PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Collins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Norifumi Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: On the Eve of War - Jedi Mind Tricks. Norifumi Akiyama has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Steve Collins's chin.

Collins
vs
Akiyama

185 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
190 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Steve Collins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Norifumi Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Collins throws out the jab.
Akiyama with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Collins to score with a decent uppercut.
Collins pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Akiyama thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Collins if he has to take too many more of those.

Akiyama clinches up against the cage.
Akiyama using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Collins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Akiyama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Collins's efforts to push away.
Akiyama tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Collins breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Akiyama wants to clinch up but Collins keeps it at a distance.
Akiyama thumps Collins with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akiyama moves out of range as Collins strikes.
Collins circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akiyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Collins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Collins looks to land a combination. Akiyama sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Akiyama tries to clinch but Collins moves out of range.
Collins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Akiyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Collins circles away.
Akiyama is looking to clinch.

Akiyama gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Collins blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akiyama looking to throw knees to the head but Collins is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a knee strike.
Akiyama with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Akiyama with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Akiyama misses with a knee to the head.
Akiyama tries a knee to the head but Collins blocks it.
Akiyama tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akiyama with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Akiyama looks gassed!
Collins blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Collins can't break the clinch.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Akiyama looking to throw knees to the head but Collins is blocking nicely.
Collins blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akiyama gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Collins.
Akiyama with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Collins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyama tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Collins cracks Akiyama with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Collins misses with the combination.
Collins lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Collins lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Collins.
A low kick from Akiyama misses
and Collins counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akiyama shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Akiyama has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Akiyama takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Collins will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Akiyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Akiyama closes the distance but Collins moves to the side
and Collins counters with a right hand to the body.
Norifumi Akiyama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akiyama slips under a jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akiyama.
Akiyama scoring well with a low kick there.
Akiyama tries to clinch
and Collins counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akiyama forces Collins back against the cage and clinches.
Akiyama misses with a knee to the head.
Akiyama with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the head but Collins blocks with his arms.
Collins tries to break the clinch but Akiyama is controlling the position.
Akiyama tries a knee to the head but Collins blocks it.
Collins wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akiyama has him pressed against the cage.
Akiyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Collins blocks it with crossed arms.

Collins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Collins shoots in for a double leg but Akiyama sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Akiyama misses with a knee strike.
Collins is trying to force a seperation but Akiyama has the dominant position.
Akiyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Collins blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Collins blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Collins avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akiyama misses with a knee to the head.

Collins breaks from the clinch.
Collins scores with a jab to the body.
Collins fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Collins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Collins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Akiyama gets a clinch.
Akiyama landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Collins wants to get back to striking at distance but Akiyama won't allow it.
Akiyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Collins blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama missing with knees to the body.
Akiyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Collins blocks it with crossed arms.

Collins escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akiyama ducks under a wild hook from Collins.

Collins shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Akiyama napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Collins thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steve Collins will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Collins keeps the fight on the outside.
Collins connects with a looping right hand.
Collins is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Akiyama moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A jab from Collins misses.

Akiyama has Collins up against the cage in a clinch.
Akiyama with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Akiyama lands a nice knee to the body.
Akiyama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Collins's efforts to push away.
Collins blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Akiyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Collins is defending well for now.
Akiyama looking to throw knees to the head but Collins is blocking nicely.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.
Collins looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Akiyama keeps control of Collins as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Collins managing to block the knees to the body from Akiyama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a knee strike.
Akiyama looking to throw knees to the head but Collins is blocking nicely.
Collins can't break the clinch.
Akiyama misses with a knee strike.

Collins breaks the clinch.
Collins misses with a two punch combination.
Akiyama has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Akiyama there as he acknowledges the shot.
Collins lands a jab-cross combination.
Collins throws a series of punches but Akiyama avoids them all with ease.
Steve Collins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Akiyama misses with a body kick.
Collins swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Collins will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Some wild striking there from Collins.
Akiyama wants to clinch.
Akiyama tries to land a front kick but Collins steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama tries to close the distance and clinch up but Collins swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A nice inside leg kick there by Collins. That's going to slow Akiyama down.
Akiyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Collins circles away.
Collins takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Akiyama gets a clinch.
Akiyama keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Collins's efforts to push away.
Akiyama with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Akiyama misses with a knee strike.
Akiyama with a knee to the head.
Akiyama misses with a knee to the head.
Collins wants to break the clinch but can't.
Akiyama using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Collins has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Collins manages to break the clinch.
Akiyama takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Akiyama tries to clinch but Collins is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Collins looks to land a right hand but Akiyama moved out of range.
Collins throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Collins blocks the body kick.

Akiyama rushes Collins and presses him up against the cage.
Akiyama with a knee to the head.

Collins has Akiyama pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Collins pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Akiyama tumbling to the mat - Collins dives into Akiyama's guard.
Collins tries to free his leg and advance position but Akiyama is retaining full guard.
Akiyama wants to get back to his feet but Collins is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Collins is looking to work some ground and pound but Akiyama has wrist control.
Akiyama keeping moving, preventing Collins from controlling successfully.

Collins drops back looking for a leg! Akiyama is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Akiyama manages to kick Collins off! Collins jumps back into Akiyama's guard.
Collins tries to free his leg and advance position but Akiyama is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Collins dominated that second round.
That's time! Collins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Akiyama ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Akiyama fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Collins.
Collins shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Akiyama defends it nicely.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akiyama.
Akiyama thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Collins if he has to take too many more of those.
A solid body kick from Akiyama.
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!
Akiyama tries to clinch up.
Akiyama looks to land a body kick but Collins moved away.
Akiyama looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Collins keeps the fight on the outside.
Collins takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Akiyama throws a nice outside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Akiyama is looking to slow Collins down with leg kicks.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akiyama.
Akiyama wants to clinch but Collins slips to the side
and Akiyama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Collins throws a leg kick

and Akiyama counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Akiyama.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the head but Collins blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Collins is defending well for now.
Akiyama crunches a lovely knee into Collins's ribcage.
Akiyama misses with a knee strike.
Akiyama lands a nice knee to the body.
Collins is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Collins wants to break the clinch but can't.
Collins tries to break free but Akiyama pushes him back against the cage.
Akiyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Collins blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama unloads a knee to the mid-section. Collins lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Collins wants to break free but Akiyama has control.
Akiyama trying to land knees to the body.
Akiyama throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Collins blocks it with crossed arms.
Collins can't get the takedown.
Akiyama lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Akiyama with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Akiyama tries to land knees in the clinch but Collins avoids the damage to the body.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the head but Collins blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Collins breaks the clinch.
Collins throws a jab when Akiyama was well out of range.

Akiyama has Collins up against the cage in a clinch.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Akiyama with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Collins ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Collins no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Akiyama must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Collins is trying to keep Akiyama in close.
Collins is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Akiyama really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Collins. 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 three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama wants to stand but Collins is controlling his posture from full guard.

Collins working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Akiyama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Akiyama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Akiyama wants to stand but Collins has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

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.

Collins has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Akiyama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Norifumi Akiyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akiyama trying to stand up but can't free himself from Collins's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Norifumi Akiyama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Collins has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Collins!