PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joe Wiggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Akahi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akahi has chosen tap out as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Wiggins
vs
Akahi

180 cm
22
131 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Joe Wiggins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Anthony Akahi!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akahi misses with a body shot.
Akahi tries for a takedown but Wiggins sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Akahi is defended easily by Wiggins.
Wiggins slips under a jab.
Wiggins misses with a body kick.
Wiggins with a poor takedown
and Akahi counters with a series of strikes. Wiggins will be more careful next time no doubt.
Akahi tries for a takedown but Wiggins circles away easily

and Wiggins counters with a takedown into side control.
Joe Wiggins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Akahi.
Wiggins trying to control the action but Akahi is working from the bottom.
Akahi avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Wiggins.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wiggins is trying to get an arm triangle but Akahi is defending well.
Wiggins really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wiggins throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Wiggins stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Akahi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wiggins as he jumps to the side.

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.
Wiggins wants to clinch but Akahi slips to the side

and Akahi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wiggins tries to roll over but Akahi keeps him under control.
Akahi stalling.
Wiggins has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wiggins regains full guard. Nicely done.
Akahi trying to control but Wiggins is working from the bottom.
Wiggins managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wiggins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Akahi manages to get himself to full guard.
Wiggins loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Wiggins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wiggins is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Wiggins trying to control but Akahi is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wiggins wanted to stand there but Akahi had control of the position.
Wiggins is breathing heavily.
Akahi has control of Wiggins's left arm, preventing Wiggins from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Joe Wiggins will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akahi fails with the takedown

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Wiggins counters with a shoot takedown. Akahi fights it but they end up in guard.
Wiggins wants to get up but he can't break Akahi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Wiggins stays in close to Akahi's body and controls the position.
Wiggins is looking to advance position but Akahi has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Wiggins tries to lock up and control but Akahi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Wiggins gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Akahi is going to stand back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Akahi is stalling here. Wiggins is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Akahi seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Wiggins has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Akahi is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Wiggins goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Akahi has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Wiggins but great work by Akahi.
Wiggins is not content to let Akahi control the position.

That's two 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.
Akahi wants to take a breather but Wiggins manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Akahi.
Wiggins wants to stand and escape but Akahi is having none of it.
Akahi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wiggins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Akahi trying to control the position from guard on top but Wiggins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akahi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wiggins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Akahi postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Wiggins avoids a punch combination nicely.
Akahi misses the shot to the body.
Joe Wiggins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akahi fails with the takedown.
Joe Wiggins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wiggins is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nice sprawl there from Akahi as Wiggins shoots in.

Akahi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Wiggins to the mat! Wiggins manages to get full guard.
Akahi trying to control but Wiggins is working from the bottom.
Wiggins working a defensive guard here.
Wiggins wants to control the position but Akahi says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Akahi uses his free foot to push down on Wiggins's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Wiggins.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Wiggins dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Akahi misses with a takedown attempt

and Wiggins counters by moving into the clinch.
Wiggins wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Akahi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Wiggins fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Wiggins pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akahi shoots in for a takedown but Wiggins shows good takedown defense.
Joe Wiggins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Akahi.
Wiggins has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Akahi shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Akahi showed some decent athleticism there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wiggins slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wiggins trying to control the position here.
Akahi wants to control from the top but Wiggins keeps moving.
Akahi won't allow Wiggins to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Akahi trying to control but Wiggins is working from the bottom.
Akahi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Wiggins working a defensive guard here.
Wiggins keeping moving, preventing Akahi from controlling successfully.
Akahi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akahi is fighting to break Wiggins's control of his arms but Wiggins is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Wiggins looking to control but Akahi passes into half guard.
Wiggins trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Akahi manages to pass to mount!
Akahi controlling from mount.
Wiggins tries to lock up and control but Akahi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Akahi controlling from the full mount.
Akahi lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Anthony Akahi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wiggins is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wiggins is looking to improve his position but Akahi isn't that keen on the idea.

Akahi stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anthony Akahi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wiggins 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Joe Wiggins!