PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kent Guerrero (ranked 25268 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryusuke Akabane (ranked 5294 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Guerrero
vs
Akabane

158 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

168 cm
25
138 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kent Guerrero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryusuke Akabane!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yuuki Gou and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Guerrero takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Kent Guerrero has been cut.
Guerrero takes a knee right on the jaw!

Guerrero has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Akabane regains guard immediately.
Akabane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Guerrero wants to control from the top but Akabane keeps moving.
Guerrero is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Akabane wants to get back to his feet but Guerrero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Guerrero stays in close to Akabane's body and controls the position.
Akabane pulls Guerrero in to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Guerrero 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.
Guerrero throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akabane is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Akabane slaps away a takedown attempt from Guerrero, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Akabane instigates a clinch.
Guerrero tries to break free but Akabane pushes him back against the cage.
Akabane has Guerrero pressed against the cage.
Akabane lands a nice shot to the body.
Akabane lands a damaging elbow.
Guerrero is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Guerrero is trying to force a seperation but Akabane has the dominant position.
Akabane tries to pull guard but Guerrero forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Akabane is trying to pull guard but Guerrero turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kent Guerrero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryusuke Akabane.
Akabane lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabane stops a takedown attempt from Guerrero.
Akabane can't get the takedown.
Guerrero tries to pull guard but Akabane forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Akabane works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Akabane manages to break the clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Guerrero.
Despite the aggression on Akabane's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Akabane stuffs the takedown.
Akabane looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Akabane has taken the fight to the clinch.
Akabane leaning his opponent against the cage.

Akabane jumps into guard, dragging Guerrero to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero wants to control from the top but Akabane keeps moving.
Akabane not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Akabane wants to get back to his feet but Guerrero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Guerrero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Guerrero could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Guerrero stops Akabane from standing up.

Akabane has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Guerrero is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guerrero lands a left hand.
Guerrero is trying to pull guard but Akabane has him pressed against the cage.

Akabane breaks from the clinch.

Akabane instigates a clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Akabane stops a takedown attempt from Guerrero.

Akabane manages to break the clinch.
Akabane is trying hard to land a takedown here. Guerrero sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Akabane tries to score a power double leg takedown but Guerrero sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akabane somewhat.
Guerrero feinted with a counter takedown.

Akabane clinches up against the cage.

Akabane escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Akabane instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryusuke Akabane dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kent Guerrero's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Guerrero shoots in for a takedown but Akabane shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Guerrero slaps away a takedown attempt from Akabane, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kent Guerrero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Guerrero sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Akabane has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Guerrero shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Akabane defends it nicely.
Akabane shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Guerrero as he avoids it easily.
Akabane tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Guerrero defends well and Akabane ends up having to push Guerrero into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kent Guerrero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryusuke Akabane.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akabane with a poor takedown
and Guerrero counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Akabane shoots in for a double leg but Guerrero sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Akabane stuffs the takedown attempt from Guerrero. Guerrero gets slowly back to his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akabane looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Guerrero seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Guerrero is defended easily by Akabane.
Akabane is looking for the big counter here.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Guerrero is defended easily by Akabane.

Akabane fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Guerrero, pushing him back against the cage.
Akabane lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Akabane throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Guerrero blocks it with crossed arms.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akabane.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabane utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Akabane landing knees to the head.
Akabane tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Akabane successfully pulls guard.
Guerrero slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Guerrero lands a couple of elbows.

Guerrero drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Akabane dives on top into guard.

Akabane wants to stand but Guerrero has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akabane throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akabane stops Guerrero from standing up.
Akabane wants to control from the top but Guerrero keeps moving.
Akabane throws a big right hand that misses.
Guerrero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Guerrero wants to sweep but no luck.
Ryusuke Akabane has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Guerrero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Akabane decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Guerrero, up you get!
Akabane shoots in but no luck this time.
Akabane defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Guerrero.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Akabane.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Akabane clinches.

Akabane pulls Guerrero into guard.
Akabane controlling Guerrero's posture.
Akabane is trying to control the position but Guerrero postures up.
Guerrero is looking to work some ground and pound but Akabane has wrist control.
Guerrero wants to control from the top but Akabane keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akabane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Guerrero trying to control the position from guard on top but Akabane is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryusuke Akabane showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kent Guerrero's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Akabane pushes Guerrero up against the cage in a clinch.
Akabane lands a knee to the head.

Guerrero manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Akabane trying to control the position from guard on top but Guerrero is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akabane throws a strike but Guerrero rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Akabane has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Akabane avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Akabane has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Guerrero is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akabane.

Akabane breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice sprawl there from Akabane as Guerrero shoots in.
Guerrero shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Guerrero shoots and misses

and Akabane counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Akabane.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kent Guerrero. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akabane pulls guard.
Akabane wants to get back to his feet but Guerrero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Guerrero controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Akabane wants to get back to his feet but Guerrero is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Akabane kicks Guerrero off and gets to his feet.
Ryusuke Akabane seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Akabane moves into the clinch.
Akabane tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Akabane gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Akabane missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Guerrero is trying to stand up here but Akabane is controlling him well.
Guerrero is not content to let Akabane control the position.
Guerrero is looking to get back to full guard here but Akabane has managed to pass to side control instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akabane throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Akabane sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Guerrero is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sloppy strikes there by Akabane.
Akabane misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Akabane working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Akabane controls the position from side control.
Guerrero is trying to buck Akabane off.
Guerrero is trying to control Akabane's posture but Akabane avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akabane tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Akabane has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Akabane is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Guerrero is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Akabane throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Akabane is looking to take a break and control but Guerrero is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Akabane stands up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Akabane slaps away a takedown attempt from Guerrero, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Akabane shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Guerrero defends it nicely.
Guerrero is looking for a counter combo.
Akabane has a takedown stuffed.

Akabane instigates a clinch.

Akabane breaks the clinch.
Akabane is looking to clinch.
Kent Guerrero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryusuke Akabane is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Guerrero tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryusuke Akabane comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Akabane has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryusuke Akabane!