PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kron Gracie (ranked 1774 p4p, 1071 weight class) and Jubei Akechi (ranked 219 p4p, 137 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Akechi

174 cm
25
156
9 - 6 - 0

182 cm
22
159
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Arcticus University: London
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kron Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jubei Akechi!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Luis Engracia and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Gracie manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Akechi on his heels. He'll look to pass Akechi's guard now, I'm sure.
Our spies down at at Rings Russia inform us that Akechi has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Akechi pulls Gracie in close to prevent any damage.

Gracie drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gracie jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gracie trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Gracie is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Akechi keeping full guard, as Gracie tries to pass.
Gracie is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Akechi holds on and takes a little breather.
Gracie controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie passes Akechi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Akechi is trying to get back to full guard.
Gracie is thwarting Akechi's attempts to control the position.
Gracie is pressing down on Akechi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Akechi is holding on for now.
Gracie wants to control but Akechi is keeping him busy.
Akechi is looking to control Gracie's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Akechi avoid being mounted?
Gracie looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Akechi is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Gracie shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gracie showed some decent athleticism there.
Gracie wants to free his trapped foot but Akechi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Akechi trying to control here.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Gracie tries to pass to full mount but Akechi defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi is holding on to half guard well.
Akechi is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Akechi is defending the position.
Akechi wants to get back to full guard.

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.
Nice strikes from Gracie there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie moves into full mount! Akechi won't be happy about that!

Gracie working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Gracie misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Akechi wants to hold on but Gracie pushes him away.
Akechi is squirming around, avoiding Gracie's attempts to control the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akechi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kron Gracie dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Gracie misses with a takedown attempt
and Akechi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Akechi lands a really nice looking cross but Gracie seems unphased.
Akechi cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
Gracie fails with the takedown
and Akechi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Akechi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Gracie's head backwards.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kron Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Akechi to counter with a crisp jab.
Gracie goes for a double leg but Akechi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Akechi continues to drive forward.
Akechi scores with a shoulder strike.
Gracie tries to pull guard but Akechi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akechi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akechi.
Gracie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Akechi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Akechi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gracie jumps guard but Akechi stands there with Gracie around his waist. Gracie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Akechi scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akechi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Akechi lands a shoulder strike.
Akechi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gracie backwards.
Akechi tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Akechi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akechi.
Akechi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Akechi.
Gracie jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Akechi walks away with a smile on his face. Gracie gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Akechi connects with a nice looking jab.
Gracie shoots and misses
and Akechi counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kron Gracie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Akechi.
Gracie needs to keep his hands up - Akechi had a free shot at his head there.
Akechi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Akechi lands a left and a right that send Gracie crashing to the mat, dazed. Akechi thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Gracie is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BAM! Akechi delivers a spinning backfist that drops Gracie like a ragdoll! This is all oooooveeeer! He was out before he hit the ground!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Spinning Backfist). Jubei Akechi!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Jubei Akechi made sure he mentioned Voodoo Nutrition, along with how happy he was to win his fight.