PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eugeniy Akulenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akulenko comes to the ring accompanied by Cowboys From Hell. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Akulenko
vs
Richards

170 cm
32
169 lbs
27 - 18 - 0

170 cm
28
146 lbs
23 - 14 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Russian Bears Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eugeniy Akulenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sean Richards!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richards checks a leg kick.
Akulenko is looking to land body kicks.
Akulenko lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Richards backs up against the ropes.

It looks like Sean Richards has been cut.
Akulenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Eugeniy Akulenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akulenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richards was well out of range. Poor timing from Akulenko.
Akulenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Richards counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Richards tries to land a leg kick but Akulenko saw it coming and moves away.
Akulenko swings widly with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Akulenko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Richards counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akulenko misses with a hook
letting Richards counter with a right hand.
Akulenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Akulenko tries to work over Richards's front leg with a kick but Richards checks it.
It seemed like Richards was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Akulenko scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akulenko swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Richards counters with a straight right hand.
Richards throws a jab but it's blocked by Akulenko.
Akulenko definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Akulenko throws a body punch but Richards moves out of range.

Richards darts in and clinches Akulenko up against the ropes.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the head but Richards blocks with his arms.
Akulenko avoiding damage as Richards throws knees to the body.
Akulenko swings wildly with an uppercut but Richards uses good head movement to avoid it.
Richards is looking to control Akulenko's arms but Akulenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Richards has his back to the ropes.
Knees to the body from Akulenko.
Richards misses with a knee strike.
Akulenko tries a body shot but Richards blocks it.
Richards misses with a hook to the ribs.
A knee to the head by Akulenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Akulenko up against the ropes.
Richards throws a punch but it's blocked by Akulenko.
Akulenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Richards blocks it with crossed arms.
Akulenko unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Richards is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akulenko is defending well for now.
Akulenko lands an elbow inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akulenko throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Richards blocks it with crossed arms.
Richards has a couple of punches blocked by Akulenko.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Richards avoids it.
Akulenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Richards blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akulenko lands with a left to the head.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the head but Richards blocks with his arms.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Akulenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Akulenko blocks an elbow strike from Richards.
Akulenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Akulenko pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Richards avoids a wild elbow strike from Akulenko.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Richards.
Richards misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akulenko scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Richards.
Akulenko dodges an elbow strike from Richards.
Akulenko lands a nice elbow.
Richards pushes Akulenko back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Richards missing with knees to the body.
Akulenko lands a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards tries a body shot but Akulenko blocks it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Richards.
Richards has Akulenko pressed against the ropes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knees to the body from Akulenko.
Richards dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Akulenko lands a nice elbow.
Richards lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Akulenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akulenko.
Akulenko throws a hook but Richards avoids it easily.
Akulenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akulenko sets himself, and Richards steps forward looking for the clinch! Akulenko avoids it this time.
Akulenko is looking to wear down Richards with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Akulenko thuds his right hand into Richards's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugeniy Akulenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sean Richards's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akulenko misses with a hook. Richards ducked under it nicely.
Akulenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Richards checks a low kick from Akulenko.
Akulenko keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Richards defending well as Akulenko loads up on a big left hand.
Akulenko feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Richardss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Richards fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Richards misses the shot to the body.
Akulenko feinted there with a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Akulenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Akulenko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Akulenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akulenko cracks Richards with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Akulenko throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Richards to counter with a crisp jab.
Akulenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
It seemed like Richards was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Akulenko throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Richards throws out a counter right but Akulenko avoids it with no problem.
Richards slips a straight right by Akulenko.
Nice body kick there by Richards.
Akulenko misses with a head kick.
Akulenko misses with a body shot.
Good leg kick by Akulenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Richards tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akulenko misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards wants to slow Akulenko down by chopping away at his legs.
Akulenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Richards counters with a nice uppercut.
Akulenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Richards throws a counter combo.
Nice straight punches there by Akulenko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Akulenko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akulenko misses with a wild combination.
Richards looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Akulenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Richards counters with a good low kick that Akulenko was not able to check.
Akulenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Richards swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Richards moves out of range of the strikes.
Akulenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Richards counters with a stiff right hand.
Akulenko looks to throw a body kick
and Richards counters with a slapping leg kick.
Eugeniy Akulenko is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards misses with a kick to the body.
Akulenko half committed to a counter leg kick.
Akulenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richards was well out of range. Poor timing from Akulenko.
Akulenko misses the body punch
and Richards counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sloppy strikes from Akulenko. Those never looked like landing.
Akulenko fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Richards checks it well.
Akulenko lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Richards takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Akulenko motions for Richards to come forward. Akulenko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Akulenko throws a hook but Richards blocks it.
Akulenko attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Akulenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Richards can do to turn this around?
A head kick misses from Richards.
Richards moves out of range of the body kick.
Richards tries to counter with a clinch but Akulenko shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko throws out a loose jab but Richards uses good head movement to avoid it.
Richards let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Akulenko throws a push kick but Richards slaps the foot to one side.
Akulenko throws the left hand but Richards avoids the punch easily.
Akulenko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A good leg kick by Akulenko.
A good leg kick by Akulenko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Richards misses with an uppercut. Akulenko saw that one coming.
Akulenko throws a big counter combination but Richards scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Richards avoids a kick to the body.
A countering left hand to the body from Richards misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akulenko.
Akulenko swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Richards counters with a nice leg kick.
Akulenko's jab looks to have found its range, popping Richards under the eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eugeniy Akulenko dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sean Richards's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The fighters circling - Akulenko throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Richards steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Richards changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Akulenko misses with a low kick.
A countering left hand to the body from Richards misses.
Akulenko misses with a kick to the body
and Richards counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Akulenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Richards appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Akulenko misses the shot to the body.
Richards looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Richards throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Akulenko's head.
Akulenko misses with a kick to the body.
Richards doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards throws a leg kick but Akulenko sees it coming and moves out of range.
Akulenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Richards cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Akulenko looks to land a body kick but Richards moved away.
Akulenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Richards counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akulenko throws a body kick that misses
and Richards counters with a thumping low kick.
Richards has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Akulenko.
Akulenko throws a leg kick which misses Richards's front leg but catches the back leg as Richards tries to avoid it.
Richards slips a jab from Akulenko.
Akulenko throws a front kick aimed at Richards's knee but Richards avoids it well.
Richards let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Akulenko looks for the body kick but Richards saw that one coming.
Richards wants to counter with a clinch but Akulenko pushes him away.
Akulenko throws a lazy body kick
and Richards counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akulenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Richards was well out of range. Poor timing from Akulenko.
Richards swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Akulenko misses with a leg kick
and Richards makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Jab from Richards.
Akulenko throws a wild body kick that Richards sees coming a mile off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko misses with a right hand
and Richards counters with a stiff right hand.
Richards walks into a jab.
Akulenko uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akulenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Richards keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Akulenko blocks a low kick nicely.
Akulenko misses with a jab to the body
and Richards counters with an outside leg kick.
Akulenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Akulenko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Akulenko throws a solid leg kick but Richards takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Akulenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akulenko walks into a jab.
Akulenko throws a hook but Richards avoids it easily.
Richards tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Akulenko is able to avoid easily.
Richards lands a jab to the head.
Richards cracks the inside of Akulenko's front leg.
Akulenko lands with a good body shot.
Akulenko throws a series of punches but Richards avoids them all with ease.
A slow jab from Akulenko misses its intended target.
Richards is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Richards swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Richards is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Akulenko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Akulenko is predictable there
enabling Richards to counter with a crisp jab.
Richards swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akulenko scores with a jab to the body.
Richards is looking to clinch.
Akulenko misses with a kick to the body.
Akulenko throws a leg kick which misses Richards's front leg but catches the back leg as Richards tries to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richards throws a body kick that misses.
Akulenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Richards scores with a jab to the body.
Richards lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sean Richards has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A jab from Akulenko misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sean Richards.
Well Akulenko 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eugeniy Akulenko!
A less than humble Eugeniy Akulenko misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.