PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juan Messe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Toushikama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Toushikama 's choice of entrance music: One Love-Yoshihiro Akiyama. Akira Toushikama has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Messe
vs
Toushikama

177 cm
26
193 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

179 cm
25
185 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Tends to cut

V-Mask Clothing + 70% laundry
Master Lee's One Stop

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Juan Messe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Toushikama !
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Franklyn Lucas and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messe scoring well with a low kick there.

Toushikama gets a double leg takedown into Messe's guard.
Toushikama 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.
Toushikama landing with the ground and pound.
Messe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Toushikama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Toushikama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Messe knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Toushikama on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toushikama sitting in guard here, content to control.
Toushikama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Messe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Toushikama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Toushikama trying to control the position from guard on top but Messe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toushikama controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Messe is looking to clinch but Toushikama is avoiding it.
A bone on bone clash there as Toushikama blocks the leg kick.
Toushikama shoots in for a takedown but Messe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Messe definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Toushikama swats away the attempt to clinch by Messe.

Messe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Messe is working Toushikama over against the cage.
Toushikama content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Messe as the two fighters clinch.
Toushikama has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Messe is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Toushikama drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Juan Messe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Toushikama .

Messe manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toushikama trying to control but Messe is working from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Toushikama working his ground and pound in the gym.
Toushikama prevents Messe from getting back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Toushikama throwing strikes but missing.
Toushikama keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Messe's head.
Toushikama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Toushikama wants to control from the top but Messe keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Toushikama gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Toushikama gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Messe on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Toushikama sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Messe defending well though.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Toushikama throwing shots but Messe is blocking nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Toushikama lands a nice short elbow.
Toushikama is looking to stall here but Messe recovers full guard.
Toushikama tries to free his leg and advance position but Messe is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toushikama trying to control but Messe is working from the bottom.
Messe utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Messe is looking to stand up but Toushikama isn't so interested in that idea.
Toushikama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Toushikama controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Messe tries to clinch up

and Toushikama counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Toushikama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Messe working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Toushikama dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

No luck for Toushikama with that takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Toushikama .
Messe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Toushikama paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Toushikama shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Messe but Messe pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Juan Messe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Toushikama .
Messe defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Toushikama .
Messe tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Toushikama counters with a nice double leg into side control. Messe won't be happy with that.
Toushikama landing strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toushikama moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Toushikama has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Check out the look on Toushikama 's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toushikama tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Toushikama lands a few punches from side control.
Messe manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Toushikama preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Toushikama tries to get to full guard but Messe has control of the leg.
Toushikama makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Toushikama .
Toushikama wants to sweep here but Messe controlling him for the moment.
Messe trying to control but Toushikama is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messe stopping the sweep attempt from Toushikama .
Toushikama bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Messe's guard.

Toushikama trying to control the position from guard on top but Messe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toushikama slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Toushikama trying to control the position from guard on top but Messe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toushikama is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Toushikama 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toushikama scoring with some ground and pound.
Toushikama postures up in Messe's guard and throws a big left but Messe blocks it.
Toushikama trying to control the position from guard on top but Messe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toushikama postures up in Messe's guard and throws a big left but Messe blocks it.
Toushikama postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Messe tries to clinch but Toushikama moves away

and Toushikama holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Toushikama has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Messe avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Messe trying to stall but Toushikama improves his position.
Messe stops a takedown attempt from Toushikama .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Messe has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Toushikama after a bit of a struggle.
A bit of stalling here from Toushikama .
Toushikama is working for takedown but Messe is calmly controlling the position for now.
Messe scores with a nice hook to the head.
Messe lands with a short shot to the head.
Toushikama is looking to take this one to the mat.
Toushikama is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Toushikama is breathing heavily.
Toushikama dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Messe lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Toushikama keeps control of Messe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Messe.
Messe is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Toushikama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Messe connects with a crisp jab.
Messe doesn't manage to clinch there - Toushikama circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Toushikama is defended easily by Messe.

Toushikama looking to score a takedown here. Messe is defending well but Toushikama drives through and ends up in Messe's guard.
Toushikama has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Toushikama wants to control from the top but Messe keeps moving.
Toushikama with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toushikama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Messe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Toushikama throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Toushikama 's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Toushikama trying to control the position from guard on top but Messe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toushikama distracts Messe with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Toushikama lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Toushikama looking to pass the guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Messe tries to clinch

and Toushikama counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Toushikama .
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Messe can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Toushikama controls the pace.
Toushikama with a flurry of punches that miss.
Toushikama throws a big right hand that misses.
Toushikama chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toushikama trying to control the position from guard on top but Messe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Toushikama landing with the ground and pound.
Messe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Messe tries to clinch

and Toushikama counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Toushikama .

Toushikama has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Messe is trying to keep an underhook but Toushikama manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Toushikama not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Toushikama winds up and cracks Messe with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toushikama trying to control from half guard but Messe is working away.
Toushikama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Toushikama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Toushikama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Messe on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Still in half guard, Toushikama seems content to control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Toushikama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Toushikama tries for a takedown but Messe sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Toushikama shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Toushikama was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Toushikama content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toushikama moves into full mount!
Toushikama scoring with strikes but Messe is staying in there.
Toushikama with the ground and pound from mount.

Toushikama is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Messe is surviving well by controlling Toushikama 's body position as best he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Toushikama with shots to the head and body - Messe looks very uncomfortable down there.
Juan Messe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akira Toushikama is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Toushikama is in the full mount, landing strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akira Toushikama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Toushikama 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 27:30
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Toushikama !
An out of breath Akira Toushikama thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Juan Messe had this to say: 'He is a good fighter I'll be back just need to train more and harder!'.