PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Romulo Barral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama comes to the cage accompanied by Akiyama Theme Song (This Is My Life - Edward Maya). 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.

Akiyama
vs
Barral

185 cm
22
220 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
216 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Prestige Clothing
Prestige Clothing

Prestige Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Romulo Barral!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barral.
Akiyama cracks the inside of Barral's front leg.
Akiyama connects with a solid leg kick.
Akiyama bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Barral on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Akiyama. That's going to slow Barral down.
Akiyama lands a nice shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barral avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akiyama lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A low kick from Akiyama is predictable there

and Barral decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Akiyama's guard.
Akiyama controlling the position.
Akiyama's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Barral missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akiyama controls Barral momentarily but Barral frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama is controlling Barral's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kenji Akiyama just wasn't active enough.
A nice leg kick lands there from Akiyama.
Barral thows a body shot but no joy.
Akiyama pivots, looking for a leg kick but Barral is out of range and Akiyama settles back down.
A big left from Barral misses.
Kenji Akiyama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Akiyama.
Akiyama fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barral has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice cross by Akiyama.
Akiyama swings widly with a right hand
and Barral connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Akiyama will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Akiyama lands with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama tries to clinch there but Barral circles away.
Barral waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Akiyama.
Barral steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Akiyama. That one must have hurt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Akiyama, right into the meat.
Akiyama swings widly with a right hand
and Barral counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A head kick misses from Akiyama.
Akiyama misses with a low kick.
Akiyama throws a head kick that Barral semi-blocks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Akiyama lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kenji Akiyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akiyama throws a half hearted mid kick.
Akiyama throws the kick towards the body but Barral avoids it.
Akiyama throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barral blocks a low kick nicely.
Akiyama throws a leg kick
and Barral counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Akiyama misses with an attempted mid kick.
Akiyama misses with a kick to the body
and Barral counters with a stiff right hand.
A bone on bone clash there as Barral blocks the leg kick.
Barral throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Akiyama scoring well with a low kick there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Akiyama.
Akiyama throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barral counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A low kick from Akiyama is predictable there
enabling Barral to counter with a crisp jab.
Barral moves out of range of the body kick.
Akiyama misses with an uppercut
and Akiyama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a head kick but Barral moves out of range.
Akiyama slips a jab from Barral.
Akiyama throws an off balance right hand
and Barral counters with a straight right hand.
Akiyama throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akiyama thows a leg kick but Barral checks it

and Barral counters with a takedown into side control.
Akiyama dodges the ground and pound from Barral.
Akiyama is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Barral throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Akiyama tries to roll over but Barral keeps him under control.
Barral thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barral not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama trying to control but Barral postures up.
Akiyama is in trouble now - Barral has advanced to mount!
Barral landing strikes from the mount and Akiyama is in trouble!
Akiyama working to try and regain half guard.
Akiyama blocking the ground and pound.
Akiyama is trying to escape the mount.
Barral landing shots from mount.
Akiyama is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama blocking the ground and pound.
Barral has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barral thowing shots but they're missing.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.
Barral sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

Barral is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Akiyama to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Akiyama shrugs it off.
Barral controlling from the full mount.
Barral thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Barral fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barral misses with a head shot.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Barral throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Akiyama because Barral loaded up on that one.
Barral working Akiyama over with strikes here.
Poor strikes thrown by Barral there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Barral working the ground and pound effectively.
BOOM! Barral connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Barral landing strikes from the mount.
Barral looking to ground and pound but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Barral in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
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!
Akiyama blocking the ground and pound.
Barral scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Barral goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Akiyama is on top in guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Barral pulls Akiyama in close to prevent any damage.
Barral trying to control the position.

Barral throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Akiyama looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Barral is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akiyama engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Kenji Akiyama wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Akiyama thows a leg kick but Barral checks it
and Barral counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akiyama gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A clash of legs there as Barral blocks the low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Romulo Barral will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Akiyama, right into the meat.
Barral has a takedown stuffed.
Akiyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akiyama misses with a body kick.
Akiyama misses with a jab to the body
and Barral counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barral blocks a leg kick.
Akiyama throws a leg kick
and Barral counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A low kick from Akiyama misses
and Barral counters with a right hand to the body.
Barral takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Akiyama connects with a jab.
Akiyama moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akiyama throws a lazy uppercut

and Barral decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Akiyama's guard.
Barral trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barral in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Barral is looking to advance position but Akiyama has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Barral keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Akiyama trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Barral really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama controlling his opponent.
Barral is wriggling around trying to escape.
Barral is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barral wants to hold on but Akiyama pushes him away.
Romulo Barral has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barral working to try and regain half guard.
Barral wants to hold on but Akiyama pushes him away.
Akiyama takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Barral is in all sorts of trouble here.

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.
Barral tries to improve his position but instead Akiyama has taken his back!

Akiyama working for a choke but Barral is defending well.
Barral looking very determined here, making life difficult for Akiyama.
Barral rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Barral is trying to maintain the position but Akiyama is very close to passing his half guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama wants to take a breather but Barral is having none of it.
Akiyama is taking a breather. Barral says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Barral tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Akiyama has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Barral really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's six 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.
Barral tries to hold on but Akiyama postures up.
Akiyama controlling his opponent.
Barral sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Barral is looking to improve his position.
Akiyama is controlling the pace.
Akiyama tries to stand but can't do so whilst Barral controls his leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Barral wants to get back to full guard.
Barral is looking to control Akiyama's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barral avoid being mounted?
Barral makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Barral.
Akiyama has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Barral trying to control the position.
Akiyama preventing the sweep.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Barral has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Akiyama has passed into side control.
Akiyama tries to stand but Barral is controlling his head.
Akiyama advances to full mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Akiyama takes Barral's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Barral is in trouble.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barral is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Akiyama dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Akiyama throws a leg kick
letting Barral counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barral is defended easily by Akiyama.
Kenji Akiyama is winning the standup battle so far.
Akiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Akiyama looks to land a body kick but Barral moved away.
Akiyama lands with a thumping leg kick.
Akiyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akiyama tries to land a body kick
and Barral counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barral stuns Akiyama with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Akiyama buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A lazy body kick from Akiyama
and Barral counters with a left to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barral throws a body punch but Akiyama moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Barral misses the target.
Akiyama chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Akiyama pivots, looking for a leg kick but Barral is out of range and Akiyama settles back down.
Barral blocks a head kick by Akiyama.
Akiyama throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Barral counters with a right hand to the body.
Akiyama fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Akiyama throws a leg kick but Barral sees it coming and moves out of range.
Akiyama misses with a leg kick.
Akiyama pulls out of a head kick attempt.

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.
Akiyama dips to his left and cracks Barral with an uppercut!
Akiyama throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akiyama rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barral connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Akiyama fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Barral is out of range.
Akiyama throws a sloppy body shot
and Barral counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barral looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Akiyama misses the body punch
letting Barral counter with a right hand.
Barral throws an overhand right that lands on Akiyama's shoulder, as Akiyama tries to avoid the shot.
Barral's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A low kick from Akiyama misses
letting Barral counter with a right hand.
Akiyama is looking to land body kicks.
Akiyama misses with a lunging right hand
and Barral counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Barral stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Barral has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Akiyama.
Barral fails to land the takedown.
Barral misses the shot to the body.
Akiyama connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Akiyama thows a leg kick but Barral checks it
and Barral counters with a nice body shot.
Barral swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Akiyama.
Akiyama closes the distance looking to clinch
and Barral counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Akiyama thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Barral decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Akiyama's guard.
Akiyama keeping full guard, as Barral tries to pass.
Akiyama looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barral stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akiyama swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barral won't allow Akiyama to sweep him here.
Barral is looking to advance position but Akiyama has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Barral tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Akiyama stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Akiyama gets off balance looking for a body kick
enabling Barral to counter with a crisp jab.
Akiyama misses with a body shot
and Barral counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akiyama throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Akiyama explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Akiyama throws a lazy body kick

so Barral counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Barral throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Akiyama has his hands on Barral's head, controlling the position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Barral trying to control but Akiyama is working from the bottom.
Akiyama can't keep his opponent in guard - Barral advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Barral thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Akiyama's head.
Barral stalling.
Akiyama won't allow Barral to pass to mount.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barral.
Barral sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Akiyama defending well though.
Barral is pressing down on Akiyama's thigh, looking to free his foot. Akiyama is holding on for now.
Barral throwing shots but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Akiyama is holding on to half guard well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barral connects with a nice short shot to Akiyama's temple.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Barral not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Barral with the ground and pound but Akiyama uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Barral trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barral is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barral is pushing down on Akiyama's leg trying to pass to half guard. Akiyama is fighting to maintain full guard but Barral has managed to sneak the leg through.
Akiyama is trying to maintain the position but Barral is very close to passing his half guard.
Barral passes the guard and advances to mount!
Akiyama avoids a strike by Barral and manages to complete a very nice reversal in the process, to end up in Barral's guard! Fantastic escape!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Barral looking to control.
Akiyama's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Barral pulls Akiyama in to control the position.
Akiyama not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barral wants to hit a switch here but Akiyama passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Barral there!
Barral gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romulo Barral comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barral 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Romulo Barral!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Romulo Barral!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Romulo Barral!

Romulo Barral wins by unanimous decision!