PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eddie Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmie Akesson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jimmie Akesson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Armstrong
vs
Akesson

185 cm
28
240 lbs
9 - 0 - 1

192 cm
22
240 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 1, fighting out of London, Eddie Armstrong!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jimmie Akesson!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akesson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Armstrong tries to avoid it but Akesson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Armstrong to the ground. Armstrong escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Armstrong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Akesson pushes Armstrong up against the cage in a clinch.
Armstrong lands a body shot.
Armstrong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akesson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Armstrong misses with the head strike.
Armstrong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akesson's elbow.
Akesson is looking for a takedown.
Eddie Armstrong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmie Akesson.
A short right from Armstrong.
Armstrong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Armstrong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Armstrong is pressed up against the cage. Akesson has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Armstrong down to the mat. Armstrong avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Armstrong moves into the clinch successfully.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Armstrong misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong misses with a punch on the inside.
Akesson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akesson.
Armstrong tries to work over Akesson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Armstrong struggles to land a body shot inside as Akesson controls his hands.
Akesson has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Armstrong seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Akesson can turn it around.
Armstrong keeps control of Akesson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Armstrong lands a right hand.
Armstrong misses with some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akesson just misses with a elbow thrown towards Armstrong's brow.
I was talking to Armstrong's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Armstrong tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akesson's elbow.
Armstrong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Armstrong misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akesson.
Armstrong misses with a short punch on the inside.
Armstrong tries to work over Akesson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akesson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Armstrong avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akesson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Akesson goes for a takedown attempt but Armstrong pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Eddie Armstrong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Akesson looking for a takedown.
Armstrong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Armstrong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Armstrong digs a right hand into Akesson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Akesson's gas tank.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akesson blocks a body shot from Armstrong.
Akesson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Akesson jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Armstrong walks away with a smile on his face. Akesson gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Akesson tries to bum rush Armstrong with a series of wild strikes but Armstrong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Akesson gets a clinch.
Armstrong throws a punch but it's blocked by Akesson.
Armstrong goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Armstrong fails to land.
Akesson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Armstrong lands a nice shot to the body.
Armstrong misses with some punches.
Armstrong lands a shot to the body.
Akesson looks winded!
Armstrong misses with a punch to the body.
Armstrong misses with a punch on the inside.
Armstrong lands with a right to the head.
Armstrong struggles to land a body shot inside as Akesson controls his hands.
A right hook to the body lands for Armstrong.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Armstrong works on Akesson's body with a couple of short punches.
Armstrong tries a body shot but Akesson blocks it.
Armstrong misses with a punch to the body.

Armstrong has picked Akesson up - he's going for a ride! Armstrong dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Armstrong trying to control from Akesson's half guard. Akesson has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Armstrong throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akesson 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.
Armstrong wants to control from the top but Akesson keeps moving.
Akesson wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong passes into half guard.
Armstrong winds up and cracks Akesson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Armstrong landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akesson is trying to maintain the position but Armstrong is very close to passing his half guard.
Akesson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Armstrong.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Akesson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Armstrong circles away.
Armstrong wants to clinch up but Akesson keeps it at a distance.
Armstrong shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Akesson defends it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Armstrong. Akesson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akesson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Armstrong.
Armstrong misses the jab.
Horrible takedown by Akesson or perhaps it was just good defense by Armstrong which made him look bad.
Armstrong shoots for a takedown but Akesson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eddie Armstrong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akesson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Armstrong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Akesson lands a jab to Armstrong's midsection.
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!

Armstrong looking to score a takedown here. Akesson is defending well but Armstrong drives through and ends up in Akesson's guard.
Armstrong knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Akesson on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akesson is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Armstrong presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Armstrong throws a head punch that misses.
Akesson is working for takedown but Armstrong is calmly controlling the position for now.
Armstrong lands with a left to the head.
Akesson is stalling here.
Armstrong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Armstrong misses with a punch to the body.
Armstrong lands a body shot in the clinch.
Armstrong misses with a body punch.
Akesson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Armstrong pulls his leg out and moves away.
Akesson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Armstrong sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Akesson closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong tries to work over Akesson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akesson blocks an uppercut.
Armstrong misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Armstrong tries a body shot but Akesson blocks it.
Akesson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Armstrong prevents the takedown attempt.
Akesson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akesson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Armstrong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Akesson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Armstrong pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Armstrong lands a hook to the side of the head.
Eddie Armstrong has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Akesson is breathing heavily.
Akesson blocking some punches.
Armstrong swings wildly with an uppercut but Akesson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Armstrong has Akesson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Akesson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Armstrong lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Armstrong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akesson trying to stall but Armstrong improves his position.
Akesson looking for a takedown.
Akesson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Armstrong can't find room to land a body shot as Akesson controls the action.

Armstrong gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Armstrong trying to pass the guard but Akesson defending well.
Akesson wants to get back to his feet.
Akesson wants to get back to full guard.
Armstrong tries to pass to full mount but Akesson defends it.
Armstrong lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akesson pushes Armstrong off looking to stand but Armstrong dives back in and keeps control.
Akesson is staying active underneath Armstrong, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Armstrong winds up and cracks Akesson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Akesson is refusing to be controlled, as Armstrong sits in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Armstrong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Armstrong controlling the action here.
Armstrong landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Armstrong is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Akesson won't allow Armstrong to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Armstrong dominated that second round.
That's time! Armstrong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

No joy there for Akesson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Armstrong misses with a jab to the body
and Akesson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed right hand from Armstrong misses the target.
Akesson ducks under a wild hook from Armstrong.

Armstrong gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Armstrong tries to work over Akesson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Armstrong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Armstrong is working Akesson over against the cage.
Akesson wants a takedown but no success here.
Armstrong misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Akesson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Armstrong regains guard immediately.
Akesson postures up in Armstrong's guard and throws a big left but Armstrong blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Armstrong is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Armstrong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Akesson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Armstrong on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Armstrong tries to get out of the position.
Akesson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Armstrong wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Akesson postures up in Armstrong's guard and throws a big left but Armstrong blocks it.
Armstrong looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Armstrong managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Eddie Armstrong just wasn't active enough.

Armstrong gets a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong thows a huge punch but Akesson dodges it nicely.
Armstrong not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Akesson trying to control but Armstrong postures up.
Akesson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Armstrong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Akesson has hold of Armstrong's hands but Armstrong slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akesson misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akesson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Armstrong is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Akesson can do to turn this around?
Akesson is looking to improve his position.
Armstrong wants to advance to full mount but Akesson doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Akesson wants to sweep here but Armstrong controlling him for the moment.
Armstrong content to stall in guard here.
Armstrong with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Armstrong wants to control from the top but Akesson keeps moving.

Akesson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Akesson is trying to control the position but Armstrong postures up.
Armstrong has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Armstrong content to stall in guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akesson working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Armstrong clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Akesson misses with a takedown attempt

and Armstrong counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Armstrong.
Akesson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Armstrong's guard.
Armstrong wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Armstrong wants to sweep but no luck.
Armstrong is working hard here to advance position.
Akesson throwing strikes but missing.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Akesson landing some decent shots from guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Akesson stands and steps away. Armstrong gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong shoots in but Akesson avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Akesson manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Armstrong on his heels. He'll look to pass Armstrong's guard now, I'm sure.
Armstrong is adopting a defensive guard.
Akesson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Armstrong avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akesson won't allow Armstrong to sweep him here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Armstrong is on top in guard.
Akesson wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Armstrong postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akesson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Armstrong throwing strikes from guard but Akesson blocks nicely.
Armstrong controls from within his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akesson is looking to stand up but Armstrong isn't so interested in that idea.
Akesson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong is pushing down on Akesson's leg trying to pass to half guard. Akesson is fighting to maintain full guard but Armstrong has managed to sneak the leg through.
Akesson pushes Armstrong off looking to stand but Armstrong dives back in and keeps control.
Akesson moves into full guard.
Armstrong postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Akesson wants to get back to his feet but Armstrong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Armstrong throws a big elbow that misses.
Armstrong trying to control but Akesson is working from the bottom.
Akesson working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akesson wants to stand but Armstrong is controlling the position.
Armstrong trying to control but Akesson is working from the bottom.
Armstrong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akesson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Akesson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Akesson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Armstrong haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jimmie Akesson wasn't active enough on the ground.

Armstrong looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Armstrong's corner is telling him to maintain position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Eddie Armstrong will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Akesson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Armstrong defends well and Akesson ends up having to push Armstrong into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Armstrong.
Armstrong working aggressively here.
Armstrong can't find room to land a body shot as Akesson controls the action.
Armstrong can't find room to land a body shot as Akesson controls the action.
Akesson wants a takedown.
Armstrong stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Armstrong misses with some punches.
Armstrong tries to work over Akesson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akesson is trying to push Armstrong away but Armstrong has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Armstrong works on Akesson's body with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Armstrong misses with a body punch.
Akesson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Armstrong.
Akesson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akesson.
Armstrong lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong misses with a punch to the body.
Armstrong misses with the head strike.
Akesson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Armstrong tries to throw a body punch but Akesson avoids it by throwing Armstrong back against the cage.
Armstrong misses with a punch on the inside.
Armstrong throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Akesson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Armstrong tries to work over Akesson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Armstrong swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akesson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Armstrong is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Eddie Armstrong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmie Akesson.
Armstrong tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Armstrong tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akesson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Armstrong smiles and moves away.

Armstrong forces Akesson back against the cage and clinches.
Eddie Armstrong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong lands a right hand.
Armstrong lands a hook to the side of the head.
Akesson tries for a takedown. No joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akesson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Armstrong misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Armstrong gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Armstrong looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Akesson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Armstrong stops Akesson from standing up.
Armstrong trying to control the position from guard on top but Akesson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eddie Armstrong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akesson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Akesson is looking for a kimura but Armstrong is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Akesson to get the leverage.
Armstrong avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Akesson.
Akesson with the ground and pound but Armstrong uses the opportunity to regain guard.

Akesson stands up and waves to Armstrong to follow him.
Akesson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Armstrong sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akesson somewhat.

Armstrong rushes Akesson and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akesson is trying to break the clinch but Armstrong is controlling him.
Akesson prevents a body shot from Armstrong.
Armstrong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Armstrong misses with a hook to the ribs.
Armstrong makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Akesson blocks an uppercut.
Armstrong doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Akesson jumps guard but Armstrong turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Armstrong is working Akesson over against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Armstrong turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akesson wants to get back to his feet.
Armstrong working the body and head with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eddie Armstrong showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Armstrong, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 50:45
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 50:45
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Armstrong!
Eddie Armstrong retains his heavyweight title!
An out of breath Eddie Armstrong thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.