PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hunter Akbar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rutger Svensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akbar comes to the cage accompanied by New Slaves. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Akbar
vs
Svensson

188 cm
32
198 lbs
21 - 5 - 0

180 cm
26
195 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hunter Akbar!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rutger Svensson!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Eddie Farnsworth and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svensson lands with a cross.

Akbar gets a clinch.
Svensson misses with a body punch.
Svensson misses with a punch to the body.
Svensson swings wildly with an uppercut but Akbar uses good head movement to avoid it.

Svensson manages to break the clinch.

Akbar drives through with a takedown into guard.

Akbar thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akbar postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson controlling the position.
Akbar pushes down on Svensson's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Svensson looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Akbar thows a huge punch but Svensson dodges it nicely.
Akbar tries to pass the half guard into mount. Svensson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Akbar trying to control the action but Svensson is working from the bottom.
Svensson trying to control but Akbar postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Svensson misses with a lunging right hand

and Akbar counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Svensson!
Akbar has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akbar throwing strikes but Svensson manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Akbar tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Svensson presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Akbar has given up his back here.
Akbar tries to escape the position.
Will Svensson go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar rolls, trying to escape but Svensson keeps control of the position.
Svensson not allowing Akbar to control his hands.
Akbar tries to roll but Svensson sticks to his back.
Svensson trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
I really don't envy Akbar right now.
Akbar wants to control his opponent's hands but Svensson gets his hands free.
Svensson doesn't have the hooks in and Akbar manages to turn into his guard.
Akbar wants to pass the guard but Svensson is keeping the position.
Svensson keeping moving, preventing Akbar from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akbar connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Akbar dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akbar's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Svensson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Akbar scrambles back to his feet.

It looks like Hunter Akbar has been cut.
Svensson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Svensson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Akbar closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Svensson quickly recovers to half guard.
Akbar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Svensson's head.
Akbar is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Svensson can do to turn this around?
Svensson wants to sweep but Akbar has passed to side control!

Akbar looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Akbar throws an elbow but Svensson slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akbar is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Svensson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Akbar wants to stand but Svensson has his arm trapped.
Akbar working the ground and pound but Svensson is defending the strikes.

Akbar is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Svensson has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two 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.
Svensson is trying to improve his position.

Akbar tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Akbar wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Svensson, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akbar decides to stand back up. Akbar steps back and let's Svensson get back to his feet.

Akbar has Svensson up against the cage in a clinch.
Svensson tries to throw a body punch but Akbar avoids it by throwing Svensson back against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Svensson.
Svensson lands a nice shot to the body.
Svensson tries to work over Akbar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Svensson lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Akbar.
Akbar jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Svensson walks away with a smile on his face. Akbar gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson throws a body punch but Akbar moves out of range.
Akbar takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Svensson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Svensson swings for the body but Akbar moves out of range.
Svensson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Akbar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rutger Svensson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Svensson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akbar was well out of range. Poor timing from Svensson.
Svensson looks to score with a jab to the body but Akbar is just out of range.
Svensson throws a hook but Akbar avoids it easily.
A head kick from Svensson lands but Akbar takes it in his stride.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Svensson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Akbar tries to counter with a takedown but Svensson is quick to defend against it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Svensson looks for the body kick but Akbar saw that one coming.
No luck for Akbar with that takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Svensson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hunter Akbar's cut.
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.

Svensson throws a body punch but Akbar moves out of range.
Akbar moves out of range as Svensson throws a body kick.
Akbar checks a low kick from Svensson.
Svensson motions for Akbar to come forward. Svensson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Akbar 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.
Akbar on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Svensson. Svensson obviously looking to wear him down.
Svensson tries to land a leg kick but Akbar saw it coming and moves away.
Svensson throws a big shot that misses.
Akbar appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akbar manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akbar keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akbar goes for a double leg but Svensson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Svensson continues to drive forward.
Svensson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akbar wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Svensson throws a series of punches but Akbar avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Svensson throws out a leg kick but Akbar moves out of range and Svensson only half commits.
Svensson stuffs the takedown.
Svensson wants to land a leg kick but Akbar is out of range.
Svensson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akbar.
Akbar is looking to counter the offense by Svensson and move into the clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Svensson as he connects with a hook.
Svensson scores with a punch to the head.

Akbar closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Akbar lands in his opponent's guard.
Akbar trying to control the position from guard on top but Svensson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akbar is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Svensson is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Svensson has escaped and now he's on top!

Akbar has an active guard here but Svensson has managed to pass into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akbar trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Akbar is refusing to be controlled, as Svensson sits in half guard.
Svensson prevents Akbar from improving his position.
Svensson stalling away here and it's allowed Akbar to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Svensson trying to control but Akbar is working from the bottom.
Akbar is controlling Svensson's posture.
Akbar keeping moving, preventing Svensson from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nice takedown defense from Svensson. No joy for Akbar on that attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Svensson really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hunter Akbar's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akbar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Svensson's waist but Svensson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Akbar off to one side.
Akbar uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Svensson.
Akbar takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Akbar slips under a jab from Svensson.

Akbar closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Akbar lands in his opponent's guard.
Akbar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akbar with a flurry of punches that miss.
Akbar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svensson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Svensson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Akbar drops back, looking for a kneebar! Svensson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Svensson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Svensson!

Akbar is looking to reverse the position.
Akbar is working hard here to advance position.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson in the domination position with Akbar hanging on.
Akbar throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

Svensson decides to stand back up. Svensson steps back and let's Akbar get back to his feet.
Svensson misses with a wild body shot.
Svensson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Svensson. No joy for Akbar on that attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Svensson.
Rutger Svensson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akbar dives in for a single leg takedown but Svensson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hunter Akbar. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akbar pushes Svensson up against the cage in a clinch.
Svensson tries to work over Akbar's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Svensson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Svensson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Akbar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Svensson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Akbar's head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Akbar.
Svensson tries a head kick but it misses.
Akbar changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A jab lands there for Svensson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svensson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Svensson wants it to stay on the feet.
Svensson connects with a looping right hand.
Svensson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hunter Akbar is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Svensson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akbar manages to avoid it.
Akbar went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Svensson swings widly with a right hand

and Akbar counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
Akbar wants to lay and pray for a moment but Svensson keeps working.
Akbar wants to pass the guard but Svensson is defending well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akbar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rutger Svensson dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Hunter Akbar's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Akbar takes one on the button.
Svensson looks to land a right hand but Akbar moved out of range.
Svensson wants to land a leg kick but Akbar is out of range.
Svensson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Akbar has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Akbar shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Svensson but Svensson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Svensson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Akbar tries to score a power double leg takedown but Svensson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akbar somewhat.
It seemed like Svensson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Svensson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Svensson.
Akbar tries to counter with a takedown but Svensson is quick to defend against it.
Svensson throws a body shot but no joy.
Svensson cracks the inside of Akbar's front leg.
Rutger Svensson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Svensson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Svensson throws a leg kick

and Akbar counters by moving into the clinch.

Akbar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Akbar bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Akbar trying to control the action but Svensson is working from the bottom.
Svensson is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svensson dodges the ground and pound from Akbar.
Akbar fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Akbar swings around for an armbar but Svensson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Akbar's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Svensson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar can't keep his opponent in guard - Svensson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hunter Akbar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Svensson is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Akbar trying to control here.
Rutger Svensson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Svensson trying to pass the guard but Akbar defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Svensson controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rutger Svensson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Svensson 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 John Roberts scores the fight 46:49
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 46:49
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rutger Svensson! Rutger Svensson retains his middleweight title!
In defeat, Hunter Akbar stepped up to the mic, saying 'I will come back stronger for my friends & family'.