PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dakker Kane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kasim Akande (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!

Kane
vs
Akande

190 cm
21
220 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

189 cm
32
223 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dakker Kane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kasim Akande!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kane throws a nice inside leg kick.

Akande shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Akande showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Kane looking for submissions off his back.
Kane tries to roll over but Akande keeps him under control.
Akande keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kane is looking for a sweep. Akande is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Akande trying to control the action but Kane is working from the bottom.
Akande seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kane trying to control from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kasim Akande.

Kane closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kane lands in his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akande looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akande looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Akande is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kane is aware though and is defending well.
Akande keeping moving, preventing Kane from controlling successfully.
Akande pulls Kane in close to prevent any damage.

Kane has gone for a leg lock! Akande slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kane's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane trying to control the position.

Kane working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Akande doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Akande manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kane wants to sweep but no luck.
Akande passes Kane's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Akande looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Kane actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akande is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Akande is just content to waste time from the top position. Kane takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kane keeping full guard, as Akande tries to pass.
Akande stays in close to Kane's body and controls the position.
Kane has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Kane escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Akande gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Akande looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Akande preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akande is stalling in the full guard.

Kasim Akande has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Akande throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kane tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Akande is in Kane's guard.
Kane pulls Akande in to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kane had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Akande defends it easily.
Kane is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Akande seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akande throwing strikes from guard but Kane blocks nicely.
Kane tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasim Akande dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akande scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Akande wants to control but Kane is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Kane's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Akande controlling the position.
Akande landing strikes.
Akande trying to control the position but Kane is working away.
Kane is looking for a sweep.
Akande staying calm.

Akande tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Akande has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kane tries to improve position but can't.

Akande is trying to get an arm triangle but Kane is defending well.
Kane is not content to let Akande control the position.

Akande decides to stand back up.

Akande closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kane's guard.
Akande stands and throws Kane's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kane gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akande is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kane has managed to free his arm - good work.
Akande trying to pass the guard but Kane defending well.
Kane is refusing to be controlled, as Akande sits in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kane trying to hold on to Akande's head to control him but Akande postures up.

Akande wants to work for an arm triangle but Kane is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Akande is thwarting Kane's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kane is looking for a sweep. Akande is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Akande seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kane does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kane is trying to control but can't.
Akande landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kane tries to get to full guard but Akande has control of the leg.
Akande controlling the action here.
Akande prevents Kane from improving his position.

Kane actively working from the bottom here.

Akande is working for a kimura but Kane is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kane is trying to control but can't.
Still in half guard, Akande seems content to control.
Kane is looking for a sweep. Akande is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Akande is working for a submission of some sort.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akande is trying to control. Kane wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasim Akande showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akande gets caught flat footed, as Kane shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Akande keeping moving, preventing Kane from controlling successfully.
Akande wants to sweep here but Kane controlling him for the moment.
Akande keeping moving, preventing Kane from controlling successfully.
Akande has control of Kane's left arm, preventing Kane from doing any damage.

Kane drops back, looking for a kneebar! Akande looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Akande looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Akande!
Kane is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akande thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Akande advances nicely into full mount.
Kane is squirming around, avoiding Akande's attempts to control the action.
The referee warns Kane that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kane tries to reverse the position but Akande maintains control.
Akande tries to control but Kane wriggling away.
Akande might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kane haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kane gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane blocking the ground and pound attempt from Akande.
Kane is staying active underneath Akande, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kasim Akande was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Akande keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kane.

Akande shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Akande was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akande trying to control the action but Kane is working from the bottom.
Kane is looking to reverse the position.
Kane looks to move to half guard but instead Akande has passed into mount! Damn!
Kane slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akande seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kane does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Akande with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kane wants to improve his position but Akande is controlling well.
Kane wants to control but Akande is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Akande is trying to work for a kimura but Kane is defending well.
Akande drops an elbow to the side of Kane's head.

Akande is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kane sees it coming and defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kane wants to control but Akande is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kane manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kane being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akande loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Akande stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kane swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akande stopping the sweep attempt from Kane.
Akande pushes down on Kane's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Akande wants to take a breather but Kane is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kane looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kane wants to control but Akande is keeping busy.

Kane actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasim Akande really dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kane closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Akande manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kane's best efforts.
Akande has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kane is working away from the top position though.
Akande works his way to full guard. Good work.
Akande trying to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Akande is on top in guard.
Akande looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kane wants to sweep here but Akande controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akande slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Akande gets to his feet. Kane looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Akande closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Akande lands in his opponent's guard.

Kane is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Akande passes Kane's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kane is refusing to be controlled, as Akande sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akande is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kane defends it well.
Kane trying to control here.

Akande is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kane defends it well.
Kane is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Akande's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Akande's back!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akande rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Kane trying to control from half guard but Akande is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akande is trying to get back to full guard.
Akande felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Kane is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Akande doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kane.
Akande gets full guard.
Kane wants to control from the top but Akande keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akande looking to control.
Kane has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kane advances position into side control!

Kane tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kane wants to lay and pray for a moment but Akande keeps working.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akande tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kane wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasim Akande dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Kane's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Akande looks to land a right hand but Kane moved out of range.

Akande drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kane trying to control the position.
Kane keeping moving, preventing Akande from controlling successfully.
Kane trying to control the position.
Akande trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kane keeping moving, preventing Akande from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kasim Akande.
Akande takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Akande scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akande thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Akande trying to control the action but Kane is working from the bottom.
Akande is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kane is trying to improve his position.
Akande in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Kane wants to control but Akande postures up.
Akande is putting a hurting on Kane here, landing some big shots from side control.

Akande is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kane has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane tries to improve position but can't.
Kasim Akande has got the better of the ground game so far.
A lull in the action here.
Akande wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kane keeps working.
Akande controls the position from side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kane is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kasim Akande was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Akande shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Dakker Kane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Akande is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kane wants to get back to full guard.
Kasim Akande is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Well, if Akande is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kane has his hands clasped together around Akande's back. He's all about the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kane is looking for a sweep. Akande is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kasim Akande has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kane pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Akande dives in and scores a takedown into Kane's guard.
Kane pulls Akande in close to prevent any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akande controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kane is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kane tests Akande's chin there with a solid looking shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kasim Akande comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Akande winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kasim Akande!
A victorious Kasim Akande thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.