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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akira Ishikawa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Itula Maafala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ishikawa comes to the ring accompanied by mindshift genki sudo. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 150 cm
42
147 lbs
41 - 31 - 0 |
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190 cm
29
280 lbs
6 - 6 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
41 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Ishikawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Itula Maafala!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ishikawa drives through and clinches with Maafala against the ropes.
Ishikawa taking a breather.
Maafala tries a body shot but Ishikawa blocks it.
Maafala prevents a takedown attempt there.
Maafala trying to land knees to the body.
Ishikawa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Maafala avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ishikawa is trying to maintain a safe position but Maafala gets an underhook and turns Ishikawa into the ropes.
Maafala prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Ishikawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maafala tries to land a knee to the head but Ishikawa blocks with his arms.
Ishikawa goes for a takedown attempt but Maafala pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Akira Ishikawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ishikawa shoots in for a takedown but Maafala shows good takedown defense.
Maafala gets tackled into the ropes by Ishikawa. Ishikawa maintains the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishikawa missing with knees to the body.
Maafala stalling in the clinch but Ishikawa improves position.
Ishikawa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ishikawa definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Ishikawa turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Maafala is looking to reverse the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maafala looking for a sweep but Ishikawa has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Maafala really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ishikawa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ishikawa throws a wild left hand from mount and Maafala manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Ishikawa is working for a submission of some sort.
Ishikawa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Maafala trying to get back to full guard but Ishikawa takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa is stalling here but it's allowed Maafala to get half guard.
Ishikawa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ishikawa trying to control from Maafala's half guard. Maafala has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Maafala keeping moving, preventing Ishikawa from controlling successfully.
Ishikawa looking to pass the guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Maafala's guard.
Ishikawa prevents Maafala from improving his position.
Ishikawa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Maafala tries to kick Ishikawa off in order to stand up. Ishikawa Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Ishikawa taking a breather here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Ishikawa throws a strike aimed at the side of Maafala's head but Maafala avoids it well.
Ishikawa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Maafala, who protects the arm well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maafala is trying to get back to half guard.
Ishikawa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Maafala knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ishikawa stands up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ishikawa closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Akira Ishikawa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Maafala throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ishikawa's waist but Ishikawa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maafala off to one side.
Maafala drives through and clinches with Ishikawa against the ropes.
Maafala looking to throw knees to the head but Ishikawa is blocking nicely.
Ishikawa tries to land a knee to the head but Maafala blocks with his arms.
Ishikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The referee calls for Maafala to work.
Ishikawa throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ishikawa is working for takedown but Maafala is calmly controlling the position for now.
Maafala tries to stall but Ishikawa uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ishikawa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maafala can do to turn this around?
Ishikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Maafala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maafala trying to stall but Ishikawa improves his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishikawa with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ishikawa blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Maafala tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maafala connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ishikawa's face.
It looks like Akira Ishikawa has been cut.
Maafala tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ishikawa avoids it.
Maafala trying to land knees to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maafala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Maafala lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ishikawa backwards.
Ishikawa blocking some punches.
Maafala scores a nice knee to the body.
Ishikawa putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Maafala in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Maafala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Maafala is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Maafala is pressed up against the ropes. Ishikawa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Maafala down to the mat. Maafala avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Ishikawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ishikawa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Maafala gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Maafala has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ishikawa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Maafala misses with a knee strike.
Maafala stops a takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
Maafala tries a knee to the head but Ishikawa blocks it.
Ishikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ishikawa is looking to take this one to the mat.
Maafala is pressed up against the ropes. Ishikawa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Maafala down to the mat. Maafala avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maafala.
Maafala tries to clinch but Ishikawa is having none of it.
Ishikawa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Maafala drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ishikawa defends it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ishikawa instigates a clinch.
Ishikawa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Maafala tries to stall but Ishikawa uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Maafala misses with a knee to the head.
Maafala gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
Ishikawa is trying to drag Maafala to the mat but Maafala just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Maafala drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa avoiding damage.
Maafala is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ishikawa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Maafala is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Maafala is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Maafala is trying to trip Ishikawa. He has hold of a leg but Ishikawa is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Maafala persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Maafala controls from within his opponent's guard.
Maafala wants to control from the top but Ishikawa keeps moving.
Akira Ishikawa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ishikawa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ishikawa has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Maafala is pushing him up against the ropes, looking to control the position.
Maafala gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
Maafala can't find room to land a body shot as Ishikawa controls the action.
Ishikawa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Maafala just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Maafala tries to land knees in the clinch but Ishikawa avoids the damage to the body.
Maafala prevents the takedown attempt.
Maafala drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short right from Maafala.
Maafala with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ishikawa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Maafala throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Itula Maafala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.
Maafala tries to clinch but Ishikawa moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Ishikawa tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Maafala dives in for a single leg takedown but Ishikawa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
Nice sprawl there from Ishikawa as Maafala shoots in.
Ishikawa swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Maafala has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Maafala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Maafala wants it to stay on the feet.
Maafala steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Ishikawa.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Ishikawa.
Maafala is looking for a sweep.
Ishikawa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ishikawa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishikawa tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ishikawa wants to control for a moment but Maafala uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishikawa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Maafala moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ishikawa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's two 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.
Ishikawa looking to pass the guard.
Ishikawa passes Maafala's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Maafala tries to get to full guard but Ishikawa has control of the leg.
Ishikawa trying to control the action but Maafala is working from the bottom.
Maafala trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa lands a big elbow.
Ishikawa throwing strikes here but Maafala is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ishikawa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Maafala is looking to escape.
Ishikawa takes Maafala's back.
Maafala looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Ishikawa keeps control of the position as Maafala tries to break free.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa working for a choke but Maafala is defending well.
Maafala avoids the strikes from Ishikawa.
Maafala is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Ishikawa off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Ishikawa trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ishikawa misses with a punch to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Akira Ishikawa clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Ishikawa moves into the clinch successfully.
Ishikawa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ishikawa fails to land the takedown.
Ishikawa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ishikawa moves into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Ishikawa just misses with a elbow thrown towards Maafala's brow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ishikawa.
Maafala fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Maafala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ishikawa wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishikawa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Maafala fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Ishikawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maafala darts in and clinches Ishikawa up against the ropes.
Ishikawa is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maafala pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishikawa taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Maafala pushes Ishikawa back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Ishikawa blocks a body shot from Maafala.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ishikawa avoiding damage as Maafala throws knees to the body.
Ishikawa is looking to take this one to the mat.
Maafala lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maafala wants a takedown but no success here.
Maafala lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Maafala landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Maafala misses with a knee to the head.
Maafala lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Maafala tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ishikawa lands an elbow inside that Maafala shrugs off.
Maafala is trying to maintain a safe position but Ishikawa gets an underhook and turns Maafala into the ropes.
Maafala pushes Ishikawa back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Maafala lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ishikawa backwards.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Maafala.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maafala takes an elbow to the temple.
Maafala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maafala changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ishikawa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Maafala has managed to clinch.
Maafala slowing the pace effectively.
Ishikawa trying to control the position but instead, Maafala has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ishikawa into the ropes.
Ishikawa gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Ishikawa is just content to waste time from the top position. Maafala takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Maafala holds on and takes a little breather.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Maafala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ishikawa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ishikawa is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Maafala is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Maafala has escaped and now he's on top!
Ishikawa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maafala is looking to work some ground and pound but Ishikawa has wrist control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ishikawa is looking to stand up but Maafala isn't so interested in that idea.
Maafala throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ishikawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Maafala missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ishikawa has momentary wrist control but Maafala slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are working up against the ropes. Ishikawa manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the ropes.
Ishikawa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Maafala taking a breather.
Maafala misses with a punch on the inside.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Maafala takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ishikawa has picked Maafala up - he's going for a ride! Ishikawa dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
It looks like Ishikawa is going to stand back up.
Maafala wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Itula Maafala dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Akira Ishikawa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Maafala has managed to clinch.
Ishikawa is trying to maintain a safe position but Maafala gets an underhook and turns Ishikawa into the ropes.
Ishikawa misses with an elbow strike.
Ishikawa with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Maafala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ishikawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maafala misses with a knee to the head.
Ishikawa lands an elbow just above Maafala 's eye.
It looks like Itula Maafala has been cut.
Maafala with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ishikawa lands a takedown into guard.
Ishikawa wants to control from the top but Maafala keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maafala looking to control.
Ishikawa stopping the sweep attempt from Maafala.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ishikawa's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Ishikawa content to stall in guard here.
Ishikawa gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ishikawa rushes Maafala and presses him up against the ropes.
Maafala is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Maafala lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ishikawa has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Maafala after a bit of a struggle.
Maafala prevents a takedown attempt there.
Maafala throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maafala misses with a punch on the inside.
Maafala throws a punch but it's blocked by Ishikawa.
Maafala misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ishikawa.
Maafala avoids the elbow strike from Ishikawa, against the ropes.
Maafala is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Ishikawa trying to control the position but instead, Maafala has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ishikawa into the ropes.
Maafala gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Ishikawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maafala using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ishikawa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maafala missing with knees to the body.
Ishikawa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Maafala has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Maafala is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishikawa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Maafala wants to stall.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Maafala looking to throw knees to the head but Ishikawa is blocking nicely.
Itula Maafala seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Maafala gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ishikawa.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Maafala.
Maafala swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maafala softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Maafala is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ishikawa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maafala fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ishikawa with a poor takedown
letting Maafala counter with a right hand.
Ishikawa clinches up against the ropes.
Maafala doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ishikawa tries to land knees in the clinch but Maafala avoids the damage to the body.
Ishikawa turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Ishikawa manages to end up in side control.
Maafala keeps Ishikawa under control for a moment.
Ishikawa wants to control but Maafala is keeping him busy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ishikawa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ishikawa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Itula Maafala.
I think Maafala 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Akira Ishikawa!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Itula Maafala!
The fight ends as a draw!
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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
51% |
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