PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akira Sushimawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Finnigan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Sushimawa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Jefferson Airplane - White Rabbit. Finnigan has chosen Finnigan's wake as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Sushimawa
vs
Finnigan

205 cm
25
264 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

200 cm
21
280 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Sushimawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tim Finnigan!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Finnigan tries a head kick but it misses.
Sushimawa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Finnigan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sushimawa somewhat.

Finnigan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sushimawa, pushing him back against the cage.
Sushimawa taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Sushimawa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Finnigan smiles and moves away.
Finnigan fails to land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sushimawa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Finnigan tries to avoid it but Sushimawa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Finnigan to the ground. Finnigan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Sushimawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sushimawa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sushimawa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finnigan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sushimawa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sushimawa.
Finnigan misses with an elbow over the top.
Sushimawa avoids the elbow strike from Finnigan, against the cage.
Finnigan stops a takedown attempt from Sushimawa.
Finnigan tries a knee to the head but Sushimawa blocks it.
Sushimawa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sushimawa looking for a takedown.
Finnigan unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Sushimawa jumps guard but Finnigan stands there with Sushimawa around his waist. Sushimawa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Finnigan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sushimawa.
Finnigan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sushimawa is breathing heavily.
Finnigan with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A frustrated look appears on Sushimawa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Finnigan connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sushimawa's face.
Finnigan utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Finnigan with a knee to the head.

It looks like Akira Sushimawa has been cut.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Finnigan creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Sushimawa's defenses.
Finnigan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sushimawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Finnigan tries a knee to the head but Sushimawa blocks it.
Finnigan lands a damaging elbow.
Finnigan throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finnigan tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Sushimawa scores with a shot to the side of Finnigan's head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Finnigan obliges.
Sushimawa wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Finnigan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Finnigan tries a knee to the head but Sushimawa blocks it.
A knee to the head by Finnigan.
Finnigan throws an elbow but it misses.
Finnigan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Finnigan is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Sushimawa has denied him.
Finnigan lands a knee to the body.
Finnigan taking a breather.
Still in the clinch, Sushimawa scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sushimawa lands with a right to the head.
Finnigan landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Finnigan with a knee to the head.
Finnigan misses with a knee to the head.

Sushimawa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sushimawa shoots in looking for a takedown. Finnigan tries to sprawl out of it but Sushimawa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Finnigan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Sushimawa drives through and clinches with Finnigan against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sushimawa wants a takedown.
Finnigan is pressed up against the cage. Sushimawa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Finnigan down to the mat. Finnigan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Finnigan wants to clinch

and Sushimawa counters by moving into the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Sushimawa.
Sushimawa tries to circle away but Finnigan has him pinned against the cage.
Sushimawa lands a nice uppercut.
Sushimawa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Finnigan is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sushimawa is keeping busy.
Finnigan unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sushimawa lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Sushimawa tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finnigan lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Finnigan tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Finnigan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Finnigan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sushimawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Finnigan tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sushimawa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sushimawa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Finnigan tries a knee to the head but Sushimawa blocks it.
Finnigan lands a knee to the head.

Sushimawa jumps guard and drags Finnigan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Finnigan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Finnigan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sushimawa is on top in guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sushimawa stands and throws Finnigan's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sushimawa has knee on belly momentarily but Finnigan bucks him off and regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Finnigan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Akira Sushimawa's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice jab there from Finnigan.
Sushimawa shoots in for a takedown but Finnigan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sushimawa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Finnigan tries to avoid it but Sushimawa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Finnigan to the ground. Finnigan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Finnigan stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Sushimawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Finnigan clinches but Sushimawa breaks the clinch

and Sushimawa counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Finnigan is working an open guard so Sushimawa takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sushimawa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Finnigan.

Sushimawa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Finnigan's half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sushimawa is trying to control the action in half guard but Finnigan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Finnigan pushes Sushimawa off looking to stand but Sushimawa dives back in and keeps control.
Sushimawa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Sushimawa 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.

Sushimawa is looking for a kimura but Finnigan is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sushimawa to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sushimawa is thwarting Finnigan's attempts to control the position.
Sushimawa is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Finnigan manages to get to full guard.
Sushimawa slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Finnigan keeping full guard, as Sushimawa tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finnigan wants to sweep but no luck.
Finnigan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sushimawa looking to sit in guard and control but Finnigan gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Finnigan throws a big right hand that misses.
Finnigan loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Finnigan throws and elbow that misses. Sushimawa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Finnigan's guard. Nice move by Sushimawa!
Sushimawa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Finnigan is keeping the position for now.

That's four 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.
Sushimawa is looking to work some ground and pound but Finnigan has wrist control.
Sushimawa forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Finnigan is defending against the submission attempts here by Sushimawa.

Finnigan is defending against the submission attempts here by Sushimawa.
Finnigan is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sushimawa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sushimawa's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Sushimawa dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Akira Sushimawa's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Finnigan clinches but Sushimawa breaks the clinch

and Sushimawa counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Finnigan's guard now.
Finnigan has Sushimawa pulled in close to control his posture.

Sushimawa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Finnigan is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sushimawa, into his guard.
Finnigan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sushimawa looking for a sweep. Not yet Sushimawa, not yet.

Finnigan stands up from Sushimawa's guard - Finnigan perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sushimawa tries for a takedown but Finnigan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Horrible takedown by Sushimawa or perhaps it was just good defense by Finnigan which made him look bad.
Finnigan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sushimawa circles away from the clinch attempt

and Sushimawa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sushimawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sushimawa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Finnigan is keeping the position for now.
Finnigan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sushimawa is one step ahead there.
Sushimawa pushing down on Finnigan's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Finnigan is looking to improve his position.

Sushimawa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Finnigan has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sushimawa is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Finnigan is trying to control but can't.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Finnigan lands a high kick!
Finnigan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sushimawa shoots for a takedown but Finnigan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Sushimawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finnigan throws a sloppy head kick and Sushimawa moves out of range easily.
Sushimawa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Finnigan as he avoids it easily.
Finnigan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Finnigan.
Finnigan slips a jab and a cross from Sushimawa.
Finnigan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Sushimawa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Sushimawa.
Finnigan with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sushimawa goes for a takedown attempt but Finnigan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sushimawa closes the distance and clinches up with Finnigan, looking for a takedown. Sushimawa pushes Finnigan against the cage but Finnigan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Akira Sushimawa.
I think Sushimawa 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Sushimawa!