PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jose Rizal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rizal comes to the cage accompanied by Diamonds. Akiyama Shinichi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rizal
vs
Shinichi

175 cm
32
145 lbs
16 - 13 - 0

155 cm
32
145 lbs
13 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jose Rizal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akiyama Shinichi!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shinichi misses with a takedown attempt - Rizal sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Shinichi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shinichi tries to free his leg and advance position but Rizal is retaining full guard.

Shinichi drops back, looking for a kneebar! Rizal looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Rizal looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Rizal!

Rizal is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Shinichi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rizal wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shinichi keeps working.

Rizal decides to stand back up.

Rizal dives in and scores a takedown into Shinichi's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shinichi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rizal.
Rizal loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinichi wants to sweep but no luck.
Rizal looking to pass the guard.
Rizal will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rizal missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rizal postures up.
Rizal trying to control but Shinichi is working from the bottom.

Shinichi has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Rizal doesn't defend quickly enough and Shinichi has managed to lock this one up! Can Rizal escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Shinichi on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Akiyama Shinichi!
After the fight, Akiyama Shinichi was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.