PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Felix Blake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Akchurin (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.

Blake
vs
Akchurin

185 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
173 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Felix Blake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Albert Akchurin!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Leandro Rodrigues and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Akchurin dives in and scores a takedown into Blake's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Blake wants to stand up but Akchurin is controlling him.
Blake looking to control.
Blake is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Akchurin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Akchurin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Akchurin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Blake wants to get back to his feet but Akchurin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Akchurin passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Blake actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akchurin not doing much here.
Blake misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Akchurin is looking for a kimura but Blake is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Akchurin to get the leverage.
Blake wants to get back to his feet.
Akchurin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Blake trying to hold on to Akchurin's head to control him but Akchurin postures up.
Akchurin tries to pass to full mount but Blake defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akchurin working the head and body with strikes.
Akchurin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Akchurin controlling the pace.
Blake wants to get back to full guard.

Akchurin decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Akchurin forces Blake back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Akchurin pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akchurin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Blake postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Akchurin keeping moving, preventing Blake from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Akchurin can do anything to dispel that myth.
Akchurin wants to stand and escape but Blake is having none of it.
Akchurin looking for a sweep. Not yet Akchurin, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Akchurin is on top in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akchurin controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blake lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Blake postures up in Akchurin's guard and throws a big left but Akchurin blocks it.
Blake throws a big right hand that misses.
Akchurin has control of Blake's left arm, preventing Blake from doing any damage.
Blake trying to control but Akchurin is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akchurin wants to stand but Blake is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Albert Akchurin dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akchurin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Blake manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Blake wants to get back to his feet but Akchurin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Blake tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Blake lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Blake trying to control but Akchurin is working from the bottom.
Akchurin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blake distracts Akchurin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Akchurin pulls Blake in to control the position.

Blake got a little sloppy there for a moment and Akchurin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Blake has managed to get both his arms back between Akchurin's legs - danger averted.
Akchurin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Blake is one step ahead there.
Blake throws a big right hand that misses.
Blake throwing strikes from guard but Akchurin blocks nicely.
Akchurin seems keen to control Blake's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blake postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Blake is looking to stand up but Akchurin won't let him.
Akchurin is trying to keep Blake in close.

Akchurin has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Blake should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Akchurin has tightened it up now! Blake should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Albert Akchurin!