PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jussi Kantola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yoshihiro Akiyama has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Akiyama
vs
Kantola

185 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
27
190 lbs
6 - 15 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jussi Kantola!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kantola takes the fight into the clinch.
Akiyama looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Kantola gets control of Akiyama's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kantola will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Akiyama preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Akiyama stands and steps away. Kantola gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Akiyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kantola misses with a takedown attempt - Akiyama sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Akiyama leaves Kantola with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Akiyama sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kantola lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kantola lands a good knee to the midsection. Akiyama won't want to take too many of those.
Kantola wants a takedown.
Yoshihiro Akiyama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jussi Kantola.
Kantola connects with a nasty looking knee right to Akiyama's face.
Kantola is looking to take this one to the mat.

Kantola drags the fight down to the ground.
Kantola looking to hit a scissor sweep but Akiyama is one step ahead there.
Kantola is controlling Akiyama's posture.
Kantola throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama postures up.
Akiyama wants to stand and escape but instead Kantola has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Kantola content to stall in guard here.
Akiyama working a defensive guard here.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kantola slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is staying active underneath Kantola, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Akiyama trying to get back to full guard but Kantola takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Kantola lands a big shot there that rocks Akiyama but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Kantola jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Akiyama manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Kantola wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akiyama, who protects the arm well.

Kantola has an Americana. Akiyama didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Kantola is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Kantola hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Jussi Kantola!