PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jubei Akechi (ranked 852 p4p, 1868 weight class) and Wulfgang Bleak (ranked 105 p4p, 243 weight class). Bleak has chosen Du Hast - Rammstein as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Akechi
vs
Bleak

182 cm
22
159
7 - 3 - 0

181 cm
24
159
8 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Arcticus University: London

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jubei Akechi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Wulfgang Bleak!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Roger Salmon and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akechi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bleak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've been hearing reports that Akechi has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.

Akechi has Bleak up against the cage in a clinch.
Akechi can't find room to land a body shot as Bleak controls the action.
Bleak is trying to drag Akechi to the mat but Akechi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Akechi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Akechi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bleak softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Akechi misses with the head strike.
Akechi tries to work over Bleak's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bleak scores with a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akechi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Akechi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Bleak has a couple of punches blocked by Akechi.
Bleak changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Akechi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A jab from Akechi misses.
And Bleak tries to counter it with a takedown but Akechi pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akechi scores with a jab to the body.
Bleak swings widly with a right hand
and Akechi counters with a stiff right hand.
Akechi misses the shot to the body.
Bleak keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Bleak moves into the clinch.
Akechi has Bleak pressed against the cage.

Bleak has picked Akechi up - he's going for a ride! Bleak dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bleak working Akechi over with strikes.
Bleak is looking to advance position but Akechi won't allow it.

Bleak is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Akechi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bleak scores with a couple of nice shots.
Bleak sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Akechi defending well though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bleak throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bleak thows a huge punch but Akechi dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bleak wants to pass to mount but Akechi is defending the position.
Bleak throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bleak throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Akechi is controlling Bleak's trapped leg to prevent Bleak from advancing to side control.
Akechi trying to control here.
Bleak works his way into full mount!
Akechi is in a horrible position here. Bleak smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Akechi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Bleak missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bleak missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi wants to get back to full guard.
Bleak misses with a head shot. Akechi uses the momentum to regain guard.
Akechi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bleak keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Akechi's head.
Bleak is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bleak working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Akechi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Akechi is trying to keep Bleak in close.
Bleak throws a big elbow that misses.
Akechi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bleak.
Bleak is looking to work some ground and pound but Akechi has wrist control.
Bleak with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akechi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bleak chips away with some ground and pound.
Akechi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bleak postures up and lands a big shot to Akechi's brow.
Bleak throws a strike but Akechi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bleak has his foot on Akechi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Akechi works his way back into a safe position though.

Bleak escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Akechi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Akechi lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Akechi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bleak has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Akechi has managed to get both his arms back between Bleak's legs - danger averted.

Bleak looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Akechi is working Bleak over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Akechi preventing the sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wulfgang Bleak dominated that round.
That's time! Akechi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bleak takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Bleak with a poor takedown

and Akechi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bleak has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Akechi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Akechi has Bleak pushed against the cage.
Akechi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bleak's elbow.
Bleak can't find room to land a body shot as Akechi controls the action.
Bleak wants a takedown.
Jubei Akechi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wulfgang Bleak.
Akechi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bleak's elbow.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bleak as Akechi tries to tie him up.
Bleak is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Akechi pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Akechi prevents a body shot from Bleak.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bleak has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Akechi is trying to keep an underhook but Bleak manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Wulfgang Bleak has got the better of the ground game so far.
Akechi is trying to control but can't.
Akechi holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Bleak not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Akechi is positioning himself well to prevent Bleak advancing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bleak trying to advance position but Akechi counters by regaining guard.
Bleak is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bleak throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Akechi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bleak missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bleak missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bleak slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Bleak working the ground and pound.
Bleak misses with the ground and pound.
Bleak scoring with punches and elbows.
Bleak misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bleak landing a few strikes.
Bleak throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bleak in side control, throwing shots but Akechi defends.
Akechi is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Akechi is trying to control Bleak's posture but Bleak avoids it.
Bleak throws a strike aimed at the side of Akechi's head but Akechi avoids it well.
Akechi parries the strikes from Bleak easily there. Bleak is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Akechi to escape.
Akechi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Akechi regains half guard, as Bleak was trying to land strikes.
Akechi regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bleak.
Bleak throws an elbow that misses. Akechi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bleak's guard. Nice move by Akechi!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi won't allow Bleak to sweep him here.

Bleak has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Akechi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Akechi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bleak can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Akechi controls the pace.
Bleak lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Akechi trying to control the position.
Akechi can't keep his opponent in guard - Bleak advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bleak not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bleak thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bleak missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bleak wants to pass to mount but Akechi is defending the position.
Bleak missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bleak lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Akechi trying to hold on to Bleak's head to control him but Bleak postures up.
Bleak is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Akechi wants to improve his position but Bleak is controlling well.
Nice strikes from Bleak there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Wulfgang Bleak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Akechi gets tackled into the cage by Bleak. Bleak maintains the clinch.
Bleak has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Akechi seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Bleak can turn it around.
Bleak misses with a punch to the body.
Akechi tries to throw a body punch but Bleak avoids it by throwing Akechi back against the cage.
Akechi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bleak is trying to drag Akechi to the mat but Akechi just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bleak tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bleak looking for a takedown.
Jubei Akechi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wulfgang Bleak.
Akechi pressing his opponent against the cage.
Akechi misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akechi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bleak wants to take the fight to the mat but Akechi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Akechi lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bleak backwards.
Bleak can't get the takedown.
Akechi lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bleak backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akechi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bleak.
Bleak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bleak changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Akechi fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bleak slips a jab from Akechi.
Bleak fails with a takedown attempt.
Akechi looks to land a combination but Bleak avoids it well.
Bleak throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akechi.

Bleak moves into the clinch.
Akechi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bleak swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bleak prevents a body shot from Akechi.
Jubei Akechi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bleak wants a takedown.
Bleak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bleak blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bleak lands a shot to the body.
Bleak letting Akechi take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bleak wants a takedown.
Akechi working aggressively here.
Bleak tries to score a body lock takedown but Akechi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Akechi trying to stall but Bleak improves his position.

Bleak has hold of one of Akechi's legs. Akechi is fighting the takedown attempt but Bleak gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Akechi looking to control.
Akechi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bleak's guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bleak wants to improve his position but instead Akechi has moved into half guard.
Bleak is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Akechi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Akechi sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Jubei Akechi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bleak keeps working.
Bleak is looking for a sweep. Akechi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Akechi seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Akechi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Akechi is trying to control. Bleak wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wulfgang Bleak is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bleak gets back to full guard.
Akechi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bleak's head.
Bleak looking to hit a scissor sweep but Akechi is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akechi connects with a couple of short punches.
Bleak trying to control the position here.
Bleak's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Bleak preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bleak preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Akechi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bleak has momentary wrist control but Akechi slips an elbow through the middle.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akechi preventing the sweep.
Akechi landing some decent shots from guard.
Bleak utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Akechi 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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jubei Akechi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bleak has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wulfgang Bleak!
A relieved looking Wulfgang Bleak thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.