PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rahkim Abdullah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Hendrix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rahkim Abdullah had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Abdullah
vs
Hendrix

190 cm
34
198 lbs
22 - 16 - 0

191 cm
29
198 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 22 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rahkim Abdullah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Akira Hendrix!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Bruno Lombardi and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hendrix lands a really nice looking cross but Abdullah seems unphased.

It looks like Rahkim Abdullah has been cut.
Hendrix lands a glancing blow to the side of Abdullah's head.
Nice shot lands for Abdullah.
Hendrix tries to bum rush Abdullah with a series of wild strikes but Abdullah uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hendrix has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Abdullah shoots in for a double leg but Hendrix sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Abdullah works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Abdullah tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hendrix defends well and Abdullah ends up having to push Hendrix into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hendrix tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abdullah paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Abdullah avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Abdullah connects with a single shot there.
Abdullah lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Abdullah.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body punch from Abdullah.

Hendrix forces Abdullah back against the cage and clinches.
Abdullah goes for a takedown attempt but Hendrix pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdullah thows a left - swing and a miss!
It seemed like Hendrix was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Abdullah feints and as Hendrix raises his hands in defense, Abdullah changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hendrix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abdullah throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abdullah accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Abdullah trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendrix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abdullah missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hendrix is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Abdullah working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hendrix seems keen to control Abdullah's posture.
Abdullah is looking to work some ground and pound but Hendrix has wrist control.
Abdullah is looking to work some ground and pound but Hendrix has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Abdullah keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hendrix's head.
Hendrix keeping moving, preventing Abdullah from controlling successfully.
Abdullah working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Abdullah throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hendrix pulls Abdullah in close to prevent any damage.
Abdullah loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Abdullah sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Hendrix as Abdullah shoots in.
A little jabbing left from Hendrix on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Abdullah lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah shoots in but Hendrix avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hendrix takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Abdullah shoots in and drives through. Hendrix sprawls well.
Abdullah throws a body punch but Hendrix moves out of range.
A left and a right from Abdullah both land. Nice combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Abdullah darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Hendrix clinches up with Abdullah and pushes him back against the cage.

Abdullah's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hendrix.
Abdullah scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Abdullah throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hendrix sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hendrix wants to clinch.
Donk. Abdullah catches Hendrix right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hendrix throws a right and a left that both miss.
Abdullah uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Hendrix has time to react.
Abdullah uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hendrix.
Abdullah throws a nice looking combination but Hendrix bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown but Hendrix shows good takedown defense.
Abdullah works over Hendrix's head and body with a nice combination.
Hendrix doesn't manage to clinch there - Abdullah circles away.
Abdullah scores with a three punch combo!

Abdullah is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hendrix's half guard.

Hendrix kicks Abdullah off and gets back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Hendrix. No joy for Abdullah on that attempt.
A jab from Abdullah does it's job there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rahkim Abdullah dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rahkim Abdullah's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice defenses there by Abdullah.
Abdullah throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hendrix swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Abdullah scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Abdullah works Hendrix's body with a nice hook.
Abdullah shoots in but Hendrix avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Abdullah just misses with a punch to the body.
Hendrix keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jab from Abdullah.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendrix takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Abdullah looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahkim Abdullah. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Abdullah throws a hook but Hendrix blocks it.
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hendrix as he avoids it easily.
Rahkim Abdullah is winning the standup battle so far.
Abdullah swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendrix walks into a straight right hand from Abdullah.
Hendrix scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hendrix scores with a jab to the body.
Abdullah throws a hook to the side of Hendrix's head but Hendrix sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Akira Hendrix is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from Abdullah misses.
Hendrix lands with an overhand left.
Abdullah thows a left - swing and a miss!
Abdullah shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hendrix but Hendrix pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hendrix fails with an attempt to clinch.

Hendrix clinches up against the cage.
Hendrix gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Abdullah.
Nice body punch from Hendrix.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hendrix stalling the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendrix avoiding damage.
Abdullah taking a breather.
Hendrix misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Hendrix's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hendrix looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Hendrix closes the distance and pushes Abdullah back into the cage.

Hendrix escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hendrix slips a jab and a cross from Abdullah.

Hendrix drives through and clinches with Abdullah against the cage.
Abdullah is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hendrix can do to turn this around?
Abdullah lands a nice shot to the body.

Hendrix manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah tries for a takedown but Hendrix sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Abdullah throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Abdullah shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Abdullah showed some decent athleticism there.
Hendrix wants to control but Abdullah is keeping busy.
Abdullah trying to control from half guard but Hendrix is working away.
Hendrix is looking to control Abdullah's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hendrix avoid being mounted?
Hendrix avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Abdullah.
Abdullah looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hendrix defending well though.
Abdullah throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hendrix blocking the ground and pound attempt from Abdullah.
Hendrix keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Abdullah missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hendrix blocking the ground and pound attempt from Abdullah.
Abdullah wants to pass the guard but Hendrix is defending well.
Hendrix taking some punishment here, with Abdullah in his half guard.
Abdullah is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Abdullah takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rahkim Abdullah dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rahkim Abdullah'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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Abdullah lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hendrix circles away quickly and effectively.
Abdullah misses with a takedown attempt - Hendrix sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Abdullah shoots in and bounces Hendrix off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Abdullah loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Abdullah postures up in Hendrix's guard and throws a big left but Hendrix blocks it.
Hendrix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hendrix avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Abdullah postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hendrix keeping moving, preventing Abdullah from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendrix is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Abdullah makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Abdullah trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendrix is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abdullah 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.
Abdullah advances to half guard.

Hendrix is defending against the submission attempts here by Abdullah.
Abdullah lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hendrix controlling the position for now.
Abdullah is thwarting Hendrix's attempts to control the position.
Abdullah thows a huge punch but Hendrix dodges it nicely.
Hendrix wants to improve his position but Abdullah is controlling well.
Abdullah wants to control but Hendrix is keeping him busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Abdullah throws a series of strikes that have Hendrix backpedaling.
Hendrix throws out a loose jab but Abdullah uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hendrix tries to close the distance and clinch but Abdullah swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendrix doesn't manage to clinch there - Abdullah circles away.
Abdullah throws a good cross that connects.

Hendrix closes the distance and clinches.

Abdullah breaks the clinch.
Abdullah throws a jab but it's blocked by Hendrix.
Abdullah fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hendrix manages to avoid it.
Hendrix tries to close the distance and clinch up but Abdullah swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Abdullah drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Akira Hendrix has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Abdullah working the ground and pound but Hendrix is defending the strikes.
Sloppy strikes there by Abdullah.
Abdullah postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Abdullah postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdullah sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Hendrix is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Hendrix tries to improve position but can't.
Abdullah wants to control for a moment but Hendrix uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Still in half guard, Abdullah seems content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hendrix regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Abdullah.
Abdullah is working Hendrix over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rahkim Abdullah showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Abdullah, 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27

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