PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rikkard Hanson (ranked 2294 p4p, 286 weight class) and Sisu Okunaba (ranked 2602 p4p, 318 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Hanson
vs
Okunaba

185 cm
31
191 lbs
17 - 14 - 2

175 cm
39
186 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rikkard Hanson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sisu Okunaba!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jonathan Paton and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hanson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hanson fails with a takedown attempt.
Hanson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Okunaba scores with a jab.
Hanson takes one on the button.
Hanson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Okunaba.
A left lands for Okunaba.
A big left from Okunaba misses.
Hanson is looking to chop away at Okunaba's legs.
Hanson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rikkard Hanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Okunaba lands with a cross.
Hanson looks to land a right hand but Okunaba moved out of range.
Hanson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Okunaba scores with a jab to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okunaba connects with a high kick.
Hanson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Okunaba throws a jab but it's blocked by Hanson.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hanson is defended easily by Okunaba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okunaba moves away from the strike by Hanson.
Okunaba scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Okunaba misses with a looping right.
Hanson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Okunaba throws a sloppy head kick and Hanson moves out of range easily.
Okunaba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hanson.
Okunaba lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hanson misses with a head kick.
Okunaba throws a nice head kick!
Hanson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A head kick from Okunaba lands but Hanson takes it in his stride.
No luck for Hanson with that takedown attempt.
Sisu Okunaba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hanson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hanson throws an overhand right that lands on Okunaba's shoulder, as Okunaba tries to avoid the shot.
Okunaba goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hanson takes one to the side of the head.
Okunaba scores with a nice head shot.
Hanson lands with a straight right. Okunaba didn't see that one coming.
Okunaba throws a jab when Hanson was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanson looks to land a left hand but Okunaba moved out of range nicely.
Hanson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Okunaba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Okunaba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hanson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Okunaba sprawls well. Okunaba wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hanson gets slowly back to his feet.
Hanson missing with a left hand there. Okunaba was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Okunaba is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hanson had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Okunaba waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hanson.
Hanson misses with a series of wild punches.
Hanson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Okunaba throws out the jab.
A little feinted left hand from Hanson on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Okunaba connects with a crisp jab.
Okunaba takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Okunaba scores with a nice strike.
Okunaba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Okunaba scores with a nice strike.
Hanson misses with a straight left.
Okunaba listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okunaba cracks Hanson with a good jab.
Hanson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Okunaba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Okunaba throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hanson misses with a hook. Okunaba ducked under it nicely.
Hanson throws a series of strikes that have Okunaba backpedaling.
Hanson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Okunaba's waist but Okunaba gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hanson off to one side.
Okunaba defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hanson.
Okunaba avoids the body shot from Hanson.
A jab from Okunaba misses.
Okunaba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Okunaba connects with the punch.
A jab from Okunaba finds it's way through Hanson's defenses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okunaba lands a glancing blow to the side of Hanson's head.
Okunaba lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Okunaba bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hanson's head.

Hanson gets the takedown into side control.
Okunaba can't do much from the bottom here.
We've been informed that Okunaba has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Okunaba is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hanson is looking to take a break and control but Okunaba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Hanson'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.
Hanson in side control, just content to control the action for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hanson working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sisu Okunaba dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hanson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Okunaba finds it's way round the side to connect with Hanson's head.
Okunaba cracks a nice hook into Hanson's ribs.
Hanson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hanson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hanson shoots in and drives through. Okunaba sprawls well.
It seemed like Okunaba was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Okunaba blocks a jab.
Okunaba fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Hanson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hanson avoids the head kick by Okunaba.
Sisu Okunaba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Okunaba throws a head kick that misses.
Okunaba misses with a head kick.
Okunaba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice takedown defense from Okunaba. No joy for Hanson on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rikkard Hanson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hanson misses with a takedown attempt - Okunaba sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hanson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Okunaba swivels and escapes.
Hanson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Okunaba defends well and Hanson ends up having to push Okunaba into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hanson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Okunaba connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hanson scrambles back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okunaba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hanson.
Okunaba cracks Hanson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Okunaba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okunaba pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Okunaba lands with a right hand.
Okunaba throws a head kick that half lands.
Okunaba scores with a nice head shot.
Hanson swings for the body but Okunaba moves out of range.
Hanson takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Hanson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Okunaba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hanson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hanson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hanson looks to land a right hand but Okunaba moved out of range.
Hanson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Okunaba manages to avoid it.
Hanson wants to clinch up but Okunaba keeps it at a distance.
Okunaba with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Okunaba lands with a right hand.
A cross from Okunaba lands.
Hanson takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Okunaba scores with a head kick. Hanson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Hanson is rocked!
A jab from Hanson misses.
Oh Hanson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okunaba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Okunaba slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hanson shoots in looking for a takedown. Okunaba tries to sprawl out of it but Hanson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Okunaba manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Okunaba lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hanson is looking to score with low kicks.
Hanson seems to have got his legs back now.
Okunaba lands with an overhand left.
Hanson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hanson blocks a head kick by Okunaba.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hanson. Okunaba does a little dance to reset his feet.
Okunaba might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Good standup being displayed there by Okunaba as he connects with a hook.
Okunaba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hanson.
Okunaba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hanson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Okunaba throws out the jab.
Okunaba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Okunaba misses.
Hanson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okunaba looks to land a body kick but Hanson moved away.
Hanson is looking to counter punch.
Hanson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A good leg kick by Hanson.
Decent striking displayed by Okunaba there.
Okunaba scores with a head kick. Hanson tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Okunaba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hanson. Hanson obviously looking to wear him down.
Okunaba walks into a stiff left hand from Hanson.
Hanson throws a hook but Okunaba blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Okunaba misses the target.

Hanson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Okunaba's half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Okunaba defending well though.
Hanson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Okunaba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Okunaba is looking for a sweep. Hanson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Okunaba looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hanson seems to be looking for submissions.
Hanson trying to control the pace.

Hanson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hanson is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Okunaba reverses the position - he's now on top in Hanson's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sisu Okunaba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Okunaba throws a sloppy head kick and Hanson moves out of range easily.
Okunaba scores with a punch to the head.
Okunaba throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hanson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hanson scores with a nice strike.
Hanson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Okunaba keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Okunaba connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hanson blocks a head kick by Okunaba.
Hanson tries for a takedown but Okunaba sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Okunaba throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hanson.

Hanson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Okunaba!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okunaba is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The strikes coming from Hanson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Okunaba has escaped the position, nice work there.
Okunaba on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Hanson wants to control for a moment but Okunaba uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Rikkard Hanson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Okunaba is looking for a sweep. Hanson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Okunaba keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hanson is trying to control. Okunaba wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hanson blocks the strikes from Okunaba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Okunaba looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hanson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Okunaba has managed to free his arm - good work.
Okunaba is looking to improve his position.
Okunaba is looking to control Hanson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Okunaba avoid being mounted?
Rikkard Hanson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Okunaba tries to kick Hanson off but Hanson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Hanson is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okunaba blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hanson.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Hanson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Okunaba fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Okunaba connects with a crisp jab.
Hanson blocks a head kick by Okunaba.
Okunaba lands a head shot.
A lazy left from Okunaba finds it's target.
Hanson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Okunaba but Okunaba pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Okunaba throws a head kick that misses.

Hanson scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanson cracks Okunaba with a big right hand but Okunaba just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Okunaba is trying to buck Hanson off.
Okunaba gets back to half guard.
Hanson 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.
Okunaba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hanson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hanson's back!
Okunaba controlling from the back.
Hanson wants to escape the position but for the time being he's just trying to control the pace.
Will Okunaba go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

And that's the end of the fight!
Sisu Okunaba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Okunaba winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sisu Okunaba!
Sisu Okunaba spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.