PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akira Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocky Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Akiyama
vs
Balboa

198 cm
34
257 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

190 cm
30
280 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akira Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rocky Balboa!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa tries a head kick but it misses.
We've been told by Akiyama's head coaches at Weed Nation that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Balboa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Akiyama circles away quickly and effectively.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akiyama. That's going to slow Balboa down.
Balboa throws a head kick that Akiyama semi-blocks.

It looks like Akira Akiyama has been cut.

Oooooh!!! Akiyama has knocked Balboa down with a huge combo! Akiyama steps away and waves a wobbly Balboa back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

It looks like Rocky Balboa has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Akiyama has closed the distance and engaged Balboa in a clinch.
Akiyama fails to pull guard.

Akiyama has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Balboa uses from the top position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Balboa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akiyama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Balboa is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Balboa tries to free his leg and advance position but Akiyama is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Balboa stands and steps away. Akiyama gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Akiyama tries to bum rush Balboa with a series of wild strikes but Balboa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Akiyama throws a nice inside leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Akiyama.
Akira Akiyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balboa takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That has opened up Rocky Balboa's cut even more.

Akiyama moves into the clinch successfully.
Balboa missing with knees to the body.
Balboa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Akiyama gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Akiyama jumps guard but Balboa stands there with Akiyama around his waist. Akiyama gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks with his arms.
Akiyama tries to pull guard but Balboa won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akiyama is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Balboa to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Balboa tightens his grip and picks Akiyama up, before dumping him to the ground. Akiyama manages to land in guard.
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!
Akiyama is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Balboa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa stops Akiyama from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balboa is standing up over Akiyama. Akiyama looks to escape but Balboa dives into side control.
You can see the frustration on Akiyama's face as Balboa controls the position.

Balboa decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Akiyama throws a leg kick which misses Balboa's front leg but catches the back leg as Balboa tries to avoid it.
Balboa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Balboa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Akiyama fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Balboa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Akiyama lands a head kick. Balboa smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Balboa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akiyama throws a body punch but Balboa moves out of range.
Balboa tries to counter with a clinch but Akiyama shakes him off and moves away.
Akiyama misses with the combination.
Balboa tries a head kick but it misses.

Akiyama drops Balboa with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Balboa looks back up at him and smiles so Akiyama waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

The cut above Rocky Balboa's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Rocky Balboa's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Akira Akiyama!
During a confident post fight interview, Akira Akiyama thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.