PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johan Axelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuuga Ikeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Axelsson
vs
Ikeda

183 cm
30
200 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

189 cm
24
197 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Johan Axelsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Yuuga Ikeda!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelsson with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ikeda. Axelsson does a little dance to reset his feet.

Ikeda scores with a takedown into Axelsson's guard.
Axelsson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ikeda's guard.

Axelsson controlling from the top position.
Axelsson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Axelsson is in close to Ikeda's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ikeda controls Axelsson momentarily but Axelsson frees himself.
Axelsson connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson being controlled here momentarily.
Axelsson content to stall in guard here.
Axelsson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ikeda wants to sweep here but Axelsson controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ikeda has momentary wrist control but Axelsson slips an elbow through the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Axelsson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Axelsson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ikeda struggling a bit here.

Axelsson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ikeda is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ikeda really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Axelsson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ikeda is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Axelsson misses with the ground and pound.
Ikeda is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Axelsson has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Axelsson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ikeda takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ikeda is trying to escape the position but Axelsson is controlling the position.
Axelsson is working Ikeda over with some ground and pound from side control.
Ikeda takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Axelsson postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Ikeda is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ikeda keeps working.
Axelsson cracks Ikeda with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Ikeda prevents Axelsson from improving position.
Axelsson grinds an elbow into Ikeda's temple.
Axelsson controlling the position from side mount.
Ikeda is looking for a sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ikeda wants to get back to his feet but Axelsson is dominant here and he's now got Ikeda's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johan Axelsson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Axelsson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Yuuga Ikeda has been cut.
Ikeda takes a swing at Axelsson's ribcage but misses.

Ikeda fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Axelsson to the ground. Ikeda is now in Axelsson's guard.

Ikeda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Axelsson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ikeda has managed to get both his arms back between Axelsson's legs - danger averted.
Ikeda postures up.

Axelsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Axelsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ikeda gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ikeda trying to control but Axelsson is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ikeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Axelsson seems keen to control Ikeda's posture.
Axelsson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Axelsson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Axelsson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ikeda's head.
Axelsson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ikeda can do to turn this around?

Axelsson is working for a submission of some sort.
Ikeda wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ikeda tries to roll over but Axelsson keeps him under control.
Axelsson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Axelsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ikeda trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Axelsson manages to pass to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Axelsson dominating with strikes here.
Axelsson lands a big elbow.
A big strike lands for Axelsson! That's really hurt Ikeda and he's turned his back - Axelsson keeps firing away and the ref dives in to stop the fight! Axelsson jumps to his feet to celebrate the victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Johan Axelsson!
An out of breath Johan Axelsson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.