PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yo Eshimuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akio Isamu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Isamu has chosen Superstar - Saliva as his entrance music. Yo Eshimuro has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Eshimuro
vs
Isamu

185 cm
26
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

169 cm
23
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yo Eshimuro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Akio Isamu!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown but Isamu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Eshimuro misses with a two punch combination.
Isamu throws a push kick but Eshimuro slaps the foot to one side.
Eshimuro throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Eshimuro throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Isamu's waist but Isamu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Eshimuro off to one side.
The fight stays on the outside here - Isamu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Isamu shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Eshimuro tries to kick Isamu off but Isamu keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eshimuro trying to control here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Isamu defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Eshimuro.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yo Eshimuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eshimuro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Isamu circles away.
Eshimuro shoots for a double leg takedown but Isamu sprawls well. He's pushed Eshimuro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Isamu lands with a nice body kick.

Eshimuro gets tackled into the cage by Isamu. Isamu maintains the clinch.
Nice elbow from Isamu.
Isamu creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Eshimuro's defenses.
Eshimuro is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Isamu pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Isamu manages to break the clinch.
Isamu throws a head kick that misses.
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown but Isamu shows good takedown defense.
Eshimuro is breathing heavily.

Isamu moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Isamu lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Eshimuro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Isamu.

Isamu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Isamu has managed to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Isamu landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Eshimuro goes for a takedown in the clinch but Isamu prevents it.
Isamu lands a nice elbow.

Isamu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Eshimuro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Isamu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Isamu scores with a crisp jab that stopped Eshimuro in his tracks.
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown but Isamu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Eshimuro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Isamu circles away.

Isamu closes the distance and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Isamu takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Isamu breaks from the clinch.

Isamu closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Eshimuro is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Isamu is defending well.

Isamu lands a takedown into guard.
Isamu seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Akio Isamu was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Nice takedown defense from Isamu. No joy for Eshimuro on that attempt.

Isamu clinches up with Eshimuro and pushes him back against the cage.
Isamu gets underhooks to prevent Eshimuro's takedown attempt.
Isamu digs a right hand underneath Eshimuro's ribcage. Eshimuro let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Isamu stalling against the cage.
Eshimuro has had enough of the clinch but Isamu keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Isamu breaks from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Isamu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Eshimuro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Isamu swivels and escapes.
Eshimuro shoots for a double leg takedown but Isamu sprawls well. He's pushed Eshimuro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Isamu wants to clinch up but Eshimuro keeps it at a distance.

Isamu clinches up with Eshimuro and pushes him back against the cage.

Isamu breaks from the clinch.
Eshimuro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Isamu.
Isamu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Eshimuro keeps the fight on the outside.
Isamu lands with a kick to the ribs.
Isamu lands the left hand.

Eshimuro shoots in and bounces Isamu off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Isamu is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Isamu dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Isamu lands with a kick to the ribs.
Isamu stuffs the takedown.
Yo Eshimuro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Eshimuro misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Isamu feints and as Eshimuro raises his hands in defense, Isamu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Isamu looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Akio Isamu has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Isamu is looking to clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Eshimuro 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Isamu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Akio Isamu seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Isamu gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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!
Eshimuro trying to control the position from guard on top but Isamu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Eshimuro wants to pass the guard but Isamu is keeping the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isamu controls Eshimuro momentarily but Eshimuro frees himself.
Eshimuro throws a big right hand that misses.
Eshimuro will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Isamu managing to control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Eshimuro postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Eshimuro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Eshimuro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Eshimuro with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eshimuro is fighting to break Isamu's control of his arms but Isamu is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Akio Isamu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Eshimuro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Isamu swivels and escapes.
Isamu wants to clinch up but Eshimuro keeps it at a distance.
Isamu moves in looking to clinch but Eshimuro pushes him off.
A head kick from Isamu lands but Eshimuro takes it in his stride.

Isamu instigates a clinch.

Isamu breaks from the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Eshimuro.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yo Eshimuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Isamu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Eshimuro.
Isamu bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
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!
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Isamu as he avoids it easily.
Isamu wants to clinch up but Eshimuro keeps it at a distance.

Isamu shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isamu is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Akio Isamu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Isamu fails with the takedown.
Nice cross by Isamu.

Isamu has taken the fight to the clinch.
Eshimuro letting Isamu take a breather here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Eshimuro changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Isamu fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Isamu lands a high kick!
Eshimuro drops his hands momentarily and Isamu takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown but Isamu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Isamu looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Isamu is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Akio Isamu was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Isamu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Eshimuro defends it nicely.
Isamu tries to clinch there but Eshimuro circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Isamu as he avoids it easily.
Yo Eshimuro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Isamu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Eshimuro as he jumps to the side.
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Isamu but Isamu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A punch combination from Isamu misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akio Isamu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Isamu. No joy for Eshimuro on that attempt.
Isamu checks a leg kick nicely.
Isamu throws out a powerful jab.
Isamu lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Isamu.
Isamu tries to clinch there but Eshimuro circles away.
Eshimuro keeps the fight on the outside.
Eshimuro has his takedown stuffed
and Isamu counters with a body kick.
Isamu throws a nice inside leg kick.
Isamu scores with a sloppy right hand. Eshimuro should have avoided that one.
Eshimuro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Eshimuro misses with a two punch combination.
Isamu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Eshimuro shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Isamu pinned against the cage. Isamu gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yo Eshimuro. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Isamu throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Isamu throws a good cross that connects.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isamu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Eshimuro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Isamu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Isamu clinches.

Isamu jumps guard and drags Eshimuro to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Eshimuro wants to pass the guard but Isamu is keeping the position.
Isamu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Isamu wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Isamu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Isamu has control of Eshimuro's left arm, preventing Eshimuro from doing any damage.
Eshimuro stops Isamu from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Akio Isamu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Eshimuro fails with a takedown attempt.

Isamu gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Eshimuro goes for a takedown attempt but Isamu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Isamu connects with a body shot.
Isamu scores with a punch to the head.
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!

Eshimuro gets tackled into the cage by Isamu. Isamu maintains the clinch.
Isamu crunches a lovely knee into Eshimuro's ribcage.
Isamu gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Eshimuro.
Eshimuro drops down looking for an ankle pick but Isamu pulls his leg out and moves away.

Isamu clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Isamu has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Eshimuro uses from the top position.
Isamu wants to stand up but Eshimuro is controlling him.

Isamu wriggles free and stands up.
Isamu is looking to clinch.
Isamu tries to close the distance and clinch but Eshimuro swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Eshimuro throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Eshimuro gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Isamu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Eshimuro won't be happy with that.
Isamu controlling the position from side mount.
Isamu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Akio Isamu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Akio Isamu was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Isamu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Eshimuro paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Eshimuro closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Eshimuro throws an elbow but Isamu slips to the side and avoids it well.
Yo Eshimuro has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Eshimuro tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akio Isamu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Isamu has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akio Isamu!
During a confident post fight interview, Akio Isamu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.