PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maricue Russel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Akiyama
vs
Russel

178 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
20
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

5th Round Clothing
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yoshihiro Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Maricue Russel!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Columbo Gatti and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama looks to land a right hand but Russel moved out of range.
Russel slips under a jab.
Russel takes one to the chin there.

Akiyama gets tackled into the cage by Russel. Russel maintains the clinch.

Russel has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Akiyama regains guard immediately.
Akiyama might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Russel stands up and waves to Akiyama to follow him.
Akiyama tries to bum rush Russel with a series of wild strikes but Russel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Russel looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Akiyama wants to get back to full guard.
Russel is keen to just control but Akiyama is a slippery customer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russel not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Russel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russel is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Russel looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Akiyama with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Russel is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Akiyama!
Akiyama regains half guard.
Russel is trying to control. Akiyama wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Russel looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Akiyama won't allow Russel to pass to mount.

Russel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Akiyama has managed to free his arm - good work.
Russel is pressing down on Akiyama's thigh, looking to free his foot. Akiyama is holding on for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Russel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russel wants to free his trapped foot but Akiyama is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Akiyama is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Russel pulls his head out easily.

Russel is working for a kimura but Akiyama is defending it quite comfortably.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Russel wants to work for an arm triangle but Akiyama is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Russel not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Akiyama on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Russel is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Russel looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama trying to control but Russel postures up.
Russel looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Akiyama with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Russel is keen to just control but Akiyama is a slippery customer.
Russel passes to side control.
Russel scores with a couple of short elbows.

Russel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Akiyama is trying to improve his position.
Akiyama takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is working to avoid the ground and pound but Russel connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russel scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Akiyama to see if he's OK.

Russel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Akiyama, who protects the arm well.
Russel landing a few strikes.
A lull in the action here as Russel stalls from top position.
Russel works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Russel cracks Akiyama with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Check out the look on Russel's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Akiyama takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Russel lands an elbow.

Akiyama is rocked!
Akiyama is breathing heavily.
Akiyama takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Oh Akiyama is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Russel lands a strong strike to the head of Akiyama. That's dazed him! Russel looking to finish here. Akiyama is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Russel lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Maricue Russel!
After the big win, Maricue Russel made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors 5th Round Clothing and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.