtankhanov misses with a right hand
and Reaper cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Akhtankhanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Akhtankhanov is rocked!
Reaper looks to land a combination but Akhtankhanov avoids it well.
Reaper tries a low kick but Akhtankhanov avoids it.
Akhtankhanov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Akhtankhanov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Akhtankhanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reaper manages to avoid it.
Reaper now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Reaper scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Oh Akhtankhanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nice body punch from Reaper.
Reaper ducks under a wild hook from Akhtankhanov.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Aslanbek Akhtankhanov.
Well Akhtankhanov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslanbek Akhtankhanov!
Aslanbek Akhtankhanov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.