PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arlo James (ranked 4313 p4p, 4565 weight class) and Allah Akbar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

James
vs
Akbar

190 cm
25
200
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
16
211
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Arlo James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Allah Akbar!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Akbar misses the target.
Some wild striking there from James.
Akbar wants to counter with a clinch but James pushes him away.

James gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for James.
James pushes Akbar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

James breaks from the clinch.
Akbar tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Akbar slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
James misses with a series of wild punches.
Akbar drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A big left from Akbar misses.
Akbar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

James gets in close and instigates a clinch.
James leaning against his opponent.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akbar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Akbar misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akbar tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and James avoids it.
James stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
James blocking some punches.
James is pushing Akbar up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
James works on Akbar's body with a couple of short punches.
Akbar misses with the head strike.
Akbar can't find room to land a body shot as James controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

James clinches up against the cage.
James digs a right hand underneath Akbar's ribcage. Akbar let out a lung full of air as it connected.
James unloads a knee to the mid-section.
James content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.

James breaks from the clinch.

James closes the distance and clinches.
James blocks a body shot from Akbar.
James blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akbar working aggressively here.

James breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James lands a body punch in the clinch.
James misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akbar.
Akbar with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Akbar swings away with an uppercut that misses.

James breaks from the clinch.
Akbar swings for the body but James moves out of range.
It looked like James was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
James lands a really nice looking cross but Akbar seems unphased.
James defending well as Akbar loads up on a big left hand.

James closes the distance and clinches.
Akbar misses with a short punch on the inside.

James breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James defending well as Akbar loads up on a big left hand.

James has Akbar up against the cage in a clinch.
James lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from James.
James is stalling here.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akbar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
James lands with a light punch inside.
Akbar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James lands with a right to the head.
Akbar tries to throw a body punch but James avoids it by throwing Akbar back against the cage.
James stalling the fight.
The referee calls for James to work.
A head punch on the inside from Akbar fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akbar.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akbar.
Akbar working aggressively here.
James dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
James blocks an uppercut.
James throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
James lands on the inside with an uppercut.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

James clinches up against the cage.
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!
A hook to the body from James.
James is pushing Akbar up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
James throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
James is struggling to control the position.
A head punch on the inside from Akbar fails to land.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.
James stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Akbar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from James - that landed with a thud.
Akbar throws a punch but it's blocked by James.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arlo James dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

James gets a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Akbar fails to land.

James breaks the clinch.

James moves into range and clinches up with Akbar.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
James stalling in the clinch.
James lands a body punch in the clinch.
Akbar swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Akbar tries to keep at a distance but James has taken the fight into the clinch.
James is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Akbar can do to turn this around?
A body shot lands from James.
James blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
Akbar tries a body shot but James blocks it.
Come on James - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
James content to slow the pace in the clinch.
James blocks an uppercut.
Akbar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Akbar fails to land.
James lands a nice uppercut.
James softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Akbar misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akbar working aggressively here.

James has hold of one of Akbar's legs. Akbar is fighting the takedown attempt but James gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

James gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Allah Akbar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

James clinches up against the cage.
Akbar misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
A right hand to the body from James.
James content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akbar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akbar misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from James.
James displaying some good clinch control by pressing Akbar up against the cage.
James lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akbar.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akbar tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.
Akbar trying to land knees to the body.
James is working Akbar over against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akbar.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akbar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by James.
James managing to block the knees to the body from Akbar.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Arlo James is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar misses with a combination
and James counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Akbar thinking.
Akbar tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. James manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Akbar misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akbar. James does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akbar misses with a lunging right hand
letting James counter with a right hand.
James keeps the fight on the outside.
James lands with an uppercut that bounces Akbar off the cage and back into range.
Akbar tries to clinch but James is having none of it.
Akbar throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akbar missing with a left hand there. James was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akbar tries to clinch but James is having none of it.
James avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akbar missing with a left hand there. James was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akbar throws a body punch but James moves out of range.
Akbar tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It looked like James was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Some wild striking there from Akbar.
James swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
James wants to land a leg kick but Akbar is out of range.
Akbar is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Akbar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James throws a nice looking combination but Akbar bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

James has Akbar up against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good body shot from James.
James lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

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

James has taken the fight to the clinch.
Akbar struggles to land a body shot inside as James controls his hands.
James will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Akbar up against the cage.

James breaks from the clinch.

James moves into the clinch.

James gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Akbar regains guard.
James seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
James knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Akbar on the ground.
James wants to stand but Akbar is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arlo James dominated that second round.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Akbar wants to clinch.
James blocks the body kick.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Akbar.

Akbar tries to keep at a distance but James has taken the fight into the clinch.
James lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.
James lands with a short shot to the head.
Akbar misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from James - that landed with a thud.
James is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Akbar throws a punch but it's blocked by James.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akbar misses with a short punch on the inside.
James's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
James throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Akbars head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akbar wants to clinch up but James keeps it at a distance.
James scores with a nice right hand.
Akbar tries to bum rush James with a series of wild strikes but James uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Akbar.
Akbar misses the jab.

James closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akbar.
James is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
James scores with a shoulder strike.

James breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akbar lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but James circles away quickly and effectively.

James has taken the fight to the clinch.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for James.

James breaks from the clinch.
Allah Akbar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akbar is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Allah Akbar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

James gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
James throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A right handed body shot lands from James.
James is leaning against Akbar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

James pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

James clinches up with Akbar and pushes him back against the cage.

James manages to break the clinch.
Akbar throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

James forces Akbar back against the cage and clinches.
Akbar swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.

James breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akbar swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and James counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Akbar misses with a hook.
James looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Akbar avoids the head kick by James.
Akbar tries to clinch but James moves out of range.
Akbar is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akbar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Akbar throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akbar tries to close the distance and clinch but James swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A punch combination from James misses.
Akbar throws a looping overhand right but James ducks down to avoid it.
James keeps the fight on the outside.

James clinches with his opponent.
James lands a nice shot to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Akbar.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
James lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Akbar.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
James just leaning against Akbar, taking a breather.
James is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Akbar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
James taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Akbar tries to land knees in the clinch but James avoids the damage to the body.

James manages to break the clinch.
James works the jab nicely.
Akbar misses with a hook. James ducked under it nicely.
James misses with the combination.
Akbar 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.
Akbar throws a left and a right that both miss
and James counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akbar throws a right hand that James ducks under and follows up with a left that James also avoids with ease.

James rushes Akbar and presses him up against the cage.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, James scores with a nice short uppercut.
Akbar throws a punch but it's blocked by James.
Arlo James has scored more points in the clinch so far.
James lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Akbar backwards.
Akbar throws a head punch that misses.
Akbar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akbar has a couple of punches blocked by James.
Arlo James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arlo James showed his dominance in that final round.
Well James 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arlo James!