PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dwayne Maynard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyko Akuto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tyko Akuto told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Maynard
vs
Akuto

212 cm
24
194 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Dwayne Maynard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tyko Akuto!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maynard feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Maynard is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Maynard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Maynard decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Maynard takes the fight into the clinch.
Maynard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Akuto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maynard is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Akuto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Maynard tries to score a body lock takedown but Akuto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwayne Maynard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akuto lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maynard backwards.
Maynard is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Akuto pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Akuto scores with a shot to the side of Maynard's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akuto lands a nice uppercut.
Maynard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Akuto gets underhooks to prevent Maynard's takedown attempt.

Akuto successfully pulls guard.
Maynard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Maynard throwing strikes but missing.
Maynard scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Maynard throws a big elbow that misses.
Maynard distracts Akuto with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Maynard stands up over Akuto, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maynard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Maynard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Maynard won't allow Akuto to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Akuto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Maynard with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maynard has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Akuto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maynard.
Maynard throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Maynard misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Akuto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Akuto wants it to stay on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maynard moves into the clinch.

Maynard gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Maynard decides to stand and escape the position.
Maynard connects with a body shot that sends Akuto's belly button to the back.

Maynard has Akuto up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard looking for a takedown.

Maynard breaks the clinch.

Akuto drives through and clinches with Maynard against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Akuto.
Maynard fails to pull guard.

Maynard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Maynard shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Akuto pinned against the cage. Akuto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maynard shoots in but Akuto avoids the takedown attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dwayne Maynard dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Maynard forces Akuto back against the cage and clinches.
Maynard is looking to take this one to the mat.
Maynard tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akuto's elbow.
Maynard has Akuto pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Akuto manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Maynard has Akuto pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Akuto manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwayne Maynard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maynard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Akuto is defending well.
Akuto is trying to break the clinch but Maynard is controlling him.
Akuto digs a right hand into Maynard's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Maynard's gas tank.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akuto lands a right hand that snaps the head of Maynard backwards.

Maynard pulls guard.
Akuto wants to stand but Maynard has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Maynard wants to sweep here but Akuto controlling him for the moment.
Maynard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akuto tries to stand but Maynard is controlling from the bottom.
Maynard pulls Akuto in close to his closed guard and prevents Akuto from doing any damage or advancing position.
Dwayne Maynard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Maynard working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Maynard shoots for a double leg takedown but Akuto sprawls well. He's pushed Maynard's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maynard moves into the clinch successfully.
Maynard is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Akuto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Akuto scores with a nice hook to the head.
Akuto stops a takedown attempt from Maynard.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Maynard is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Akuto is defending well.
Maynard is trying to pull guard but Akuto has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maynard drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice body punch from Akuto - that landed with a thud.

Akuto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maynard tries to keep at a distance but Akuto has taken the fight into the clinch.
Akuto scores with a shot to the side of Maynard's head.
Akuto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Maynard looking for a takedown.
Maynard is looking for a takedown.
Akuto is trying to break the clinch but Maynard is controlling him.
Maynard wants a takedown.
Maynard tries for a takedown. No joy.

Akuto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Akuto moves into the clinch successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akuto lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Maynard backwards.
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!
Maynard wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akuto has him pressed against the cage.
Akuto lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyko Akuto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Akuto moves into range and clinches up with Maynard.
Akuto prevents a takedown attempt there.
Akuto content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Maynard tries for a takedown. No joy.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Akuto gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Maynard regains guard.
Akuto tries to stand but Maynard is controlling from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akuto wants to stand and escape but instead Maynard has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akuto wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Maynard manages to pass to side control.
Akuto is trying to stand up here but Maynard is controlling him well.
Nice strikes from Maynard there.
Akuto pushes Maynard off looking to stand but Maynard dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Maynard scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Maynard throwing shots but Akuto is blocking nicely.
Maynard not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Akuto is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maynard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Maynard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Maynard throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Akuto takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maynard tries for a takedown but Akuto manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dwayne Maynard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maynard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Akuto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Maynard tries for a takedown but Akuto manages to get underhooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Maynard is trying to pull guard but Akuto has him pressed against the cage.
Maynard is looking to take this one to the mat.

Akuto decides to pull guard.
Maynard prevents Akuto from getting back to his feet.
Maynard throws a big right hand that misses.
Maynard content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Maynard postures up and lands a big shot to Akuto's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maynard won't allow Akuto to get back to his feet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maynard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Akuto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maynard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Maynard shoots in but no luck this time.

Akuto pushes Maynard up against the cage in a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akuto throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Maynard has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Akuto uses from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tyko Akuto.
I think Akuto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tyko Akuto!