PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Willy Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitri Akhmetov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nelson
vs
Akhmetov

160 cm
19
193 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Willy Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dmitri Akhmetov!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson keeps the fight on the outside.

Akhmetov has Nelson up against the cage in a clinch.
Nelson working hard to break the clinch.

Nelson breaks the clinch.
Akhmetov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nelson as he jumps to the side.
Nelson fails with the takedown.

Akhmetov moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nelson is looking to break free of the clinch but Akhmetov has double underhooks.

Nelson breaks the clinch.
Akhmetov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Nelson has closed the distance and engaged Akhmetov in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nelson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akhmetov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nelson circles away.
Nelson is looking for a counter combo.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nelson enables Akhmetov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nelson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Nelson trying to control the position.
Akhmetov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Akhmetov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Akhmetov won't allow Nelson to get back to his feet.
Nelson managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson trying to keep a closed guard but Akhmetov is proving a slippery customer.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Akhmetov throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Akhmetov gets a takedown into half guard.

Akhmetov decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Akhmetov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Akhmetov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Willy Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitri Akhmetov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhmetov wants to clinch.
Akhmetov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nelson's waist but Nelson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Akhmetov off to one side.

Akhmetov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Akhmetov lands in his opponent's guard.
Akhmetov looking to sit in guard and control but Nelson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nelson trying to control but Akhmetov is working from the bottom.
Akhmetov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Nelson wants to stand but Akhmetov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Akhmetov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Akhmetov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akhmetov has a closed guard, preventing Nelson from standing up.
Nelson throws a big elbow that misses.
Akhmetov keeping moving, preventing Nelson from controlling successfully.

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

Nelson managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Akhmetov.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akhmetov is looking to take a break and control but Nelson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dmitri Akhmetov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Willy Nelson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Akhmetov. No joy for Nelson on that attempt.
A leg kick checked by Akhmetov.
Nelson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Nelson has closed the distance and engaged Akhmetov in a clinch.
Akhmetov pressing his opponent against the cage.

Nelson breaks the clinch.
Nelson misses with a takedown attempt
and Akhmetov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Willy Nelson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akhmetov dives in for a single leg takedown but Nelson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akhmetov has a takedown stuffed.
Nelson closes the distance but Akhmetov moves to the side
and Akhmetov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akhmetov. Nelson does a little dance to reset his feet.
It looked like Nelson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nelson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Willy Nelson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nelson dives in and grabs Akhmetov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Akhmetov pushes down on Nelson's head and hops out.
Nelson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Akhmetov defends it nicely.
Nelson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akhmetov shoots in looking for a takedown but Nelson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Akhmetov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dmitri Akhmetov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body kick there by Nelson.
Akhmetov shoots in for a double leg but Nelson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nelson fails to land the takedown.
Nelson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akhmetov goes for a double leg but Nelson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nelson continues to drive forward.

Nelson has Akhmetov up against the cage in a clinch.
Akhmetov is trying to pull guard but Nelson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Nelson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Nelson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Akhmetov won't allow Nelson to sweep him here.
Akhmetov stops Nelson from standing up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nelson is pulling down on Akhmetov's head to control his posture.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nelson wants to sweep here but Akhmetov controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhmetov won't allow Nelson to get back to his feet.
Nelson keeping full guard, as Akhmetov tries to pass.
Nelson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Akhmetov controls the pace.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Akhmetov postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nelson missing with a left hand there. Akhmetov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nelson attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Akhmetov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Nelson.
Nelson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Akhmetov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Nelson drives through with a takedown into Akhmetov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Akhmetov kicks Nelson off and gets to his feet.

Nelson moves into the clinch.

Akhmetov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Nelson misses with a strike from the bottom.
Nelson pushes Akhmetov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Akhmetov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Nelson can't do much from the bottom here.
Akhmetov controls the position.

Akhmetov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dmitri Akhmetov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Willy Nelson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Akhmetov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nelson's guard.
Nelson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nelson wants to stand and escape but Akhmetov is having none of it.
Nelson has his hands on Akhmetov's head, controlling the position.
Nelson keeping moving, preventing Akhmetov from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nelson looking to control.
Akhmetov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Nelson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nelson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Akhmetov controlling Nelson's posture.
Akhmetov has a closed guard, preventing Nelson from standing up.
Nelson preventing the sweep.
Akhmetov looking to control.
Akhmetov keeping moving, preventing Nelson from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Dmitri Akhmetov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Nelson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Nelson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Akhmetov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nelson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Akhmetov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nelson avoids it really well and circles away.
Akhmetov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Akhmetov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Akhmetov counters with a three punch combo that has Nelson backing up. Nelson nods at Akhmetov to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akhmetov dives in for a single leg takedown but Nelson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Willy Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitri Akhmetov.

Nelson has Akhmetov up against the cage in a clinch.
Nelson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akhmetov.
Akhmetov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Akhmetov is trying to pull guard but Nelson turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Nelson's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Nelson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nelson misses with a takedown attempt - Akhmetov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nelson is looking to clinch but Akhmetov is avoiding it.
Akhmetov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Willy Nelson is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akhmetov looks to land a combination. Nelson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Akhmetov fails to land the takedown.
Nelson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nelson tries to close the distance and clinch but Akhmetov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nelson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Akhmetov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Akhmetov fails with a takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Horrible takedown attempt by Akhmetov or perhaps it was just good defense by Nelson, which made it look bad.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dmitri Akhmetov.
I've got Akhmetov 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitri Akhmetov!