PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Akiyama Shinichi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyle Willems (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Lyle Willems enters the cage!

Shinichi
vs
Willems

155 cm
38
145 lbs
25 - 13 - 1

162 cm
35
144 lbs
18 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 25 - 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 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lyle Willems!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shinichi checks a leg kick.
Willems throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shinichi misses with a takedown attempt - Willems sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Willems's coach down at Fighting Fitness & Freedom was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Willems's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Shinichi moves into the clinch.
Willems is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Willems wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shinichi has him pressed against the cage.
Shinichi has Willems pressed against the cage, preventing Willems from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Willems stops a takedown attempt from Shinichi.
Willems wants to break free but Shinichi has control.

Shinichi successfully pulls guard.
Willems stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shinichi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willems trying to control but Shinichi is working from the bottom.
Shinichi pulls Willems in close to prevent any damage.

Shinichi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shinichi working a defensive guard here.
Shinichi keeping moving, preventing Willems from controlling successfully.
Willems tries to free his leg and advance position but Shinichi is retaining full guard.
Willems postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Willems looking to sit in guard and control but Shinichi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Willems is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shinichi tries to free his leg and advance position but Willems is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Willems is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shinichi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Willems swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shinichi trying to control the position from guard on top but Willems is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Willems wants to sweep but no luck.
Willems is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shinichi trying to control but Willems is working from the bottom.
Shinichi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Willems's guard.
Willems is trying to stand up here but Shinichi is controlling him well.
Willems is looking for a sweep. Shinichi is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shinichi in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Willems tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Shinichi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Akiyama Shinichi!
A less than humble Akiyama Shinichi misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.