PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pounamu Akona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kleofas Koltun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Akona
vs
Koltun

201 cm
21
230 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

196 cm
22
259 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pounamu Akona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kleofas Koltun!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Ackerman and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Akona.

Koltun shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Akona's guard.

Akona wriggles free and stands up.

Koltun takes the fight into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Koltun.
Akona is working for takedown but Koltun is calmly controlling the position for now.
Koltun prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pounamu Akona. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koltun prevents the takedown attempt.

Koltun is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Akona can't fight it off and eventually Koltun manages to take the fight to the floor. Akona looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koltun wants to control from the top but Akona keeps moving.
Koltun's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Akona working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Koltun doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Koltun manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Koltun wants to control from the top but Akona keeps moving.

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.
Koltun has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Akona is proving hard to escape from.

Koltun decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Akona, up you get!

Koltun scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Akona has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Koltun is on him like a limpet, forcing Akona back against the cage.
Akona wants to take the fight to the mat but Koltun manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akona looking for a takedown.

Akona jumps guard and drags Koltun to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Koltun got a little sloppy there for a moment and Akona has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Koltun has managed to get both his arms back between Akona's legs - danger averted.
Akona keeping moving, preventing Koltun from controlling successfully.
Koltun must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Akona looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koltun trying to control but Akona is working from the bottom.
Akona is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koltun is looking to pass into half guard but Akona pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Akona is in guard.

Akona trying to control the position from guard on top but Koltun is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koltun wants to stand up but Akona is controlling him.
Akona is looking to work some ground and pound but Koltun has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Koltun looks to land a right hand but Akona moved out of range.
Akona is looking to counter the offense by Koltun and move into the clinch.
Pounamu Akona is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Akona gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Akona has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Koltun is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Akona is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Koltun is defending well.

Koltun has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Akona regains guard immediately.
Pounamu Akona overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Akona looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Koltun passes into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Koltun wants to control but Akona is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akona sneaks back into half guard.
Koltun looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Akona kicks Koltun off and gets back to his feet.

Koltun looking to score a takedown here. Akona is defending well but Koltun drives through and ends up in Akona's guard.

Akona uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Koltun drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Akona manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Akona pulls guard.

Akona is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Koltun defends well.
Akona is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koltun slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Koltun really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Akona. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Akona has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akona avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akona keeping moving, preventing Koltun from controlling successfully.

Akona looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akona manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Koltun manages to get himself to full guard.

Akona wants to control from the top but Koltun keeps moving.
We've been hearing that Akona has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Koltun is controlling Akona's posture.
Akona wants to control from the top but Koltun keeps moving.
Koltun wants to stand and escape but Akona is having none of it.
Akona lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pounamu Akona dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Koltun rushes Akona and presses him up against the cage.

Koltun wants the takedown. Akona is fighting it off but Koltun persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Akona's guard against the cage.

Akona pushes Koltun off and scrambles back to his feet.
A leg kick checked by Koltun.
Koltun fails in his attempt to clinch.
Koltun scores with a nice body kick.
Koltun wants to clinch.
Akona attempts a counter takedown but Koltun avoids it well and moves away.

Koltun dives in and scores a takedown into Akona's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akona keeping moving, preventing Koltun from controlling successfully.
Akona controlling Koltun's posture.

Koltun got a little sloppy there for a moment and Akona has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Koltun has managed to get both his arms back between Akona's legs - danger averted.
Akona trying to keep a closed guard but Koltun is proving a slippery customer.
Koltun trying to control but Akona is working from the bottom.

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.
Koltun preventing the sweep.
Akona is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koltun can do to turn this around?
Koltun is fighting to break Akona's control of his arms but Akona is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Akona looking for a guillotine here but Koltun defends easily.
Akona keeping moving, preventing Koltun from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akona not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Koltun stays in close to Akona's body and controls the position.

Akona is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Akona is trying to keep Koltun in close.
Akona preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pounamu Akona is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Koltun wants to stand but Akona is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Koltun shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Akona has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Koltun off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Koltun throws an off balance right hand

and Akona counters with a takedown into side control.
Koltun gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Akona tries to control but Koltun wriggling away.
Kleofas Koltun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Koltun bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Pounamu Akona.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Akona, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pounamu Akona!
Pounamu Akona managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, FJCP Healthy Nutrition, into his post fight interview.