PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Cohen (ranked 3459 p4p, 3899 weight class) and Kyoji Akawi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kyoji Akawi has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Brandon Cohen's chin.

Cohen
vs
Akawi

185 cm
25
179
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
165
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Brandon Cohen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kyoji Akawi!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Peter Branson and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akawi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cohen defends well and Akawi ends up having to push Cohen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Cohen is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Akawi.
Akawi looks for a takedown but Cohen sprawls well.
Cohen is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Akawi falls off balance throwing a combination

and Cohen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Cohen has hold of one of Akawi's legs. Akawi is fighting the takedown attempt but Cohen gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Cohen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cohen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cohen landing some decent shots from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cohen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cohen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Akawi is trying to stand back up but Cohen is controlling him
Akawi wants to control but Cohen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cohen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Cohen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Cohen works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cohen content just to control the position here.
Cohen is landing with some decent strikes but Akawi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Akawi tries to buck Cohen off but he can't manage it.
Akawi is working to get back to half guard.
Cohen controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akawi tries to hold on but Cohen pushes him away.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Akawi is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Cohen is staying active.
Akawi in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Cohen controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cohen scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Akawi?
Cohen content just to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cohen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Cohen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Akawi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cohen swivels and escapes.
Akawi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cohen swivels and escapes.

Cohen has managed to clinch.

Cohen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Akawi can't fight it off and eventually Cohen manages to take the fight to the floor. Akawi looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Akawi is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Cohen dives into side control.

Cohen looks up at the clock and then as Akawi takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cohen smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cohen cracks Akawi with a big right hand but Akawi just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Cohen taking a breather here.
Akawi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cohen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cohen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Akawi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Akawi tries to control but Cohen manages to take his back.
Akawi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Cohen cracks Akawi with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Akawi from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
I would not like to be Akawi right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cohen gets his hands free as Akawi looks to control.

Cohen looking for the choke but no joy.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cohen has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Cohen. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Akawi is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Akawi wants to control his opponent's hands but Cohen gets his hands free.

Akawi is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Cohen gets his way!
Akawi is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cohen cracks Akawi with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Akawi from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Cohen looking to break Akawi's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Akawi remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Cohen will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Cohen biding his time, controlling Akawi.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akawi tries to escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Cohen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cohen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Akawi!
Brandon Cohen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Akawi tries to bench press Cohen off him but Cohen keeps the position.
Cohen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Akawi can do to turn this around?
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
You can see the frustration on Akawi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Cohen looks up at the clock and then as Akawi takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Cohen smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Cohen stands up and beckons Akawi to his feet.

Akawi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Cohen bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cohen scores with a takedown into Akawi's guard.
Cohen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Cohen seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Akawi for as long as he can get away with.
Cohen pushing down on Akawi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cohen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Akawi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Cohen prevents Akawi from improving his position.

Akawi looking for submissions off his back.
Akawi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cohen scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cohen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Cohen wants to work for an arm triangle but Akawi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Cohen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Akawi!

Cohen is working for a guillotine from mount but Akawi frees his head quite easily.
Akawi is working to get back to half guard.
Akawi tries to lock up and control but Cohen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cohen looking to finish Akawi with some ground and pound. This is bad for Akawi!
Cohen takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Akawi is desperately trying to improve his position but Cohen has a good base and remains in mount.

Cohen goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Akawi is on top in guard.

Cohen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cohen is pulling down on Akawi's head. It's preventing any offense from Akawi, at least for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Cohen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cohen 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Cohen!