PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julius Schoonover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Schoonover is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Daylight - Matt and Kim. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Akiyama
vs
Schoonover

190 cm
22
195 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

185 cm
19
195 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

-Bloody Sunday MMA-

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihro Akiyama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Julius Schoonover!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Akiyama shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Akiyama showed some decent athleticism there.

Akiyama seems to be looking for submissions.

Schoonover actively working from the bottom here.

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

Akiyama is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Schoonover wants to control but Akiyama is keeping busy.

Akiyama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Schoonover looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Schoonover is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Schoonover bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Schoonover in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Akiyama is trying to control Schoonover's posture but Schoonover avoids it.
Akiyama prevents Schoonover from improving position.
Akiyama is looking for a sweep.
Schoonover is looking to take a break and control but Akiyama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Akiyama is looking for a sweep.
Akiyama is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama stops Schoonover from passing to mount.
Schoonover working away.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Akiyama tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Schoonover paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Akiyama tries for a takedown but Schoonover circles away easily

and Schoonover counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Akiyama wants to hit a switch here but Schoonover passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Akiyama there!
Akiyama is trying desperately to improve position.
Akiyama prevents Schoonover from taking his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schoonover sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Schoonover tries to control but Akiyama wriggling away.
Akiyama tries to hold on but Schoonover postures up.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Akiyama is bucking up trying to escape but Schoonover cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Akiyama can't escape the position.
Akiyama sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Akiyama is refusing to be controlled, as Schoonover sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schoonover content to control rather than advance.
Akiyama works his way to full guard. Good work.

Akiyama is looking for a triangle but Schoonover pushes his legs off easily.
Schoonover seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Schoonover drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Schoonover jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Schoonover trying to control the position from guard on top but Akiyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Schoonover dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Akiyama has his takedown stuffed

and Schoonover counters with a single leg into guard. Akiyama didn't expect that.
Schoonover trying to control the position from guard on top but Akiyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schoonover is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Schoonover trying to control the position from guard on top but Akiyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schoonover won't allow Akiyama to sweep him here.
Schoonover passes Akiyama's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Schoonover seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Akiyama does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Schoonover works his foot free and advances to mount.
Akiyama is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schoonover is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Akiyama is surviving well by controlling Schoonover's body position as best he can.
Akiyama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Akiyama sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Schoonover is looking to take a break and control but Akiyama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Akiyama looking for submissions off his back.
Julius Schoonover has got the better of the ground game so far.
Schoonover passes to full mount!
Akiyama is squirming around, avoiding Schoonover's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Akiyama tries to lock up and control but Schoonover gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Akiyama is working to get back to half guard.
Akiyama sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Akiyama won't allow Schoonover to pass to mount.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Schoonover wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akiyama keeps working.

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

Schoonover seems to be working for a kimura but Akiyama defends the submission attempt.
Schoonover is breathing heavily.
Akiyama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schoonover is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Schoonover seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Akiyama shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Akiyama showed some decent athleticism there.
Akiyama is trying to control. Schoonover wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Akiyama is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Akiyama passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Schoonover!
Akiyama connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Schoonover is working to get back to half guard.
Schoonover is squirming around, avoiding Akiyama's attempts to control the action.
Akiyama cracks Schoonover with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Akiyama wants to finish this one by submission but Schoonover is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Akiyama.
Akiyama wants to control the pace but Schoonover is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Julius Schoonover will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Schoonover with a lazy takedown attempt

so Akiyama counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Schoonover tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Akiyama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Schoonover works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Schoonover looking to hit a scissor sweep but Akiyama is one step ahead there.
Akiyama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schoonover is keeping the position for now.
Schoonover working a defensive guard here.
Schoonover manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
A nice elbow there by Schoonover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schoonover looking to control but Akiyama is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Akiyama tries to control the position but Schoonover now has his back.

Schoonover looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Akiyama is controlling Schoonover 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Schoonover wants to sweep here but Akiyama controlling him for the moment.
Schoonover takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Schoonover not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Akiyama sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Schoonover's guard.
Akiyama is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Akiyama goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Schoonover turns into him and now he's in Akiyama's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Akiyama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Schoonover slips nicely into half guard.

Schoonover is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Akiyama is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Schoonover's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Schoonover's back!

Akiyama looking for the choke but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schoonover trying to control the hands but Akiyama won't let him.

Akiyama is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Schoonover defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Akiyama is trying to stick to Schoonover's back but Schoonover is turning into Akiyama. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Akiyama's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Schoonover.
Schoonover trying to control the position from guard on top but Akiyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schoonover pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akiyama is keeping the position for now.
Akiyama trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Schoonover trying to control but Akiyama is working from the bottom.
Akiyama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Schoonover pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akiyama is keeping the position for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Akiyama shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Schoonover's guard.
Akiyama looking to pass the guard.
Akiyama stopping the sweep attempt from Schoonover.

Akiyama drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Schoonover dives on top into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihro Akiyama clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Schoonover. Akiyama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akiyama tries for a takedown but Schoonover circles away easily

and Schoonover counters with a nice double leg into side control. Akiyama won't be happy with that.
Akiyama is trying to improve his position.
Schoonover cracks Akiyama with a big elbow.

Schoonover wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akiyama, who protects the arm well.
Schoonover is looking to take a break and control but Akiyama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Schoonover taking a break here but Akiyama is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schoonover is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Schoonover is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Akiyama is looking for a sweep. Schoonover is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Akiyama is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Schoonover jumps into side control!
Akiyama tries to improve position but can't.
Akiyama manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Schoonover is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Akiyama defends it well.
Schoonover trying to control the action but Akiyama is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Akiyama wants to improve his position but Schoonover is controlling well.
Schoonover is looking to take a break and control but Akiyama is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Akiyama is pressing down on Schoonover's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Akiyama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Schoonover is aware though and is defending well.
Akiyama keeping moving, preventing Schoonover from controlling successfully.
Akiyama working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Schoonover.

Akiyama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Schoonover wants to control from the top but Akiyama keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Akiyama closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Schoonover manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Akiyama is thwarting Schoonover's attempts to control the position.
Schoonover makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Schoonover.

Schoonover looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Akiyama passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama wants to pass to mount but Schoonover is defending the position.
Schoonover wants to control but Akiyama is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Schoonover is looking for a sweep. Akiyama is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Schoonover is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Akiyama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Akiyama's back!
Akiyama turns into Schoonover and is now in his guard.
Schoonover has Akiyama pulled in close to control his posture.
Schoonover wants to sweep here but Akiyama controlling him for the moment.
Akiyama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Akiyama passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Schoonover dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Akiyama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Schoonover throws an overhand right that lands on Akiyama's shoulder, as Akiyama tries to avoid the shot.

Akiyama closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
A lull in the action here as Akiyama stalls from top position.

Akiyama tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Akiyama has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Schoonover struggling a bit here.
Schoonover is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Akiyama's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Schoonover trying to control from the bottom.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akiyama is looking for a kimura here.
Schoonover manages to get to full guard.

Schoonover throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Akiyama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Akiyama wants to control but Schoonover is keeping him busy.
Schoonover is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama trying to control the position but Schoonover is working away.

Akiyama tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Akiyama has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Schoonover sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Schoonover works his way to full guard. Good work.
Schoonover trying to strike off his back.
Akiyama controls from within his opponent's guard.

Schoonover throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama wants to control from the top but Schoonover keeps moving.
Schoonover is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Akiyama drops back, looking for a kneebar! Schoonover looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Schoonover looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Schoonover!
Schoonover wants to take a breather but Akiyama manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Schoonover.
Schoonover pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akiyama is keeping the position for now.
Yoshihro Akiyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four 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 manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Schoonover manages to get himself to full guard.
Schoonover keeping moving, preventing Akiyama from controlling successfully.

Schoonover looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Akiyama looking to sit in guard and control but Schoonover gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Schoonover wants to control from the top but Akiyama keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Akiyama is on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Julius Schoonover.
Well Schoonover has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 47:49
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 48:48
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Julius Schoonover! Julius Schoonover retains his middleweight title!