PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sihlan Kongsangchai (ranked 4417 p4p, 4373 weight class) and Takashi Akatsuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kongsangchai
vs
Akatsuki

177 cm
18
158
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
150
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sihlan Kongsangchai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takashi Akatsuki!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kongsangchai circles away from the clinch attempt.
It looked like Kongsangchai wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Akatsuki throws a combination that misses
and Kongsangchai counters with a nice uppercut.
Kongsangchai works over Akatsuki's head and body with a nice combination.
Akatsuki jabs Kongsangchai to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Akatsuki walks into a left hand.
Kongsangchai connects with a body shot.

Akatsuki dives in and scores a takedown into Kongsangchai's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kongsangchai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akatsuki content to stall in guard here.
Akatsuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kongsangchai is keeping the position for now.
Akatsuki wants to control from the top but Kongsangchai keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akatsuki is stalling in the full guard.
Kongsangchai keeping moving, preventing Akatsuki from controlling successfully.
Akatsuki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Akatsuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kongsangchai is keeping the position for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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.
Akatsuki lands with a kick to the temple. Kongsangchai shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kongsangchai tests Akatsuki's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kongsangchai swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Akatsuki.
Kongsangchai feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Akatsukis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kongsangchai scores with a decent looking hook.
Kongsangchai takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kongsangchai scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sihlan Kongsangchai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kongsangchai throws a right and a left that Akatsuki avoids nicely.
Akatsuki tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Akatsuki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kongsangchai is trying to defend but Akatsuki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kongsangchai is trying to get back to full guard.
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.
Kongsangchai wants to get back to full guard but Akatsuki has passed into side control.
Akatsuki misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kongsangchai prevents Akatsuki from improving position.
Kongsangchai is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Akatsuki's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Akatsuki stalling away here and it's allowed Kongsangchai to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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.
Kongsangchai lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Akatsuki can do anything to dispel that myth.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Akatsuki keeping moving, preventing Kongsangchai from controlling successfully.
Akatsuki utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kongsangchai postures up in Akatsuki's guard and throws a big left but Akatsuki blocks it.

Akatsuki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kongsangchai defends it easily.
Akatsuki looks winded!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kongsangchai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sihlan Kongsangchai dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Akatsuki shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kongsangchai throws out a loose jab but Akatsuki uses good head movement to avoid it.

Akatsuki shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Akatsuki is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kongsangchai defends it well.

Kongsangchai is defending against the submission attempts here by Akatsuki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kongsangchai is looking for a sweep. Akatsuki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akatsuki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Akatsuki is thwarting Kongsangchai's attempts to control the position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Akatsuki in particular looking to stall.
Kongsangchai trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Takashi Akatsuki has got the better of the ground game so far.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kongsangchai jabs Akatsuki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice cross by Kongsangchai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Akatsuki's head backwards.
Akatsuki needs to keep his hands up - Kongsangchai had a free shot at his head there.
A jab lands there for Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai misses the jab.

Akatsuki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Akatsuki is breathing heavily.
Kongsangchai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Akatsuki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Akatsuki's back!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kongsangchai misses with punches from the back.
Akatsuki covering up well under a series of strikes from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai throwing sloppy strikes.
Kongsangchai throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Kongsangchai punches the canvas rather than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akatsuki trying to control the hands but Kongsangchai breaks the grip.
Kongsangchai tries to keep control of the position but Akatsuki is staying busy.
Akatsuki covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Akatsuki covering up well and avoiding damage.
Kongsangchai missing with strikes from the back.
Kongsangchai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Akatsuki can do to turn this around?
Kongsangchai throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Kongsangchai misses with an elbow to the head.
Kongsangchai throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Kongsangchai throwing sloppy strikes.
Kongsangchai misses with punches from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Akatsuki covering up well and avoiding damage.
Akatsuki covering up well and avoiding damage.
Akatsuki avoids the strikes from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai is looking to control Akatsuki but Akatsuki is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Kongsangchai throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Kongsangchai punches the canvas rather than the man.
Kongsangchai thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sihlan Kongsangchai dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Akatsuki takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kongsangchai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Takashi Akatsuki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akatsuki takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Akatsuki shoots in and gets a takedown into Kongsangchai's guard.
Akatsuki looking to sit in guard and control but Kongsangchai gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Akatsuki tries to strike from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kongsangchai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akatsuki keeping moving, preventing Kongsangchai from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kongsangchai's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kongsangchai with a flurry of punches that miss.
Akatsuki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akatsuki keeping moving, preventing Kongsangchai from controlling successfully.
Akatsuki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kongsangchai missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akatsuki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kongsangchai tries to roll over but Akatsuki keeps him under control.
Akatsuki is trying to control. Kongsangchai wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akatsuki is thwarting Kongsangchai's attempts to control the position.
Kongsangchai wants to improve his position but Akatsuki is controlling well.
Kongsangchai looks like he's trying to stand up.
Akatsuki prevents Kongsangchai from improving his position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kongsangchai is trying to stand up here but Akatsuki is controlling him well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akatsuki gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kongsangchai.
A right-left combo lands from Kongsangchai.
Kongsangchai misses with a wild combination.
Akatsuki moves forwards but Kongsangchai connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kongsangchai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sihlan Kongsangchai is winning the standup battle so far.
Kongsangchai lands a jab to Akatsuki's midsection.
Akatsuki walks into a left hand.
Kongsangchai sizes up Akatsuki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sihlan Kongsangchai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kongsangchai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Akatsuki momentarily.
Kongsangchai with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kongsangchai scores with a crisp jab that stopped Akatsuki in his tracks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kongsangchai scores with a punch to the head.
Kongsangchai scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Akatsuki takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kongsangchai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Akatsuki. Akatsuki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Akatsuki has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kongsangchai lands a nice shot that snaps Akatsuki's head back.
Kongsangchai lunges at Akatsuki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Akatsuki's hand.
Akatsuki has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kongsangchai lands with a right hand.
Akatsuki ducks under a wild hook from Kongsangchai.

Akatsuki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kongsangchai napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Akatsuki working away.
Takashi Akatsuki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Sihlan Kongsangchai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kongsangchai has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sihlan Kongsangchai!