PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kron Gracie (ranked 2613 p4p, 1404 weight class) and Jubei Akechi (ranked 326 p4p, 196 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gracie
vs
Akechi

174 cm
26
156
9 - 7 - 0

182 cm
23
159
7 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Voodoo Nutrition
Arcticus University: London

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kron Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jubei Akechi!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie misses with a takedown
and Akechi counters with a stiff right hand.
Gracie tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Akechi defends well and Gracie ends up having to push Akechi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Akechi lands an uppercut.
Akechi taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Akechi misses with a punch to the body.
Akechi swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Gracie pulls guard.
Akechi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Akechi being controlled here momentarily.
Akechi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akechi is continuing to stall.
Gracie looking to hit a scissor sweep but Akechi is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akechi postures up.
Akechi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Akechi working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Akechi wants to control from the top but Gracie keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Akechi throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie shoots in for a double leg but Akechi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kron Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Akechi. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Akechi sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Akechi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Akechi lands a jab to the head.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Akechi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kron Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie has his takedown stuffed

and Akechi counters by moving into the clinch.
Akechi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Akechi lands a nice uppercut.
A short left from Akechi.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Akechi smiles and moves away.
Akechi lands a really nice looking cross but Gracie seems unphased.
Gracie doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Akechi counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Akechi.
A short right from Akechi on the inside.
Akechi cracks Gracie with a nice body shot.
Akechi digs a right hand underneath Gracie's ribcage. Gracie let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Akechi won't allow it.
Gracie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Akechi to keep the fight standing.

Gracie gets control of Akechi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Gracie will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Akechi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Gracie wants to sweep here but Akechi controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Akechi is stalling in the full guard.
Gracie looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Akechi puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Akechi not doing much here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Gracie wants to get back to full guard.
Gracie is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Akechi jumps into side control!
Gracie tries to improve position but can't.
Akechi moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Gracie is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Akechi is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Gracie wants to control but Akechi is having none of it.
Akechi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jubei Akechi dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Good exchange - Akechi coming out on top.
Gracie moves out of range as Akechi strikes.
Akechi slaps away a takedown attempt from Gracie, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Akechi sprawls well. Akechi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet.
Gracie shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Akechi pinned against the cage. Akechi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kron Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akechi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Akechi.
Gracie takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice uppercut there from Akechi.

Akechi lands a big right hand that sends Gracie crashing to the mat! Akechi stays standing though and waves Gracie back to his feet!

Gracie is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akechi wobbles Gracie with a right hand and the left hook that follows puts him on his rear! Akechi dives in with a huge flying punch that connects right on the button and puts Gracie to sleep! - What a violent and spectacular finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Jubei Akechi!
Jubei Akechi really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Voodoo Nutrition logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.