PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhen Long (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Akiyama
vs
Long

190 cm
21
195 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

181 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihro Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zhen Long!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Long misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Long rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Akiyama moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Long looks to land a body kick but Akiyama moved away.
A combination from Long does no damage.
Long throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Long will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akiyama avoids the body shot from Long.

Akiyama drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Long avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akiyama passes Long's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Akiyama prevents Long from improving his position.
Akiyama seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Long does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Akiyama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Akiyama is just content to waste time from the top position. Long takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Akiyama tries to free his leg and advance position but Long is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akiyama works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Akiyama looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Akiyama is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Long reverses the position - he's now on top in Akiyama's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Akiyama working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Long has passed into half guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Akiyama is looking for a sweep. Long is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihro Akiyama dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Left hook, right uppercut from Long.
Long looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Long throws a right and a left that Akiyama avoids nicely.
Long lands a jab to Akiyama's midsection.

Akiyama closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Akiyama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Long has escaped the position, nice work there.

Akiyama has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Long is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Akiyama yanks on the arm and Long is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Akiyama.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Yoshihro Akiyama!