PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryo Ishizaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akisame Koetsuji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ishizaki's entrance music is Hiroyuki Okita - Moete Hero. A fine choice. Koetsuji is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: We Can Be Friends. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ishizaki
vs
Koetsuji

180 cm
20
165 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

172 cm
20
175 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryo Ishizaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akisame Koetsuji!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koetsuji lands a slapping body shot.
Ishizaki moves to clinch but Koetsuji breaks away
and Koetsuji counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Ryo Ishizaki has been cut.
Ishizaki closes the distance but Koetsuji moves to the side
and Koetsuji counters with a nice uppercut.
Ishizaki tries to clinch but Koetsuji moves away
and Ishizaki takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ishizaki tries to clinch but Koetsuji moves away
and Koetsuji counters with a right hand to the body.
Ryo Ishizaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ishizaki looks to clinch
and Koetsuji makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Ishizaki really felt that one!
Koetsuji connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Koetsuji lands a jab to Ishizaki's midsection.
Ishizaki darts in trying to clinch
and Koetsuji counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ishizaki thinking.
Ishizaki is breathing heavily.
Koetsuji connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ishizaki's hands.
Koetsuji works Ishizaki's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishizaki moves to clinch but Koetsuji breaks away
and Koetsuji counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ishizaki's knee momentarily.

A head kick lands from Koetsuji that sends Ishizaki to the canvas. Ishizaki tries to scramble back to his feet but Koetsuji brings him back down into side control.

Ishizaki is rocked!

Ryo Ishizaki's cut is getting worse.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koetsuji creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Ishizaki sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Koetsuji working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ishizaki is looking to get back to his feet here but Koetsuji is keeping cool and he's managed to take Ishizaki's back.
Ishizaki is trying to get back to his feet but Koetsuji has full control of the position and if anything, Ishizaki has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Good control from Koetsuji.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koetsuji lands a shot to the head.
Koetsuji lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Koetsuji landing with strikes.

Ryo Ishizaki's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ishizaki is trying to get back to his feet but Koetsuji has full control of the position and if anything, Ishizaki has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Koetsuji trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Ishizaki doesn't escape.
Koetsuji scores with strikes from the back.

Jeez, Ryo Ishizaki's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Ryo Ishizaki's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Akisame Koetsuji!
During a confident post fight interview, Akisame Koetsuji thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.