PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Shirahama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jani Perkele (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Shirahama
vs
Perkele

175 cm
22
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenichi Shirahama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jani Perkele!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Perkele is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Shirahama's half guard.
Shirahama is looking to control Perkele's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shirahama avoid being mounted?
Shirahama is looking to improve his position.

Perkele is trying to work for a kimura but Shirahama is defending well.

Perkele is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shirahama sees it coming and defends easily.
Shirahama slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Perkele drops back looking for a leg! Shirahama is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shirahama manages to kick Perkele off! Perkele jumps back into Shirahama's guard.

Shirahama escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Perkele gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Shirahama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Shirahama holds on and takes a little breather.

Perkele is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Shirahama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shirahama keeping full guard, as Perkele tries to pass.

Perkele drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shirahama dives on top into guard.
Perkele looks gassed!
Shirahama is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Perkele working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Shirahama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Shirahama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Shirahama gets to his feet. Perkele looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Shirahama looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Perkele blocks a jab.
Shirahama misses the shot to the body.
Shirahama throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Perkele sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shirahama misses with the combination.
Perkele fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shirahama swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perkele throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shirahama's waist but Shirahama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Perkele off to one side.
Shirahama pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shirahama misses with the combination.
Shirahama misses with a wild body shot.
Shirahama swings for the body but Perkele moves out of range.
Shirahama swinging wilding here.
Perkele doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Shirahama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

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.
Shirahama swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A combination from Shirahama does no damage.
Shirahama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Perkele was well out of range. Poor timing from Shirahama.
Kenichi Shirahama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shirahama throws a leg kick but Perkele sees it coming and moves out of range.

Perkele fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Shirahama sprawls well initially but Perkele persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Shirahama wants to improve his position but Perkele is controlling well.
Shirahama desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Perkele is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Shirahama is just riding it out for now. Perkele eventually gives up the hold.

Perkele is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama dominated that round.
That's time! Shirahama's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shirahama dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Perkele. That did some damage!
A cross from Shirahama lands.
Shirahama misses with the combination.
Perkele shoots in for a takedown but Shirahama shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shirahama waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Perkele.
Perkele dodges the punch combination from Shirahama.
Shirahama misses with a few strikes there.
Shirahama misses with a wild combination.

Shirahama drops Perkele with a beautiful combination! Perkele stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Shirahama is looking for the KO!

It looks like Jani Perkele has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama digs a good hook to Perkele's body.
Perkele is breathing heavily.
Shirahama dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shirahama.
Shirahama rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Perkele moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shirahama throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A jab lands there for Shirahama.
Perkele uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Shirahama.
Kenichi Shirahama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shirahama misses with a looping right.
Shirahama throws the left hand but Perkele avoids the punch easily.
Perkele chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shirahama can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkele takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Shirahama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shirahama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shirahama misses with a series of wild punches.
Shirahama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Shirahama throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shirahama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Perkele closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Shirahama to the mat! Shirahama manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Perkele drops back looking for a leg! Shirahama is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shirahama manages to kick Perkele off! Perkele jumps back into Shirahama's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Perkele wants to pass the guard but Shirahama is keeping the position.

Shirahama is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Perkele is aware though and is defending well.
Shirahama trying to control the position.

Perkele drops back looking for a leg! Shirahama is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shirahama manages to kick Perkele off! Perkele jumps back into Shirahama's guard.

Shirahama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Perkele is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Perkele drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Shirahama dives on top into guard.
Shirahama passes Perkele's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Shirahama decides to stand up.
Shirahama lands a head kick!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Perkele fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Shirahama dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jani Perkele's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Shirahama feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Perkele's calf.
Shirahama misses with a low kick.
Perkele shoots for a takedown but Shirahama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Shirahama lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Perkele backs up against the cage.
Shirahama throws a lazy right hand but Perkele sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Perkele changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Shirahama looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Shirahama manages to work his way to half guard, despite Perkele's best efforts.
Shirahama has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Perkele is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shirahama makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shirahama.

Perkele is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Shirahama is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Shirahama has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shirahama stands and throws Perkele's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Shirahama tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kenichi Shirahama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Perkele is looking to reverse the position.
Shirahama working away.

Shirahama looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A control attempt from Perkele but he's now mounted!

Shirahama working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Perkele turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Shirahama off and cradles Perkele's limp body as Shirahama celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:35 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Kenichi Shirahama!