PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Takahiro Akiyoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stanislav Votava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Votava has chosen I Stand Alone as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Akiyoshi
vs
Votava

185 cm
29
175 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

185 cm
27
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

LOD: Affordable Quality

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 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takahiro Akiyoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stanislav Votava!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Fedor Mirinova and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Votava tries to score with a low kick but Akiyoshi moves his leg out of the way.
Votava thuds his right hand into Akiyoshi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Akiyoshi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Akiyoshi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Votava sprawls well. Votava wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Akiyoshi gets slowly back to his feet.
Votava connects with a nice looking jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Votava.
Votava is looking to clinch but Akiyoshi is avoiding it.
Akiyoshi tries to move into range but Votava moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Votava.
Akiyoshi checks the leg kick.
Akiyoshi walks into a straight right hand from Votava.
Votava lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Votava listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Votava misses with a hook

and Akiyoshi counters with a shoot takedown. Votava fights it but they end up in guard.
Votava wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyoshi stops Votava from standing up.
Akiyoshi throws a big right hand that misses.
Akiyoshi throwing strikes from guard but Votava blocks nicely.
Akiyoshi throwing strikes from guard but Votava blocks nicely.
Akiyoshi throws a big right hand that misses.
Votava manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Akiyoshi manages to get himself to full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Akiyoshi holds on and takes a little breather.
Votava stopping the sweep attempt from Akiyoshi.
Akiyoshi has control of Votava's left arm, preventing Votava from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Votava trying to control but Akiyoshi is working from the bottom.
Akiyoshi on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Akiyoshi tries to get out of the position.
Votava wanted to stand there but Akiyoshi had control of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Takahiro Akiyoshi wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Votava fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Akiyoshi.
Akiyoshi swats away the attempt to clinch by Votava.
Votava lands a glancing blow to the side of Akiyoshi's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Votava throws a hook but Akiyoshi blocks it.
Akiyoshi throws a solid leg kick but Votava takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Akiyoshi.
Votava throws a nice outside leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Votava.
Votava throws a head kick but Akiyoshi moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Votava throws out a loose jab but Akiyoshi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stanislav Votava seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akiyoshi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Votava circles away.

Akiyoshi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Akiyoshi trying to control the action but Votava is working from the bottom.
Votava wants to get back to his feet.
Akiyoshi landing a few strikes.
Votava is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Akiyoshi is looking to take a break and control but Votava is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Akiyoshi is working Votava over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyoshi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Votava some visible discomfort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akiyoshi lands a decent elbow from side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akiyoshi controlling from side mount.
Votava gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Votava looks like he's trying to stand up.
Akiyoshi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Votava tries to kick Akiyoshi off in order to stand up. Akiyoshi Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Votava wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanislav Votava dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Votava gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Akiyoshi to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Akiyoshi is in close to Votava's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Akiyoshi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Akiyoshi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Akiyoshi works over Votava with some ground and pound from guard.
Akiyoshi stands up over Votava, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Akiyoshi stands up over Votava, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Akiyoshi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Votava is looking to stand up but Akiyoshi isn't so interested in that idea.
Votava looking for a sweep. Not yet Votava, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Votava is looking to stand up but Akiyoshi isn't so interested in that idea.
Akiyoshi landing with the ground and pound.
Votava utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Akiyoshi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Akiyoshi is stalling in the full guard.
Akiyoshi is looking to work some ground and pound but Votava has wrist control.
Akiyoshi scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akiyoshi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Akiyoshi showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Akiyoshi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyoshi throws a big right hand that misses.
Votava lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Akiyoshi!
Votava trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Akiyoshi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
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!
Akiyoshi tries to roll over but Votava keeps him under control.
Akiyoshi manages to get to full guard.
Akiyoshi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Votava sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Akiyoshi's guard.
Takahiro Akiyoshi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Votava tries to stand and escape but Akiyoshi is controlling the position.
Akiyoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Akiyoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Akiyoshi missing with punches from the bottom.
Akiyoshi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Akiyoshi tries to get to full guard but Votava has control of the leg.
Akiyoshi regains full guard. Nicely done.
Votava trying to stand up but can't free himself from Akiyoshi's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Votava missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Akiyoshi manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Akiyoshi blocks the body kick.
Votava displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Akiyoshi.
Votava goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Votava gets caught napping as Akiyoshi dives in and scores a takedown. Votava manages to retain guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Votava wants to get back to his feet but Akiyoshi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akiyoshi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akiyoshi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takahiro Akiyoshi dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Votava pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Votava looks to throw the jab but Akiyoshi is out of range.
Votava throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fight stays on the outside here - Votava looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Votava is looking to clinch.
Akiyoshi drops his hands momentarily and Votava takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Akiyoshi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Votava to the ground. Akiyoshi is now in Votava's guard.
Votava avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Akiyoshi postures up in Votava's guard and throws a big left but Votava blocks it.
Akiyoshi wants to control from the top but Votava keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Akiyoshi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Akiyoshi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Akiyoshi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyoshi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Akiyoshi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Akiyoshi stopping the sweep attempt from Votava.
Akiyoshi slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Akiyoshi trying to control but Votava is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Votava working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Akiyoshi.
Akiyoshi working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyoshi postures up in Votava's guard and throws a big left but Votava blocks it.
Akiyoshi throws a big elbow that misses.
Votava wants to stand and escape but Akiyoshi is having none of it.
Akiyoshi wants to control from the top but Votava keeps moving.
Akiyoshi is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Votava has momentary wrist control but Akiyoshi slips an elbow through the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akiyoshi won't allow Votava to get back to his feet.
Akiyoshi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Votava wants to get back to his feet but Akiyoshi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Akiyoshi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akiyoshi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Akiyoshi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyoshi postures up and lands a big shot to Votava's brow.
Akiyoshi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Votava's head.
Akiyoshi trying to control the position from guard on top but Votava is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akiyoshi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Votava looking for a sweep. Not yet Votava, not yet.
Votava wants to get back to his feet but Akiyoshi passes into half guard.
Akiyoshi controlling the action here.
Akiyoshi is trying to control. Votava wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Votava looks like he's trying to stand up.
Akiyoshi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyoshi lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Votava is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Akiyoshi scores with a couple of nice shots.
Well, if Akiyoshi is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Akiyoshi lands a nice short elbow.
Akiyoshi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Votava's head.
Votava blocking the ground and pound attempt from Akiyoshi.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akiyoshi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Votava's head.
Akiyoshi prevents Votava from standing back up.
Akiyoshi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takahiro Akiyoshi showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Akiyoshi 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takahiro Akiyoshi!