PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yasuhiro Akagi (ranked 1438 p4p, 199 weight class) and Eddy Maiden (ranked 3259 p4p, 406 weight class). Akagi comes to the cage accompanied by Nash the Slash - American Band. Maiden has chosen Iron Maiden as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Yasuhiro Akagi could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Eddy Maiden's chin.

Akagi
vs
Maiden

180 cm
27
181 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

185 cm
43
174 lbs
32 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yasuhiro Akagi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eddy Maiden!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Robert Douchet and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akagi avoids the head kick by Maiden.
Akagi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Maiden manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Akagi throws a front kick aimed at Maiden's knee but Maiden avoids it well.
Maiden dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Akagi. That did some damage!
Maiden tries to clinch up but Akagi circles away and keeps his distance.
It appears Akagi was looking to counter with a kick there.
Maiden is trying hard to land a takedown here. Akagi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Maiden tries to land a leg kick but Akagi saw it coming and moves away.
Akagi wants to clinch up but Maiden keeps it at a distance.
Akagi throws a body kick that misses.
Maiden shoots and misses
and Akagi counters with a nice body shot.
Akagi blocks a leg kick.
Akagi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maiden throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Akagi scores with a kick to the body.
Maiden misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Maiden.
Akagi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Akagi wants it to stay on the feet.
Yasuhiro Akagi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddy Maiden.
Akagi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maiden's calf.
A low kick from Maiden is predictable there
and Akagi counters with a nice body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Maiden tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've been told by Akagi's head coaches at soundcloud.com/spinmanfinn that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Maiden misses with a body kick.
Akagi is looking to counter with head kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akagi checks a leg kick.
Maiden scoring well with a low kick there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Maiden.
Akagi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Maiden closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Akagi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Maiden trying to control the action but Akagi is working from the bottom.
Akagi tries to buck Maiden off but Maiden is having none of it.
My spies in Tayne's 4d3d3d3 Gym inform me that Maiden has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
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.
Maiden wants to control but Akagi is keeping him busy.
Akagi tries to improve position but can't.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Maiden is trying to get an arm triangle but Akagi is defending well.
Akagi can't do much from the bottom here.
Maiden taking a breather here.
Maiden is looking to take a break and control but Akagi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akagi wants to control but Maiden postures up.
Akagi is looking for a sweep.

Maiden has an Americana. Akagi didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Maiden is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Maiden hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Eddy Maiden!
Eddy Maiden thanked the fans post fight for their support.