PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jay Zol (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama Shinichi acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Zol
vs
Shinichi

170 cm
29
148 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

155 cm
34
145 lbs
20 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

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 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jay Zol!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Akiyama Shinichi!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shinichi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zol to the mat! Zol manages to get full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Shinichi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shinichi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Zol swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shinichi won't allow Zol to get back to his feet.
Zol can't keep his opponent in guard - Shinichi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Zol pushes Shinichi off looking to stand but Shinichi dives back in and keeps control.
Zol is in trouble now - Shinichi has advanced to mount!
Zol is trying to stand up.
Shinichi wants to control the pace but Zol is squirming around nicely.
Zol's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Shinichi tries to control but Zol wriggling away.
Zol is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Jef Li's MMA(13 coaches, 49 cap), so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Shinichi controlling his opponent.
Zol is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shinichi is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Zol is surviving well by controlling Shinichi's body position as best he can.
Zol is squirming around, avoiding Shinichi's attempts to control the action.

Shinichi looking to secure an arm triangle but Zol defends it well.
Zol squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zol is squirming around, avoiding Shinichi's attempts to control the action.
Zol is trying to stand up.
Shinichi trying to control but Zol is having none of it.

Zol bucks up and throws Shinichi to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Zol looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zol lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Zol lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shinichi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zol.
Zol lands with a punch from half guard.
Zol slips a nice elbow through Shinichi's hands, connecting with Shinichi's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shinichi is trying to get back to full guard.
Shinichi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Zol scores with a couple of nice shots.
Shinichi has hold of Zol's hands but Zol slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Shinichi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zol is working away from the top position though.
Zol sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Shinichi defending well though.
Shinichi has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Shinichi blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zol.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shinichi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Shinichi.
Zol throws a big elbow that misses.
Zol stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shinichi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shinichi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Shinichi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Zol is looking to escape.
Zol is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Shinichi has hold of Zol's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Zol manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Shinichi looking to control but Zol is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Zol is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shinichi wants to control but Zol has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Zol wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jay Zol will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Zol misses with a hook.
Shinichi dodges the punch combination from Zol.

Shinichi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Zol has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Shinichi off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Shinichi misses with a takedown attempt - Zol sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Zol shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Zol was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Zol scores with punches from side control.
Zol tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Shinichi takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shinichi struggling a bit here.
Zol lands some shots froms side control.
Shinichi is trying to get back to half guard.
Shinichi takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinichi managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Zol.
Zol grinds an elbow into Shinichi's temple.
Zol connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Shinichi some visible discomfort.
Zol landing a few strikes.
Zol grinds an elbow into Shinichi's temple.
Zol works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Check out the look on Zol's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Shinichi manages to get back to half guard.
Shinichi is looking to improve his position.
Zol is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Shinichi wants to control but Zol is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shinichi is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zol landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zol lands strikes from half guard.
Shinichi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Zol preventing the sweep.
Jay Zol overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shinichi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shinichi trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Zol won't allow Shinichi to sweep him here.
Zol lands a couple of elbows.
Zol makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Shinichi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Zol keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shinichi's head.
Zol trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zol postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Zol throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zol throws a big right hand that misses.
Zol throws a big right hand that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shinichi is on top in guard.
Zol wants to stand but Shinichi is controlling the position.

Zol pushes Shinichi off and gets back to his feet.

Shinichi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zol to the mat! Zol manages to get full guard.
Zol keeping full guard, as Shinichi tries to pass.
Shinichi trying to control but Zol is working from the bottom.
Shinichi prevents Zol from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zol keeping moving, preventing Shinichi from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Akiyama Shinichi was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Zol dives in and scores a takedown into Shinichi's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shinichi working for a triangle but Zol defends it easily.
Shinichi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zol manages to get himself to full guard.
Shinichi prevents Zol from getting back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zol keeping moving, preventing Shinichi from controlling successfully.
Shinichi won't allow Zol to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Zol dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Shinichi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zol sprawls well. Zol wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Shinichi gets slowly back to his feet.

Zol shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Shinichi manages to get to full guard.
Shinichi working a defensive guard here.

Shinichi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zol is working Shinichi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Shinichi is trying to keep Zol in close.
Zol makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zol works over Shinichi with some ground and pound from guard.
Zol is working Shinichi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Zol in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zol accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shinichi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Shinichi drops back looking for a leg! Zol is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Zol manages to kick Shinichi off! Shinichi jumps back into Zol's guard.
Shinichi trying to control but Zol is working from the bottom.
Shinichi advances to half guard.
Zol wants to get back to his feet.
Shinichi wants to take a breather but Zol is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zol pushes Shinichi off looking to stand but Shinichi dives back in and keeps control.

Shinichi wants to work for an arm triangle but Zol is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
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!
Zol scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Shinichi manages to mount him!
Zol has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Shinichi's lack of action.

Shinichi seems to be looking for submissions.

Shinichi is trying to work for a kimura but Zol is defending well.
Zol won't allow Shinichi to pass to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zol has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Shinichi is on him like a limpet, forcing Zol back against the cage.
Shinichi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Zol pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nice cross by Zol.
Zol throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jay Zol seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zol looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Shinichi looking for a sweep. Not yet Shinichi, not yet.
Zol working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shinichi's head.
Zol working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shinichi's head.
Shinichi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Zol throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zol scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zol throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shinichi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Zol will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zol throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shinichi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shinichi trying to control the position.
Zol scoring with punches to the head and body.

Shinichi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zol trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zol landing with the ground and pound.
Zol working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zol got a little sloppy there for a moment and Shinichi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Zol has managed to get both his arms back between Shinichi's legs - danger averted.
Shinichi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zol throwing strikes but missing.
Akiyama Shinichi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shinichi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jay Zol showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zol, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight for Jay Zol!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Jay Zol!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Jay Zol!

Jay Zol wins by unanimous decision!