PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Akira Azuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Angel Concepcion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Concepcion's choice of entrance music: The Descent. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Azuma
vs
Concepcion

172 cm
27
164 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

170 cm
41
155 lbs
36 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hellbent

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 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Akira Azuma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 17 - 1, fighting out of London, Angel Concepcion!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Azuma closes the distance looking to clinch

and Concepcion counters with a nice double leg into side control. Azuma won't be happy with that.
Concepcion landing a few strikes.
Concepcion has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Concepcion is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Azuma is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Azuma parries the strikes from Concepcion easily there. Concepcion is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Azuma to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Azuma tries to buck Concepcion off but Concepcion is having none of it.
Azuma takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Concepcion wants to control but Azuma is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azuma is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Concepcion throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Concepcion throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Azuma is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Concepcion working away.
Concepcion creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Azuma sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Concepcion scoring with punches from side control.
Concepcion misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Concepcion wants to control but Azuma is keeping him busy.
Concepcion in side control lands a decent elbow.
Azuma is trying to get back to half guard.
Concepcion throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Azuma is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion working the ground and pound but Azuma is defending the strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Azuma defending against the ground and pound.
Concepcion throws a strike aimed at the side of Azuma's head but Azuma avoids it well.
An elbow from Concepcion crashes against the mat.
Concepcion wants to lay and pray for a moment but Azuma keeps working.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Concepcion walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Azuma checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Azuma throws a jab but it's blocked by Concepcion.
Azuma lunges at Concepcion with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Concepcion's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Azuma counters with a shoot takedown. Concepcion fights it but they end up in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Azuma accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Concepcion tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Concepcion looking to control but Azuma passes into half guard.
Azuma prevents Concepcion from improving his position.
Azuma wants to take a breather but Concepcion is having none of it.

Azuma is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Concepcion has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Concepcion is pressing down on Azuma's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Angel Concepcion dominated that round.
That's time! Azuma's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Concepcion lands a nice looking body shot.
Concepcion misses with a left hand

and Azuma counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Concepcion!
Azuma creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Concepcion sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Azuma wants to lay and pray for a moment but Concepcion keeps working.
Concepcion manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Concepcion blocking the ground and pound attempt from Azuma.
Concepcion misses with some strikes from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Concepcion preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Concepcion is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Azuma connects with a nice short shot to Concepcion's temple.
Azuma not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Concepcion is staying active underneath Azuma, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Azuma missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Concepcion gets full guard.
Concepcion wants to sweep here but Azuma controlling him for the moment.
Concepcion pulls Azuma in to control the position.
Concepcion bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Azuma's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azuma has Concepcion pulled in close to control his posture.
Azuma avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Concepcion postures up in Azuma's guard and throws a big left but Azuma blocks it.
Azuma tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Azuma defending well as Concepcion loads up on a big left hand.
Azuma misses the shot to the body.
Concepcion throws a right hand that misses

so Azuma counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Azuma prevents Concepcion from getting back to his feet.
Concepcion controls Azuma momentarily but Azuma frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azuma trying to control the position from guard on top but Concepcion is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Angel Concepcion has got the better of the ground game so far.
Concepcion looking to hit a scissor sweep but Azuma is one step ahead there.
Azuma cracks Concepcion with a solid left hand.
Concepcion seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Azuma stopping the sweep attempt from Concepcion.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Azuma slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Concepcion thows a left - swing and a miss!
Concepcion scores with a jab.
Concepcion dives in for a single leg takedown but Azuma sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice body punch from Azuma.
Concepcion creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Azuma has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Concepcion is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Azuma breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Azuma doesn't manage to clinch there - Concepcion circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Concepcion just misses with a punch to the body.
Concepcion goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
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 Akira Azuma will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Azuma leaves Concepcion with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Concepcion looks to score with a jab to the body but Azuma is just out of range.
Azuma tries to clinch up.
Concepcion rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Azuma counters with a shoot takedown. Concepcion fights it but they end up in guard.
Concepcion keeping moving, preventing Azuma from controlling successfully.
Azuma trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Concepcion trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Concepcion not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Azuma passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azuma looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Azuma working the head and body with strikes.
Azuma wants to free his trapped foot but Concepcion is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Azuma sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Concepcion defending well though.
Concepcion keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Azuma throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Azuma is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Concepcion!
Azuma scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azuma can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Concepcion is looking to escape.
Concepcion manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Concepcion is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Azuma's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Azuma's back!
Concepcion lands shots from the back.
Concepcion misses with a punch to the head.
Concepcion somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion missing with strikes.
Concepcion misses with an elbow to the head.
Concepcion throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Azuma covering up well and avoiding damage.
Concepcion trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Concepcion missing with strikes from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Concepcion struggling to land strikes to the head as Azuma covers up.
Concepcion misses with an elbow to the head.
Concepcion missing with strikes.
Concepcion is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Concepcion looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Concepcion softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Concepcion lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Azuma covering up well and avoiding damage.

Concepcion is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Azuma has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Angel Concepcion comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Concepcion has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Angel Concepcion!
A relieved looking Angel Concepcion thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.