PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rey Mesterio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jun Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mesterio kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Be A Warrior. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mesterio
vs
Akiyama

175 cm
27
175 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

180 cm
30
170 lbs
13 - 24 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rey Mesterio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jun Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Mesterio with that takedown attempt.
Mesterio looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Akiyama is fending him off so far but Mesterio persists. Nope, Akiyama circles away and we're back to standing.
Akiyama closes the distance and clinches up with Mesterio, looking for a takedown. Akiyama pushes Mesterio against the cage but Mesterio circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mesterio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akiyama shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mesterio tries to close the distance and clinch but Akiyama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mesterio fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rey Mesterio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akiyama slaps away a takedown attempt from Mesterio, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mesterio fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akiyama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mesterio manages to avoid it.
Akiyama thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akiyama scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Akiyama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Akiyama prevents Mesterio from improving his position.
Akiyama trying to control from Mesterio's half guard. Mesterio has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Mesterio lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Akiyama!
Akiyama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Akiyama is working to get back to half guard.
Mesterio can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Akiyama is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Akiyama tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mesterio wants to control the pace but Akiyama is squirming around nicely.
Akiyama really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mesterio tries to control but Akiyama wriggling away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mesterio with the ground and pound from mount.
Akiyama is in all sorts of trouble here.
Akiyama is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesterio trying to control but Akiyama is having none of it.
Mesterio controlling his opponent.
Akiyama is in all sorts of trouble here.
Akiyama throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Akiyama tries to hold on but Mesterio pushes him away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Akiyama can do anything to dispel that myth.
Mesterio wants to control but Akiyama has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Akiyama pushes Mesterio off looking to stand but Mesterio dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama striking from half guard on the bottom.

Akiyama is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mesterio pulls his head out easily.
Akiyama is looking for a sweep. Mesterio is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Akiyama is trying to maintain the position but Mesterio is very close to passing his half guard.

Mesterio stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Akiyama to get to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mesterio stuffs the takedown attempt from Akiyama. Akiyama gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akiyama displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mesterio.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jun Akiyama will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Akiyama defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mesterio.
Akiyama scores with a leg kick.

Akiyama drives through with a takedown into Mesterio's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Akiyama drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Akiyama jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Akiyama landing with the ground and pound.

Mesterio looking for a triangle here. Akiyama is fighting it but it looks tight! Mesterio pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Akiyama is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Rey Mesterio!
A relieved looking Rey Mesterio thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.