PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kwame Akabaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Duhrover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akabaro comes to the cage accompanied by Matenrou Opera - Dolce. The crowd seem to be enjoying Duhrover's choice of entrance music: Doggystyle. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Akabaro
vs
Duhrover

181 cm
21
178 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

173 cm
22
182 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Steel Penn's All 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kwame Akabaro!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ben Duhrover!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Duhrover blocks the body kick.
Duhrover tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Akabaro manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Duhrover just misses with a punch to the body.

Duhrover shoots in and bounces Akabaro off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Akabaro looking for a sweep. Not yet Akabaro, not yet.

Akabaro working for a triangle but Duhrover defends it easily.
Akabaro has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Duhrover stopping the sweep attempt from Akabaro.
Duhrover with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akabaro has momentary wrist control but Duhrover slips an elbow through the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duhrover with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Akabaro wants to sweep but no luck.
Duhrover prevents Akabaro from getting back to his feet.
Duhrover has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Duhrover accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Duhrover trying to control but Akabaro is working from the bottom.
Duhrover throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akabaro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Duhrover trying to control but Akabaro is working from the bottom.
Akabaro trying to keep a closed guard but Duhrover is proving a slippery customer.
Duhrover working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Duhrover trying to control the position from guard on top but Akabaro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akabaro managing to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice jab there from Duhrover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Duhrover moves away.
Kwame Akabaro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akabaro scores with a kick to the midsection.
Akabaro lands with a nice body kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Duhrover closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Akabaro to the mat! Akabaro manages to get full guard.
Akabaro tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Akabaro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Duhrover pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akabaro is keeping the position for now.
Duhrover postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Akabaro preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Akabaro is trying to keep Duhrover in close.
Duhrover being controlled here momentarily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kwame Akabaro wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Akabaro dodges the punch combination from Duhrover.
Duhrover with a lazy takedown attempt
and Akabaro counters with a slapping leg kick.
Akabaro keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Akabaro throws a hook to the side of Duhrover's head but Duhrover sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Duhrover uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akabaro.
A looping hook to the body misses from Duhrover. Akabaro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akabaro stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Akabaro wants it to stay on the feet.
A shot to the liver by Duhrover. Beautiful body shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Akabaro.
Duhrover lands a glancing blow to the side of Akabaro's head.
Akabaro misses with a looping right.
Akabaro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akabaro misses with a kick to the body.
Duhrover looks to score with a jab to the body but Akabaro is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover wants to clinch up but Akabaro keeps it at a distance.
Some bone on bone action there as Duhrover checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Duhrover checks the leg kick nicely there.
Duhrover shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Akabaro as he jumps to the side.
Kwame Akabaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Duhrover.
Akabaro throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Duhrover. Akabaro does a little dance to reset his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akabaro. Duhrover does a little dance to reset his feet.
Duhrover moves in looking to clinch but Akabaro pushes him off.
Akabaro throws a hook to the side of Duhrover's head but Duhrover sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Duhrover.
Akabaro walks into a stiff left hand from Duhrover.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Duhrover tries to move into range but Akabaro moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Duhrover throws a leg kick but Akabaro moved away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ben Duhrover will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Akabaro tried to score with a low kick but Duhrover checks it.
Duhrover connects with a good right hand that stumbles Akabaro. Akabaro circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Duhrover shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Akabaro manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Akabaro 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.
Akabaro is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Duhrover wants to control from the top but Akabaro keeps moving.

Duhrover postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Akabaro is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Duhrover, into his guard.
Akabaro showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Akabaro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Akabaro wants to control from the top but Duhrover keeps moving.
Akabaro sitting in guard here, content to control.

Kwame Akabaro has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Duhrover shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Akabaro sprawls well. Akabaro wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Duhrover gets slowly back to his feet.
Akabaro swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Akabaro misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Duhrover. Akabaro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Duhrover has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Duhrover there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro throws a front kick that sends Duhrover stumbling back into the cage.
Akabaro looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Akabaro swings for the body but Duhrover moves out of range.
Duhrover throws a front kick aimed at Akabaro's knee but Akabaro avoids it well.

Duhrover decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Akabaro wants to improve his position but Duhrover is controlling well.
Duhrover throwing shots but Akabaro is blocking nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akabaro trying to control but Duhrover postures up.
Akabaro wants to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Duhrover seems content to control.
Duhrover is thwarting Akabaro's attempts to control the position.
Akabaro makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Akabaro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akabaro swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Duhrover passes into half guard.
Duhrover wants to control but Akabaro is keeping him busy.
Akabaro trying to control from the bottom.
Duhrover is pressing down on Akabaro's thigh, looking to free his foot. Akabaro is holding on for now.
Duhrover trying to control the action but Akabaro is working from the bottom.
Akabaro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Duhrover is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Duhrover trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Akabaro pulls Duhrover in close to prevent any damage.
Akabaro is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Duhrover is looking for a sweep. Akabaro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Duhrover is trying to maintain the position but Akabaro is very close to passing his half guard.
Akabaro prevents Duhrover from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Akabaro in particular looking to stall.
Duhrover is looking for a sweep. Akabaro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ben Duhrover will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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.

Duhrover shoots for a takedown but Akabaro saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Akabaro misses with a lunging right hand

so Duhrover counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Akabaro has momentary wrist control but Duhrover slips an elbow through the middle.
Akabaro is trying to control the position but Duhrover postures up.
Duhrover lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Duhrover is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Akabaro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Duhrover.
Akabaro has Duhrover pulled in close to control his posture.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akabaro keeping moving, preventing Duhrover from controlling successfully.
Duhrover postures up in Akabaro's guard and throws a big left but Akabaro blocks it.
Duhrover won't allow Akabaro to get back to his feet.
Duhrover distracts Akabaro with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Duhrover throwing strikes but missing.
Akabaro keeping moving, preventing Duhrover from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duhrover missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Duhrover working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Duhrover is fighting to break Akabaro's control of his arms but Akabaro is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Duhrover trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Akabaro keeping full guard, as Duhrover tries to pass.
Akabaro wants to sweep here but Duhrover controlling him for the moment.
Duhrover throwing strikes but missing.
Duhrover keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Akabaro's head.
Duhrover stopping the sweep attempt from Akabaro.
Duhrover with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover connects with a couple of short punches.
Duhrover wants to control from the top but Akabaro keeps moving.
Akabaro has momentary wrist control but Duhrover slips an elbow through the middle.
Duhrover lands a couple of digs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akabaro keeping moving, preventing Duhrover from controlling successfully.
Duhrover stands and throws Akabaro's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Akabaro is trying to control Duhrover's posture but Duhrover avoids it.
Akabaro isn't going anywhere.
Duhrover prevents Akabaro from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover trying to control the position but Akabaro is working away.
Duhrover looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Akabaro is avoiding damage well.
Duhrover is working Akabaro over with some ground and pound from side control.
Akabaro is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Duhrover is chipping away with strikes.
Duhrover working the body and head with strikes.
Akabaro is looking for a sweep.
Duhrover lands a nice forearm strike.
Duhrover misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Akabaro is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Duhrover sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Akabaro defending well though.
Duhrover wants to control but Akabaro is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Duhrover is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Akabaro is just riding it out for now. Duhrover eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akabaro wants to control but Duhrover is keeping busy.
Akabaro tries to get to full guard but Duhrover has control of the leg.
Duhrover missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Akabaro gets full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akabaro lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Duhrover!
Duhrover wants to hold on but Akabaro pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Duhrover really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Duhrover moves out of range of the body kick.
Duhrover tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akabaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Duhrover.
Akabaro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Akabaro lands a front kick.
Duhrover is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Akabaro rather than just go for the knockout.
Akabaro takes one to the side of the head.
Duhrover thows a body shot but no joy.
Duhrover is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Duhrover shoots in for a takedown but Akabaro shows good takedown defense.
Duhrover blocks the body kick.
Akabaro walks into a stiff left hand from Duhrover.
Akabaro tries a head kick but it misses.
Akabaro throws a hook to the side of Duhrover's head but Duhrover sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Duhrover looks to score with a jab to the body but Akabaro is just out of range.
Akabaro throws a right hand that misses
and Duhrover makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duhrover avoids the body shot from Akabaro.
Akabaro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Duhrover checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Duhrover tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akabaro swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Akabaro feints and then cracks Duhrover's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Duhrover down.
Duhrover tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Akabaro counters with a thumping low kick.
Duhrover throws a body punch but Akabaro moves out of range.
Akabaro misses with an attempted mid kick.
Akabaro cracks the inside of Duhrover's front leg.
Akabaro misses with a body punch
and Duhrover counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Duhrover scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Duhrover 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro looks for the body kick but Duhrover saw that one coming.
Akabaro takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Duhrover tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Akabaro swivels and escapes.
Duhrover misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Akabaro.
Duhrover has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akabaro.
Duhrover takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akabaro connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Akabaro misses with a body kick.
Duhrover stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Akabaro.
Duhrover throws a body punch but Akabaro moves out of range.
Akabaro stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Akabaro wants it to stay on the feet.
Kwame Akabaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Duhrover.
Duhrover is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Akabaro bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Akabaro looks to land a body kick but Duhrover moved away.
Akabaro throws a leg kick but Duhrover checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro throws a right and a left that both miss.
Akabaro misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Duhrover misses with a body shot.
Akabaro misses with a low kick as Duhrover jumps back.
Akabaro cracks the inside of Duhrover's front leg.
Kwame Akabaro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Akabaro, right into the meat.
Duhrover's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Duhrover defending well as Akabaro loads up on a big left hand.
Akabaro takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Akabaro throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Duhrover's head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akabaro. That's going to slow Duhrover down.
A punch combination from Duhrover misses.
Akabaro misses with a left hand
and Akabaro takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kwame Akabaro is winning the standup battle so far.
Duhrover tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akabaro was well out of range. Poor timing from Duhrover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabaro throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Duhrover to counter with a crisp jab.
Duhrover checks a leg kick.
Duhrover lands a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Duhrover. Akabaro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Duhrover misses the shot to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Akabaro there.
Duhrover misses with a straight left.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body kick from Akabaro.
Duhrover loads up on a big right hand but Akabaro slips the punch.
Duhrover moves out of range of the leg kick from Akabaro.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akabaro throws a nice outside leg kick.
Duhrover checks a low kick from Akabaro.
Duhrover bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kwame Akabaro had his way with Ben Duhrover in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Duhrover tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akabaro swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Duhrover walks forward, straight into a front kick from Akabaro.
Akabaro fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Akabaro chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akabaro. Duhrover does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akabaro throws a chopping leg kick but Duhrover manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Akabaro swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Duhrover throws a body punch but Akabaro moves out of range.

Duhrover throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Akabaro tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Duhrover is in Akabaro's guard.
Akabaro trying to keep a closed guard but Duhrover is proving a slippery customer.
Akabaro is pulling down on Duhrover's head. It's preventing any offense from Duhrover, at least for the moment.
Duhrover stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akabaro swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Duhrover is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Duhrover looking to pass the guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kwame Akabaro wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Akabaro fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Duhrover.
Duhrover checks a leg kick.
Akabaro lands a glancing blow to the side of Duhrover's head.
Akabaro smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Akabaro misses with an attempted mid kick.
Akabaro keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

Duhrover shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Duhrover was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Akabaro regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover throwing shots but Akabaro is blocking nicely.
Akabaro keeps control of the position for the meantime.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Duhrover is looking for a kimura here.
Akabaro wants to get back to full guard.
Akabaro is pressing down on Duhrover's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Duhrover makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Duhrover is pushing down on Akabaro's leg trying to pass to half guard. Akabaro is fighting to maintain full guard but Duhrover has managed to sneak the leg through.
Akabaro is trying to control but can't.
Kwame Akabaro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Akabaro tries to get to full guard but Duhrover has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Akabaro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Ben Duhrover has got the better of the ground game so far.
Duhrover throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akabaro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Duhrover won't allow Akabaro to get back to his feet.
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.
Duhrover trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Duhrover distracts Akabaro with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Duhrover throwing strikes from guard but Akabaro blocks nicely.
Akabaro keeping moving, preventing Duhrover from controlling successfully.
Akabaro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Duhrover passes Akabaro's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Duhrover with the ground and pound but Akabaro uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Duhrover content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Duhrover working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Akabaro's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Duhrover throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akabaro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Duhrover being controlled here momentarily.
Akabaro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Duhrover tries to free his leg and advance position but Akabaro is retaining full guard.
Duhrover is working Akabaro over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Duhrover postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Duhrover is working Akabaro over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Duhrover with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ben Duhrover is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Akabaro keeping moving, preventing Duhrover from controlling successfully.

Akabaro looking for a guillotine here but Duhrover defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ben Duhrover.
I think Duhrover 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Duhrover!
Ben Duhrover is the new welterweight champion!
Ben Duhrover thanked the fans post fight for their support.