PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Carlton Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banks comes to the cage accompanied by Carlton Dance Medley. Akiyama Shinichi is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Banks
vs
Shinichi

172 cm
23
145 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

155 cm
30
145 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carlton Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akiyama Shinichi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks misses with a body kick.

Shinichi looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shinichi pushing down on Banks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Shinichi prevents Banks from standing back up.

Banks is defending against the submission attempts here by Shinichi.
Banks is trying to stand back up but Shinichi is controlling him
Shinichi trying to control the action but Banks is working from the bottom.

Shinichi is looking for a kimura here.
Banks is not content to let Shinichi control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shinichi seems to be looking for submissions.
Shinichi wants to pass to mount but Banks is defending the position.

Shinichi is looking for a kimura here.

Shinichi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Banks has managed to free his arm - good work.
Shinichi stops Banks from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinichi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Banks is trying to stand back up but Shinichi is controlling him
Shinichi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Banks knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Banks on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Banks tries to get out of the position.

Shinichi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Banks wants to get back to his feet.

Shinichi is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Banks is trying to stand back up but Shinichi is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Banks does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Shinichi is looking for a kimura but Banks is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Shinichi to get the leverage.
Banks is looking to get back to is feet but Shinichi passes into side control.

Shinichi is trying to get an arm triangle but Banks is defending well.
Shinichi tries to advance to mount but Banks denies him.

Shinichi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Shinichi advances nicely into full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shinichi is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Banks has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Shinichi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Banks is looking to escape.

Shinichi looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Banks is trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Shinichi looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Banks is squirming around, avoiding Shinichi's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akiyama Shinichi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Banks. No joy for Shinichi on that attempt.
Shinichi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Banks is out of range and Shinichi settles back down.
Shinichi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Shinichi tries to clinch up.
Banks throws a head kick that misses.
Banks throws a nice head kick!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shinichi.
Carlton Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akiyama Shinichi.
Banks throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Shinichi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Banks counters with a slapping leg kick.
Carlton Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Banks avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shinichi shoots in for a takedown but Banks shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shinichi fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Banks to the ground. Shinichi is now in Banks's guard.
Shinichi is pushing down on Banks's leg trying to pass to half guard. Banks is fighting to maintain full guard but Shinichi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Banks is looking to escape.

Shinichi is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Banks doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Shinichi.
Shinichi stops Banks from getting back to his feet.

Shinichi is trying to work for a kimura but Banks is defending well.

Shinichi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Banks reverses the position - he's now on top in Shinichi's guard.
Banks wants to stand but Shinichi has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Banks knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Shinichi on the ground.
Shinichi throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Banks would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks stopping the sweep attempt from Shinichi.
Shinichi has his hands on Banks's head, controlling the position.
Shinichi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Banks would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Banks tries a head kick but it misses.
Carlton Banks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banks connects with a leg kick. Shinichi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Shinichi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Banks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banks pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Banks clinches up against the cage.
Banks throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shinichi takes an elbow to the temple.
Banks misses with an elbow over the top.
Banks lands an elbow that stopped Shinichi in his tracks for a moment.
Shinichi can't get the takedown.
Banks blocks an elbow strike from Shinichi.

Shinichi manages to pull guard.
Shinichi is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banks wants to stand but Shinichi is controlling his posture from full guard.
Shinichi working a defensive guard here.
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 Carlton Banks will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Banks moves into the clinch.
Shinichi takes an elbow to the temple.
Banks misses with an elbow over the top.
Shinichi jumps guard but Banks stands there with Shinichi around his waist. Shinichi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Banks lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shinichi is looking to control Banks's arms but Banks gets an underhook and turns him. Now Shinichi has his back to the cage.
Banks misses with an elbow strike.
Shinichi tries to pull guard but Banks won't allow it.
Banks misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shinichi.
Banks misses with an elbow over the top.
Banks lands an elbow that stopped Shinichi in his tracks for a moment.
Shinichi dodges an elbow strike from Banks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Banks throws an elbow but misses.
Shinichi fails to pull guard.
Carlton Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akiyama Shinichi.
Banks comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Banks misses with an elbow over the top.
Shinichi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shinichi's defenses.
Shinichi blocks the elbow strike.
Shinichi looking to slow down the pace here.
Banks creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Banks lands an elbow inside.

Shinichi has clasped his hands together around Banks's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Shinichi wants to control but Banks is keeping him busy.

Shinichi working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Shinichi advances to mount.
Shinichi won't let Banks get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shinichi working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Banks is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Shinichi working for a guillotine from mount but Banks is in no mood to give up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shinichi wants to control the pace but Banks is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Shinichi trying to control but Banks is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks wants to try and get back to his feet.
Shinichi trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Shinichi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Banks can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shinichi sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Akiyama Shinichi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Shinichi 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Akiyama Shinichi!
Akiyama Shinichi bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.