PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akihiro Shirasu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danny Martin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Shirasu
vs
Martin

190 cm
33
216 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
219 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akihiro Shirasu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Danny Martin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shirasu slips under a jab from Martin.
Martin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shirasu.

Shirasu closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Shirasu working the head with strikes.
Shirasu is staying tight to Martin's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Shirasu sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Martin is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Shirasu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Shirasu has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Shirasu decides to stand back up. Shirasu steps back and let's Martin get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shirasu.
Martin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shirasu.

Martin tries to sprawl but Shirasu drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Shirasu wants to pass to mount but Martin is defending the position.

Shirasu decides to stand up.
Martin throws a lazy uppercut
and Shirasu counters with a two punch combo.
Martin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shirasu throws a low kick but Martin moves out of range easily.
Shirasu blocks a jab.
Shirasu takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Akihiro Shirasu has been cut.
Shirasu slips a straight right by Martin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martin throws a lazy right hand but Shirasu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Martin tries to sprawl but Shirasu drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Shirasu is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Martin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Shirasu is taking a breather. Martin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Shirasu is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martin is in trouble now - Shirasu has advanced to mount!
Shirasu controlling the position easily from mount.
Martin is trying to stand but he's just given Shirasu his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shirasu is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
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!
Shirasu is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Martin up.

It looks like Danny Martin has been cut.
Martin 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.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Shirasu has his arm under Martin's chin here. Game over son! Shirasu squeezes tightly and Martin is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Akihiro Shirasu!
An out of breath Akihiro Shirasu thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.