PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeshi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Watanabe has chosen The Handsome Family - Far From Any Road as his entrance music. Takeshi Watanabe told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Shinichi
vs
Watanabe

155 cm
37
145 lbs
24 - 13 - 1

175 cm
31
135 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

GREEN!160

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 24 - 13 - 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 13 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Takeshi Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Watanabe fails to land with a series of punches.
Shinichi wants to slow Watanabe down by chopping away at his legs.

Shinichi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Watanabe looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Shinichi trying to control the position but Watanabe is working away.
Watanabe is looking for a sweep.
Shinichi is looking to take a break and control but Watanabe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Watanabe tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Watanabe 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.
Watanabe is not content to let Shinichi control the position.

Shinichi has hold of Watanabe's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Watanabe tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Shinichi cranks the arm and Watanabe screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Watanabe, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Akiyama Shinichi!
Akiyama Shinichi decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.