PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Argyn Nurtazin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Akiyama
vs
Nurtazin

180 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Yoshihiro Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Argyn Nurtazin!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurtazin moves in looking to clinch but Akiyama pushes him off.
Akiyama throws a right and a left that Nurtazin avoids nicely.
Some wild striking there from Akiyama.
Akiyama throws a nice looking combination but Nurtazin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nurtazin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nurtazin tries to clinch but Akiyama is having none of it.
Nurtazin tries to close the distance and clinch but Akiyama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nurtazin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nurtazin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Nurtazin instigates a clinch.
Akiyama drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nurtazin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nurtazin looks to clinch
and Nurtazin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Akiyama throws a series of punches but Nurtazin avoids them all with ease.

Akiyama decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Akiyama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Akiyama wants to pass the guard but Nurtazin is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurtazin is not content to let Akiyama control the position.
Akiyama is pressing down on Nurtazin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nurtazin is holding on for now.

Akiyama is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nurtazin has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nurtazin is trying to stand back up but Akiyama is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Akiyama is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Akiyama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nurtazin defends it well.

Akiyama is looking for a kimura but Nurtazin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Akiyama to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akiyama looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nurtazin can do anything to dispel that myth.

Akiyama is looking for a kimura but Nurtazin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Akiyama to get the leverage.

Akiyama in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Nurtazin tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Akiyama!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Yoshihiro Akiyama!