PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jubei Akechi (ranked 24 p4p, 84 weight class) and Georges Moxley (ranked 5 p4p, 15 weight class). Moxley has chosen Andre Nickatina - Color of the Benz as his entrance music. Jubei Akechi could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Georges Moxley's chin.

Akechi
vs
Moxley

182 cm
30
159
22 - 10 - 0

189 cm
34
158
24 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

NARCOS
Vegan Gains

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jubei Akechi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Georges Moxley!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moxley misses with an uppercut. Akechi saw that one coming.
Moxley throws a shot from downtown. Akechi moves away and avoids it.

Akechi closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Moxley did well to prevent Akechi getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Moxley is trying to get back to full guard.
Ground and pound from Akechi.
Akechi working over Moxley with some ground and pound. Moxley looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Akechi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Moxley with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Akechi throwing shots but Moxley is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moxley wants to control but Akechi is keeping busy.
Moxley is not content to let Akechi control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moxley is trying to get back to full guard.
Akechi is trying to control. Moxley wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Moxley holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Akechi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Akechi is looking to advance position but Moxley won't allow it.

Moxley actively working from the bottom here.
Akechi not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Moxley desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Akechi is stalling here. Moxley is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Akechi seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Moxley has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Moxley staying calm.
Moxley works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akechi tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moxley is looking to take a break and control but Akechi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Akechi tries to improve position but can't.
Akechi is trying to escape the position but Moxley is controlling the position.

Moxley tries for a kimura but Akechi is defending well.
A lull in the action here as Moxley stalls from top position.

That's four 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.
Akechi is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Akechi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Akechi tries to improve position but can't.
Akechi wants to control but Moxley postures up.
Moxley trying to control the position but Akechi is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akechi is looking for a sweep.
Akechi being controlled for a moment.

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

That was a close round but I would say that Jubei Akechi will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Akechi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Moxley! But no joy.
Moxley misses with a hook. Akechi ducked under it nicely.
Akechi dives in for a single leg takedown but Moxley sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Akechi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Moxley's elbow.
Moxley misses with the head strike.
Moxley working aggressively here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Akechi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Akechi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Moxley throws a hook but Akechi avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akechi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Moxley moves away.
Georges Moxley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moxley cracks Akechi with an open hand slap.
Moxley throws a good cross that connects.
Akechi slips under a jab from Moxley.
Akechi feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akechi slips a jab and a cross from Moxley.
Moxley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akechi moves away.
Akechi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Moxley sprawls and moves away.
Akechi lands a jab to Moxley's midsection.
Akechi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Moxley.
Akechi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Moxley.
Akechi shoots in for a takedown but Moxley shows good takedown defense.
Akechi fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jubei Akechi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moxley lands a nice hook to Akechi's body. Akechi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Moxley throws a body punch but Akechi moves out of range.
Moxley is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Akechi.
Akechi with a lazy takedown attempt
and Moxley counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akechi ducks under a wild hook from Moxley.
Moxley avoids the body shot from Akechi.
Moxley is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Akechi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Moxley throws out the jab.
Akechi misses with a takedown attempt - Moxley sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Moxley is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Georges Moxley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akechi. Moxley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Moxley takes a swing at Akechi's ribcage but misses.
Akechi slips under a jab.
Akechi is looking to wear down Moxley with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Akechi falls off balance throwing a combination
and Moxley counters with a left to the body.
Moxley is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Moxley throws a body shot but no joy.
Akechi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Moxley moves away.
Akechi takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Moxley.
Moxley throws a jab but it's blocked by Akechi.
Akechi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Moxley throws a lazy uppercut

so Akechi counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Akechi's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Akechi won't allow Moxley to sweep him here.
Moxley pulls Akechi in close to prevent any damage.
Moxley is trying to control the position but Akechi postures up.
Akechi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Moxley controls Akechi momentarily but Akechi frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akechi throwing strikes from guard but Moxley blocks nicely.
Moxley wants to sweep here but Akechi controlling him for the moment.
Akechi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Moxley works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Moxley misses with a looping right.
Akechi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Moxley throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Akechi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Moxley defending well as Akechi loads up on a big left hand.
Akechi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Moxley throws out the jab.
Moxley moves away from the strike by Akechi.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Georges Moxley showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akechi gets the takedown into side control.
Akechi is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Moxley's shoulder. That is not cool.
Akechi is trying to move to mount but Moxley reverses beautifully and ends up in Akechi's guard.
Moxley wants to control from the top but Akechi keeps moving.
Moxley stays in close to Akechi's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moxley's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Akechi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akechi working a defensive guard here.

Akechi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Akechi looking for a sweep. Not yet Akechi, not yet.

Akechi has his foot on Moxley's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Moxley works his way back into a safe position though.
Moxley slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Moxley stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Akechi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Moxley trying to control the position from guard on top but Akechi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Moxley got a little sloppy there for a moment and Akechi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Moxley has managed to get both his arms back between Akechi's legs - danger averted.
Moxley engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Moxley looks to throw the jab but Akechi is out of range.
Akechi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Moxley will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Akechi feinted with a counter takedown.
Good standup being displayed there by Moxley as he connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Akechi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Moxley.
Akechi throws a series of strikes that have Moxley backpedaling.
Akechi fails with a takedown attempt.
Moxley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akechi was well out of range. Poor timing from Moxley.
Akechi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Moxley gets caught flat footed, as Akechi shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Akechi trying to control the position from guard on top but Moxley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Moxley tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moxley is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Akechi wants to control from the top but Moxley keeps moving.
Akechi is pushing down on Moxley's leg trying to pass to half guard. Moxley is fighting to maintain full guard but Akechi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Moxley wants to get back to full guard.
Moxley is trying to control but Akechi passes into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akechi scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jubei Akechi clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Akechi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Moxley misses with a straight left.
Akechi digs a good body shot into Moxley's ribs.
Akechi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A nice side step and Moxley releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Moxley takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Akechi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Moxley is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akechi moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
We've been hearing that Akechi has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Akechi throws an elbow but Moxley slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moxley tries to improve position but can't.
Akechi trying to control the position but Moxley is working away.
Moxley is trying to improve his position.
Moxley keeps trying to improve his position.
Akechi grinds an elbow into Moxley's temple.
Akechi working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Akechi lands a few punches from side control.
The ground and pound from Akechi seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Moxley is looking for a sweep.
Moxley is working to avoid the ground and pound but Akechi connects with a decent elbow.
Moxley is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Akechi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Moxley is looking to improve his position.
Akechi is controlling the pace.
Moxley is refusing to be controlled, as Akechi sits in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Georges Moxley seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akechi misses with a few strikes there.
Akechi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Moxley moves away.
Moxley avoids the body shot from Akechi.
Moxley thows a left - swing and a miss!
Akechi connects with a single shot there.
Moxley takes a swing at Akechi's ribcage but misses.
Moxley misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Akechi.
Moxley scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akechi misses with a shot to the body
and Moxley counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Akechi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Moxley.
Moxley has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Moxley there as he acknowledges the shot.
Akechi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Moxley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akechi was well out of range. Poor timing from Moxley.
Donk. Akechi catches Moxley right on the button with a cross.
Akechi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Moxley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akechi slips a straight right by Moxley.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akechi swings for the body but Moxley moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Moxley! But no joy.
Moxley lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Moxley just misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jubei Akechi had his way with Georges Moxley in that round.
That's time! Akechi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Akechi defending well as Moxley loads up on a big left hand.
Moxley lands with an overhand left.
Moxley displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Akechi.
Moxley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Moxley just misses with a punch to the body.
Moxley swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akechi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Akechi lands a nice looking body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akechi ducks under a wild hook from Moxley.
Akechi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Akechi moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Moxley uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Akechi has time to react.
Akechi misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moxley slaps away a takedown attempt from Akechi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Moxley scores with the left hand. Akechi knows he should have avoided that one.
Moxley punishes Akechi's body with a nice straight punch.
Akechi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Akechi scores with a shot to the body.
Moxley throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Moxley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akechi moves away.
Akechi changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Moxley just misses with a punch to the body.
Akechi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Moxley defends well and Akechi ends up having to push Moxley into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Moxley let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jubei Akechi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Moxley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akechi's elbow.
Akechi blocking some punches.
Georges Moxley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jubei Akechi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moxley lands with a right to the head.
Moxley can't find room to land a body shot as Akechi controls the action.
Akechi blocks a body shot from Moxley.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Moxley.
Moxley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Akechi blocking some punches.
Moxley has a couple of punches blocked by Akechi.
Moxley lands with a light punch inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Moxley tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akechi's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Akechi.
Moxley misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Moxley.
Akechi wants to take the fight to the mat but Moxley manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Moxley lands a body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Moxley fails to land.
Moxley dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Moxley is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Moxley struggles to land a body shot inside as Akechi controls his hands.
Moxley lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akechi being controlled against the cage.
Moxley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akechi can't get the takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Moxley fails to land.
Moxley taking a breather.
Akechi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Akechi takes a shot to the head.
Moxley struggles to land a body shot inside as Akechi controls his hands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Georges Moxley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Akechi has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jubei Akechi!
Jubei Akechi retains his lightweight title!
An out of breath and clearly excited Jubei Akechi thanked Brooklyn Threads for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).