PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balin Fundinul (ranked 4294 p4p, 3593 weight class) and Akira Shoji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fundinul
vs
Shoji

150 cm
25
265
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
22
226
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Balin Fundinul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Shoji!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fundinul shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fundinul showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shoji manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fundinul accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fundinul trying to control but Shoji is working from the bottom.
Fundinul has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Shoji has his hands on Fundinul's head, controlling the position.
Fundinul trying to control the position from guard on top but Shoji is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shoji looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Fundinul is defending well. Shoji quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Fundinul has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Shoji celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Akira Shoji!
Akira Shoji thanked the fans post fight for their support.