PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Leo Akali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonardo Valdes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leo Akali has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Akali
vs
Valdes

200 cm
25
153 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

160 cm
22
164 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Leo Akali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Leonardo Valdes!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valdes keeps the fight on the outside.
Akali wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akali looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Akali really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Valdes changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akali tries to avoid it but Valdes manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akali to the ground. Akali escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Leo Akali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Akali shoots in and gets a takedown into Valdes's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Valdes controls Akali momentarily but Akali frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Akali stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Akali wants to clinch.

Akali rushes Valdes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Akali throws an elbow but misses.
Akali tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Valdes smiles and moves away.
Akali takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Valdes should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valdes throws a series of punches but Akali avoids them all with ease.
Akali throws a nice looking combination but Valdes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Akali tries to clinch up but Valdes circles away and keeps his distance.
Akali fails with an attempt to clinch.
Valdes looks to throw the jab but Akali is out of range.
Valdes keeps the fight on the outside.
Akali looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Valdes throws a big shot that misses.
Valdes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akali is looking to clinch but Valdes is avoiding it.

Akali rushes Valdes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Akali manages to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akali wants to sweep here but Valdes controlling him for the moment.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Valdes has eaten all the pies!
Akali keeping moving, preventing Valdes from controlling successfully.
Akali preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Valdes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Akali wants to sweep but no luck.

Valdes is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Akali is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Akali has escaped and now he's on top!

Akali postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Valdes is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Akali, into his guard.
Valdes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valdes with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Valdes wants to control from the top but Akali keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valdes drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Valdes jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Valdes keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Akali's head.
Akali will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Akali managing to control the position.
Valdes throwing strikes but missing.
Valdes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Valdes throws a big right hand that misses.

Akali is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Akali preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Akali is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Akali breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akali tries to clinch up

so Valdes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valdes trying to control but Akali is working from the bottom.

Akali is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Valdes looking to slow down the pace here.
Valdes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valdes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Akali is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Valdes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Leonardo Valdes will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Akali tries to clinch up.
Valdes throws a nice looking combination but Akali bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Akali lands with a nice body kick.
Valdes just misses with a punch to the body.
Akali uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Valdes has time to react.
Akali fails in his attempt to clinch.
Akali tries for a takedown but Valdes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valdes tries to land a front kick but Akali steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Valdes throws a jab when Akali was well out of range.
Valdes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akali throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Akali closes the distance and clinches.
Akali is looking for a takedown.

Valdes breaks from the clinch.

Akali closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Valdes to the mat! Valdes manages to get full guard.
Leonardo Valdes has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akali preventing the sweep.
Valdes is breathing heavily.
Akali in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Akali throwing strikes from guard but Valdes blocks nicely.
Valdes is trying to control the position but Akali postures up.
Akali throwing strikes from guard but Valdes blocks nicely.
Akali postures up in Valdes's guard and throws a big left but Valdes blocks it.
Akali trying to control but Valdes is working from the bottom.

Valdes is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Akali is aware though and is defending well.
Valdes keeping moving, preventing Akali from controlling successfully.
Akali missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Akali is looking to work some ground and pound but Valdes has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valdes is working an open guard so Akali takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Akali shoots in for a takedown but Valdes shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leo Akali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valdes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Valdes wants it to stay on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akali looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Valdes swings for the body but Akali moves out of range.
Valdes lands with a thumping leg kick.
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!
Akali tries to close the distance and clinch but Valdes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Akali drives through and clinches with Valdes against the cage.
Akali lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Valdes.
Knees to the body from Akali.
Akali tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Valdes smiles and moves away.
Valdes misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdes takes a swing at Akali's ribcage but misses.
Akali tries to clinch there but Valdes circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Akali.
Akali tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Valdes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Akali tries to clinch up but Valdes circles away and keeps his distance.
Leo Akali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akali closes the distance but Valdes moves to the side

and Valdes moves into the clinch.
Akali jumps guard but Valdes stands there with Akali around his waist. Akali gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Akali crunches a lovely knee into Valdes's ribcage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valdes stops a takedown attempt from Akali.
Akali misses with a knee strike.
Valdes avoiding damage as Akali throws knees to the body.
Valdes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Akali is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Valdes is defending well for now.

Akali breaks the clinch.
Valdes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akali looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Akali bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Valdes's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Akali tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Valdes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Akali is looking to clinch.
Leo Akali is winning the standup battle so far.
Akali tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Valdes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leo Akali dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Akali tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Valdes counters by moving into the clinch.
Valdes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akali has him pressed against the cage.
Valdes leaning against his opponent.
Valdes tries to break free but Akali pushes him back against the cage.
Valdes has had enough of the clinch but Akali keeps him there for the moment.
Akali missing with knees to the body.
Akali tries to land knees in the clinch but Valdes avoids the damage to the body.
Valdes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Akali breaks from the clinch.
Akali checks a leg kick.

Valdes gets tackled into the cage by Akali. Akali maintains the clinch.
Valdes wants to get back to striking at distance but Akali won't allow it.
Akali tries to land knees in the clinch but Valdes avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akali tries to land knees in the clinch but Valdes avoids the damage to the body.

Akali breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Valdes fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Akali rushes Valdes and presses him up against the cage.
Akali has Valdes pressed against the cage, preventing Valdes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Akali is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Valdes is defending well for now.
Akali drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valdes wants a takedown but no success here.
Akali is working for takedown but Valdes is calmly controlling the position for now.
Akali has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valdes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Leo Akali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Akali looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valdes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Valdes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Akali pulls his leg out and moves away.
Akali tries to clinch there but Valdes circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akali looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Akali wants to clinch up but Valdes keeps it at a distance.
Akali tries to clinch up but Valdes circles away and keeps his distance.
Akali goes for a double leg but Valdes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Valdes continues to drive forward.

Akali manages to break the clinch.
Akali shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Valdes as he avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Valdes keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akali tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Valdes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Valdes keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice defenses there by Valdes.
Akali tries to clinch up but Valdes circles away and keeps his distance.
Valdes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Akali tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valdes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Valdes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Valdes dives in and grabs Akali's left leg, looking for a takedown. Akali pushes down on Valdes's head and hops out.
Valdes throws a head kick that misses.
Akali scores with a push kick.

Akali moves into range and clinches up with Valdes.
Valdes tries to break free but Akali pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Akali pulls guard.
Akali working a defensive guard here.
Valdes wants to control from the top but Akali keeps moving.
Valdes is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Akali throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Valdes postures up in Akali's guard and throws a big left but Akali blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akali working a defensive guard here.
Valdes wants to control from the top but Akali keeps moving.
Akali is trying to control the position but Valdes postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leo Akali showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Akali has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leo Akali!