PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hunter Akbar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Hendo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Danny Hendo was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Akbar
vs
Hendo

188 cm
30
192 lbs
17 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
190 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Raptorz Inc.

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 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hunter Akbar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danny Hendo!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hendo darts in and clinches Akbar up against the cage.
Hendo pushes off an throws an elbow but Akbar leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hendo lands a shot to the body.
Hendo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akbar is defending well for now.

Akbar pulls guard successfully.
Hendo told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Akbar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hendo.
Akbar working a defensive guard here.

Akbar working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hendo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hendo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Akbar looking to control.
Hendo preventing the sweep.
Hendo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hendo tries to stand but Akbar is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar is controlling Hendo's posture.
Akbar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Hendo closes the distance and pushes Akbar back into the cage.
Hendo lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Hunter Akbar has been cut.
Hendo throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Akbar misses with a hook to the ribs.

Akbar gets control of Hendo's arms and successfully pulls guard. Akbar will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Akbar working a defensive guard here.

Akbar has an active guard here but Hendo has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akbar is looking to improve his position.
Hendo tries to stand but can't do so whilst Akbar controls his leg.
Akbar wants to get back to full guard.
Akbar is trying to control but can't.
Hendo trying to control from half guard but Akbar is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hendo is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Akbar tries to get to full guard but Hendo has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar wants to control but Hendo is keeping busy.
Akbar wants to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hendo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akbar moves away.
Hendo tries to bum rush Akbar with a series of wild strikes but Akbar uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Hendo rushes Akbar and presses him up against the cage.
Hendo is looking to control Akbar's arms but Akbar gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hendo has his back to the cage.
Hendo lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Akbar works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Hendo wants to stand up but Akbar is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendo has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Akbar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Akbar throws a big right hand that misses.
Akbar throws a big elbow that misses.
Akbar won't allow Hendo to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akbar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Akbar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hunter Akbar will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hunter Akbar's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hendo blocks a leg kick.

Akbar scores with a takedown into Hendo's guard.
Hendo controlling Akbar's posture.
Akbar trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Akbar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hendo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hendo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hunter Akbar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Akbar stands and throws Hendo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Akbar throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendo is looking to reverse the position.
Akbar in side control, throwing shots but Hendo defends.
Akbar fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Hendo avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Akbar.
Hendo regains half guard, as Akbar was trying to land strikes.
Akbar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hendo's head.
We've been hearing good reports from Akbar's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

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

Akbar seems to be working for a kimura but Hendo defends the submission attempt.
Hendo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Akbar misses with a head shot. Hendo uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hendo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendo wants to stand but Akbar is controlling the position.
Akbar throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hendo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hendo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Akbar pushing down on Hendo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Akbar wants to free his trapped foot but Hendo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Akbar looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hendo is looking to escape.
Akbar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hendo's head.
Akbar thows a huge punch but Hendo dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hendo is looking for a sweep. Akbar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Akbar frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Akbar landing punches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akbar lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hendo is trying to escape the mount.
Hendo wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Akbar.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hendo is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Akbar dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hunter Akbar's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Akbar pushes Hendo up against the cage in a clinch.
Hendo scores a nice knee to the body.
Hendo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akbar is defending well for now.
Akbar drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hendo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hendo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akbar is defending well for now.
Hendo trying to land knees to the body.
Akbar has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hendo after a bit of a struggle.
Hendo misses with a punch on the inside.
Akbar on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Akbar lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hendo moves into full guard.
Akbar tries to free his leg and advance position but Hendo is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hendo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Akbar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akbar trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hendo wants to get back to his feet but Akbar is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hendo has momentary wrist control but Akbar slips an elbow through the middle.
Hendo is looking to sweep but instead, Akbar has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendo is trying to stand up here but Akbar is controlling him well.
Akbar throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akbar tries to pass to full mount but Hendo defends it.

Akbar is looking for a kimura here.

Hendo kicks off Akbar and gets to his feet.
Danny Hendo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hendo gets a clinch.
Akbar avoids the elbow strike from Hendo, against the cage.
Akbar blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees in the clinch landing for Hendo.
Akbar drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hendo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hunter Akbar. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hendo stops a takedown attempt from Akbar.
Akbar is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hendo pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hendo misses with an elbow strike.
Akbar takes an elbow to the forehead.
Akbar can't get the takedown.
Hendo trying to land knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Akbar blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akbar takes an elbow to the temple.
Hunter Akbar is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Akbar turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Akbar manages to end up in side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akbar landing a few strikes.
Akbar cracks Hendo with a big elbow.
Hendo is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Akbar throws an elbow but Hendo slips to the side and avoids it well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akbar looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Hendo is avoiding damage well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Danny Hendo.
I think Akbar has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Hunter Akbar!
A relieved looking Hunter Akbar thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.