PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Raoul Rastapov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Mishima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Rastapov
vs
Mishima

165 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Raoul Rastapov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Mishima!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rastapov gets a takedown into half guard.
Mishima moves into full guard.
Mishima wants to sweep here but Rastapov controlling him for the moment.
Rastapov stays in close to Mishima's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mishima had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rastapov defends it easily.

Mishima is looking for a triangle but Rastapov pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rastapov tries to free his leg and advance position but Mishima is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mishima throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mishima is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rastapov tries to kick Mishima off but Mishima keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rastapov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mishima.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mishima throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rastapov pushes Mishima off but Mishima dives into side control.
Mishima landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mishima working the ground and pound.
Mishima working the ground and pound but Rastapov is defending the strikes.
Rastapov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Rastapov dodges the ground and pound from Mishima.
Sloppy strikes there by Mishima.
Mishima is putting a hurting on Rastapov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mishima working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Rastapov wants to get back to his feet.
Mishima tries to score with some ground and pound. Rastapov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Rastapov tries to escape but Mishima is in control.
Mishima tries to score with some ground and pound. Rastapov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rastapov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Mishima asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rastapov defending against the ground and pound.
Mishima misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Mishima cracks Rastapov with a big right hand but Rastapov just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Rastapov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mishima throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Mishima creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rastapov sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Mishima is putting a hurting on Rastapov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mishima scoring with punches from side control.
Rastapov pushes Mishima away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Mishima gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Mishima working the ground and pound but Rastapov is defending the strikes.
Rastapov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Mishima asserts his dominance and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Mishima is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rastapov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rastapov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Mishima is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mishima lands with a nice body kick.
Mishima tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rastapov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Rastapov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mishima looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rastapov is one step ahead there.

Mishima had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rastapov defends it easily.
Rastapov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rastapov stopping the sweep attempt from Mishima.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Raoul Rastapov wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Rastapov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rastapov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mishima is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mishima throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Rastapov content just to control the position here.
Mishima really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mishima gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mishima gets full guard.
Mishima is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Mishima prevents Rastapov from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Akira Mishima will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mishima throws a head kick that misses.
Mishima throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rastapov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mishima tries to clinch but Rastapov is having none of it.
Mishima throws a head kick that misses.
Nice sprawl there from Rastapov as Mishima shoots in.
Raoul Rastapov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rastapov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mishima wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rastapov controlling the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mishima lands a head kick!

Rastapov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Mishima looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mishima takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rastapov working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Mishima's thigh. Mishima counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Rastapov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mishima on the ground.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Akira Mishima!
A relieved looking Akira Mishima thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.