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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yoshii Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donald Cross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Time to say Goodbye. Cross is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Exhibit C. Yoshii Akiyama has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 166 cm
20
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 0 |
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173 cm
18
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshii Akiyama!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Donald Cross!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cross fails to land with a series of punches.
Cross scores with a decent looking hook.
Cross connects with an inside leg kick.
Cross looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Akiyama trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Cross.
Cross thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Akiyama's head.
Akiyama is trying to stand.
Still in half guard, Cross seems content to control.
Akiyama controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Cross looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Akiyama with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
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.
Akiyama is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cross wants to stand but Akiyama has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Akiyama avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cross.
Akiyama is trying to maintain the position but Cross is very close to passing his half guard.
Akiyama tries to roll over but Cross keeps him under control.
Cross is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cross is trying to control the action in half guard but Akiyama is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cross throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cross is keen to just control but Akiyama is a slippery customer.
Akiyama is trying to control but can't.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cross has a takedown stuffed.
Akiyama looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cross throws a left and a right that both miss
and Akiyama counters with a solid body kick.
Cross lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Akiyama circles away quickly and effectively.
Akiyama misses with a series of wild punches.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross misses with a few strikes there.
Sloppy strikes from Cross. Those never looked like landing.
Akiyama gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Cross counters with a nice low kick that buckles Akiyama's knee momentarily.
Akiyama's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Akiyama duly obliges.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akiyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Akiyama clinches up with Cross and pushes him back against the cage.
Cross wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cross wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cross manages to break the clinch.
Cross tries to keep at a distance but Akiyama has taken the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Akiyama gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Akiyama avoiding damage.
Akiyama pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A bone on bone clash there as Akiyama blocks the leg kick.
Cross falls off balance throwing a combination
and Akiyama counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A jab from Cross misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cross swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Akiyama counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akiyama controls from within his opponent's guard.
Akiyama's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
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 Yoshii Akiyama will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Cross pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Akiyama back to the cage. Cross follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Cross misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akiyama tries for a takedown but Cross sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cross closes the distance and clinches up with Akiyama, looking for a takedown. Cross pushes Akiyama against the cage but Akiyama circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Akiyama tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cross sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akiyama somewhat.
Donald Cross seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cross throws a nice looking combination but Akiyama bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cross takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Akiyama dodges the punch combination from Cross.
Akiyama is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cross sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yoshii Akiyama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama wants to clinch.
Akiyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cross throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cross shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Akiyama but Akiyama pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cross misses with a double jab.
Cross is breathing heavily.
Cross throws a nice looking combination but Akiyama bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Akiyama uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cross.
Cross throws a head kick but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama leaves Cross with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Akiyama throws a series of punches but Cross avoids them all with ease.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akiyama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Akiyama gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Cross wants to get back to his feet.
Akiyama is taking a breather. Cross says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Akiyama is looking to advance position but Cross won't allow it.
Akiyama lands with a punch from half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akiyama performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Cross has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross regains full guard. Nicely done.
Akiyama avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Akiyama looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Yoshii Akiyama wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Cross defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Akiyama.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Cross swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cross misses with a low kick.
Cross lands a nice hook to Akiyama's body. Akiyama takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Akiyama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cross fails with a takedown attempt.
Donald Cross seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Cross misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akiyama goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Akiyama tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cross swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Yoshii Akiyama dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Akiyama throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cross fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cross tries for a takedown but Akiyama circles away easily
and Akiyama counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Cross!
Cross tries to hold on but Akiyama postures up.
Cross is in all sorts of trouble here.
Cross tries to hold on but Akiyama pushes him away.
Akiyama looking to control and managing it successfully.
Cross can't escape the position.
Cross takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Akiyama controlling his opponent.
Akiyama has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cross is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Akiyama controlling the pace for now.
Cross can't escape the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Akiyama controlling his opponent.
Yoshii Akiyama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Akiyama has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Cross's face.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Cross slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Akiyama is working for a kimura but Cross is defending it quite comfortably.
Cross wants to control but Akiyama is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Akiyama content to control rather than advance.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cross is pressing down on Akiyama's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Akiyama slips nicely into half guard.
Cross looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cross wants to improve his position but Akiyama is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Akiyama in particular looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Yoshii Akiyama clearly takes that round.
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.
Akiyama throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Akiyama wants to clinch up but Cross keeps it at a distance.
Good work by Cross as he checks the leg kick.
Akiyama lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cross misses with a few strikes there.
Cross shoots in but no luck this time.
Cross throws a nice looking combination but Akiyama bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cross throws a solid leg kick but Akiyama takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cross.
Akiyama doesn't manage to clinch there - Cross circles away.
Cross is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Cross misses with a double jab.
Akiyama gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cross taking a breather.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a hook to the ribs.
A left hand lands to the body for Akiyama.
Cross breaks the clinch.
Cross looks to land a combination but Akiyama avoids it well.
Akiyama takes the fight into the clinch.
Akiyama tries for a takedown. No joy.
Akiyama has Cross pressed against the cage, preventing Cross from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Akiyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyama avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cross closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Akiyama moves into the clinch successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Akiyama obliges.
Akiyama lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cross backwards.
Akiyama gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akiyama sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Akiyama forces his way into half guard.
Akiyama scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Akiyama keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama prevents Cross from improving his position.
We're going to have a standup here because Yoshii Akiyama wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Cross misses with a two punch combination.
Akiyama gets a takedown into half guard.
Cross avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Akiyama.
Akiyama controlling the action here.
Cross actively working from the bottom here.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is trying to control. Cross wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cross is trying to stand back up but Akiyama is controlling him
Akiyama is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
We're going to have a standup here because Yoshii Akiyama wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Cross avoids the head kick by Akiyama.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A right-left combo lands from Cross.
Akiyama misses with a low kick as Cross jumps back.
Cross shoots for a takedown but Akiyama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Yoshii Akiyama had his way with Donald Cross in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Cross misses with a few strikes there.
Cross circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Akiyama. No joy for Cross on that attempt.
Akiyama forces Cross back against the cage and clinches.
Akiyama goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short uppercut from Akiyama.
Akiyama's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cross misses with a series of wild punches.
Cross looks to land a combination but Akiyama avoids it well.
Cross is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Cross shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Cross throwing shots but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama is looking to control Cross's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Akiyama avoid being mounted?
Cross is working for a kimura but Akiyama is defending it quite comfortably.
Akiyama manages to get to full guard.
Akiyama looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cross is one step ahead there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cross throws a strike but Akiyama rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Cross throws a couple of heel strikes.
Cross trying to control the position here.
Akiyama works a leg free and moves into half guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cross trying to hold on to Akiyama's head to control him but Akiyama postures up.
Akiyama is nestled in close to Cross, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Akiyama controlling the pace.
Cross trying to control here.
Akiyama looking for a submission but Cross manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Akiyama seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Cross is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Akiyama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Akiyama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cross 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 content to stall in guard here.
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 Yoshii Akiyama.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Akiyama, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.
Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:46
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshii Akiyama!
Yoshii Akiyama retains his featherweight title!
Yoshii Akiyama seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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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
86% |
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