PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Doi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aki Sirkesalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Doi
vs
Sirkesalo

170 cm
27
146 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

165 cm
30
151 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshi Doi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aki Sirkesalo!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Doi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sirkesalo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Doi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sirkesalo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Doi shoots for a takedown but Sirkesalo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Doi lands with a slapping head kick.
Sirkesalo scores with a nice right hand.

Doi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sirkesalo quickly recovers to half guard.
Doi wants to stand up but Sirkesalo has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Doi trying to pass the guard but Sirkesalo defending well.
Doi tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Sirkesalo.
Doi trying to control the action but Sirkesalo is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Doi decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Doi closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Sirkesalo's guard.
Sirkesalo keeping moving, preventing Doi from controlling successfully.
Doi won't allow Sirkesalo to get back to his feet.
Doi wants to stand but Sirkesalo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Doi looking to pass the guard.
Sirkesalo wants to stand and escape but Doi is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doi passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Doi happy to just control the position for now.

Doi decides to stand up, so the ref orders Sirkesalo to his feet.
Doi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sirkesalo throws a predictable looking body shot

and Doi counters with a single leg into guard. Sirkesalo didn't expect that.
Doi controlling from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Doi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sirkesalo is keeping the position for now.

Doi stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Sirkesalo stuffs the takedown attempt from Doi. Doi gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshi Doi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sirkesalo lands a jab to the head.
Sirkesalo throws a lazy right hand but Doi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sirkesalo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sirkesalo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Doi.
Aki Sirkesalo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Doi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Doi moves away from the strike by Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo throws an overhand right that lands on Doi's shoulder, as Doi tries to avoid the shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Doi.

Doi shoots in and gets a takedown into Sirkesalo's guard.
Sirkesalo wants to stand and escape but Doi is having none of it.
Doi wants to stand but Sirkesalo has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Doi gets to his feet. Sirkesalo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Horrible takedown by Doi or perhaps it was just good defense by Sirkesalo which made him look bad.
Sirkesalo throws out a loose jab but Doi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Doi closes the distance and clinches up with Sirkesalo, looking for a takedown. Doi pushes Sirkesalo against the cage but Sirkesalo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Doi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aki Sirkesalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Doi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sirkesalo pinned against the cage. Sirkesalo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Doi blocks a jab.
Sirkesalo missing with a left hand there. Doi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Doi shoots in but no luck this time.
The fighters circling - Sirkesalo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Doi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sirkesalo.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Doi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sirkesalo misses the jab.
Doi walks into a stiff left hand from Sirkesalo.
Doi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Doi shoots in looking for a takedown but Sirkesalo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Doi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Doi shoots for a takedown but Sirkesalo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Doi has a takedown stuffed.
Sirkesalo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Doi.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Doi drops his hands momentarily and Sirkesalo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Doi.
Sirkesalo misses with a looping right.
Doi moves away from the strike by Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo lands a jab to the nose.
Doi shoots in but no luck this time.
Sirkesalo goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Sirkesalo misses with a body shot.
Doi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sirkesalo thuds a left hand into Doi's body.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Doi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Doi walks into a left hand.
Sirkesalo stuffs the takedown.
Doi ducks under a wild hook from Sirkesalo.
Doi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
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 stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sirkesalo wants it to stay on the feet.
Sirkesalo misses with a looping left.
Sirkesalo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Doi.
Doi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Doi shoots in looking for a takedown. Sirkesalo tries to sprawl out of it but Doi 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.
Sirkesalo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Doi moves away from the strike by Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo throws an overhand right that lands on Doi's shoulder, as Doi tries to avoid the shot.
Doi shoots in looking for a takedown but Sirkesalo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Doi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sirkesalo jabs at Doi's body.
Sirkesalo misses with a left hand
and Doi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sirkesalo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nice takedown defense from Sirkesalo. No joy for Doi on that attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sirkesalo looks to score with a jab to the body but Doi is just out of range.
Sirkesalo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Doi.
Sirkesalo throws a lazy uppercut
and Doi counters with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yoshi Doi will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sirkesalo lands with a cross.
Sirkesalo throws a hook but Doi blocks it.
Doi ducks under a wild hook from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo lands a right hook to the body.
Doi throws a head kick that misses.
Sirkesalo lands a jab to the head.
Doi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Doi doesn't manage to clinch there - Sirkesalo circles away.
Sirkesalo loads up on a big right hand but Doi slips the punch.
Sirkesalo lands the left hand.
Doi misses with a takedown attempt - Sirkesalo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Doi shoots in looking for a takedown. Sirkesalo tries to sprawl out of it but Doi 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Doi throws a head kick that misses.
Doi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sirkesalo sprawls well. Sirkesalo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Doi gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshi Doi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sirkesalo throws a combination that misses

so Doi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Doi trying to control but Sirkesalo is working from the bottom.
Doi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Yoshi Doi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Doi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sirkesalo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Yoshi Doi.
A big right from Sirkesalo misses.
Doi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sirkesalo circles away.
Yoshi Doi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sirkesalo scores with a hook to the body. Doi takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sirkesalo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Doi.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sirkesalo connects with a jab.
Doi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sirkesalo's waist but Sirkesalo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Doi off to one side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sirkesalo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo blocks a low kick nicely.
Doi closes the distance and clinches up with Sirkesalo, looking for a takedown. Doi pushes Sirkesalo against the cage but Sirkesalo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sirkesalo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Doi.
Sirkesalo misses with a hook.
Doi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sirkesalo tries to avoid it but Doi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sirkesalo to the ground. Sirkesalo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sirkesalo throws a big shot that misses.

Doi has closed the distance and engaged Sirkesalo in a clinch.
Sirkesalo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sirkesalo controlling the action here for a moment.

Sirkesalo breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Doi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sirkesalo as he jumps to the side.

Doi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sirkesalo's half guard.
Doi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Doi's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Doi wants to pass the guard but Sirkesalo is defending well.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Yoshi Doi just wasn't active enough.
Sirkesalo misses with an uppercut. Doi saw that one coming.
Doi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo throws a right hand that Doi ducks under and follows up with a left that Doi also avoids with ease.
Doi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sirkesalo defends it nicely.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
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.

Doi drives through with a takedown into guard.

Doi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sirkesalo throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Doi counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sirkesalo is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Doi has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Doi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Doi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sirkesalo defends it nicely.
Sirkesalo throws a shot from downtown. Doi moves away and avoids it.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Doi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sirkesalo was covering up waiting for the punch and Doi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Doi looking to pass the guard.
Doi wants to stand but Sirkesalo is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sirkesalo keeping full guard, as Doi tries to pass.

Doi stands up from Sirkesalo's guard - Doi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Doi misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Sirkesalo to counter with a crisp jab.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Doi shoots in for a takedown but Sirkesalo shows good takedown defense.
Sirkesalo looks to throw the jab but Doi is out of range.
Doi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sirkesalo.
Doi fails to land the takedown.
Sirkesalo dodges the punch combination from Doi.
Nice shot by Sirkesalo.
Sirkesalo missing with a left hand there. Doi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Doi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sirkesalo tries to kick Doi off but Doi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshi Doi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Doi 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Yoshi Doi!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Yoshi Doi!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Yoshi Doi!

Yoshi Doi wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Yoshi Doi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.