PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aki Sirkesalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brett James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sirkesalo
vs
James

165 cm
27
151 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

175 cm
26
147 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

[WOT] GR Design - Top quality, from $10 to $150 !

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aki Sirkesalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Brett James!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sirkesalo takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A jab from James misses.
James scores with a jab. Sirkesalo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A lazy left from Sirkesalo finds it's target.
James works over Sirkesalo's head and body with a nice combination.
James takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sirkesalo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from James.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sirkesalo swings for the body but James moves out of range.

Oooooh!!! James has knocked Sirkesalo down with a huge combo! James steps away and waves a wobbly Sirkesalo back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Sirkesalo is rocked!
James misses with a two punch combination.
Oh Sirkesalo is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
James swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sirkesalo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
James defending well as Sirkesalo loads up on a big left hand.
James finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Sirkesalo seems to have got his legs back now.
Sirkesalo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James throws a nice looking combination but Sirkesalo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sirkesalo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
James keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
James tries to clinch but Sirkesalo moves out of range.
Sirkesalo throws a lazy right hand but James sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sirkesalo throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sirkesalo was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
Sirkesalo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sirkesalo defending well as James loads up on a big left hand.
Nice defenses there by Sirkesalo.
James scores with a sloppy right hand. Sirkesalo should have avoided that one.
James throws a shot from downtown. Sirkesalo moves away and avoids it.
Sirkesalo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from James.
A slow jab from Sirkesalo misses its intended target.
James takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
James doesn't manage to clinch there - Sirkesalo circles away.
James walks into a left hand.
A punch lands to the side of James 's head but he takes it in his stride.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sirkesalo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sirkesalo looks to throw the jab but James is out of range.

James closes the distance and pushes Sirkesalo back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

James breaks the clinch.
James throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
James looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sirkesalo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
James slips a jab and a cross from Sirkesalo.
James takes one to the chin there.
Sirkesalo lands a jab to the nose.
No luck for James with that takedown attempt.
Sirkesalo looks to land a left hand but James moved out of range nicely.
James throws a combination that misses
and Sirkesalo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
James needs to keep his hands up - Sirkesalo had a free shot at his head there.
James fails to land with a series of punches.
James swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James throws a big shot that misses.
Sirkesalo throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo throws out a loose jab but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
James uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sirkesalo.
James shoots in looking for a takedown. Sirkesalo tries to sprawl out of it but James keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sirkesalo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Aki Sirkesalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett James.
Sirkesalo lands with an uppercut that bounces James off the cage and back into range.
James tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sirkesalo connects with a crisp jab.
Nice straight punches there by Sirkesalo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo throws a jab but it's blocked by James.
James is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sirkesalo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
James lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sirkesalo slips a straight right by James.
James clobbers Sirkesalo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sirkesalo missing with a left hand there. James was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo blocks the body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sirkesalo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
James misses with a few strikes there.
James throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sirkesalo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
James tries for a takedown but Sirkesalo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sirkesalo is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
James looks gassed!
James ducks under a wild hook from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sirkesalo connects with a nice looking jab.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sirkesalo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Sirkesalo slips a jab and a cross from James.
Sirkesalo moves out of range of the strikes.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sirkesalo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sirkesalo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Sirkesalo's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Sirkesalo duly obliges.
Sirkesalo thows a body shot but no joy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
James fails to land with a series of punches.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sirkesalo was well out of range. Poor timing from James.
Sirkesalo jabs at James's body.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab.
Sirkesalo scores with a shot to the body.
Sirkesalo lands a head shot.
Sirkesalo lunges at James with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by James's hand.
Sirkesalo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract James.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sirkesalo's corner calls for a 1-2. Sirkesalo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sirkesalo misses with a looping left.
Sirkesalo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between James's hands.

James is rocked!
James throws a sloppy body shot
and Sirkesalo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
James is still on wobbly legs! Can Sirkesalo finish him?
Sirkesalo fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab.
Sirkesalo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A combination from James does no damage.
James seems to have recovered his senses.
James tries to clinch up but Sirkesalo circles away and keeps his distance.
James steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sirkesalo.
James slips under a jab.
James looks to score with a jab to the body but Sirkesalo is just out of range.
Sirkesalo misses with a straight right.
A big right from Sirkesalo misses.
Sirkesalo blocks the body kick.
Sirkesalo ducks under a wild hook from James.
James throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab. James acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
James defending well as Sirkesalo loads up on a big left hand.
Sirkesalo is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
James throws a hook but Sirkesalo blocks it.
James misses with a wild combination.
James has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
James tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sirkesalo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten James somewhat.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
James fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sirkesalo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps James's head backwards.
James moves out of range as Sirkesalo strikes.
Sirkesalo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
James misses with a wild body shot.
Sirkesalo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
James connects with a body shot.
Sirkesalo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aki Sirkesalo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
James on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
James tries to move into range but Sirkesalo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
James takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sirkesalo scores with a nice head shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sirkesalo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
James shoots in and drives through. Sirkesalo sprawls well.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Sirkesalo which made him look bad.
Sirkesalo connects with a right hand. James shakes it off.
Sirkesalo's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Sirkesalo duly obliges.
Sirkesalo scores with the left hand. James knows he should have avoided that one.

James clinches.
Sirkesalo gets underhooks to prevent James's takedown attempt.
James looking to throw knees to the head but Sirkesalo is blocking nicely.
James jumps guard but Sirkesalo turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sirkesalo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but James has him pressed against the cage.
Sirkesalo blocks the elbow strike.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

James manages to break the clinch.
Sirkesalo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
James on the wrong end of a nice jab.
James displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sirkesalo throws out the jab.
James is trying desperately to land a takedown but Sirkesalo is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for James.
Sirkesalo scores with a crisp jab that stopped James in his tracks.
Sirkesalo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
James is looking to clinch.
James looks for a takedown but Sirkesalo sprawls well.
Sirkesalo connects with the punch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd cheers as Sirkesalo lands an impressive looking overhand right. James doesn't seem phased though.
Sirkesalo looks to land a right hand but James moved out of range.
Sirkesalo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by James.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aki Sirkesalo dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

James steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sirkesalo.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
Sirkesalo misses with a straight right.
Decent striking displayed by Sirkesalo there.
Sirkesalo throws out a powerful jab.
James lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sirkesalo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Brett James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sirkesalo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
James on the wrong end of a nice hook.
James throws a nice looking combination but Sirkesalo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sirkesalo defending well as James loads up on a big left hand.
James slips a straight right by Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo slips a jab from James.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Sirkesalo scores with a nice strike.
Sirkesalo looks to land a combination but James avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sirkesalo ducks under a wild hook from James.
James throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sirkesalo.
James is breathing heavily.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab to the body.
Sirkesalo scores with a nice right hand.
James throws a shot from downtown. Sirkesalo moves away and avoids it.
Sirkesalo gets cracked there but stands up to it.

James moves into range and clinches up with Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo can't break the clinch.
Sirkesalo tries to break free but James pushes him back against the cage.

Sirkesalo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
James takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
James pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - James throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
James misses with a looping left.
James fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A cross from Sirkesalo lands.
Some wild striking there from James.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab.
Aki Sirkesalo is winning the standup battle so far.
Sirkesalo cracks a nice hook into James's ribs.
James moves in looking to clinch but Sirkesalo pushes him off.
James throws a lazy right hand but Sirkesalo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
James swings and misses with a shot to the body
and James takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sirkesalo misses with a wild combination.
No joy there for James, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
James tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sirkesalo was well out of range. Poor timing from James.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James defending well as Sirkesalo loads up on a big left hand.
Sirkesalo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
James misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sirkesalo blocks a head kick by James.
Sirkesalo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sirkesalo connects with a body shot that sends James's belly button to the back.
Sirkesalo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sirkesalo lands an overhand right.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sirkesalo tests James's chin there with a solid looking shot.
James swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sirkesalo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jab from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo lands with a good body shot.
Sirkesalo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
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!
Sirkesalo scores with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sirkesalo cracks James with an open hand slap.
James connects with a crisp jab.
James is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James throws the left hand but Sirkesalo avoids the punch easily.
Sirkesalo thuds a left hand into James's body.
Nice takedown defense from Sirkesalo. No joy for James on that attempt.
Sirkesalo throws a series of strikes that have James backpedaling.
Sirkesalo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. James eats them both and turns towards Sirkesalo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
James swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sirkesalo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sirkesalo tests James's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sirkesalo cracks a nice hook into James's ribs.
James wants to clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
James takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
James slips under a jab from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo dips to his left and cracks James with an uppercut!
James throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sirkesalo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
James misses with a looping right.
Sirkesalo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sirkesalo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from James.
Sirkesalo cracks James with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A punch lands to the side of James 's head but he takes it in his stride.
James lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sirkesalo circles away quickly and effectively.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo scores with a nice head shot.
Nice defenses there by James.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab to the body.
James misses the shot to the body.
Sirkesalo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
James takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sirkesalo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sirkesalo moves out of range as James strikes.
James fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sirkesalo manages to avoid it.
Sirkesalo dodges the punch combination from James.
James throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sirkesalo counters with a straight right hand.
Sirkesalo lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sirkesalo moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
James misses with a hook. Sirkesalo ducked under it nicely.
Sirkesalo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo scores with a hook to the body. James takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
James misses with a wild combination.
James is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sirkesalo moves out of range of the body kick from James.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sirkesalo, as that shot connected.
Sirkesalo lands with a good body shot.
James lands a jab to the nose.
Sirkesalo with a jab.
James fails with an attempt to clinch.
James swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
James misses with a double jab.
James misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aki Sirkesalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brett James.
James shoots in for a double leg but Sirkesalo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sirkesalo lands with a right hand.
Sirkesalo's jab looks to have found its range, popping James under the eye.
Good standup being displayed there by Sirkesalo as he connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A combination from James does no damage.
Sirkesalo works over James's head and body with a nice combination.
Nice defenses there by James.
James shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sirkesalo counters with a nice uppercut.
Sirkesalo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
James takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
James scores with the left hand. Sirkesalo knows he should have avoided that one.
Sirkesalo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
James misses with a double jab
and Sirkesalo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps James thinking.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo lands with a cross.
Sirkesalo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
Sirkesalo is working the combinations to good effect here.
A jab from Sirkesalo finds it's way through James's defenses.
James takes one on the button.
A punch lands to the side of James 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The fight stays on the outside here - James looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Good exchange - Sirkesalo coming out on top.
James tries to clinch but Sirkesalo moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sirkesalo takes one to the side of the head.
Good standup being displayed there by Sirkesalo as he connects with a hook.
Sirkesalo throws a hook but James blocks it.
Brett James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James lands with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aki Sirkesalo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sirkesalo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Aki Sirkesalo!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Aki Sirkesalo!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Aki Sirkesalo!

Aki Sirkesalo wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Aki Sirkesalo thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.