PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marko Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama comes into the arena with Akiyama Theme Song (This Is My Life - Edward Maya) blaring out of the sound system. Gracie is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Stewie Griffen - Rocket Man. Marko Gracie told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Akiyama
vs
Gracie

185 cm
29
210 lbs
22 - 12 - 1

192 cm
30
222 lbs
22 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Fenrir Fightgear - Steel Penn

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 22 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Marko Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama ducks under a wild hook from Gracie.
Akiyama turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Gracie chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Akiyama can pounce on him.
Gracie has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gracie there as he acknowledges the shot.
Akiyama uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gracie.
Gracie throws the left hand but Akiyama avoids the punch easily.
Akiyama throws a jab when Gracie was well out of range.
Akiyama just misses with a punch to the body.
Akiyama throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Akiyama lets loose with a powerful body kick. Gracie will feel that in the morning.
Akiyama avoids the body shot from Gracie.
Gracie scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Akiyama forces Gracie back against the cage and clinches.
Gracie looking for a takedown.
Gracie blocks a body shot from Akiyama.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Akiyama.
Akiyama is working Gracie over against the cage.
Gracie looks winded!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akiyama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie misses with a hook to the ribs.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.
Akiyama tries a body shot but Gracie blocks it.
Gracie is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Akiyama is defending well.

Akiyama breaks from the clinch.
Akiyama is looking to score with low kicks.
Akiyama lands with a nice body kick.
Akiyama connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Akiyama scores with a spinning back kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akiyama misses with a looping right.
Akiyama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Akiyama sends Gracie crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Akiyama is motioning to the referee to let Gracie up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Gracie is rocked!
A slapping leg kick lands for Akiyama.
Gracie is still on wobbly legs! Can Akiyama finish him?
Kenji Akiyama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Akiyama tries to clinch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie seems to have recovered his senses.
Akiyama jabs at Gracie's body.
Akiyama works Gracie's body with a nice hook.
Akiyama scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Today's fight clock is brought to you by... OOOH that's a huge shot by Akiyama! Gracie is in big trouble here - the ref steps in to save him and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:06 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kenji Akiyama!
During a confident post fight interview, Kenji Akiyama thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.