PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Henry Akinwande (ranked 435 p4p, 274 weight class) and Ivan Samsonov (ranked 72 p4p, 53 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Akinwande
vs
Samsonov

197 cm
31
250
19 - 12 - 1

202 cm
33
255
24 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Conviction

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

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 19 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Henry Akinwande!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Samsonov!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samsonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akinwande.
Samsonov is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Samsonov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Akinwande throws a low kick, looking for Samsonov's leg but Samsonov calmly moves out of range.

Akinwande moves into the clinch.
Akinwande has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Akinwande tries to throw a body punch but Samsonov avoids it by throwing Akinwande back against the cage.
Akinwande misses with a short punch on the inside.
Samsonov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Samsonov is trying to force a seperation but Akinwande has the dominant position.
Akinwande cracks Samsonov with a nice body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Samsonov.
Akinwande gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Ivan Samsonov has been cut.
Akinwande lands a body punch in the clinch.
Samsonov wants to get back to striking at distance but Akinwande won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samsonov trying to stall but Akinwande improves his position.
Akinwande doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akinwande.
Akinwande tries to work over Samsonov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akinwande working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Akinwande.
Samsonov looks winded!
Samsonov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Akinwande lands a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samsonov takes an elbow to the temple.
A short right from Akinwande.
Akinwande stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Akinwande lands an elbow inside.
Samsonov takes a shot to the head.
Samsonov wants to get back to striking at distance but Akinwande won't allow it.
Nice body punch from Akinwande - that landed with a thud.
Akinwande softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Samsonov.
Samsonov told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Akinwande lands with a short shot to the head.
Akinwande lands with a left to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akinwande lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akinwande lands a hook that snaps the head of Samsonov backwards.
Samsonov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akinwande's elbow.
Akinwande tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Akinwande.
A right handed body shot lands from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Akinwande lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Akinwande scores with a shot to the side of Samsonov's head.
Akinwande lands a nice elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akinwande lands a body shot in the clinch.
Samsonov prevents a body shot from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands a left hand.
Akinwande lands a body shot in the clinch.
Akinwande scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Akinwande breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akinwande lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Akinwande clinches with his opponent.
Akinwande lands a nice elbow.
Akinwande lands with a right to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Akinwande.
A right hook to the body lands for Akinwande.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akinwande.
Akinwande scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Akinwande.
Akinwande scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Akinwande breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Akinwande. Samsonov shrugs it off though.
A shot to the liver by Akinwande. Beautiful body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Akinwande. That snapped Samsonov's head back.

Akinwande closes the distance and clinches.
Akinwande makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Akinwande lands a right hand that snaps the head of Samsonov backwards.
Samsonov tries to break the clinch but Akinwande is controlling the position.
Akinwande stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Akinwande lands a nice shot to the body.
Samsonov blocks a body shot from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Akinwande scores with a nice hook to the head.
Akinwande lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Akinwande digs a right hand underneath Samsonov's ribcage. Samsonov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Akinwande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Samsonov's defenses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Still in the clinch, Akinwande scores with a nice short uppercut.
Akinwande lands a left hand.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Akinwande as the two fighters clinch.
Still in the clinch, Akinwande scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samsonov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Akinwande moves into the clinch.
Samsonov is trying to break the clinch but Akinwande has him pressed against the cage.
Akinwande lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Akinwande.
Akinwande throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Akinwande breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Good leg kick by Akinwande.

Akinwande pushes Samsonov up against the cage in a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Akinwande.
Samsonov has had enough of the clinch but Akinwande keeps him there for the moment.
A right hook to the body lands for Akinwande.
Akinwande cracks Samsonov with a nice body shot.
Akinwande lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Samsonov blocks a body shot from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Akinwande.
Akinwande creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Samsonov's defenses.
Akinwande digs a right hand underneath Samsonov's ribcage. Samsonov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Akinwande dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Samsonov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A solid leg kick lands there for Akinwande.
Akinwande tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Samsonov was well out of range. Poor timing from Akinwande.
Samsonov is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Akinwande punishes Samsonov's body with a nice straight punch.
Samsonov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akinwande.

Akinwande has taken the fight to the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Akinwande.
A short right from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands with a left to the head.
Akinwande lands a nice elbow.
Akinwande pushes Samsonov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Samsonov wants to get back to striking at distance but Akinwande won't allow it.

Samsonov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Akinwande connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akinwande throws a body punch but Samsonov moves out of range.
Akinwande looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Samsonov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samsonov moves out of range of the body kick from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands a nice looking kick to the body. Samsonov takes a step back to recover.
Henry Akinwande is winning the standup battle so far.
Samsonov throws a lazy head kick
and Samsonov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Some wild striking there from Akinwande.
Akinwande scores with a nice head shot.
Samsonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Akinwande manages to break the clinch.
Akinwande throws a leg kick but Samsonov checks it.
Samsonov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akinwande.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akinwande lands a nice leg kick that just misses Samsonov's sensitive parts.
Akinwande is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Samsonov can do to turn this around?
Akinwande looks to score with a jab to the body but Samsonov is just out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Samsonov! But no joy.
Akinwande is looking to clinch.
Samsonov blocks a low kick nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Samsonov! But no joy.
Decent striking displayed by Akinwande there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A low kick lands for Akinwande.
Samsonov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akinwande.
Akinwande cracks Samsonov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Samsonov throws a hook but Akinwande blocks it.
Akinwande dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Samsonov. That did some damage!
Akinwande throws a leg kick
and Samsonov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akinwande tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Samsonov was well out of range. Poor timing from Akinwande.
Crunch! Akinwande slams his shin into Samsonov's torso.
Akinwande uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Samsonov.
Samsonov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akinwande.
Akinwande lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Samsonov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akinwande.
Akinwande misses with a body shot
and Samsonov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Henry Akinwande seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akinwande.
Akinwande fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akinwande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Samsonov throws out a counter right but Akinwande avoids it with no problem.
Akinwande lands with a straight right. Samsonov didn't see that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Akinwande uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Samsonov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akinwande with the inside leg kick.
Samsonov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Samsonov on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Samsonov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice shot by Akinwande.
Akinwande lands a nice hook to Samsonov's body. Samsonov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Akinwande scores with a jab to the jaw.
Akinwande cracks Samsonov with a right hand to the side of the head.

Akinwande has managed to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Akinwande dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Samsonov's cut.
That's time! Akinwande's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Samsonov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akinwande.
Akinwande cracks Samsonov with a good jab.
Samsonov throws an off balance right hand
and Akinwande counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Samsonov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Akinwande. Akinwande obviously looking to wear him down.

Akinwande lands a big head kick that sends Samsonov tumbling to the mat! Akinwande takes a step backwards and waves Samsonov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Samsonov is rocked!
Akinwande throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Samsonov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Samsonov is still on wobbly legs! Can Akinwande finish him?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A good leg kick by Akinwande.
Samsonov seems to have recovered his senses.
Akinwande swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Samsonov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akinwande clobbers Samsonov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Akinwande lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Samsonov at a distance.
Akinwande jabs Samsonov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Samsonov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akinwande fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Samsonov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Akinwande.
Akinwande is looking to slow Samsonov down with leg kicks.
Akinwande fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Samsonov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Akinwande misses with a jab to the body
and Samsonov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Akinwande misses with a body shot.
Samsonov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Akinwande is looking to slow Samsonov down with leg kicks.
Akinwande lands a nice shot to the body.
Akinwande jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Samsonov scores with a head kick.
Akinwande fakes the leg kick and cracks Samsonov in the body.
Henry Akinwande is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akinwande.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akinwande punishes Samsonov's body with a nice straight punch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akinwande looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Samsonov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Akinwande connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Samsonov scrambles back to his feet.
Akinwande buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Akinwande. Beautiful body shot.
Samsonov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Akinwande buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Akinwande just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akinwande pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Samsonov 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.
Akinwande lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Akinwande changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A low kick lands for Akinwande.
Samsonov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Akinwande lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A big right from Samsonov misses.
Samsonov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Akinwande lands with a hook. Samsonov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Akinwande lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Akinwande throws the kick towards the body but Samsonov avoids it.
Akinwande ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akinwande throws a leg kick which misses Samsonov's front leg but catches the back leg as Samsonov tries to avoid it.
A jab lands there for Akinwande.
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!
Akinwande scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Akinwande drives through and clinches with Samsonov against the cage.
Samsonov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Samsonov can't find room to land a body shot as Akinwande controls the action.
Samsonov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Samsonov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ivan Samsonov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akinwande can't find room to land a body shot as Samsonov controls the action.
Akinwande tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Akinwande lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Samsonov backwards.
Samsonov misses with a punch on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Akinwande throws an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henry Akinwande showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Akinwande has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:26
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henry Akinwande!
Henry Akinwande took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q) for their support in the buildup to the fight.
Ivan Samsonov was interviewed post fight and said 'Путин убьет меня за это поражение'.