PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jubei Akechi (ranked 2509 p4p, 770 weight class) and Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit (ranked 279 p4p, 96 weight class). Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Akechi
vs
Sitsongrit

182 cm
34
159
25 - 17 - 0

174 cm
38
157
23 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 25 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jubei Akechi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sitsongrit ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akechi moves away.
Sitsongrit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akechi.
Akechi swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sitsongrit counters with a straight right hand.
Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sitsongrit throws a right hand that misses
letting Akechi counter with a right hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Sitsongrit as he connects with a hook.
Sitsongrit misses with a looping left.
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.
Sitsongrit throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akechi is looking for a counter combo.
Akechi ducks under a wild hook from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A big left from Sitsongrit misses.
It looked like Akechi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Sitsongrit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akechi defending well as Sitsongrit loads up on a big left hand.
Akechi staying out of range there.
An attempted straight right counter from Akechi misses the target.
Sitsongrit connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Akechi clinches up with Sitsongrit and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sitsongrit - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Akechi is looking to break free of the clinch but Sitsongrit has double underhooks.

Akechi breaks from the clinch.
A punch combination from Sitsongrit misses.
Sitsongrit throws a looping overhand right but Akechi ducks down to avoid it.
Sitsongrit throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Akechi throwing a counter right hand but Sitsongrit manages to avoid it.
Akechi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sitsongrit.
Akechi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Sitsongrit might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sitsongrit misses with a series of wild punches.
Sitsongrit throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sitsongrit lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sitsongrit throws a head kick that misses
and Akechi counters with a series of strikes. Sitsongrit will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sitsongrit throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sitsongrit tries to sprawl but Akechi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
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!
Akechi is keen to just control but Sitsongrit is a slippery customer.
Akechi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sitsongrit trying to hold on to Akechi's head to control him but Akechi postures up.
Akechi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akechi is taking a breather. Sitsongrit says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Akechi wants to pass to mount but Sitsongrit is defending the position.
Akechi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
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.
Akechi is pressing down on Sitsongrit's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sitsongrit is holding on for now.

Sitsongrit looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sitsongrit wants to control but Akechi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Akechi wants to take a breather but Sitsongrit is having none of it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sitsongrit is looking to score with low kicks.
Akechi throws a head kick but Sitsongrit moves out of range.
Sitsongrit looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A leg kick checked by Akechi.
Sitsongrit scores with a punch to the head.
Sitsongrit fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit throws an overhand right that lands on Akechi's shoulder, as Akechi tries to avoid the shot.
Akechi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Sitsongrit just manages to avoid it.
Akechi defending well as Sitsongrit loads up on a big left hand.
Sitsongrit lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Akechi moves out of range as Sitsongrit throws a body kick.
Sitsongrit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akechi appears to be looking for a big counter.
Sitsongrit fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Akechi on the side of the head.
Sitsongrit swinging wildly here.
Akechi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sitsongrit misses with a body shot.
Akechi throws the left hand but Sitsongrit avoids the punch easily.
Jab by Sitsongrit.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sitsongrit fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Akechi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sitsongrit lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Akechi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Akechi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sitsongrit swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Akechi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sitsongrit has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Akechi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sitsongrit is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit keeping moving, preventing Akechi from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Sitsongrit 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 trying to control but Sitsongrit is working from the bottom.
Akechi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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

That's two 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.
Akechi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sitsongrit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akechi.
Sitsongrit throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sitsongrit works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sitsongrit misses with a looping left.
Akechi moves out of range as Sitsongrit strikes.
Sitsongrit punishes Akechi's body with a nice straight punch.
Sitsongrit misses with a straight right.
Sitsongrit lands the left hand.
Akechi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sitsongrit.
Akechi ducks under a wild hook from Sitsongrit.
Akechi appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi blocks a jab.
Akechi throwing a counter right hand but Sitsongrit manages to avoid it.
Sitsongrit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akechi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Sitsongrit attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed right hand from Sitsongrit misses the target.
Akechi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sitsongrit changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jubei Akechi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sitsongrit ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sitsongrit misses with a shot to the body
and Akechi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sitsongrit has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sitsongrit throws a lazy uppercut
and Akechi counters with a left and a right that stings Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sitsongrit misses with a double jab
and Akechi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Akechi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sitsongrit looks for the body kick but Akechi saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit scores with a nice right hand.
Akechi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sitsongrit moves away.
Akechi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit looks to land a right hand but Akechi moved out of range.
Akechi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sitsongrit throws a right hand that misses
and Akechi counters with a three punch combo that has Sitsongrit backing up. Sitsongrit nods at Akechi to acknowledge the strikes.
Decent striking displayed by Sitsongrit there.
Sitsongrit misses with a looping left.
Akechi throwing a counter right hand but Sitsongrit manages to avoid it.
Akechi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sitsongrit stuffs the takedown.
Sitsongrit tries to land a leg kick but Akechi saw it coming and moves away.
Sitsongrit throws a looping overhand right but Akechi ducks down to avoid it.
Akechi throws a big counter combination but Sitsongrit scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Akechi clinches with his opponent.
Akechi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sitsongrit tries a body shot but Akechi blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akechi.
Akechi blocking some punches.
Akechi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sitsongrit working aggressively here.
Sitsongrit effectively controlling the action here.
Sitsongrit letting Akechi take a breather here.

Akechi breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sitsongrit throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Akechi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sitsongrit thinks about the counter body kick.
Sitsongrit loads up on a big right hand but Akechi slips the punch.
Akechi seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sitsongrit waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akechi.
Sitsongrit misses the jab.
Sitsongrit throws a head kick but Akechi moves out of range.
As Sitsongrit looks to move away, Akechi throws a big counter combo but Sitsongrit just gets out of the way.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook.
Sitsongrit thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akechi is looking for a counter combo.
Akechi defending well as Sitsongrit loads up on a big left hand.
Akechi appears to be looking for a big counter.
A swing and a miss from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit lands a jab to Akechi's midsection.
Sitsongrit throws a shot from downtown. Akechi moves away and avoids it.
Akechi misses with a looping right.
Sitsongrit throws a lazy right hand but Akechi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A quick step to the side and Akechi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sitsongrit misses with a hook.
A combination from Sitsongrit does no damage.
A little feinted left hand from Akechi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akechi.
A big right from Sitsongrit misses.
Sitsongrit swings widly with a right hand
and Akechi counters with a left and a right that stings Sitsongrit.
Akechi slips under a jab from Sitsongrit.
Sitsongrit connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Akechi momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sitsongrit throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akechi throwing a counter right hand but Sitsongrit manages to avoid it.
Sitsongrit swings widly with a right hand
and Akechi counters with a one-two to the body.
Sitsongrit lands a head shot.
Sitsongrit throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akechi wants to clinch.
Jubei Akechi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit loads up on a big right hand but Akechi slips the punch.
Akechi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sitsongrit lands a head kick. Akechi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Sitsongrit misses with a lunging right hand
and Akechi counters with a series of strikes. Sitsongrit will be more careful next time no doubt.

Akechi gets a clinch.
Sitsongrit dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Akechi working hard to break the clinch.
Akechi blocking some punches.
Sitsongrit misses with a punch on the inside.
Akechi tries to circle away but Sitsongrit has him pinned against the cage.
Akechi blocking some punches.
Sitsongrit has Akechi pressed against the cage, preventing Akechi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Akechi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akechi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Akechi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sitsongrit feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Akechis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Akechi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sitsongrit throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Akechi on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sitsongrit misses with an uppercut
and Akechi counters with a straight right hand.
Sitsongrit slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sitsongrit stuffs the takedown attempt from Akechi. Akechi gets slowly back to his feet.
Sitsongrit pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Akechi is looking for a counter combo.
A jab from Sitsongrit misses.
Akechi misses with a hook.
Akechi avoids a punch combination nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sitsongrit winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit!
Yodsingkhun Sitsongrit decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.