PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Arkley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Akiyama might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Akiyama Theme Song (This Is My Life - Edward Maya). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Akiyama
vs
Arkley

185 cm
26
220 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

190 cm
28
221 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Steel Penn's Laundry 93%

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Akiyama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Arkley!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Arkley circles away.
Arkley takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Arkley takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Akiyama dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Arkley. That did some damage!
Arkley swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Arkley lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arkley throws a combination. Akiyama tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Akiyama throws out a leg kick but Arkley moves out of range and Akiyama only half commits.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akiyama.
Akiyama takes a swing at Arkley's ribcage but misses.
James Arkley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arkley looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Arkley tries to land a front kick but Akiyama steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Akiyama listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akiyama. Arkley does a little dance to reset his feet.

Akiyama instigates a clinch.
Akiyama landing knees to the body.
Arkley looks gassed!
Akiyama blocking some punches.
Akiyama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Arkley lands a body shot in the clinch.
Akiyama takes a shot to the head.
Arkley managing to block the knees to the body from Akiyama.
Arkley misses with a punch to the body.
Arkley lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Akiyama misses with a short punch on the inside.
Akiyama stalls.
A head punch on the inside from Akiyama fails to land.
Arkley lands a hook to the side of the head.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside that Arkley shrugs off.

It looks like James Arkley has been cut.
Arkley lands a hook that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
Arkley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Arkley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akiyama lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arkley pushes Akiyama back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akiyama looking to stall.
Arkley misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Arkley tries to stall but Akiyama uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Arkley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akiyama tries to land knees in the clinch but Arkley avoids the damage to the body.
Akiyama is looking to control Arkley's arms but Arkley gets an underhook and turns him. Now Akiyama has his back to the cage.
Arkley tries to throw a body punch but Akiyama avoids it by throwing Arkley back against the cage.
Arkley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Akiyama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Arkley lands a shoulder strike.
Akiyama taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Arkley misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akiyama blocks a body shot from Arkley.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkley lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Akiyama or not.
Arkley tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akiyama tries a body shot but Arkley blocks it.
Akiyama holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Arkley blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Akiyama misses with a short punch on the inside.
Arkley lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
Akiyama misses with some punches.
Akiyama prevents a body shot from Arkley.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akiyama.
Arkley takes a shot to the head.
Arkley struggles to land a body shot inside as Akiyama controls his hands.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Akiyama.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Arkley managing to block the knees to the body from Akiyama.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Arkley's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arkley digs a right hand into Akiyama's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Akiyama's gas tank.
Akiyama tries to work over Arkley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arkley lands a left hand that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Arkley's brow.
Arkley throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Arkley is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Akiyama blocks a body shot from Arkley.
Arkley lands a nice shot to the body.
Akiyama takes a shot to the head.
Arkley pushes Akiyama back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Arkley tries to land knees in the clinch but Akiyama avoids the damage to the body.
Akiyama is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Still in the clinch, Arkley scores with a nice short uppercut.
Akiyama tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Akiyama misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Akiyama pressing his opponent against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Akiyama dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
That's time! Akiyama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Arkley moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Arkley just misses with a punch to the body.
Akiyama lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Arkley looks to land a body kick but Akiyama moved away.
Akiyama blocks the body kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Akiyama as he connects with a hook.
Arkley misses with an attempted mid kick.
Arkley scores with a jab to the jaw.
Akiyama connects with the punch.
Akiyama throws a leg kick that is checked
and Arkley counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arkley is looking to land body kicks.
Akiyama avoids a kick to the body.
Akiyama looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kenji Akiyama is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a jab, cross combination.
Arkley avoids the body shot from Akiyama.
Arkley lands a jab.
Arkley looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Arkley throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Akiyama scores with a nice body kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Akiyama.
Arkley is breathing heavily.
Akiyama cracks the inside of Arkley's front leg.
Akiyama scores with a crisp jab that stopped Arkley in his tracks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akiyama wants to slow Arkley down by chopping away at his legs.
Akiyama throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Arkley's head.
Akiyama fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Akiyama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akiyama throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a body punch but Arkley moves out of range.
Arkley looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Akiyama with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Arkley has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akiyama.
Akiyama connects with a single shot there.
Akiyama is looking to wear down Arkley with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Akiyama drops his hands momentarily and Arkley takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Akiyama lands a nice looking kick to the body. Arkley takes a step back to recover.
Akiyama pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Arkley takes a kick to the side of the head.
Akiyama has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Arkley pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A swing and a miss from Arkley.
Akiyama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Arkley was well out of range. Poor timing from Akiyama.
Arkley listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Akiyama there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Akiyama throws a nice head kick!
Akiyama takes a swing at Arkley's ribcage but misses.
Akiyama lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Akiyama lands a high 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!
Arkley keeps the fight on the outside.
Akiyama scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Akiyama keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Arkley.
Arkley's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Arkley just misses with a punch to the body.
Akiyama throws a nice outside leg kick.
Arkley blocks a head kick by Akiyama.
Arkley connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Arkley tries a low kick but Akiyama avoids it.
Arkley thuds his shin into the meat of Akiyama's side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama connects with a right hand. Arkley shakes it off.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Akiyama, right into the meat.
Akiyama thumps Arkley with a low kick.
Akiyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Arkley misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Akiyama holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Akiyama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Akiyama tries to work over Arkley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Arkley tries to throw a body punch but Akiyama avoids it by throwing Arkley back against the cage.
Akiyama lands a knee to the body.
Akiyama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Akiyama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That has opened up James Arkley's cut even more.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice elbow from Akiyama.
Akiyama lands a right hand.
Akiyama lands an elbow just above Arkley 's eye.
Akiyama will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Arkley up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Akiyama dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Akiyama fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Arkley pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Arkley avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akiyama fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Arkley on the side of the head.
Arkley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akiyama was well out of range. Poor timing from Arkley.
Akiyama wants to land a leg kick but Arkley is out of range.
Arkley takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Arkley scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Akiyama doesn't seem bothered though.
Arkley circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akiyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Arkley throws a half hearted mid kick.
Akiyama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Arkley can do to turn this around?
Akiyama walks into a left hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arkley thuds his right hand into Akiyama's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Arkley takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a leg kick but Arkley sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Akiyama lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Akiyama throws a sloppy head kick and Arkley moves out of range easily.
Akiyama lands a jab to the nose.
Akiyama throws a jab when Arkley was well out of range.
Akiyama lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Arkley throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Arkley connects with a good right hand that stumbles Akiyama. Akiyama circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Arkley fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Akiyama moves out of range of the strikes.

Akiyama rushes Arkley and presses him up against the cage.
Akiyama lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arkley tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Akiyama pushes Arkley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside that Arkley shrugs off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Arkley can't find room to land a body shot as Akiyama controls the action.
Akiyama is working Arkley over against the cage.
Akiyama looking to slow down the pace here.
Arkley throws a knee to the head but misses.
Akiyama tries to land knees in the clinch but Arkley avoids the damage to the body.
Akiyama is looking to control Arkley's arms but Arkley gets an underhook and turns him. Now Akiyama has his back to the cage.
Akiyama pressing his opponent against the cage.
Arkley misses with the head strike.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow.
Akiyama blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Akiyama obliges.
Arkley avoiding damage as Akiyama throws knees to the body.
Akiyama prevents a body shot from Arkley.
Akiyama leaning his opponent against the cage.
Akiyama using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Akiyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Arkley is defending well for now.
Arkley fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Arkley prevents a body shot from Akiyama.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Arkley blocks an uppercut.
Arkley being controlled against the cage.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arkley tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Arkley lands a body shot in the clinch.
Arkley on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Akiyama lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akiyama lands a good knee to the midsection. Arkley won't want to take too many of those.
Akiyama is working Arkley over against the cage.
Akiyama lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow.

The cut above James Arkley's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
A body shot lands from Akiyama.
Akiyama is pushing Arkley up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Arkley takes a shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akiyama scores with a hook to the body.
Akiyama manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Akiyama clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Arkley takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Arkley. Akiyama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Arkley swats away the attempt to clinch by Akiyama.
Akiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Both fighters circling a little - Arkley finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Akiyama throws a leg kick that is checked
and Arkley counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Arkley throws a predictable looking body shot
and Akiyama counters with a good low kick that Arkley was not able to check.
A low kick from Akiyama misses
and Arkley counters with a one-two to the body.
Arkley misses the shot to the body.
Akiyama fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Arkley.
Arkley is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akiyama takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Arkley on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Akiyama lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Akiyama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Arkley.
Arkley closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Arkley swings for the body but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama misses with a head kick.
Akiyama takes one to the side of the head.
Arkley misses with a head kick.
Arkley throws a right and a left that Akiyama avoids nicely.
Akiyama slips a jab and a cross from Arkley.
Akiyama throws a sloppy head kick and Arkley moves out of range easily.
Arkley keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Arkley moves out of range of the body kick from Akiyama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Akiyama scores with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arkley misses with a leg kick
and Akiyama counters with a nice low kick that buckles Arkley's knee momentarily.
Akiyama looks to score with a jab to the body but Arkley is just out of range.
Arkley 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.
Arkley throws a nice outside leg kick.
Arkley checks a leg kick.
Arkley is looking to land body kicks.
Akiyama works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Akiyama changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Akiyama feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Arkley's calf.
Arkley takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Arkley misses the body punch
and Akiyama counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akiyama pushes Arkley away with a front kick.
Arkley has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Akiyama.
Arkley stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Akiyama.
Akiyama is looking to slow Arkley down with leg kicks.
Akiyama throws a nice outside leg kick.
Good work by Akiyama as he checks the leg kick.
Arkley throws a leg kick that is checked
and Akiyama counters with a nice uppercut.
Akiyama turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Arkley takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Akiyama swings for the body but Arkley moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Akiyama throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big right from Arkley misses.
Akiyama throws a push kick but Arkley slaps the foot to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Arkley.
Arkley throws a hook to the side of Akiyama's head but Akiyama sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Akiyama pushes Arkley up against the cage in a clinch.
Akiyama lands an elbow that stopped Arkley in his tracks for a moment.
Akiyama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Akiyama can't find room to land a body shot as Arkley controls the action.
Kenji Akiyama has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Akiyama trying to land knees to the body.
Akiyama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Arkley tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Akiyama trying to land knees to the body.
Akiyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Arkley avoiding damage as Akiyama throws knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Akiyama struggles to land a body shot inside as Arkley controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Akiyama had his way with James Arkley in that round.
The cut man is working on James Arkley's cut.
That's time! Akiyama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Akiyama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Arkley manages to avoid it.
Akiyama uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Arkley.
Arkley avoids a punch combination nicely.
A bone on bone clash there as Arkley blocks the leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akiyama.
Akiyama takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Arkley throws a solid leg kick but Akiyama takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Arkley.
Akiyama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Arkley was well out of range. Poor timing from Akiyama.
Arkley lands a leg kick that knocks Akiyama off balance momentarily.
Arkley just misses with a punch to the body.
Akiyama scores with a shot to the body.
Arkley throws a predictable looking body shot

and Akiyama holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Arkley dodges an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkley lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Akiyama misses with an elbow strike.
A nice left hand lands by Akiyama.
Akiyama lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Akiyama taking a breather.
Arkley lands a shot to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Arkley presses Akiyama against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Arkley looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Akiyama tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Arkley's elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Arkley's brow.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A hook to the body from Arkley.
Akiyama looking to stall.
Akiyama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arkley can't find room to land a body shot as Akiyama controls the action.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akiyama tries to work over Arkley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Akiyama working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Akiyama pushes off an throws an elbow but Arkley leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Arkley dodges an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Akiyama pushes Arkley back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Arkley.
A right hook to the body lands for Arkley.
Arkley scores with a knee to the head.
Arkley has a couple of punches blocked by Akiyama.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Arkley.
Arkley misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Arkley.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Arkley.
Arkley misses with some punches.
Arkley misses with a knee strike.
Akiyama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Akiyama blocking some punches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Arkley as Akiyama tries to tie him up.
Good body shot from Arkley.
Arkley tries to throw a body punch but Akiyama avoids it by throwing Arkley back against the cage.
Akiyama will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Arkley up against the cage.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is looking to control Arkley's arms but Arkley gets an underhook and turns him. Now Akiyama has his back to the cage.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Arkley misses with a punch to the body.
Arkley lands a left hand that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
Nice body punch from Arkley - that landed with a thud.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akiyama tries a body shot but Arkley blocks it.
Arkley tries a body shot but Akiyama blocks it.
Akiyama tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kenji Akiyama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akiyama looking to stall.
Arkley tries to work over Akiyama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akiyama throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Arkley leaning his opponent against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Akiyama.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Arkley.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Akiyama!
Kenji Akiyama retains his light heavyweight title!
Our winner, Kenji Akiyama, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.