PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Firuz Shahzad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yushin Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shahzad comes to the cage accompanied by Fuel My Fire (The Prodigy). Yushin Akiyama struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Shahzad
vs
Akiyama

173 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Firuz Shahzad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Yushin Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Trevor Gratis and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama avoids the body shot from Shahzad.
Akiyama throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Shahzad's waist but Akiyama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Akiyama off to one side.
Shahzad misses with a series of wild punches.
Shahzad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akiyama.
Shahzad looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shahzad tries to land a leg kick but Akiyama saw it coming and moves away.
Shahzad ducks right into an uppercut from Akiyama.
Firuz Shahzad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shahzad fails to land with a series of punches.
Akiyama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shahzad.
Some wild striking there from Shahzad.
Shahzad throws a leg kick but Akiyama sees it coming and moves out of range.
Akiyama pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Akiyama thows a body shot but no joy.
Shahzad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Shahzad swats away the attempt to clinch by Akiyama.
Shahzad misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akiyama dodges the punch combination from Shahzad.
Akiyama misses with a series of wild punches.
Shahzad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Akiyama throws a push kick but Shahzad slaps the foot to one side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shahzad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shahzad will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shahzad lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Akiyama has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Akiyama and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Akiyama misses with a body kick.
Shahzad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shahzad is breathing heavily.
Shahzad wants to slow Akiyama down by chopping away at his legs.
Shahzad with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Akiyama to score with a decent uppercut.
Good work by Shahzad as he checks the leg kick.

Akiyama gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Akiyama lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shahzad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Shahzad breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shahzad throws a series of punches but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Akiyama closes the distance and clinches.

Akiyama jumps guard.
Shahzad trying to control the position from guard on top but Akiyama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akiyama wants to sweep but no luck.
Shahzad wants to control from the top but Akiyama keeps moving.
Akiyama wants to sweep here but Shahzad controlling him for the moment.
Shahzad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akiyama is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akiyama is looking for a triangle but Shahzad pushes his legs off easily.
Akiyama looking for a sweep. Not yet Akiyama, not yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Shahzad scoring well with a low kick there.
Shahzad misses with a combination
letting Akiyama counter with a right hand.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Akiyama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akiyama.
A good leg kick by Shahzad.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Shahzad - that will leave a mark!
Shahzad throws a left and a right that both miss
and Akiyama counters with a nice body kick.
Shahzad misses with a combination

and Akiyama counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shahzad won't be happy with that.
Shahzad is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Shahzad's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Shahzad is trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shahzad gets back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shahzad trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shahzad holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Shahzad trying to hold on to Akiyama's head to control him but Akiyama postures up.
Shahzad tries to kick Akiyama off but Akiyama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shahzad gets back to full guard.
Akiyama trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shahzad is trying to control the position but Akiyama postures up.

Akiyama drops back looking for a leg! Shahzad is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shahzad manages to kick Akiyama off! Akiyama jumps back into Shahzad's guard.
Akiyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shahzad swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Akiyama pushing down on Shahzad's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Akiyama wants to work for an arm triangle but Shahzad is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Shahzad tries to kick Akiyama off but Akiyama keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shahzad is staying active underneath Akiyama, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Akiyama tries to clinch up but Shahzad circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Akiyama lands with a straight right. Shahzad didn't see that one coming.
Shahzad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Akiyama works over Shahzad's head and body with a nice combination.
Shahzad throws a right hand that Akiyama ducks under and follows up with a left that Akiyama also avoids with ease.
Shahzad throws a combination that misses
and Akiyama counters with a straight right hand.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shahzad lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Akiyama has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Akiyama and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Akiyama dodges the punch combination from Shahzad.
Akiyama connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shahzad's hands.
Akiyama scores with a crisp jab that stopped Shahzad in his tracks.
Shahzad falls off balance throwing a combination

and Akiyama holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Akiyama avoiding damage as Shahzad throws knees to the body.
Akiyama keeps control of Shahzad as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Akiyama breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Decent striking displayed by Akiyama there.
Shahzad misses with a combination
and Akiyama counters with a nice body kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Akiyama.
Shahzad misses with a double jab
and Akiyama counters with a straight right hand.
Shahzad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Shahzad misses with a few strikes there.
Shahzad bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Akiyama's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shahzad misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Shahzad misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yushin Akiyama dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shahzad closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Akiyama is rocked!
Shahzad throws a series of punches but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama is still on wobbly legs! Can Shahzad finish him?
An inside leg kick lands from Shahzad.
Akiyama seems to have recovered his senses.
Shahzad scores with a jab to the jaw.
Akiyama slips a jab and a cross from Shahzad.
Akiyama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shahzad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akiyama.
Firuz Shahzad is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Shahzad throws a right hand that Akiyama ducks under and follows up with a left that Akiyama also avoids with ease.
Shahzad staying out of range there.
Shahzad throws a good cross that connects.
Shahzad fails to land with a series of punches.
Shahzad throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shahzad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shahzad will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shahzad throws a right and a left that Akiyama avoids nicely.
Shahzad misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Akiyama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shahzad.
Shahzad swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Akiyama counters with a single leg into guard. Shahzad didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akiyama postures up.
Shahzad has control of Akiyama's left arm, preventing Akiyama from doing any damage.
Shahzad throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Shahzad controls Akiyama momentarily but Akiyama frees himself.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Akiyama preventing the sweep.
Shahzad wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Akiyama avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shahzad fails to land with a series of punches.
Akiyama misses with a few strikes there.
Akiyama moves out of range as Shahzad strikes.
Shahzad scores with a leg kick.

Akiyama clinches.

Shahzad breaks the clinch.
Akiyama misses with a body shot.
Shahzad will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Akiyama lands with a nice body kick.
Shahzad moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Shahzad swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Shahzad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A cross from Akiyama lands.
No joy there for Shahzad, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Akiyama closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Shahzad lands with a thumping leg kick.
Akiyama throws a right hand that Shahzad ducks under and follows up with a left that Shahzad also avoids with ease.
Shahzad misses with a wild combination.
Firuz Shahzad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shahzad misses with a series of wild punches.
Akiyama's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Shahzad is looking to slow Akiyama down with leg kicks.
Akiyama cracks Shahzad with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Shahzad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akiyama slips a jab and a cross from Shahzad.
Shahzad closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Shahzad throws a low kick but Akiyama avoids it.
Shahzad throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shahzad falls off balance throwing a combination
and Akiyama counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shahzad thinking.
Shahzad throws a nice inside leg kick.
Firuz Shahzad is winning the standup battle so far.
Akiyama moves out of range of the strikes.
Shahzad pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice shot by Akiyama.
Shahzad throws a combination. Akiyama tries to block but a couple of punches get through.Shahzad blocks the body kick.

Akiyama fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shahzad, pushing him back against the cage.

Akiyama breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shahzad misses with a few strikes there.
Shahzad swings widly with a right hand
letting Akiyama counter with a right hand.
Akiyama throws a half hearted mid kick.
Akiyama throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shahzad on the side of the head.
A bone on bone clash there as Akiyama blocks the leg kick.
Akiyama scores with a kick to the midsection.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Akiyama.
Shahzad lands a nice shot that snaps Akiyama's head back.
Shahzad throws a left and a right that both miss
and Akiyama counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Shahzad connects with the punch.
Shahzad throws a head kick but Akiyama moves out of range.
Shahzad misses with a few strikes there.
Shahzad throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Akiyama slips a jab and a cross from Shahzad.
Shahzad misses with a series of wild punches.
Akiyama wants to clinch.
Akiyama looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shahzad misses with the combination.
Shahzad swinging wilding here.
Shahzad looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Akiyama slips a jab and a cross from Shahzad.
Akiyama throws a right hand that Shahzad ducks under and follows up with a left that Shahzad also avoids with ease.

Akiyama clinches.

Akiyama breaks from the clinch.
Shahzad works over Akiyama's head and body with a nice combination.
Akiyama throws the kick towards the body but Shahzad avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Shahzad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shahzad lands with a nice body punch.
Shahzad slips under a jab from Akiyama.
Some wild striking there from Shahzad.
Shahzad moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Shahzad swinging wilding here.
Shahzad lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Akiyama sprawling to the canvas. Shahzad follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Akiyama hang on?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Akiyama wants to get back to full guard.
Akiyama is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Shahzad trying to control the action but Akiyama is working from the bottom.
Akiyama wants to improve his position but Shahzad is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akiyama is staying active underneath Shahzad, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Shahzad tries to stand and escape but Akiyama is controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Shahzad throws a nice looking combination but Akiyama bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Akiyama fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Firuz Shahzad dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Akiyama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Shahzad.
Akiyama misses the shot to the body.
Shahzad loads up on a big right hand but Akiyama slips the punch.
Akiyama fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Shahzad throws a series of strikes that have Akiyama backpedaling.
Shahzad drops Akiyama with a nice combination! Shahzad dives into Akiyama's guard, looking to finish!
Shahzad content to stall in guard here.
Shahzad has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Akiyama keeping moving, preventing Shahzad from controlling successfully.

Akiyama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Shahzad is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Akiyama lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shahzad!
Shahzad tries to hold on but Akiyama postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shahzad is squirming around, avoiding Akiyama's attempts to control the action.
Shahzad has given up his back here. Will Akiyama look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Akiyama lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.

Akiyama has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Shahzad looking very determined here, making life difficult for Akiyama.

Akiyama is looking for the choke from the back position but Shahzad is controlling his hands well.
Shahzad tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Shahzad is looking to get to half guard.
Shahzad tries to lock up and control but Akiyama gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Shahzad is in all sorts of trouble here.
Akiyama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Shahzad is looking to escape.
Shahzad tries to hold on but Akiyama pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama fails to take his opponent's back.

Akiyama looking to secure an arm triangle but Shahzad defends it well.
Shahzad is trying desperately to improve position.
Shahzad is working hard here to advance position.
Shahzad controls the position.
Poor strikes thrown by Akiyama there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Shahzad tries to lock up and control but Akiyama gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Shahzad flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Akiyama avoids the attempt from Shahzad to control.
Shahzad is trying desperately to improve position.

Akiyama is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Shahzad is surviving well by controlling Akiyama's body position as best he can.
Shahzad tries to buck Akiyama off but he can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama avoids the attempt from Shahzad to control.
Shahzad looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Akiyama is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Shahzad wants to get back to his feet.
Akiyama keeps control of the position as Shahzad tries to break free.
Shahzad trying to control the action but Akiyama just sinks the hooks in.

Akiyama looking for the choke but no joy.
Shahzad trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Akiyama is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Shahzad defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shahzad rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Akiyama is trying to control the action in half guard but Shahzad is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Shahzad gets back to full guard.
Shahzad controls Akiyama momentarily but Akiyama frees himself.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Firuz Shahzad just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Shahzad cracks Akiyama with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Akiyama chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shahzad can pounce on him.
Shahzad misses with a few strikes there.
Shahzad throws a right hand that Akiyama ducks under and follows up with a left that Akiyama also avoids with ease.
Shahzad lands a left and a right that sends Akiyama crashing to the canvas! Shahzad dives into mount looking to finish!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shahzad can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Akiyama is looking to escape.
Akiyama really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Firuz Shahzad showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Shahzad has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Firuz Shahzad!