PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Papy Kongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akio Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akio Fox is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kongo
vs
Fox

182 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
20
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Vitality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Papy Kongo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Akio Fox!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fox lands a two punch combo.
Kongo slips a jab and a cross from Fox.
Fox looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kongo is fending him off so far but Fox persists. Nope, Kongo circles away and we're back to standing.
Fox uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kongo.
Kongo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Kongo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kongo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Fox kicks off Kongo and gets to his feet.
Kongo closes the distance and clinches up with Fox, looking for a takedown. Kongo pushes Fox against the ropes but Fox circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kongo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kongo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fox is trying to defend but Kongo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kongo trying to control the action but Fox is working from the bottom.
Kongo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Fox pushes Kongo off looking to stand but Kongo dives back in and keeps control.
Kongo wants to control but Fox is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox wants to get back to full guard.
Kongo blocks the strikes from Fox.
Kongo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fox keeps working.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fox is trying to stand.
Kongo working the head and body with strikes.
Fox is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kongo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kongo's back!
Kongo is keeping busy.
Fox wants to control but Kongo manages to buck him off and is now in Fox's guard! Nice work there by Kongo!
Kongo postures up in Fox's guard and throws a big left but Fox blocks it.
Fox manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Fox can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kongo is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kongo avoids a series of strikes thrown by Fox.
Fox wants to control the pace but Kongo is squirming around nicely.
Fox controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kongo is desperately trying to improve his position but Fox has a good base and remains in mount.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Fox is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Kongo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Akio Fox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kongo is breathing heavily.
Fox defending well as Kongo loads up on a big left hand.
Fox shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kongo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fox works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Fox closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kongo wants to take the fight to the mat but Fox manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Papy Kongo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kongo looking to stall.
Kongo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox looking to throw knees to the head but Kongo is blocking nicely.
Kongo has Fox pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Fox manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Fox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fox lands a jab-cross combination.
Kongo fails with a takedown attempt.
Fox works over Kongo's head and body with a nice combination.
Fox scores with a one two! Kongo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Fox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kongo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Nice combo by Fox! Oh, that's hurt him - Kongo falls to the canvas and Fox follows him into side control.

Kongo is rocked!

Fox decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Fox misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Fox dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fox stalks Kongo and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kongo's face. Kongo staggers backwards, shaken.
Fox tries to clinch but Kongo moves out of range.

Fox lands a left and a right that sends Kongo crashing to the canvas! Fox dives into mount looking to finish!
Oh Kongo is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Fox stands up from mount. Strange move.
Kongo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kongo seems to have got his legs back now.
Fox with a hook.
Kongo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A big left from Kongo misses.
Fox looks for a takedown but Kongo sprawls well.
Fox tries to clinch up.
A punch lands to the side of Kongo 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Fox tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kongo swivels and escapes.
Some wild striking there from Fox.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fox scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kongo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fox shoots in and drives through. Kongo sprawls well.
Papy Kongo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akio Fox.

Fox clinches with his opponent.
Fox has Kongo pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Kongo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Fox.
Kongo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fox gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kongo is trying to maintain a safe position but Fox gets an underhook and turns Kongo into the ropes.

Fox pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fox moves in looking to clinch but Kongo pushes him off.

Fox closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.

Fox pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
An inside leg kick lands from Fox.
Fox misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kongo misses with a body shot.
Fox fails with a takedown attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fox!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fox throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fox misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Fox, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox doesn't manage to clinch there - Kongo circles away.
Fox uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kongo has time to react.
Fox throws a good cross that connects.
Akio Fox seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kongo circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kongo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fox won't be happy with that.
Fox gets back to half guard.
Nice strikes from Kongo there.
Fox regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kongo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kongo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kongo looking to pass the guard.
Fox is looking to stand up but Kongo isn't so interested in that idea.
Fox is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kongo is looking to work some ground and pound but Fox has wrist control.
Fox keeping moving, preventing Kongo from controlling successfully.
Kongo being controlled here momentarily.
Fox is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kongo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Akio Fox has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Fox throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Fox is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kongo is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Fox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kongo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Fox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kongo.
Fox misses with a double jab.
Fox slaps away a takedown attempt from Kongo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kongo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fox sprawls well. Fox wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kongo gets slowly back to his feet.
Kongo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kongo throws a looping overhand right but Fox ducks down to avoid it.
Nice sprawl there from Fox as Kongo shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Papy Kongo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fox gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fox has had enough of the clinch but Kongo keeps him there for the moment.
Kongo is trying to stall.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fox.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kongo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fox tries for a takedown but Kongo manages to get underhooks.
Kongo tries to stall but Fox uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fox dodges an elbow strike from Kongo.
Kongo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Fox works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kongo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fox has Kongo pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Kongo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Fox pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kongo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fox swivels and escapes.
Fox lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kongo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fox moves in looking to clinch but Kongo pushes him off.
Kongo circles away from the clinch attempt.

Fox gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fox tries for a takedown but Kongo manages to get underhooks.

Fox escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fox displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
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!
Fox shoots in for a double leg but Kongo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kongo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fox scores with a three punch combo!
Left hook, right uppercut from Fox.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fox has closed the distance and engaged Kongo in a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fox lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Fox's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kongo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fox manages to avoid it.
Kongo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fox throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Fox displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sloppy strikes from Fox. Those never looked like landing.
Kongo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fox swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fox tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Kongo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fox fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fox stuffs the takedown.
Akio Fox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox connects with a single shot there.
Kongo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fox as he avoids it easily.
Fox shoots in and drives through. Kongo sprawls well.
Fox shoots in for a takedown but Kongo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kongo takes a swing at Fox's ribcage but misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fox shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kongo as he jumps to the side.
No joy there for Fox, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Papy Kongo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fox takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Akio Fox is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fox lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fox tries to bum rush Kongo with a series of wild strikes but Kongo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kongo shoots in but no luck this time.
Fox cracks Kongo with an open hand slap.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fox looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akio Fox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fox 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Akio Fox!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Akio Fox!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Akio Fox!

Akio Fox wins by unanimous decision!