PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshiro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryuuken Hoshikawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama's entrance music is Time To Say Goodbye. A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Akiyama
vs
Hoshikawa

178 cm
25
190 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
197 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

PWNAGE™ $19.50 Clothing - NY - Over 275 Designs

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshiro Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryuuken Hoshikawa!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama lands with a hook. Hoshikawa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Akiyama connects with a crisp jab.
Hoshikawa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hoshikawa scores with a hook to the body. Akiyama takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hoshikawa misses with a low kick.
Hoshikawa scores with a kick to the body.
Hoshikawa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hoshikawa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Akiyama's sensitive parts.
Hoshikawa takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hoshikawa doesn't manage to clinch there - Akiyama circles away.
Hoshikawa stalks Akiyama and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Akiyama's face. Akiyama staggers backwards, shaken.
Akiyama scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Hoshikawa closes the distance and clinches.
Akiyama wants to break free but Hoshikawa has control.
Hoshikawa has Akiyama pressed against the cage.
Akiyama is trying to force a seperation but Hoshikawa has the dominant position.
Akiyama is trying to break free.
Akiyama wants to get back to striking at distance but Hoshikawa won't allow it.
Hoshikawa keeps control of Akiyama as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hoshikawa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshikawa pushes Akiyama back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hoshikawa trying to control the position but instead, Akiyama has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hoshikawa into the cage.
Akiyama managing to block the knees to the body from Hoshikawa.
Akiyama wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hoshikawa has him pressed against the cage.
Hoshikawa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa tries to stall but Akiyama uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hoshikawa looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Hoshikawa is working Akiyama over against the cage.
Hoshikawa using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hoshikawa lands an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hoshikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama can't break the clinch.
Hoshikawa tries to land a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks with his arms.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Yoshiro Akiyama has been cut.
Hoshikawa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Hoshikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoshikawa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Hoshikawa leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hoshikawa looks gassed!

Akiyama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akiyama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa throws a wild body kick that Akiyama sees coming a mile off.
Akiyama throws a series of punches but Hoshikawa avoids them all with ease.
Hoshikawa misses the jab.
Akiyama loads up on a big right hand but Hoshikawa slips the punch.
Hoshikawa moves in looking to clinch but Akiyama pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hoshikawa defends it nicely.
Akiyama throws a leg kick but Hoshikawa checks it.
Akiyama looks to land a right hand but Hoshikawa moved out of range.
Hoshikawa moves out of range as Akiyama strikes.
Akiyama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hoshikawa moves away from the strike by Akiyama.
Akiyama misses the jab.
Hoshikawa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akiyama.
Hoshikawa lands a body shot.
Akiyama lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Hoshikawa tries to clinch up but Akiyama circles away and keeps his distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshikawa. Akiyama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akiyama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hoshikawa lands a body shot.
Akiyama shoots for a takedown but Hoshikawa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoshikawa tries to clinch up.
Akiyama throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hoshikawa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hoshikawa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Akiyama counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hoshikawa lands with a slapping head kick.
Hoshikawa wants to clinch up but Akiyama keeps it at a distance.
Hoshikawa lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Akiyama backs up against the cage.
Akiyama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akiyama throws a hook but Hoshikawa avoids it easily.
Akiyama takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hoshikawa throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hoshikawa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Akiyama misses.
Hoshikawa lands with a nice body kick.
Akiyama shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hoshikawa as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshiro Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoshikawa scores with a decent looking hook.
Hoshikawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akiyama swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ryuuken Hoshikawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoshikawa tries to close the distance and clinch but Akiyama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hoshikawa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hoshikawa throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryuuken Hoshikawa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yoshiro Akiyama's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hoshikawa wants to clinch up but Akiyama keeps it at a distance.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hoshikawa tries to clinch up

and Akiyama counters with a single leg into guard. Hoshikawa didn't expect that.
Hoshikawa being controlled here, momentarily.
Akiyama wants to pass the guard but Hoshikawa is keeping the position.
Akiyama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama stops Hoshikawa from standing up.
Akiyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hoshikawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Akiyama trying to control but Hoshikawa is working from the bottom.
Akiyama's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Akiyama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hoshikawa manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hoshikawa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Akiyama is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshikawa is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Hoshikawa might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Akiyama kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.

Akiyama bucks up and throws Hoshikawa to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Hoshikawa takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Akiyama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hoshikawa manages to avoid it.
Hoshikawa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akiyama.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akiyama.
Akiyama misses with a hook.
Hoshikawa is looking to clinch.
Hoshikawa clinches but Akiyama breaks the clinch
and Akiyama makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hoshikawa tries a head kick but it misses.
Akiyama misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshiro Akiyama dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Yoshiro Akiyama's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Akiyama misses with a hook. Hoshikawa ducked under it nicely.

Hoshikawa has closed the distance and engaged Akiyama in a clinch.
Hoshikawa lands a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Akiyama.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa lands a nice uppercut.
Hoshikawa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hoshikawa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akiyama.
Hoshikawa misses with some punches.
Hoshikawa is looking to control Akiyama's arms but Akiyama gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hoshikawa has his back to the cage.
Hoshikawa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoshikawa tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hoshikawa tries a body shot but Akiyama blocks it.
A frustrated look appears on Akiyama's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hoshikawa keeps control of Akiyama as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshikawa's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Akiyama managing to block the knees to the body from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa stalling in the clinch.
Hoshikawa lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hoshikawa trying to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akiyama is defending well for now.
Akiyama wants to get back to striking at distance but Hoshikawa won't allow it.
Hoshikawa misses with a body punch.
Hoshikawa is looking to control Akiyama's arms but Akiyama gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hoshikawa has his back to the cage.
Hoshikawa trying to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa tries to land knees in the clinch but Akiyama avoids the damage to the body.
Hoshikawa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hoshikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hoshikawa trying to land knees to the body.
Hoshikawa swings wildly with an uppercut but Akiyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akiyama managing to block the knees to the body from Hoshikawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Akiyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyama misses with a wild body shot.
Akiyama circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akiyama throws a good cross that connects.
Hoshikawa throws a head kick but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hoshikawa lands with a right hand.
Akiyama on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Hoshikawa attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Akiyama displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hoshikawa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Akiyama.
Ryuuken Hoshikawa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akiyama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hoshikawa was well out of range. Poor timing from Akiyama.
Akiyama throws a series of punches but Hoshikawa avoids them all with ease.
Akiyama circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hoshikawa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hoshikawa ducks under a wild hook from Akiyama.
Akiyama looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hoshikawa is fending him off so far but Akiyama persists. Nope, Hoshikawa circles away and we're back to standing.
Hoshikawa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hoshikawa.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hoshikawa.
Akiyama misses with a body shot.
Ryuuken Hoshikawa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akiyama throws a lazy right hand but Hoshikawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Akiyama lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Akiyama goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Akiyama throws a nice outside leg kick.
Akiyama connects with a crisp jab.
Akiyama looks to land a combination but Hoshikawa avoids it well.
Akiyama takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Akiyama lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hoshikawa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hoshikawa.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Yoshiro Akiyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hoshikawa sizes up Akiyama with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
No luck for Akiyama with that takedown attempt.
Hoshikawa lands with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a body shot.
Hoshikawa lands a head kick. Akiyama smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akiyama throws the left hand but Hoshikawa avoids the punch easily.
Hoshikawa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Akiyama rather than just go for the knockout.
Hoshikawa tries to clinch but Akiyama is having none of it.
Akiyama lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Akiyama takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hoshikawa buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hoshikawa lands a jab to the head.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hoshikawa.
Hoshikawa lands with a kick to the temple. Akiyama shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hoshikawa scores with a spinning back kick!
Hoshikawa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Akiyama doesn't seem bothered though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Hoshikawa darts in and clinches Akiyama up against the cage.
Hoshikawa connects with a knee to the head.
Hoshikawa leaning against his opponent.
Hoshikawa continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryuuken Hoshikawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hoshikawa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryuuken Hoshikawa!