PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ej Balingit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama comes into the arena with Akiyama Theme Song (This Is My Life - Edward Maya) blaring out of the sound system. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Akiyama
vs
Balingit

185 cm
31
210 lbs
26 - 13 - 1

205 cm
34
290 lbs
32 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Cold Blooded Kemists ↑ 5x160Q

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 26 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Akiyama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ej Balingit!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balingit tries to clinch but Akiyama is having none of it.

Akiyama instigates a clinch.
Balingit is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akiyama is defending well for now.
A shot in the inside from Balingit.
Balingit avoids a wild elbow strike from Akiyama.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A nice right hand lands inside from Balingit.
Akiyama gets through Balingit's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Balingit blocks an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Balingit tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Balingit lands a knee to the head.
Akiyama blocking some punches.
Akiyama lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Balingit.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice left hand lands by Balingit.
Balingit missing with knees to the body.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balingit avoids it.
Balingit is trying to stall.
Balingit keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Akiyama's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Balingit as Akiyama tries to tie him up.
Balingit lands a hook that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
Balingit tries to work over Akiyama's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Akiyama looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Akiyama scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Akiyama misses with an elbow strike.
Balingit tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Balingit using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.
Balingit with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Akiyama trying to land knees to the body.
Balingit missing with knees to the body.
Akiyama working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Balingit blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balingit tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Akiyama doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Balingit throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama scores with a nice hook to the head.
Akiyama missing with knees to the body.
Akiyama lands a left hand.
Balingit has a couple of punches blocked by Akiyama.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Akiyama tries to land knees in the clinch but Balingit avoids the damage to the body.
Akiyama missing with knees to the body.
Balingit is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akiyama is defending well for now.
Akiyama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Akiyama is trying to maintain a safe position but Balingit gets an underhook and turns Akiyama into the cage.
Balingit tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akiyama pushes Balingit back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Akiyama controlling the action here for a moment.
Balingit avoids a wild elbow strike from Akiyama.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Balingit.
Akiyama trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is looking to break free of the clinch but Balingit has double underhooks.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.
Akiyama misses with a punch to the body.
Akiyama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Ej Balingit has been cut.
Akiyama letting Balingit take a breather here.
Akiyama misses with a hook from the clinch.
Akiyama scores with a shoulder strike.

Akiyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyama throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Balingit on the side of the head.
Akiyama scores with a nice body kick.
Akiyama avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balingit connects with a jab.
Balingit misses with a shot to the body
and Akiyama counters with a solid body kick.
Balingit thows a body shot but no joy.
Balingit swings for the body but Akiyama moves out of range.
Balingit scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a head kick.
Balingit lands a right hook to the body.
Akiyama throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Balingit stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Balingit looks winded!
Akiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Balingit is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Akiyama rather than just go for the knockout.
Balingit checks a leg kick nicely.
Balingit swings for the body but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Akiyama misses with a head kick.
Akiyama lands a jab to Balingit's midsection.
Akiyama takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Akiyama throws a body punch but Balingit moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akiyama takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Balingit tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Akiyama was well out of range. Poor timing from Balingit.
Akiyama uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balingit.
Balingit on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Akiyama dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ej Balingit's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Balingit scores with a nice strike.
Balingit blocks the body kick.
Kenji Akiyama is winning the standup battle so far.
Balingit misses with a wild body shot.
Balingit moves out of range as Akiyama throws a body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balingit. Akiyama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balingit just misses with a punch to the body.
Balingit moves out of range of the leg kick from Akiyama.
Balingit throws a body punch but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama lands a leg kick that knocks Balingit off balance momentarily.
Balingit swings for the body but Akiyama moves out of range.
Balingit cracks Akiyama with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Akiyama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Balingit.
Akiyama connects with a body shot that sends Balingit's belly button to the back.
Balingit looks to score with a jab to the body but Akiyama is just out of range.
Akiyama throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akiyama tries to keep at a distance but Balingit has taken the fight into the clinch.
Balingit is breathing heavily.
Akiyama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Balingit's defenses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akiyama.
Balingit lands with a right to the head.
Akiyama is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Balingit is keeping busy.
Balingit controlling the action here for a moment.
Akiyama looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Balingit stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Akiyama.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balingit lands a left hand.
Balingit lands a right hand that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
Balingit misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akiyama.
Balingit lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Balingit is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Akiyama is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balingit working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Akiyama breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Akiyama.
Akiyama throws a wild body kick that Balingit sees coming a mile off.
Akiyama moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Akiyama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balingit manages to avoid it.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Akiyama here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Balingit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akiyama manages to avoid it.
Balingit fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akiyama manages to avoid it.
A shot to the liver by Akiyama. Beautiful body shot.
Akiyama swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balingit is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Akiyama connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice shot lands for Akiyama.
Balingit jabs at Akiyama's body.
Balingit showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Akiyama.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balingit's corner calls for a 1-2. Balingit obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Akiyama misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Balingit to counter with a crisp jab.
Balingit blocks a leg kick.
Akiyama misses with a hook
and Balingit counters with a right hand to the body.
Balingit tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Akiyama scores with a jab.
Akiyama turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Balingit lands with a cross.
Akiyama throws a front kick aimed at Balingit's knee but Balingit avoids it well.
Akiyama lands a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akiyama walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Balingit checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A combination from Akiyama does no damage.
Akiyama misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama avoids the body shot from Balingit.
Akiyama swings widly with a right hand
and Balingit counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Akiyama thows a body shot but no joy.
Balingit has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Akiyama.
Balingit takes a swing at Akiyama's ribcage but misses.
Akiyama lands a slapping body shot.
Balingit misses with a hook. Akiyama ducked under it nicely.
Balingit tries to close the distance and clinch but Akiyama swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Balingit moves out of range of the body kick from Akiyama.
Akiyama dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Balingit throws a body punch but Akiyama moves out of range.
Balingit misses with a right hand
and Akiyama counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Akiyama swings for the body but Balingit moves out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Akiyama.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kenji Akiyama will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ej Balingit's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Akiyama scoring well with a low kick there.
Balingit slips a jab from Akiyama.
Jab by Balingit.
Akiyama swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Akiyama slips under a jab.
Akiyama digs a good body shot into Balingit's ribs.
Akiyama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jab from Akiyama.
Balingit takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Akiyama throws a head kick but Balingit moves out of range.
A slow jab from Akiyama misses its intended target.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akiyama.
Decent striking displayed by Akiyama there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Akiyama dips to his left and cracks Balingit with an uppercut!
Akiyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Balingit swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balingit swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balingit swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Akiyama counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Balingit takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Akiyama throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Balingit moves into the clinch successfully.
Kenji Akiyama has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside.
Balingit dodges an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balingit avoids it.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside that Balingit shrugs off.
Balingit misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akiyama.
Balingit pushes Akiyama back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A body shot lands from Balingit.
Balingit scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balingit dodges an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama is working Balingit over against the cage.
Balingit blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama lands a hook that snaps the head of Balingit backwards.
Balingit misses with a knee strike.
Balingit being controlled against the cage.
Balingit can't find room to land a body shot as Akiyama controls the action.
Balingit managing to block the knees to the body from Akiyama.
Akiyama is trying to break free.
Akiyama presses Balingit against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
The referee is keeping an eye on Akiyama - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Akiyama misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balingit.
Balingit avoiding damage as Akiyama throws knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Akiyama.

That has opened up Ej Balingit's cut even more.
Akiyama's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Balingit tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balingit crunches a lovely knee into Akiyama's ribcage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Balingit's brow.
Balingit lands a nice knee to the body.
Balingit has Akiyama pressed against the cage.
Balingit pushes Akiyama back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balingit blocks a body shot from Akiyama.
Balingit lands a knee to the head.
Balingit putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Akiyama in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Balingit lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Akiyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Balingit is defending well for now.
Balingit works on Akiyama's body with a couple of short punches.
Akiyama is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Balingit stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balingit throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Balingit tries to land a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks with his arms.
Balingit tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Akiyama's elbow.
Akiyama wants to break the clinch but can't.
Akiyama takes a knee right on the jaw!
Akiyama lands a shot to the body.
Akiyama tries to stall but Balingit uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Akiyama manages to break the clinch.
Balingit lands with a nice body punch.
Akiyama throws a lazy right hand but Balingit sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akiyama tries a head kick but it misses.
Balingit moves out of range as Akiyama strikes.
Akiyama connects with a body shot that sends Balingit's belly button to the back.

Balingit moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ej Balingit.
I think Akiyama 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Kenji Akiyama!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Kenji Akiyama!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Kenji Akiyama!

Kenji Akiyama wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Kenji Akiyama thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.