PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cole Orion (ranked 3263 p4p, 3326 weight class) and Toke Axelsen (ranked 404 p4p, 413 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Axelsen's choice of entrance music: Dervhengrym - Ulfhednar. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Orion
vs
Axelsen

195 cm
18
182
2 - 0 - 0

181 cm
18
178
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

PWNAGE™

Mile High

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cole Orion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toke Axelsen!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Eddie Farnsworth and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Orion.
Orion bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Axelsen misses with a looping left.
Orion throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Orion slips a jab from Axelsen.
Nice defenses there by Axelsen.
Orion keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Axelsen.
Axelsen moves out of range as Orion throws a body kick.
Axelsen 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.
Axelsen throws a nice looking combination but Orion bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Axelsen checks a leg kick nicely.
Axelsen wants to slow Orion down by chopping away at his legs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Axelsen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Orion - the referee stops the clock and Axelsen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Orion. Axelsen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Orion looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A swing and a miss from Orion.
Cole Orion seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orion throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Axelsen misses with a straight left.
Orion takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Orion chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Axelsen is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Axelsen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Orion is able to avoid easily.
Orion looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Orion takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Orion jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Orion lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orion slips under a jab.
Orion walks into a left hand.
Some wild striking there from Axelsen.
Orion takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Orion scores with a kick to the body.
Axelsen scores with a jab to the body.
Axelsen looks to land a combination but Orion avoids it well.
Orion with the inside leg kick.
Orion with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Axelsen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Axelsen. Orion does a little dance to reset his feet.
Orion is looking to counter with a body kick.
Axelsen jabs Orion to the body, keeping him at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Orion ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Axelsen moves away.
Axelsen connects with a nice looking jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Orion lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Axelsen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Axelsen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Axelsen looks to land a left hand but Orion moved out of range nicely.
Axelsen takes a swing at Orion's ribcage but misses.
Orion fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Axelsen misses.
Axelsen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Axelsen misses with a straight right.
Orion fires out a quick counter leg kick but Axelsen just manages to avoid it.
Orion turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Axelsen thows a leg kick but Orion checks it
and Orion counters with a nice body kick.
Axelsen shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Orion eats them both and turns towards Axelsen to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A nice leg kick lands there from Orion.
Orion with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Orion misses with a right hand
and Axelsen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Orion thinking.
Axelsen blocks a leg kick.
Orion blocks a jab.
Orion connects with an inside leg kick.
Axelsen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Orion doesn't manage to clinch there - Axelsen circles away.
Axelsen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Orion.
Axelsen throws a series of punches but Orion moves out of range.
Orion feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Axelsen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Axelsen lands with a right hand.
A low kick from Orion misses
and Axelsen counters with a stiff right hand.
Axelsen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Orion can pounce on him.
Axelsen connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen misses with an uppercut. Orion saw that one coming.
Orion dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Axelsen. That did some damage!
Axelsen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Orion looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Axelsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Orion manages to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Orion.
Axelsen connects with a jab.
Orion tries to work over Axelsen's front leg with a kick but Axelsen checks it.
Orion tries to clinch up.
Axelsen throws out a counter right but Orion avoids it with no problem.
Orion turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Orion scoring well with a low kick there.
Axelsen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Orion.
Axelsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Orion moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Axelsen misses with a double jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Axelsen, as that shot connected.
Axelsen fails to land with a series of punches.
Axelsen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Axelsen misses with a body shot.
Orion throws a quick counter head kick but Axelsen was just out of range.
No joy there for Axelsen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A chopping leg kick lands by Orion.
Axelsen is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Orion had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orion looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Orion really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A nice leg kick from Orion, right into the meat of the thigh.
Orion slips a jab and a cross from Axelsen.
Orion ducks under a wild hook from Axelsen.
Orion connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Axelsen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Orion doesn't seem phased though.
Orion buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Orion swings for the body but Axelsen moves out of range.
Axelsen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Axelsen misses with a looping left.
Axelsen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Axelsen does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Orion tries to clinch up but Axelsen circles away and keeps his distance.
Axelsen misses with a leg kick.
Orion keeps Axelsen at a distance using the push kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Axelsen throws a body punch but Orion moves out of range.
That kick from Orion tenderised Axelsen's leg. Axelsen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Orion lands a nice leg kick that just misses Axelsen's sensitive parts.
Orion tries to close the distance and clinch up but Axelsen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Orion feints and then cracks Axelsen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Axelsen down.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Toke Axelsen will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Axelsen throws a series of punches but Orion avoids them all with ease.
Cole Orion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sloppy strikes from Axelsen. Those never looked like landing.
Axelsen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Toke Axelsen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Orion waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Axelsen.
Orion is looking to slow Axelsen down with leg kicks.
Good leg kick by Orion.
Orion lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Axelsen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Orion.
Orion looks to land a left hand but Axelsen moved out of range nicely.
Orion lands a nice looking body kick.
Good shot there by Axelsen.
A combination from Axelsen does no damage.
Orion throws a low kick but it's checked well by Axelsen.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Axelsen! But no joy.

Orion moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Orion missing with knees to the body.
Axelsen tries to break the clinch but Orion is controlling the position.
Axelsen lands with a light punch inside.

Axelsen manages to break the clinch.
Axelsen looks to throw the jab but Orion is out of range.
Orion on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsen throws a hook but Orion blocks it.
Axelsen looks to land a right hand but Orion moved out of range.
Axelsen looks to score with a jab to the body but Orion is just out of range.
Axelsen thows a left - swing and a miss!
And Orion counters with a quick kick to the body but Axelsen blocks it.
A slow jab from Axelsen misses its intended target.
Axelsen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Orion misses with a low kick.
Axelsen misses the jab.
Orion defending well as Axelsen loads up on a big left hand.
Axelsen misses with a double jab.
Orion thumps Axelsen with a low kick.
Axelsen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Orion looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A nice leg kick from Orion, right into the meat of the thigh.
Axelsen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Orion moves out of range of the strikes.
Orion connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice shot by Axelsen.
Axelsen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Orion. Orion obviously looking to wear him down.
Axelsen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Orion to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orion attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Orion thumps Axelsen with a low kick.
Axelsen throws out a loose jab but Orion uses good head movement to avoid it.
Axelsen misses with an uppercut. Orion saw that one coming.
Orion throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Orion tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Axelsen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Axelsen misses with a few strikes there.
Axelsen throws a leg kick but Orion moved away.
Orion looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Axelsen tries to work over Orion's front leg with a kick but Orion checks it.
Axelsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Orion circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice defenses there by Axelsen.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Axelsen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Orion - the referee stops the clock and Axelsen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Orion. Axelsen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Axelsen misses with an uppercut. Orion saw that one coming.
Axelsen checks a leg kick.
Orion ducks under a wild hook from Axelsen.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Axelsen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Orion - the referee stops the clock and Axelsen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Orion. Axelsen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Orion lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nice uppercut there from Axelsen.
A slow jab from Orion misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orion slips a jab from Axelsen.
Orion lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Orion scoring well with a low kick there.
Orion lands with a thumping leg kick.
Orion feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Axelsens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Orion lands with a slapping head kick.
Axelsen throws a jab when Orion was well out of range.
As Axelsen backs away, Orion returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Axelsen loads up on a big right hand but Orion slips the punch.
Axelsen checks a low kick from Orion.
Axelsen fails to land with a series of punches.
Orion connects with a solid leg kick.
Orion ducks under a wild hook from Axelsen.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Orion.
Orion tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Orion tries to clinch up.
Axelsen blocks a head kick by Orion.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Axelsen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Orion keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Axelsen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen looks to throw the jab but Orion is out of range.
Orion is looking to clinch but Axelsen is avoiding it.
Axelsen lands with a nice combination. Orion backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Cole Orion has been cut.
Orion fails in his attempt to clinch.
Orion is looking to clinch but Axelsen is avoiding it.
Orion throws a leg kick which misses Axelsen's front leg but catches the back leg as Axelsen tries to avoid it.
Axelsen throws a shot from downtown. Orion moves away and avoids it.
Axelsen misses with the combination.
Orion staying out of range there.
Orion throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Orion fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Axelsen connects with a body shot that sends Orion's belly button to the back.
Axelsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Orion moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Axelsen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Orion feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Axelsen. Those never looked like landing.
Axelsen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Orion.
Orion is looking to clinch but Axelsen is avoiding it.
Axelsen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Toke Axelsen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Cole Orion's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Axelsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Axelsen looks to land a combination but Orion avoids it well.
Orion looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A head kick misses from Orion.
Axelsen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Orion.
Orion throws out a loose jab but Axelsen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Axelsen misses with an uppercut. Orion saw that one coming.
Axelsen lands a lovely overhand right.
Axelsen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Orion looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Axelsen checks a leg kick nicely.
Orion tried to score with a low kick but Axelsen checks it.
Orion moves out of range of the leg kick from Axelsen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orion is looking to slow Axelsen down with leg kicks.
A low kick lands for Orion.
Axelsen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Axelsen misses.
Axelsen throws a jab but it's blocked by Orion.
Axelsen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Orion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Orion ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Axelsen moves away.
Orion lands a leg kick that knocks Axelsen off balance momentarily.
Axelsen misses with a leg kick.
Orion throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Axelsen throws a shot from downtown. Orion moves away and avoids it.
Axelsen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Orion. Orion obviously looking to wear him down.
Orion slips under a jab from Axelsen.
Orion throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Axelsen.
Axelsen throws out a loose jab but Orion uses good head movement to avoid it.
Orion moves away from the strike by Axelsen.
Axelsen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Orion looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Good leg kick by Orion.
Orion throws a leg kick
and Axelsen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Orion with the inside leg kick.
Crunch! Orion slams his shin into Axelsen's torso.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Axelsen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Orion shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Orion steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Axelsen.
Axelsen throws a jab but it's blocked by Orion.
An inside leg kick lands from Orion.
Axelsen circles away from the clinch attempt.
A jab from Axelsen misses.
A clash of legs there as Axelsen blocks the low kick.

Orion gets a clinch.
Orion with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Orion tries to work over Axelsen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Orion pushes off an throws an elbow but Axelsen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Axelsen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A short right from Axelsen on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Orion throws an elbow but misses.
Axelsen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Axelsen.

Axelsen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Axelsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Orion turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Orion moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Axelsen keeps the fight on the outside.
Axelsen throws out a counter right but Orion avoids it with no problem.
Orion ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Orion swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Orion throws a nice inside leg kick.
Orion lands with a kick to the ribs.
Orion throws a leg kick which misses Axelsen's front leg but catches the back leg as Axelsen tries to avoid it.
Orion thumps Axelsen with a low kick.
Axelsen looks to land a left hand but Orion moved out of range nicely.
Axelsen connects with a nice looking jab.
Toke Axelsen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Orion is rocked!
Orion walks into a straight right hand from Axelsen.
Oh Orion is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Orion throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Orion with a nice calf kick.
Axelsen lands a jab to the head.
Orion is looking to clinch.
Orion looks to throw the jab but Axelsen is out of range.
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!
Orion fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Axelsen checks it well.
Orion blocks a low kick nicely.
The fighters circling - Axelsen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice shot by Axelsen.
A big left from Axelsen misses.
Axelsen cracks Orion with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Axelsen.
Orion throws a push kick but Axelsen slaps the foot to one side.
Axelsen throws a one two combo.
Axelsen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Orion throws a leg kick but Axelsen moved away.
Axelsen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Orion throws the left hand but Axelsen avoids the punch easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Axelsen! But no joy.
Axelsen moves out of range of the body kick.
Axelsen lands a jab.
Orion fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Axelsen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The crowd cheers as Axelsen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Orion doesn't seem phased though.
Axelsen scores with a nice strike.
Orion misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Axelsen.
Orion tries to land a leg kick but Axelsen saw it coming and moves away.
Orion walks into a left hand.
You can see that Axelsen has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Axelsen tests Orion's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Axelsen throws a looping overhand right but Orion ducks down to avoid it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Orion.
Orion looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Axelsen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Orion explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Axelsen throws a series of punches but Orion moves out of range.
Axelsen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Orion on the side of the head.
Orion uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Axelsen.
Axelsen misses with a series of wild punches.
Orion scoring well with a low kick there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toke Axelsen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Axelsen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toke Axelsen!
Toke Axelsen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.