PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tiagong Akyat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kohei Shimabukuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Akyat
vs
Shimabukuro

225 cm
26
300 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

150 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tiagong Akyat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kohei Shimabukuro!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A chopping leg kick lands by Akyat.
Akyat scores with a nice strike.
Shimabukuro shoots in looking for a takedown. Akyat tries to sprawl out of it but Shimabukuro keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Akyat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Akyat throws a nice head kick!
Shimabukuro is trying hard to land a takedown here. Akyat sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shimabukuro dives in and grabs Akyat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Akyat pushes down on Shimabukuro's head and hops out.
Tiagong Akyat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kohei Shimabukuro.

Shimabukuro drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shimabukuro engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Shimabukuro preventing the sweep.
Shimabukuro postures up in Akyat's guard and throws a big left but Akyat blocks it.
Shimabukuro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Shimabukuro won't allow Akyat to sweep him here.
Shimabukuro wants to pass the guard but Akyat is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimabukuro throwing strikes but missing.
Shimabukuro postures up in Akyat's guard and throws a big left but Akyat blocks it.
Akyat tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shimabukuro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Akyat trying to control the position.
Akyat on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Akyat tries to get out of the position.
Shimabukuro with a flurry of punches that miss.
Akyat is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shimabukuro preventing the sweep.
Akyat is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimabukuro is in close to Akyat's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Shimabukuro working some strikes from top position.
Shimabukuro keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Akyat's head.
Akyat tries to land a sweep but no joy.
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!
Shimabukuro trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shimabukuro works over Akyat with some ground and pound from guard.
Shimabukuro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Shimabukuro postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Akyat has momentary wrist control but Shimabukuro slips an elbow through the middle.
Shimabukuro slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kohei Shimabukuro dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Shimabukuro dives in and grabs Akyat's left leg, looking for a takedown. Akyat pushes down on Shimabukuro's head and hops out.
A lazy left from Akyat finds it's target.
Kohei Shimabukuro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akyat throws a quick inside leg kick.
Shimabukuro has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Akyat.
Akyat with a hook.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Shimabukuro fails to land the takedown.
Shimabukuro shoots for a double leg takedown but Akyat sprawls well. He's pushed Shimabukuro's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tiagong Akyat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kohei Shimabukuro.
Akyat goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Akyat leaves Shimabukuro with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Akyat throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Shimabukuro.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shimabukuro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Akyat as he jumps to the side.
Shimabukuro takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Akyat fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Shimabukuro is breathing heavily.
Shimabukuro on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Akyat. Akyat obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akyat throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Akyat throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Shimabukuro crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Akyat - the referee stops the clock and Shimabukuro gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Akyat. Shimabukuro manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Akyat lands with an uppercut that bounces Shimabukuro off the cage and back into range.
Akyat lands with a kick to the ribs.
Akyat throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Shimabukuro takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Shimabukuro has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Akyat.
Akyat fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shimabukuro has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akyat throws a head kick that Shimabukuro semi-blocks.
Shimabukuro fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Akyat thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Shimabukuro if he has to take too many more of those.
Akyat connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shimabukuro takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shimabukuro feints and as Akyat raises his hands in defense, Shimabukuro changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Shimabukuro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shimabukuro working some strikes from top position.
Shimabukuro throwing strikes but missing.
Akyat is trying to keep Shimabukuro in close.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akyat tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shimabukuro chips away with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tiagong Akyat showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight for Tiagong Akyat!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Tiagong Akyat!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Tiagong Akyat!

Tiagong Akyat wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Tiagong Akyat thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.