PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Miroshima Akiyomo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Praying Mantis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mantis has chosen Don Dixon - Praying Mantis as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be a great matchup!

Akiyomo
vs
Mantis

225 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
144 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Miroshima Akiyomo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Praying Mantis!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyomo shoots in looking for a takedown. Mantis tries to sprawl out of it but Akiyomo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mantis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Akiyomo has his takedown stuffed
and Mantis counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Akiyomo tries to move into range but Mantis moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Akiyomo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mantis is fending him off so far but Akiyomo persists. Nope, Mantis circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miroshima Akiyomo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akiyomo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mantis's waist but Mantis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Akiyomo off to one side.
Mantis scores with a head kick. Akiyomo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Akiyomo shoots in for a double leg but Mantis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Akiyomo with a poor takedown
and Mantis counters with a thumping low kick.
Akiyomo is breathing heavily.
Akiyomo shoots in for a takedown but Mantis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Akiyomo shoots in for a takedown but Mantis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Mantis has closed the distance and engaged Akiyomo in a clinch.
Mantis lands a hook to the side of the head.

Mantis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mantis closes the distance and clinches.

Mantis breaks from the clinch.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Mantis - that will leave a mark!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mantis moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Mantis.
Akiyomo ducks right into an uppercut from Mantis.

Mantis has Akiyomo up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyomo jumps guard but Mantis stands there with Akiyomo around his waist. Akiyomo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Mantis.
Mantis scores with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Mantis.
Nice body punch from Mantis - that landed with a thud.
Akiyomo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Mantis utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Mantis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mantis scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mantis buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Mantis chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Akiyomo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantis moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Mantis lands a head kick!
Mantis chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Mantis moves into the clinch.
A knee to the head by Mantis.
Akiyomo is trying to pull guard but Mantis turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Mantis connects with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akiyomo is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mantis to keep the fight standing.
Mantis landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mantis avoiding damage.
Mantis connects with a knee to the head.
Mantis misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyomo prevents Mantis from breaking the clinch.

Mantis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mantis moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mantis.
A head kick from Mantis lands but Akiyomo takes it in his stride.
Mantis feints and then cracks Akiyomo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akiyomo down.
Akiyomo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Mantis counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Akiyomo is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Mantis connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Akiyomo's hands.
Akiyomo shoots in looking for a takedown. Mantis tries to sprawl out of it but Akiyomo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mantis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Miroshima Akiyomo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mantis darts in and clinches Akiyomo up against the cage.
Mantis scores with a knee to the head.

Mantis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyomo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mantis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mantis scores with a knee to the head.
Mantis scores with a shot to the side of Akiyomo's head.
Mantis tries to break free but Akiyomo pushes him back against the cage.

Mantis breaks the clinch.
No luck for Akiyomo with that takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mantis keeps Akiyomo at a distance using the push kick.
Akiyomo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mantis lands a nice leg kick that just misses Akiyomo's sensitive parts.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mantis.
Mantis scoring well with a low kick there.
Mantis delivers a nice body kick.

Mantis moves into the clinch successfully.
Mantis connects with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Praying Mantis dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Akiyomo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mantis counters with a nice leg kick.
Miroshima Akiyomo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akiyomo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Mantis. Mantis obviously looking to wear him down.
Praying Mantis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akiyomo shoots in for a takedown but Mantis shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Mantis has Akiyomo up against the cage in a clinch.
Mantis wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Mantis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mantis thumps Akiyomo with a low kick.
Mantis displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Akiyomo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miroshima Akiyomo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mantis moves into the clinch.
Mantis landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A knee to the head by Mantis.

Mantis's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Akiyomo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mantis sprawls well. Mantis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Akiyomo gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantis scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mantis connects with a leg kick. Akiyomo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mantis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Akiyomo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mantis landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mantis lands a knee to the head.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Akiyomo. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Mantis with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Mantis scores with a knee to the head.

Mantis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyomo on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Akiyomo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mantis with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantis scores with a decent looking hook.
Mantis feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Akiyomo's calf.
Mantis with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Akiyomo with a poor takedown
and Mantis counters with a nice low kick that buckles Akiyomo's knee momentarily.
Mantis lands a nice looking kick to the body. Akiyomo takes a step back to recover.

Mantis clinches.
Mantis with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mantis connects with a nasty looking knee right to Akiyomo's face.
Akiyomo tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mantis just stands there and leans against the cage.
Mantis creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akiyomo's defenses.
A knee to the head by Mantis.

Mantis manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyomo shoots in for a takedown but Mantis shows good takedown defense.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mantis. That's going to slow Akiyomo down.
Akiyomo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mantis counters with a head kick. That will keep Akiyomo thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Mantis takes the fight into the clinch.
Akiyomo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mantis connects with a knee to the head.
Mantis looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyomo is blocking nicely.
Akiyomo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mantis smiles and moves away.
Mantis has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mantis throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Akiyomo shoots in for a takedown but Mantis shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters circling a little - Mantis finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantis feints and then cracks Akiyomo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akiyomo down.
Mantis turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mantis scores with a kick to the body.

Mantis closes the distance and pushes Akiyomo back into the cage.
Akiyomo will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Mantis looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyomo is blocking nicely.
Praying Mantis seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Akiyomo is trying to pull guard but Mantis has him pressed against the cage.
Mantis connects with a knee to the head.
Mantis tries to land a knee to the head but Akiyomo blocks with his arms.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mantis connects with a knee to the head.

Akiyomo pulls guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Mantis with a flurry of punches that miss.

Akiyomo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mantis is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Praying Mantis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Mantis connects with an inside leg kick.
Akiyomo misses with a takedown attempt
and Mantis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Akiyomo shoots in for a double leg but Mantis sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No luck for Akiyomo with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miroshima Akiyomo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mantis scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Mantis feints and then cracks Akiyomo's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akiyomo down.
Mantis throws a quick inside leg kick.

Mantis gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mantis lands a knee to the head.
Mantis lands a knee to the head.
Akiyomo is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Mantis lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Mantis throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyomo blocks it with crossed arms.
Nice elbow from Mantis.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mantis landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akiyomo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Mantis uses from the top position.
Mantis would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Mantis is posturing up here but Akiyomo has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Mantis tries to roll out but it's too tight and Mantis has to tap! Slick submission there by Akiyomo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Miroshima Akiyomo!