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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Akiyama (ranked 1650 p4p, 2087 weight class) and Khamzat Chimaev (ranked 213 p4p, 254 weight class). Khamzat Chimaev will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.
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| 178 cm
26
177
3 - 0 - 0 |
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191 cm
25
175
2 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Prefers standup |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin |
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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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Khamzat Chimaev!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Josh West.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama tests Chimaev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Akiyama moves out of range as Chimaev strikes.
Akiyama throws a lazy head kick
and Chimaev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Akiyama won't be happy with that.
Akiyama is trying to control Chimaev's posture but Chimaev avoids it.
Akiyama is trying to improve his position.
Akiyama is trying to work for a sweep but Chimaev has mounted him!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Chimaev stands up from mount. Strange move.
Akiyama waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Chimaev.
Akiyama closes the distance looking to clinch
and Chimaev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chimaev wants to free his trapped foot but Akiyama is holding on for dear life with his legs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev prevents Akiyama from improving his position.
Akiyama works his way to full guard. Good work.
Chimaev won't allow Akiyama to sweep him here.
Chimaev stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Akiyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akiyama moves into the clinch.
Chimaev prevents the takedown attempt.
Akiyama is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Chimaev decides to pull guard.
Chimaev trying to keep a closed guard but Akiyama is proving a slippery customer.
Chimaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Chimaev is keeping the position for now.
Akiyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Chimaev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akiyama showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Chimaev has his hands on Akiyama's head, controlling the position.
Chimaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Akiyama is pushing down on Chimaev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Chimaev is fighting to maintain full guard but Akiyama has managed to sneak the leg through.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Chimaev sees it coming and defends easily.
Chimaev wants to get back to his feet.
Akiyama is thwarting Chimaev's attempts to control the position.
Akiyama seems to be working for a kimura but Chimaev defends the submission attempt.
Chimaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Akiyama.
Akiyama is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Akiyama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Chimaev keeps working.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Some bone on bone action there as Chimaev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Chimaev tries to clinch up.
Chimaev gets tackled into the cage by Akiyama. Akiyama maintains the clinch.
Akiyama looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.
Akiyama drops down looking for an ankle pick but Chimaev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Chimaev closes the distance and pushes Akiyama back into the cage.
Chimaev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Akiyama avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chimaev pulls guard.
Chimaev keeping moving, preventing Akiyama from controlling successfully.
Chimaev 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Khamzat Chimaev dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Chimaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Akiyama has Chimaev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Chimaev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Akiyama wants to take the fight to the mat but Chimaev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Akiyama wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chimaev wants a takedown but no success here.
Chimaev wants a takedown.
Chimaev is pressed up against the cage. Akiyama has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Chimaev down to the mat. Chimaev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Chimaev checks a low kick from Akiyama.
Akiyama throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Chimaev.
Akiyama throws a nice looking combination but Chimaev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Akiyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Chimaev circles away.
Chimaev steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Akiyama.
Akiyama fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Chimaev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Akiyama.
Akiyama tries to close the distance and clinch up but Chimaev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Chimaev fails to land the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Akiyama as Chimaev shoots in.
Akiyama fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Yoshihiro Akiyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chimaev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chimaev throws a counter combo.
Akiyama throws a right and a left that both miss.
Chimaev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Chimaev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Yoshihiro Akiyama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akiyama is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Akiyama throws a nice looking combination but Chimaev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Akiyama tries to clinch up but Chimaev circles away and keeps his distance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chimaev.
Akiyama tries to clinch up.
Akiyama darts in trying to clinch
and Chimaev counters with a shoot takedown. Akiyama fights it but they end up in guard.
Akiyama had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Chimaev defends it easily.
Chimaev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Chimaev won't allow Akiyama to sweep him here.
Akiyama looking to control.
Khamzat Chimaev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Akiyama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chimaev manages to get himself to full guard.
Akiyama wants to control from the top but Chimaev keeps moving.
Chimaev is pulling down on Akiyama's head. It's preventing any offense from Akiyama, at least for the moment.
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.
The fighters are working up against the cage. Chimaev manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Chimaev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Akiyama pulls his leg out and moves away.
Chimaev circles away from the clinch attempt.
A low kick lands for Akiyama.
Chimaev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Akiyama throws a sloppy head kick and Chimaev moves out of range easily.
Chimaev changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Akiyama misses with a low kick.
And Chimaev tries to counter it with a takedown but Akiyama pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Akiyama lands a head shot.
Chimaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chimaev fails to land the takedown.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Yoshihiro Akiyama will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!
Akiyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Chimaev fails to land the takedown.
Akiyama lands with a cross.
Akiyama feints and then cracks Chimaev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Chimaev down.
Akiyama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Chimaev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akiyama swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akiyama tries to clinch but Chimaev is having none of it.
Chimaev blocks a low kick nicely.
And Chimaev tries to counter it with a takedown but Akiyama pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Chimaev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chimaev moves into range and clinches up with Akiyama.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Chimaev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Chimaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Akiyama is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Akiyama drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Akiyama is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chimaev gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Akiyama regains guard.
Akiyama 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 can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Chimaev controls the pace.
Akiyama is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Chimaev keeping control of the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev strikes from the bottom but Akiyama passes into mount!
Akiyama unloads with some shots from mount but Chimaev bucks and avoids them well.
Chimaev tries to lock up and control but Akiyama gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Akiyama wants to control the action but instead Chimaev gets a body lock and reverses into Akiyama's guard! Nice work!
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 land a sweep but no joy.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Chimaev manages to get himself to full guard.
Chimaev has his hands on Akiyama's head, controlling the position.
Akiyama throws a strike but Chimaev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Chimaev won't allow Akiyama to sweep him here.
Chimaev is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Akiyama lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chimaev looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Akiyama wants to pass the guard but Chimaev is keeping the position.
Chimaev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chimaev wants to stand and escape but Akiyama is having none of it.
Akiyama trying to control but Chimaev is working from the bottom.
And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yoshihiro Akiyama.
I think Akiyama 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Yoshihiro Akiyama!
An out of breath Yoshihiro Akiyama thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
36% |
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