PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Iivari Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jun Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jun Akiyama is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kuusela
vs
Akiyama

160 cm
18
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
32
170 lbs
13 - 31 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Iivari Kuusela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jun Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Akiyama scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kuusela won't allow Akiyama to pass to mount.
Akiyama really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuusela. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kuusela is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Akiyama pulls his head out easily.
Kuusela is not content to let Akiyama control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuusela regains full guard. Nicely done.

Kuusela had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Akiyama defends it easily.
Akiyama is stalling in the full guard.

Kuusela 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.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Akiyama got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuusela has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Akiyama has managed to get both his arms back between Kuusela's legs - danger averted.
Akiyama controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kuusela looking for a guillotine here but Akiyama defends easily.
Akiyama's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Kuusela has his foot on Akiyama's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Akiyama works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuusela controls Akiyama momentarily but Akiyama frees himself.
Kuusela could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Kuusela has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Akiyama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Akiyama content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela trying to keep a closed guard but Akiyama is proving a slippery customer.

Jun Akiyama has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kuusela darts in looking for a takedown but Akiyama gets double underhooks and turns Kuusela into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Akiyama tightens his grip and picks Kuusela up, before dumping him to the ground. Kuusela manages to land in guard.
Kuusela looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

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

Kuusela looking for a guillotine here but Akiyama defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuusela is breathing heavily.
Akiyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuusela swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is stalling in the full guard.
Akiyama's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Akiyama wants to stand but Kuusela has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Akiyama stays in close to Kuusela's body and controls the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Jun Akiyama has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Akiyama fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kuusela to the ground. Akiyama is now in Kuusela's guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Akiyama working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Akiyama is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuusela is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Akiyama rolls with it to try and escape but Kuusela cranks on the arm and Akiyama is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Iivari Kuusela!