PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and TJ Crawford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crawford has chosen John Legend - Who Do We Think We Are as his entrance music. Akiyama Shinichi is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Shinichi
vs
Crawford

155 cm
33
145 lbs
17 - 8 - 1

179 cm
32
155 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Merciless Gladiators

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 17 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akiyama Shinichi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, TJ Crawford!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crawford closes the distance and clinches.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Shinichi gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Crawford regains guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Shinichi trying to control the position from guard on top but Crawford is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shinichi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Shinichi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Shinichi has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Crawford really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shinichi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Shinichi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Crawford is keeping the position for now.
Shinichi trying to control but Crawford is working from the bottom.
Crawford keeping full guard, as Shinichi tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Akiyama Shinichi just wasn't active enough.

Crawford clinches up with Shinichi and pushes him back against the cage.
Shinichi has Crawford pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Crawford manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but Shinichi blocks with his arms.
Crawford trying to land knees to the body.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shinichi avoids it.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but Shinichi blocks with his arms.
Shinichi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Shinichi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shinichi managing to block the knees to the body from Crawford.
Crawford lands a good knee to the midsection. Shinichi won't want to take too many of those.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shinichi blocks it with crossed arms.

Shinichi jumps guard.
Shinichi is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crawford preventing the sweep.
Shinichi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Crawford won't allow Shinichi to sweep him here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shinichi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Akiyama Shinichi wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Crawford gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shinichi managing to block the knees to the body from Crawford.
Crawford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Crawford prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akiyama Shinichi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shinichi is looking for a takedown.
Crawford blocking some punches.
Crawford with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crawford misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Shinichi.
Shinichi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Crawford tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Crawford missing with knees to the body.
Crawford missing with knees to the body.
Shinichi can't get the takedown.
Crawford throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Shinichi blocks it with crossed arms.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Shinichi decides to pull guard.
Shinichi keeping moving, preventing Crawford from controlling successfully.

Shinichi looking for a guillotine here but Crawford defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Shinichi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Crawford doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Shinichi is tightening it up a little... Crawford has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Crawford reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Crawford taps out! Nice BJJ there by Shinichi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). 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.