PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kasim Akande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kriz Naiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Akande
vs
Naiz

189 cm
19
269 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
26
275 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kasim Akande!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kriz Naiz!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Naiz clinches up with Akande and pushes him back against the cage.
Akande tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Naiz tries for a takedown but Akande manages to get underhooks.
Akande prevents the takedown attempt.
Naiz effectively controlling the action here.
Akande is working for takedown but Naiz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Naiz drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Akande gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kasim Akande has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kriz Naiz.

Akande manages to break the clinch.

Akande feints and as Naiz raises his hands in defense, Akande changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akande wants to control from the top but Naiz keeps moving.
Akande trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Naiz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Naiz keeping moving, preventing Akande from controlling successfully.
Naiz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Akande wants to control from the top but Naiz keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kasim Akande just wasn't active enough.
Naiz takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Naiz looks gassed!
Akande misses with a low kick.

Naiz tries to sprawl but Akande drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akande thows a huge punch but Naiz dodges it nicely.
Akande moves nicely into side control.

Akande is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Naiz knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Akande trying to control the position but Naiz is working away.
Naiz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Akande. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Akande working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akande throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akande working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Akande has hold of Naiz's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Naiz tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Akande cranks the arm and Naiz screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Naiz, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Kasim Akande!