PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pounamu Akona (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julio Shogun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Akona
vs
Shogun

201 cm
20
230 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

189 cm
23
231 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Good elbows
Tends to cut

FJCP Healthy Nutrition
Spartan Nutrition

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pounamu Akona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Julio Shogun!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shogun moves into the clinch successfully.
Akona tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shogun smiles and moves away.
Akona shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shogun defends it nicely.

Shogun drives through and clinches with Akona against the cage.
Shogun lands an elbow inside that Akona shrugs off.
Shogun lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Shogun creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akona's defenses.

It looks like Pounamu Akona has been cut.
Akona has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shogun avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pounamu Akona. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akona tries to score a body lock takedown but Shogun shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Akona has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shogun avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akona wants a takedown.
Shogun landing knees to the head.
Shogun looking to throw knees to the head but Akona is blocking nicely.
Shogun tries to land a knee to the head but Akona blocks with his arms.
Akona jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shogun walks away with a smile on his face. Akona gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Shogun rushes Akona and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shogun lands an elbow that stopped Akona in his tracks for a moment.
Shogun prevents the takedown attempt.
Shogun lands an elbow that stopped Akona in his tracks for a moment.
A right handed body shot lands from Shogun.
Akona is breathing heavily.
Akona takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shogun avoiding damage.
Shogun lands a right hand that snaps the head of Akona backwards.
Akona tries to score a body lock takedown but Shogun shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Shogun lands a good knee to the midsection. Akona won't want to take too many of those.
Shogun lands a damaging elbow.
Shogun lands a nice elbow.

Akona is rocked!
Shogun lands a damaging elbow.
Oh Akona is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Akona is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shogun is defending well.

Shogun manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shogun wants to sweep here but Akona controlling him for the moment.
Shogun has his hands on Akona's head, controlling the position.

Shogun is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Akona seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akona trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Shogun is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Akona is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
We've been hearing that Akona has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Akona postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Shogun is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Akona, into his guard.
Shogun trying to control but Akona is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shogun showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Shogun trying to control but Akona is working from the bottom.
Shogun must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shogun is looking to stand up but Akona won't let him.
Shogun looking to sit in guard and control but Akona gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Akona landing some decent shots from guard.
Shogun working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Akona.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Akona drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Akona jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Akona throwing strikes from guard but Shogun blocks nicely.
Akona keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Shogun's head.
Shogun really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Akona. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Akona working some strikes from top position.
Akona has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Akona accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Shogun keeping moving, preventing Akona from controlling successfully.
Akona is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Shogun dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pounamu Akona's cut.
That's time! Akona's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Shogun gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shogun gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shogun prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shogun lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shogun using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Akona is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Shogun pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shogun working Akona over with knees to the body.
Shogun lands an elbow inside.
Shogun is working Akona over against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shogun stalling against the cage.
Shogun crunches a lovely knee into Akona's ribcage.
Akona takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Shogun pulls Akona into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shogun keeping full guard, as Akona tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shogun is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Akona is aware though and is defending well.
Akona trying to control but Shogun is working from the bottom.
Shogun looking to control.
Akona is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Akona trying to control but Shogun is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Shogun manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Akona manages to get himself to 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.
Shogun trying to control the position from guard on top but Akona is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Shogun drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Akona manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Shogun has Akona in his guard.
Shogun avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shogun keeping moving, preventing Akona from controlling successfully.
Akona controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akona wants to control from the top but Shogun keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Shogun is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Akona shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shogun as he jumps to the side.
Shogun is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pounamu Akona. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akona shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Shogun as he jumps to the side.

Shogun takes the fight into the clinch.
Shogun misses with a knee to the head.
Akona drops down looking for an ankle pick but Shogun pulls his leg out and moves away.

Shogun fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Akona, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akona can't get the takedown.
Shogun lands a damaging elbow.
Nice elbow from Shogun.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Shogun obliges.

Shogun pulls Akona into guard.
Akona looking to sit in guard and control but Shogun gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Akona is working an open guard so Shogun takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Shogun takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akona takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shogun landing knees to the body.
Shogun is struggling to control the position.
Still in the clinch, Shogun scores with a nice short uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julio Shogun showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pounamu Akona's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Shogun rushes Akona and presses him up against the cage.
Akona is working for takedown but Shogun is calmly controlling the position for now.
Akona changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Shogun fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Shogun displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Akona.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pounamu Akona. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Shogun clinches up against the cage.

Shogun pulls guard effortlessly.
Akona wants to control from the top but Shogun keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akona landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akona wants to control from the top but Shogun keeps moving.
Shogun looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shogun working a defensive guard here.
Akona wants to control from the top but Shogun keeps moving.
Akona pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shogun is keeping the position for now.

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

and Akona counters with a shoot takedown. Shogun fights it but they end up in guard.

Shogun has his feet on Akona's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shogun drives through and clinches with Akona against the cage.
Shogun with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Shogun tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Shogun pushes Akona back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shogun is pressed up against the cage. Akona has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shogun down to the mat. Shogun avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Shogun clinches up against the cage.
Shogun lands an elbow that stopped Akona in his tracks for a moment.
Shogun lands an elbow inside.
Shogun gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Shogun scores a nice knee to the body.
Akona looking to slow down the pace here.
Shogun creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akona's defenses.
Shogun lands an elbow inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shogun effectively controlling the action here.
Shogun creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akona's defenses.
Akona working aggressively here.
Shogun creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Akona's defenses.
Akona takes an elbow to the temple.
Shogun tries a knee to the head but Akona blocks it.
Akona wants a takedown.
Shogun has Akona pressed against the cage, preventing Akona from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Shogun is pressed up against the cage. Akona has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Shogun down to the mat. Shogun avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Shogun gets a double leg takedown into Akona's guard.
Shogun looking to sit in guard and control but Akona gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Akona lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shogun can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shogun keeping moving, preventing Akona from controlling successfully.
Pounamu Akona has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shogun has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akona working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Shogun's head.
Shogun wants to sweep here but Akona controlling him for the moment.
Akona postures up and lands a big shot to Shogun's brow.
Julio Shogun has got the better of the ground game so far.
Akona passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Akona is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shogun has escaped the position, nice work there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Akona tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julio Shogun comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Shogun 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 26:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julio Shogun!