PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Staph Aureus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akira Akiyama will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Aureus
vs
Akiyama

192 cm
40
275 lbs
30 - 26 - 0

198 cm
40
253 lbs
13 - 23 - 0

Good takedowns
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
World class 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 30 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Staph Aureus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akira Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Akiyama has closed the distance and engaged Aureus in a clinch.
Akiyama wants a takedown but no success here.
Akiyama jumps guard but Aureus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Aureus stops a takedown attempt from Akiyama.
Staph Aureus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Akiyama.
Akiyama drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Aureus gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Akiyama decides to pull guard.
Aureus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Aureus throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aureus scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aureus stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akiyama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aureus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Aureus 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akiyama preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Akiyama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Aureus connects with a couple of short punches.
Aureus throws a big right hand that misses.
Aureus stands up over Akiyama, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Aureus passes Akiyama's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Aureus not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Aureus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aureus slips a nice elbow through Akiyama's hands, connecting with Akiyama's forehead.
Aureus lands with a punch from half guard.
Aureus lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Aureus thows a huge punch but Akiyama dodges it nicely.
Aureus missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Aureus connects with a nice short shot to Akiyama's temple.
Aureus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Akiyama can do anything to dispel that myth.
Aureus missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Akiyama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aureus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama taking some punishment here, with Aureus in his half guard.
Aureus not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Aureus thows a huge punch but Akiyama dodges it nicely.
Akiyama taking some punishment here, with Aureus in his half guard.
Aureus looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Akiyama with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Aureus working the head and body with strikes.
Akiyama really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aureus. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Aureus maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Akiyama could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Aureus has cracked it and Akiyama is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Aureus!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Staph Aureus!
Staph Aureus decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.