PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roko Tiili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roko Tiili will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Shinichi
vs
Tiili

155 cm
40
145 lbs
27 - 19 - 1

168 cm
27
157 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akiyama Shinichi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Roko Tiili!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shinichi shoots in for a takedown but Tiili shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tiili lands an overhand right.
Tiili cracks the inside of Shinichi's front leg.

Tiili clinches with his opponent.
Shinichi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tiili prevents it.
Tiili working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Knees in the clinch landing for Tiili.
Shinichi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tiili prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akiyama Shinichi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shinichi has Tiili pushed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shinichi wants a takedown.
Shinichi misses with a hook from the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Shinichi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Shinichi jumps guard but Tiili stands there with Shinichi around his waist. Shinichi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiili gets underhooks to prevent Shinichi's takedown attempt.
Shinichi pushes off an throws an elbow but Tiili leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Tiili gets underhooks to prevent Shinichi's takedown attempt.
Tiili tries a knee to the head but Shinichi blocks it.
Shinichi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tiili is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Shinichi looking to slow down the pace here.

Shinichi jumps guard.
Shinichi trying to keep a closed guard but Tiili is proving a slippery customer.
Tiili is stalling in the full guard.
Tiili preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiili wants to control from the top but Shinichi keeps moving.
Shinichi doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tiili trying to control the position from guard on top but Shinichi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tiili scoring with punches to the head and body.
Shinichi controls Tiili momentarily but Tiili frees himself.
Tiili content to stall in guard here.
Tiili connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi keeping moving, preventing Tiili from controlling successfully.
Tiili preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tiili throws a solid leg kick but Shinichi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Tiili.
Shinichi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tiili.
Tiili misses with a head kick.
Shinichi looks to throw the jab but Tiili is out of range.
Tiili looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shinichi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tiili as he jumps to the side.
Shinichi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Tiili defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi tries to clinch but Tiili moves out of range.
Shinichi fails with a takedown attempt.
Tiili circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tiili with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Tiili connects with a leg kick. Shinichi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Shinichi has been working on his balance at Heart Cave, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Tiili.
Shinichi blocks a jab.
Shinichi shoots for a takedown but Tiili saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Roko Tiili is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tiili tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Tiili ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shinichi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tiili stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tiili wants it to stay on the feet.
Tiili misses with a kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roko Tiili dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tiili throws a leg kick that is checked

and Shinichi counters with a single leg into guard. Tiili didn't expect that.
Shinichi wants to control from the top but Tiili keeps moving.
Shinichi advances to half guard.
Shinichi passes to full mount!
Shinichi looking to control but Tiili is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Tiili tries to lock up and control but Shinichi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shinichi tries to control but Tiili wriggling away.
Tiili is wriggling around trying to escape.

Tiili tries to improve his position but Shinichi has taken his back! Shinichi has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Tiili tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Shinichi pushes Tiili away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Akiyama Shinichi!
After the fight, Akiyama Shinichi was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.