PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Akira Sendoh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carl Rickson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Sendoh
vs
Rickson

185 cm
26
245 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

200 cm
23
290 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Go 2 Sleep Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akira Sendoh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carl Rickson!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sendoh gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rickson wants to take the fight to the mat but Sendoh manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Rickson tries for a takedown. No joy.
A nice right hand lands inside from Sendoh.
Sendoh is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rickson.
Sendoh avoiding damage as Rickson throws knees to the body.

Rickson breaks the clinch.
Rickson throws a wild body kick that Sendoh sees coming a mile off.
Rickson throws a low kick but Sendoh avoids it.
Rickson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rickson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Carl Rickson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sendoh is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sendoh gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sendoh is trying to break the clinch but Rickson has him pressed against the cage.

Rickson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rickson.
Akira Sendoh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Rickson.
Sendoh wants to clinch.
Sendoh lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sendoh tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rickson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rickson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sendoh darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Sendoh. That snapped Rickson's head back.
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!
Rickson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Sendoh uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Sendoh pushes Rickson up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rickson lands a right hand.
Sendoh working hard to break the clinch.
Rickson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rickson tries to work over Sendoh's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rickson tries to stall but Sendoh uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Come on Rickson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rickson prevents a body shot from Sendoh.
Sendoh taking a breather.
Sendoh prevents the takedown attempt.

Rickson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rickson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rickson fails to land the takedown.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sendoh, as that shot connected.
Rickson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rickson keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sendoh works Rickson's body with a nice hook.
Sendoh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rickson.
Sendoh swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sendoh is looking to clinch but Rickson is avoiding it.

Sendoh drives through and clinches with Rickson against the cage.
Rickson is looking to take this one to the mat.
Sendoh lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rickson backwards.
Rickson stalling in the clinch.
Rickson is trying to push Sendoh away but Sendoh has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Sendoh.
Sendoh blocks an uppercut.
Rickson looking to stall.
Rickson tries to score a body lock takedown but Sendoh shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sendoh tries to work over Rickson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sendoh lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Carl Rickson has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sendoh will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rickson up against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Rickson.

Sendoh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rickson tries to keep at a distance but Sendoh has taken the fight into the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sendoh.
Sendoh wants to stall.
Sendoh content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rickson throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sendoh is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Sendoh is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rickson stalling in the clinch but Sendoh improves position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Sendoh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Carl Rickson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sendoh checks a leg kick.
Sendoh works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rickson moves out of range as Sendoh strikes.
Rickson shoots in for a takedown but Sendoh shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sendoh is looking to clinch but Rickson is avoiding it.
Rickson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Good leg kick by Rickson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rickson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sendoh.
Akira Sendoh is winning the standup battle so far.
Sendoh tries to close the distance and clinch but Rickson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rickson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sendoh on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rickson connects with a body shot that sends Sendoh's belly button to the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rickson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sendoh to score with a decent uppercut.
Rickson tries to land a leg kick but Sendoh saw it coming and moves away.
Sendoh throws a series of punches but Rickson avoids them all with ease.
Rickson circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rickson shoots in and drives through. Sendoh sprawls well.
Akira Sendoh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Rickson.
Sendoh wants to clinch up but Rickson keeps it at a distance.
Sendoh misses with a looping right.
Rickson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nice jab there from Sendoh.
Sendoh avoids the body shot from Rickson.
Rickson scores with a head kick. Sendoh tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Rickson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rickson throws a leg kick
and Sendoh counters with a nice uppercut.
Rickson misses with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rickson throws a sloppy head kick and Sendoh moves out of range easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sendoh.
Sendoh doesn't manage to clinch there - Rickson circles away.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Sendoh here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Rickson throws a chopping leg kick but Sendoh manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rickson jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sendoh misses with a double jab.
Sendoh misses the jab.
Sendoh keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sendoh walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rickson.
Rickson dodges the punch combination from Sendoh.
Sendoh fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sendoh scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sendoh checks the leg kick.
Rickson is trying desperately to land a takedown but Sendoh is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Rickson.
Rickson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sendoh is able to avoid easily.
Akira Sendoh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rickson throws a leg kick but Sendoh moved away.
A jab from Sendoh does it's job there.
Rickson misses with a body kick.
Rickson fails with an attempt to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Sendoh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rickson takes a swing at Sendoh's ribcage but misses.
Sendoh misses with a body shot.
Rickson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sendoh is fending him off so far but Rickson persists. Nope, Sendoh circles away and we're back to standing.
Rickson swings for the body but Sendoh moves out of range.
Sendoh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
No joy there for Sendoh, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Sendoh clinches up with Rickson and pushes him back against the cage.

Rickson breaks from the clinch.
Rickson swats away the attempt to clinch by Sendoh.
Sendoh takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rickson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sendoh manages to avoid it.
Rickson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sendoh's calf.
Rickson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sendoh swivels and escapes.
Decent striking displayed by Sendoh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sendoh walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rickson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rickson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sendoh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sendoh tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rickson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rickson fails with a takedown attempt.
Rickson misses with a low kick.
Sendoh wants to clinch up but Rickson keeps it at a distance.

Sendoh has managed to clinch.
Rickson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sendoh blocks a body shot from Rickson.
Sendoh is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rickson is keeping busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rickson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sendoh pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sendoh as Rickson tries to tie him up.

Sendoh breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Akira Sendoh will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Carl Rickson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rickson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Sendoh clinches up against the cage.
Sendoh softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rickson keeps control of Sendoh as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rickson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sendoh taking a breather.
Sendoh gets underhooks to prevent Rickson's takedown attempt.
Rickson looking to stall.
Rickson blocking some punches.
A hook to the body from Sendoh.
Sendoh is looking to break free of the clinch but Rickson has double underhooks.
Rickson is looking for a takedown.
Akira Sendoh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Carl Rickson.
Rickson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sendoh lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rickson or not.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sendoh presses Rickson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sendoh is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Sendoh takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Rickson has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sendoh is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sendoh effectively controlling the action here.
Sendoh looking to throw knees to the head but Rickson is blocking nicely.
Rickson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Sendoh breaks the clinch.
Sendoh throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rickson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sendoh looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sendoh tries to clinch but Rickson moves out of range.
Sendoh lands a nice shot that snaps Rickson's head back.
Sendoh fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sendoh blocks a low kick nicely.
Sendoh moves away from the strike by Rickson.
Sendoh fails with an attempt to clinch.

Rickson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sendoh sprawls well initially but Rickson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rickson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sendoh defends it well.

Rickson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sendoh has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sendoh tries to kick Rickson off but Rickson keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rickson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Rickson seems to be working for a kimura but Sendoh defends the submission attempt.
Sendoh regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rickson.
Rickson trying to control the position from guard on top but Sendoh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rickson passes Sendoh's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rickson keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Sendoh avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rickson.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rickson wants to work for an arm triangle but Sendoh is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Carl Rickson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rickson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Akira Sendoh.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sendoh, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akira Sendoh!
A pretty intense looking Akira Sendoh took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.