PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akisame Hikaru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Phil Mcracken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hikaru comes to the cage accompanied by Ultimate Battle. Mcracken has chosen 10cc - Dreadlock Holiday as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Hikaru
vs
Mcracken

172 cm
23
180 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

187 cm
28
179 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Valhalla Q160 Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akisame Hikaru!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Phil Mcracken!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hikaru thows a body shot but no joy.
Mcracken staying out of range there.
Hikaru moves out of range as Mcracken strikes.
Mcracken is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hikaru creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mcracken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hikaru lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hikaru managing to block the knees to the body from Mcracken.
Hikaru creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Hikaru decides to pull guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Mcracken is pushing down on Hikaru's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hikaru is fighting to maintain full guard but Mcracken has managed to sneak the leg through.
Nice strikes from Mcracken there.

Hikaru actively working from the bottom here.
Mcracken controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken is trying to control the action in half guard but Hikaru is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hikaru is doing well to control the position and prevent Mcracken from advancing to side control.

Mcracken is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mcracken is trying to control. Hikaru wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mcracken prevents Hikaru from improving his position.
Mcracken is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hikaru might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hikaru's head.
Mcracken is looking to advance position but Hikaru won't allow it.
Mcracken prevents Hikaru from improving his position.
Mcracken is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Mcracken wants to take a breather but Hikaru is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru is trying to maintain the position but Mcracken is very close to passing his half guard.
Mcracken thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hikaru's head.
Hikaru is pressing down on Mcracken's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Hikaru looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mcracken passes into half guard.
Hikaru is refusing to be controlled, as Mcracken sits in half guard.
Mcracken missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mcracken wants to take a breather but Hikaru is having none of it.
Hikaru trying to hold on to Mcracken's head to control him but Mcracken postures up.
Mcracken looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru tries to get to full guard but Mcracken has control of the leg.
Mcracken lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mcracken trying to control from half guard but Hikaru is working away.
Hikaru has hold of Mcracken's hands but Mcracken slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mcracken throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mcracken looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Mcracken dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mcracken looks for a takedown but Hikaru sprawls well.
Hikaru jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Mcracken shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mcracken throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hikaru works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hikaru being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hikaru trying to keep a closed guard but Mcracken is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken postures up and lands a big shot to Hikaru's brow.
Mcracken wants to control from the top but Hikaru keeps moving.
Mcracken pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hikaru is keeping the position for now.
Mcracken wants to control from the top but Hikaru keeps moving.
Hikaru is pulling down on Mcracken's head. It's preventing any offense from Mcracken, at least for the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hikaru throws a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Mcracken moves into the clinch.
Mcracken misses with the head strike.
A short right from Hikaru.
Mcracken connects with a knee to the head.

Hikaru has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Mcracken regains guard immediately.
Phil Mcracken has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hikaru postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hikaru stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mcracken swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mcracken wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Hikaru is now in half guard.
Mcracken keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru with the ground and pound but Mcracken uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Mcracken manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hikaru manages to get himself to full guard.
Mcracken throwing strikes from guard but Hikaru blocks nicely.
Mcracken controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mcracken works over Hikaru with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken advances position into side control!
Hikaru manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mcracken's best efforts.
Hikaru is looking to control Mcracken's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hikaru avoid being mounted?
Mcracken passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hikaru!
Mcracken lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mcracken raining down hammerfists from mount.
Mcracken lands a big shot there that rocks Hikaru but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Mcracken can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hikaru is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Mcracken showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Hikaru's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mcracken slips a straight right by Hikaru.

Mcracken drives through and clinches with Hikaru against the cage.
Hikaru working aggressively here.
Hikaru misses with the head strike.
Mcracken throws a punch but it's blocked by Hikaru.
Hikaru can't get the takedown.
Mcracken throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hikaru drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mcracken pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hikaru keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hikaru lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Mcracken moves into the clinch successfully.
Mcracken looking for a takedown.
Hikaru being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hikaru is keeping busy.
Mcracken pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mcracken misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mcracken unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hikaru lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Mcracken with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hikaru jumps guard but Mcracken stands there with Hikaru around his waist. Hikaru gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akisame Hikaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hikaru just misses with a elbow thrown towards Mcracken's brow.
Mcracken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hikaru's face.
Hikaru scores with a hook to the body.
Hikaru misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru wants to take the fight to the mat but Mcracken manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mcracken landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mcracken tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hikaru avoids it.
Mcracken wants to take the fight to the mat but Hikaru manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hikaru throws a head punch that misses.
Phil Mcracken seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A body shot lands from Mcracken.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hikaru.
Hikaru avoiding damage as Mcracken throws knees to the body.
Mcracken looking for a takedown.
Mcracken stalling.
Hikaru's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Hikaru throws an elbow but it misses.
A short right from Hikaru on the inside.
Mcracken blocks the elbow strike.

Hikaru jumps guard.
Hikaru keeping full guard, as Mcracken tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mcracken trying to control the position from guard on top but Hikaru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mcracken in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mcracken stays in close to Hikaru's body and controls the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Phil Mcracken was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Hikaru throws a body punch but Mcracken moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken tries to clinch but Hikaru is having none of it.
Mcracken fails in his attempt to clinch.

Hikaru tries to sprawl but Mcracken drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mcracken trying to control the action but Hikaru is working from the bottom.
Mcracken trying to mount his opponent but Hikaru defends it.
Mcracken is keen to just control but Hikaru is a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hikaru tries to get to full guard but Mcracken has control of the leg.
Mcracken slips a nice elbow through Hikaru's hands, connecting with Hikaru's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Mcracken really dominated that round.
That's time! Hikaru's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hikaru misses with a series of wild punches.
Mcracken shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hikaru counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hikaru uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mcracken.
Mcracken uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hikaru.
Hikaru takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mcracken fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mcracken tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hikaru sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mcracken somewhat.

Mcracken gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mcracken swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hikaru tries to stall but Mcracken uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mcracken lands a knee to the head.
Hikaru jumps guard but Mcracken turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mcracken turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hikaru is trying to control Mcracken's posture but Mcracken avoids it.
Hikaru is looking for a sweep.
Hikaru dodges the ground and pound from Mcracken.
Mcracken wants to take a breather but Hikaru manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Mcracken.
Hikaru preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hikaru working a defensive guard but Mcracken manages to pass into side control anyway.
Hikaru tries to buck Mcracken off but Mcracken is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
You can see the frustration on Hikaru's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mcracken trying to control the position but Hikaru is working away.
Mcracken working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mcracken is putting a hurting on Hikaru here, landing some big shots from side control.
Mcracken has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hikaru managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mcracken.
Mcracken landing a few strikes.
Hikaru is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Mcracken has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Hikaru regains half guard.
Hikaru is looking for a sweep. Mcracken is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mcracken is keen to just control but Hikaru is a slippery customer.
Mcracken trying to pass the guard but Hikaru defending well.
Hikaru is trying to get back to full guard.
Mcracken passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hikaru!
Mcracken lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken trying to control but Hikaru is having none of it.
Mcracken unloading with bombs!
Hikaru tries to hold on but Mcracken pushes him away.
Mcracken with the ground and pound from mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mcracken scoring with strikes but Hikaru is staying in there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mcracken trying to control but Hikaru is having none of it.
Hikaru is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Mcracken dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hikaru throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hikaru misses the shot to the body.
Mcracken connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mcracken shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hikaru but Hikaru pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Hikaru drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hikaru stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mcracken swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mcracken is on top in guard.
Mcracken wants to pass the guard but Hikaru is keeping the position.
Mcracken is looking to work some ground and pound but Hikaru has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcracken stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hikaru swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mcracken content to stall in guard here.
Mcracken throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hikaru works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Hikaru looking for subs off his back but Mcracken has passed one foot through into half guard.
Hikaru tries to roll over but Mcracken keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hikaru is working hard here to advance position.
Mcracken thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hikaru's head.
Hikaru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mcracken.
Mcracken is thwarting Hikaru's attempts to control the position.
Mcracken lands strikes from half guard.
Hikaru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mcracken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken drops an elbow to the side of Hikaru's head.
Mcracken scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hikaru wants to control but Mcracken is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hikaru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mcracken.
Mcracken tries to pass to full mount but Hikaru defends it.
Hikaru trying to control but Mcracken postures up.
Akisame Hikaru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mcracken is just content to waste time from the top position. Hikaru takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hikaru looking for a sweep. Not yet Hikaru, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mcracken trying to control but Hikaru is working from the bottom.

Hikaru is looking for a triangle but Mcracken pushes his legs off easily.
Mcracken is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mcracken working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hikaru controls Mcracken momentarily but Mcracken frees himself.
Mcracken trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Hikaru manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hikaru loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Mcracken comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mcracken has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 45:50
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Mcracken!
Phil Mcracken is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Phil Mcracken thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.