PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshiro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Lua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Akiyama might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Time To Say Goodbye. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Akiyama
vs
Lua

178 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
18
187 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshiro Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dave Lua!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lua moves out of range as Akiyama throws a body kick.
Akiyama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akiyama works Lua's body with a nice hook.

Akiyama clinches up with Lua and pushes him back against the cage.
Akiyama misses with a knee to the head.
Akiyama changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lua fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lua tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akiyama swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lua fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lua shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lua takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Akiyama has managed to clinch.

Akiyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Akiyama bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lua regains half guard.
Akiyama not doing much here.
Akiyama trying to advance position but Lua counters by regaining guard.
Akiyama missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lua wants to sweep but no luck.
Akiyama showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akiyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Lua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lua is trying to control the position but Akiyama postures up.
Akiyama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Akiyama throwing strikes from guard but Lua blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Akiyama shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Akiyama lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lua hang on?
Lua flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Akiyama scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Lua?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Lua can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Akiyama landing shots from mount.
Akiyama tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Akiyama lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lua hang on?
Akiyama looking to control but Lua is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Akiyama controlling the pace for now.
Akiyama fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Lua is squirming around, avoiding Akiyama's attempts to control the action.

Akiyama working for a submission but Lua is keeping him at bay.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Lua?
Lua throwing hammer fists to the chest of Akiyama. What's that going to do exactly?
Akiyama scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Lua?
Akiyama content just to control the position here.
Lua tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lua is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Lua throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

Akiyama looking to secure an arm triangle but Lua defends it well.
Akiyama looking to finish Lua with some ground and pound. This is bad for Lua!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lua is squirming around, avoiding Akiyama's attempts to control the action.
Lua taking shots to the head.
Akiyama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Lua is looking to escape.

Akiyama goes for an armbar but Lua turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Lua.
Lua trying to control but Akiyama is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lua looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Akiyama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lua has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Akiyama finds it's way round the side to connect with Lua's head.

Akiyama clinches with his opponent.
Lua stops a takedown attempt from Akiyama.

Akiyama has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Lua clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
You can see the frustration on Lua's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Lua looking very determined here, making life difficult for Akiyama.
Akiyama controlling from the back.
Lua takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Lua manages to reverse the position and now he's in Akiyama's guard. Nice work there by Lua.
Akiyama throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Akiyama throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Akiyama is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Akiyama is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lua wants to control but Akiyama passes easily into half guard.
Akiyama wants to control but Lua is keeping him busy.
Lua makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lua.
Akiyama trying to control but Lua is working from the bottom.
Akiyama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lua is keeping the position for now.
Akiyama passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lua avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Akiyama.
Akiyama thows a huge punch but Lua dodges it nicely.
Akiyama is looking to take a break and control but Lua is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lua is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Akiyama throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lua's waist but Lua gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Akiyama off to one side.
Lua fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Akiyama feints and as Lua raises his hands in defense, Akiyama changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Akiyama wants to control from the top but Lua keeps moving.
Lua preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Akiyama wants to control from the top but Lua keeps moving.
Akiyama controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Akiyama gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Akiyama lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Akiyama shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Akiyama is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Yoshiro Akiyama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama with the ground and pound but Lua uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Akiyama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Akiyama is working Lua over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Lua striking off his back but it's not causing Akiyama any problems.
Lua has momentary wrist control but Akiyama slips an elbow through the middle.
Akiyama trying to control but Lua is working from the bottom.
Akiyama 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.
Akiyama in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lua is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Akiyama throwing strikes from guard but Lua blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshiro Akiyama 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!

An inside leg kick from Lua misses.

Akiyama drives through and clinches with Lua against the cage.
Lua looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Akiyama fails to pull guard.
Lua gets underhooks to prevent Akiyama's takedown attempt.
Akiyama tries to pull guard but Lua won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshiro Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akiyama is leaning against Lua and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Akiyama tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Akiyama can't get the takedown.
Akiyama blocks an elbow strike.
Akiyama tries to pull guard but Lua holds him up against the cage and eventually Akiyama drops back down to his feet.
Lua tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Lua wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lua misses with a body punch.
Lua fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A right handed body shot lands from Akiyama.
Lua wants to stall.
Akiyama goes for a takedown attempt but Lua pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lua tries to clinch

and Akiyama counters with a single leg into guard. Lua didn't expect that.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lua throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Lua looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Akiyama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Akiyama looking to sit in guard and control but Lua gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lua trying to control the position from guard on top but Akiyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akiyama pulls Lua in close to prevent any damage.
Akiyama is striking from the bottom but Lua uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Akiyama tries to roll over but Lua keeps him under control.

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 is trying to stand.

Akiyama kicks off Lua and gets to his feet.
Yoshiro Akiyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lua changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akiyama tries to avoid it but Lua manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akiyama to the ground. Akiyama escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Akiyama clinches.

Akiyama has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Lua regains guard immediately.
Akiyama throwing strikes from guard but Lua blocks nicely.
Akiyama landing with the ground and pound.
Akiyama wants to control from the top but Lua keeps moving.
Akiyama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Lua has momentary wrist control but Akiyama slips an elbow through the middle.
Lua can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Akiyama controls the pace.
Lua keeping full guard, as Akiyama tries to pass.
Akiyama trying to control but Lua is working from the bottom.
Akiyama with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Akiyama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lua is keeping the position for now.
Lua looking for a sweep. Not yet Lua, not yet.
Akiyama wants to control from the top but Lua keeps moving.
Lua bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Akiyama's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lua postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lua wants to stand but Akiyama has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Akiyama wants to sweep here but Lua controlling him for the moment.
Akiyama is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Lua stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Lua closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Akiyama is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshiro Akiyama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Akiyama has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshiro Akiyama!