PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sultanbek Akhtankhanov (ranked 1351 p4p, 420 weight class) and Davante Dunbar (ranked 177 p4p, 71 weight class). Dunbar has chosen Mastodon - More Than I Could Chew as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Akhtankhanov
vs
Dunbar

176 cm
27
155
9 - 5 - 0

179 cm
25
168
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Powerful

Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%)
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 9 - 5 - 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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Davante Dunbar!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Franklyn Lucas and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dunbar throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Akhtankhanov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dunbar scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Akhtankhanov looks to score with a jab to the body but Dunbar is just out of range.
Akhtankhanov stalks Dunbar and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Dunbar's face. Dunbar staggers backwards, shaken.
Donk. Akhtankhanov catches Dunbar right on the button with a cross.
Akhtankhanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dunbar.
Akhtankhanov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Akhtankhanov moves into the clinch.
Dunbar tries to pull guard but Akhtankhanov holds him up against the cage and eventually Dunbar drops back down to his feet.
Dunbar fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akhtankhanov swings wildly with an uppercut but Dunbar uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akhtankhanov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akhtankhanov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dunbar working aggressively here.
Dunbar blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akhtankhanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dunbar lands with a right to the head.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Akhtankhanov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Dunbar backwards.
Akhtankhanov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dunbar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Akhtankhanov walks away with a smile on his face. Dunbar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Davante Dunbar.
Jab from Akhtankhanov.

Akhtankhanov closes the distance and pushes Dunbar back into the cage.
Dunbar tries to throw a body punch but Akhtankhanov avoids it by throwing Dunbar back against the cage.
Akhtankhanov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Dunbar backwards.
The referee is keeping an eye on Akhtankhanov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Dunbar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Come on Akhtankhanov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Dunbar ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dunbar no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Dunbar is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Akhtankhanov defends well.

Dunbar is looking for a triangle but Akhtankhanov pushes his legs off easily.
Akhtankhanov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Dunbar looking for a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov defends easily.

Dunbar has his foot on Akhtankhanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Akhtankhanov works his way back into a safe position though.

Dunbar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Dunbar trying to keep a closed guard but Akhtankhanov is proving a slippery customer.
Akhtankhanov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhtankhanov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Akhtankhanov preventing the sweep.

Dunbar working for a triangle but Akhtankhanov defends it easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Akhtankhanov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Dunbar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Akhtankhanov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Akhtankhanov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Dunbar looking for a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov defends easily.

Dunbar is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Akhtankhanov is aware though and is defending well.
Akhtankhanov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Dunbar controls Akhtankhanov momentarily but Akhtankhanov frees himself.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Akhtankhanov controlling from the top position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sultanbek Akhtankhanov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Akhtankhanov throws a hook to the side of Dunbar's head but Dunbar sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akhtankhanov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dunbar.
Akhtankhanov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dunbar can do to turn this around?

Akhtankhanov takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Akhtankhanov fails to land.
Akhtankhanov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Akhtankhanov fails to land.
Dunbar tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Akhtankhanov smiles and moves away.
Akhtankhanov scores with a nice head shot.
Akhtankhanov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Dunbar counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Akhtankhanov thinking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dunbar tries to clinch but Akhtankhanov is having none of it.
Akhtankhanov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Dunbar throws a body shot but no joy.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dunbar swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Good leg kick by Akhtankhanov.

Akhtankhanov closes the distance and clinches.
Dunbar blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Dunbar fails to land.
Akhtankhanov tries to work over Dunbar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akhtankhanov misses with a hook from the clinch.

Dunbar manages to pull guard.
Akhtankhanov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dunbar on the ground.
Dunbar has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Dunbar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dunbar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dunbar wants to sweep here but Akhtankhanov controlling him for the moment.

Dunbar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Akhtankhanov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Dunbar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dunbar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Akhtankhanov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Dunbar is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Akhtankhanov lands with a right hand.
Akhtankhanov looks to land a combination. Dunbar sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Akhtankhanov dips to his left and cracks Dunbar with an uppercut!
Akhtankhanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dunbar tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Akhtankhanov.
Dunbar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Akhtankhanov fails to land.

Dunbar jumps guard.
Dunbar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dunbar trying to keep a closed guard but Akhtankhanov is proving a slippery customer.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dunbar is looking for a triangle but Akhtankhanov pushes his legs off easily.

Dunbar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dunbar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Akhtankhanov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Dunbar keeps the fight on the outside.
It seemed like Dunbar was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Akhtankhanov lands with a straight right. Dunbar didn't see that one coming.
Dunbar lunges at Akhtankhanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Akhtankhanov's hand.
A slow jab from Akhtankhanov misses its intended target.
Dunbar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Akhtankhanov.
Dunbar lands the left hand.
Dunbar tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akhtankhanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Dunbar.
Dunbar moves out of range of the strikes.
Akhtankhanov sets himself, and Dunbar steps forward looking for the clinch! Akhtankhanov avoids it this time.
Akhtankhanov lands a nice shot to the body.
Akhtankhanov thuds a left hand into Dunbar's body.
Dunbar closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Akhtankhanov thumps Dunbar with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A good leg kick by Akhtankhanov.
Dunbar on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Good exchange - Akhtankhanov coming out on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akhtankhanov closes the distance and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dunbar.
Dunbar has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Akhtankhanov throws a punch but it's blocked by Dunbar.
Dunbar wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akhtankhanov has him pressed against the cage.
Dunbar is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Akhtankhanov to keep the fight standing.
Akhtankhanov misses with the head strike.
Akhtankhanov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akhtankhanov throws a punch but it's blocked by Dunbar.
Dunbar has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Akhtankhanov seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Dunbar can turn it around.
Akhtankhanov working aggressively here.
Akhtankhanov lands with a short shot to the head.
Akhtankhanov misses with a knee to the head.
Dunbar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Akhtankhanov walks away with a smile on his face. Dunbar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Akhtankhanov throws a good cross that connects.
Dunbar thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dunbar takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Akhtankhanov swings for the body but Dunbar moves out of range.
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akhtankhanov has closed the distance and engaged Dunbar in a clinch.

Dunbar manages to pull guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dunbar is on top in guard.

Dunbar drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Akhtankhanov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Dunbar has Akhtankhanov in his guard.

Dunbar looking for a guillotine here but Akhtankhanov defends easily.
Davante Dunbar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dunbar looking for a sweep. Not yet Dunbar, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dunbar has his foot on Akhtankhanov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Akhtankhanov works his way back into a safe position though.
Dunbar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Dunbar is trying to control the position but Akhtankhanov postures up.
Dunbar can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Akhtankhanov controls the pace.

Dunbar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Dunbar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Dunbar trying to control the position.

Dunbar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dunbar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dunbar avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sultanbek Akhtankhanov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Akhtankhanov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sultanbek Akhtankhanov!
Our winner, Sultanbek Akhtankhanov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.