PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Jo Jo Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jo Jo Junior is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Be friends. Joey Jo Jo Junior acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Akiyama
vs
Jo Jo Junior

183 cm
25
182 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

180 cm
21
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Rivers Edge Nutrition

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yoshihiro Akiyama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joey Jo Jo Junior!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Jorge Garcia and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Akiyama shoots in and bounces Jo Jo Junior off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Jo Jo Junior trying to keep a closed guard but Akiyama is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jo Jo Junior is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Akiyama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jo Jo Junior trying to keep a closed guard but Akiyama is proving a slippery customer.

Akiyama 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.

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

Jo Jo Junior scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jo Jo Junior moves in looking to clinch but Akiyama pushes him off.
Akiyama fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jo Jo Junior avoids it really well and circles away.
Akiyama moves forwards but Jo Jo Junior connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Jo Jo Junior fails with an attempt to clinch.

Jo Jo Junior takes the fight into the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Jo Jo Junior connects with a nasty looking knee right to Akiyama's face.
Jo Jo Junior prevents a takedown attempt there.
Akiyama avoids a wild elbow strike from Jo Jo Junior.
Akiyama dodges an elbow strike from Jo Jo Junior.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jo Jo Junior avoiding damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Akiyama breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Akiyama stalks Jo Jo Junior and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Jo Jo Junior's face. Jo Jo Junior staggers backwards, shaken.

It looks like Joey Jo Jo Junior has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Jo Jo Junior. No joy for Akiyama on that attempt.
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 tries a head kick but it misses.
Jo Jo Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Akiyama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Akiyama shoots in for a takedown but Jo Jo Junior shows good takedown defense.
Akiyama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Akiyama fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Akiyama tries to keep at a distance but Jo Jo Junior has taken the fight into the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Jo Jo Junior takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Jo Jo Junior tries to land a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jo Jo Junior is pushing Akiyama up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Jo Jo Junior lands a nice elbow.

Jo Jo Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Jo Jo Junior gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jo Jo Junior slows down the pace here.
Akiyama looking for a takedown.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow just above Akiyama 's eye.
Jo Jo Junior tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Jo Jo Junior throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow inside.
Jo Jo Junior stalling in the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow just above Akiyama 's eye.
Akiyama takes an elbow to the temple.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jo Jo Junior - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Jo Jo Junior continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.

Jo Jo Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jo Jo Junior is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Jo Jo Junior. No joy for Akiyama on that attempt.

Jo Jo Junior clinches with his opponent.
Akiyama drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Jo Jo Junior lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Yoshihiro Akiyama has been cut.
Jo Jo Junior lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees to the body from Jo Jo Junior.
Jo Jo Junior manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow just above Akiyama 's eye.

Jo Jo Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Jo Jo Junior moves into the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior scores with a knee to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jo Jo Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyama swats away the attempt to clinch by Jo Jo Junior.

Jo Jo Junior has Akiyama up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Jo Jo Junior dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jo Jo Junior tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Akiyama paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Jo Jo Junior clinches up with Akiyama and pushes him back against the cage.

Jo Jo Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akiyama keeps the fight on the outside.
Jo Jo Junior stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jo Jo Junior wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Jo Jo Junior as Akiyama shoots in.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jo Jo Junior moves in looking to clinch but Akiyama pushes him off.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch up but Akiyama circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch but Akiyama is having none of it.
Jo Jo Junior feints and then cracks Akiyama's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Akiyama down.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jo Jo Junior slaps away a takedown attempt from Akiyama, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jo Jo Junior lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Jo Jo Junior. That's going to slow Akiyama down.
Jo Jo Junior lands a nice hook to Akiyama's body. Akiyama takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch up.
Jo Jo Junior is looking to clinch.
Akiyama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch up.
Jo Jo Junior moves in looking to clinch but Akiyama pushes him off.
Jo Jo Junior looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Jo Jo Junior has Akiyama up against the cage in a clinch.
Jo Jo Junior is struggling to control the position.

Jo Jo Junior breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yoshihiro Akiyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Jo Jo Junior has managed to clinch.

Jo Jo Junior escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jo Jo Junior is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Akiyama avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jo Jo Junior has taken the fight to the clinch.

Akiyama turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jo Jo Junior tries to buck Akiyama off but Akiyama is having none of it.
Jo Jo Junior struggling a bit here.
Jo Jo Junior is looking for a sweep.
Akiyama with the ground and pound but Jo Jo Junior regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Jo Jo Junior is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Akiyama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Akiyama's back!
Akiyama rolls, trying to escape but Jo Jo Junior keeps control of the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Jo Jo Junior's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Akiyama is really stuck here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jo Jo Junior lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Akiyama can't escape the position.
Jo Jo Junior landing with strikes.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Jo Jo Junior controlling the positon.
Jo Jo Junior's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jo Jo Junior tries to get the hooks in deep but Akiyama pushed the leg off.
Jo Jo Junior just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Jo Jo Junior is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Akiyama. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Akiyama is keeping busy.
Jo Jo Junior is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joey Jo Jo Junior showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. And we move into the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Akiyama is defended easily by Jo Jo Junior.
A head kick misses from Akiyama.

Jo Jo Junior has managed to clinch.
Jo Jo Junior creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akiyama's defenses.
Jo Jo Junior throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Jo Jo Junior breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jo Jo Junior chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jo Jo Junior is looking to clinch but Akiyama is avoiding it.
Jo Jo Junior wants to clinch up but Akiyama keeps it at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jo Jo Junior throws a push kick but Akiyama slaps the foot to one side.
Jo Jo Junior misses with an uppercut.
Akiyama tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jo Jo Junior swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jo Jo Junior moves into the clinch successfully.
Come on Jo Jo Junior - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Akiyama tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Jo Jo Junior smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshihiro Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jo Jo Junior looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Akiyama keeps the fight on the outside.

Jo Jo Junior pushes Akiyama up against the cage in a clinch.
Jo Jo Junior with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Jo Jo Junior lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior has Akiyama pressed against the cage.
Jo Jo Junior comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Jo Jo Junior breaks the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch but Akiyama is having none of it.

Jo Jo Junior moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jo Jo Junior gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Jo Jo Junior throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Jo Jo Junior pressing his opponent against the cage.
Jo Jo Junior unloads a knee to the mid-section. Akiyama lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow that stopped Akiyama in his tracks for a moment.
Jo Jo Junior lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior displaying some good clinch control by pressing Akiyama up against the cage.
Jo Jo Junior pushes off an throws an elbow but Akiyama leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Jo Jo Junior lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Akiyama takes an elbow to the forehead.
Jo Jo Junior looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Jo Jo Junior gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow inside that Akiyama shrugs off.
Jo Jo Junior tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Jo Jo Junior pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Jo Jo Junior lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior lands a damaging elbow.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Jo Jo Junior.

Jo Jo Junior's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Joey Jo Jo Junior is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jo Jo Junior clinches up with Akiyama and pushes him back against the cage.
Jo Jo Junior creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akiyama's defenses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jo Jo Junior - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow inside that Akiyama shrugs off.
Jo Jo Junior lands an elbow just above Akiyama 's eye.

Jo Jo Junior pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Akiyama swats away the attempt to clinch by Jo Jo Junior.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch up.

Jo Jo Junior moves into range and clinches up with Akiyama.

Jo Jo Junior breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Yoshihiro Akiyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Jo Jo Junior moves into the clinch.
Jo Jo Junior looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Jo Jo Junior stalls.
Joey Jo Jo Junior is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akiyama tries to score a body lock takedown but Jo Jo Junior shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jo Jo Junior effectively controlling the action here.
Joey Jo Jo Junior seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Jo Jo Junior breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Jo Jo Junior moves into range and clinches up with Akiyama.
Akiyama is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Yoshihiro Akiyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Jo Jo Junior manages to break the clinch.
Joey Jo Jo Junior seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jo Jo Junior tries to clinch there but Akiyama circles away.
Jo Jo Junior throws a nice inside leg kick.

Jo Jo Junior rushes Akiyama and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Jo Jo Junior lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Jo Jo Junior - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Jo Jo Junior creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akiyama's defenses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Jo Jo Junior comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jo Jo Junior 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Jo Jo Junior!
Joey Jo Jo Junior is the new middleweight champion!