PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ichiro Akamuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baker is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand. The key to victory for Ichiro Akamuri has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Akamuri
vs
Baker

177 cm
19
163 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
167 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ichiro Akamuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Baker!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Akamuri. No joy for Baker on that attempt.
Akamuri tries to clinch but Baker moves out of range.
Baker with a body punch. A glancing blow.
An inside leg kick from Akamuri misses.
Baker chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Akamuri can pounce on him.
Ichiro Akamuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Akamuri.
Akamuri slaps away a takedown attempt from Baker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Akamuri throws a hook but Baker blocks it.
Akamuri throws a head kick that Baker semi-blocks.
Akamuri misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Baker is defended easily by Akamuri.
Ichiro Akamuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Baker.
Baker ducks right into an uppercut from Akamuri.
Baker throws a jab when Akamuri was well out of range.
Akamuri connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Baker drives through with a takedown into guard.
Akamuri managing to control the position.

Akamuri escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker throws a big right hand that misses.
Baker trying to control but Akamuri is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akamuri is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Akamuri escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Akamuri is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baker is aware though and is defending well.
Baker passes into half guard.

Akamuri actively working from the bottom here.
Baker missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Baker trying to pass the guard but Akamuri defending well.
Akamuri is staying active underneath Baker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akamuri is trying to maintain the position but Baker is very close to passing his half guard.
Baker trying to pass the guard but Akamuri defending well.
Baker trying to control the pace.
The fighters are battling for position here. Akamuri manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Akamuri has an active guard here but Baker has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four 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.
Akamuri is trying to maintain the position but Baker is very close to passing his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Baker lands a nice short elbow.

Baker has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Akamuri defend it? Baker steps over the head and cranks it - Akamuri is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Baker!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Chris Baker!