PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Aksenov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Cunningham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aksenov comes into the arena with "Only Tools And Corpses" by Gorerotted blaring out of the sound system. Sergey Aksenov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Sean Cunningham's chin.

Aksenov
vs
Cunningham

180 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sergey Aksenov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sean Cunningham!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cunningham shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Aksenov defends it nicely.
Cunningham avoids a punch combination nicely.

Cunningham drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Cunningham in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cunningham throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Aksenov regains half guard.
Aksenov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Cunningham trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cunningham really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aksenov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cunningham working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Aksenov trying to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cunningham accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aksenov trying to control the position.
Cunningham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aksenov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cunningham throwing strikes from guard but Aksenov blocks nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Aksenov tries for a takedown but Cunningham circles away easily
and Cunningham cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Aksenov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cunningham misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cunningham closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aksenov circles away.

Cunningham shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Aksenov is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aksenov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cunningham.
Cunningham content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Aksenov looking to control.
Aksenov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cunningham throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Aksenov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cunningham defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aksenov is breathing heavily.
Cunningham thows a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aksenov has momentary wrist control but Cunningham slips an elbow through the middle.
Aksenov trying to keep a closed guard but Cunningham is proving a slippery customer.
Cunningham scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Cunningham trying to move into half guard but instead Aksenov has managed to sweep!
Aksenov looking to sit in guard and control but Cunningham gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Aksenov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cunningham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Aksenov's head.
Aksenov pulls Cunningham in close to his closed guard and prevents Cunningham from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cunningham loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cunningham accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cunningham thows a big elbow that misses.

Cunningham avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Aksenov is trying to control the position but Cunningham postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Cunningham dominated that round.
That's time! Aksenov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cunningham stuffs the takedown attempt from Aksenov. Aksenov gets slowly back to his feet.
Sean Cunningham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cunningham misses with a takedown

and Aksenov counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Cunningham wriggles free and stands up.
Cunningham looks for a takedown but Aksenov sprawls well.
Aksenov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Cunningham counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Aksenov controlling the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cunningham throws a strike but Aksenov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Cunningham is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Aksenov is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham is wriggling around but Aksenov manages to pass to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Aksenov is trying to control. Cunningham wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aksenov not doing much here.
Aksenov wants to take a breather but Cunningham is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aksenov slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sergey Aksenov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Aksenov misses with a kick to the body.
Aksenov swinging wildly here.
Cunningham has his takedown stuffed

and Aksenov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cunningham won't be happy with that.
Cunningham is being controlled here.
Aksenov tries to move to mount but Cunningham blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham tries to escape but Aksenov is in control.
Aksenov trying to control the action but Cunningham is working from the bottom.
Aksenov remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Aksenov is trying to get an arm triangle but Cunningham is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aksenov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cunningham keeps working.

That's four 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.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Sergey Aksenov just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Cunningham slips a jab and a cross from Aksenov.
Aksenov misses with a body shot.
Cunningham smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cunningham misses with a takedown attempt
and Aksenov counters with a good, hard body kick but Cunningham shrugs it off.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cunningham gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Aksenov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Cunningham!
Sergey Aksenov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sean Cunningham.
Cunningham takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aksenov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Aksenov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Aksenov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Sergey Aksenov!