PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alberto Wood (ranked 25189 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryusuke Akabane (ranked 5910 p4p, 0 weight class). Alberto Wood has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Wood
vs
Akabane

213 cm
18
140 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

168 cm
25
138 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alberto Wood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryusuke Akabane!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Akabane closes the distance and clinches.
Akabane scores with a shoulder strike.
Wood wants a takedown but no success here.

Wood jumps guard and drags Akabane to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Akabane is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Wood is trying to control the position but Akabane postures up.

Akabane stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Akabane moves into the clinch.

Akabane escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wood really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Akabane shoots in looking for a takedown but Wood manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Akabane's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Wood has taken the fight to the clinch.
Akabane with a knee to the head.

Akabane breaks the clinch.
Akabane fails with the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Akabane is defended easily by Wood.
Wood tries to counter by clinching up but Akabane breaks away and moves out of range.
Alberto Wood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryusuke Akabane.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Akabane clinches up against the cage.

Akabane breaks the clinch.

Akabane clinches up against the cage.
Wood stalls.

Akabane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Akabane misses with a double jab.
Akabane lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wood looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wood misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Akabane goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Wood is rocked!

Akabane clinches up with Wood and pushes him back against the cage.
Oh Wood is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Wood is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Akabane is keeping busy.
Akabane lands a nice elbow.
Akabane lands a damaging elbow.

Akabane jumps into guard, dragging Wood to the mat.
Wood postures up in Akabane's guard and throws a big left but Akabane blocks it.
Akabane working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Wood.
Akabane seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Akabane wants to get back to his feet but Wood is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Akabane pushes Wood off and scrambles back to his feet.
Wood fails in his attempt to clinch.
Akabane closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wood circles away.
Akabane looks winded!
Akabane shoots in looking for a takedown but Wood manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Akabane's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck for Akabane with that takedown attempt.
Akabane looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Akabane moves into the clinch successfully.
Wood is looking to take this one to the mat.
Akabane is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Akabane is working for takedown but Wood is calmly controlling the position for now.
Akabane tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Wood taking a breather.
Wood keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Akabane's efforts to push away.
Wood tries to pull guard but Akabane holds him up against the cage and eventually Wood drops back down to his feet.
Akabane avoids the elbow strike from Wood, against the cage.
Wood struggles to land a body shot inside as Akabane controls his hands.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akabane.
Wood struggles to land a body shot inside as Akabane controls his hands.
Wood is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Akabane manages to break the clinch.
Akabane throws a lazy right hand but Wood sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Akabane just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromWood.

Wood closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Akabane to the mat! Akabane manages to get full guard.
Wood loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Akabane throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Akabane is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Akabane wants to stand but Wood is controlling the position.
Akabane looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood 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.
Akabane is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wood in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wood passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.

Akabane actively working from the bottom here.

Akabane manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Wood keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Akabane tries a knee to the head but Wood blocks it.
Akabane comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Akabane manages to break the clinch.
No joy there for Akabane, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Akabane blocks the body kick.

Akabane closes the distance and clinches.
Wood seems to have got his legs back now.
Akabane is pressed up against the cage. Wood has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Akabane down to the mat. Akabane avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Akabane throws a head kick but Wood moves out of range.

Akabane has managed to clinch.
Akabane jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Wood walks away with a smile on his face. Akabane gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Wood avoids a punch combination nicely.
A quick step to the side and Wood tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wood changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akabane tries to avoid it but Wood manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akabane to the ground. Akabane escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabane dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wood. That did some damage!
Akabane fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wood avoids it really well and circles away.
Akabane finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Wood tries to clinch but Akabane moves out of range.
Akabane looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Akabane drives through and clinches with Wood against the cage.

Akabane pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wood shoots for a takedown but Akabane saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Akabane has a takedown stuffed.
Akabane shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wood sprawls well. Wood wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Akabane gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryusuke Akabane dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Akabane throws a sloppy head kick and Wood moves out of range easily.
Akabane connects with a leg kick. Wood looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sloppy strikes from Akabane. Those never looked like landing.
Akabane shoots in but no luck this time.
Wood missing with a left hand there. Akabane was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akabane dives in and grabs Wood's left leg, looking for a takedown. Wood pushes down on Akabane's head and hops out.

Akabane closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wood's guard.

Wood pushes Akabane off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Ryusuke Akabane seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Akabane wants to land a leg kick but Wood is out of range.
Wood tries to counter with a takedown but Akabane is quick to defend against it.
Wood wants to clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wood misses with a low kick.
Akabane is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akabane tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Wood defends well and Akabane ends up having to push Wood into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Alberto Wood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryusuke Akabane.
Akabane fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Akabane moves out of range of the strikes.
Akabane fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A head kick by Akabane misses

and Wood moves into the clinch.
Wood has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Akabane avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wood tries to pull guard but Akabane won't allow it.
Wood throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Wood tries for a takedown. No joy.

Akabane breaks from the clinch.
Akabane avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Akabane has closed the distance and engaged Wood in a clinch.
Akabane gets underhooks to prevent Wood's takedown attempt.
Wood stalling in the clinch but Akabane improves position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood tries to land knees in the clinch but Akabane avoids the damage to the body.

Akabane ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Akabane no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Akabane manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Akabane breaks the clinch.
Wood throws a head kick that misses.
Wood throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Akabane fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Wood avoids it really well and circles away.
Wood appears to be looking for a big counter.
Akabane looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wood is fending him off so far but Akabane persists. Nope, Wood circles away and we're back to standing.
Wood doesn't manage to clinch there - Akabane circles away.
Akabane wants to slow Wood down by chopping away at his legs.
Wood tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Akabane manages to circle out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akabane tries to score a power double leg takedown but Wood sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Akabane somewhat.

Akabane tries to keep at a distance but Wood has taken the fight into the clinch.
Akabane prevents a body shot from Wood.
Akabane blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wood is trying to stall.
Wood tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wood is trying to drag Akabane to the mat but Akabane just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Akabane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabane scoring well with a low kick there.
Akabane changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wood tries to avoid it but Akabane manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wood to the ground. Wood escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wood fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wood wants to clinch.

Akabane gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ryusuke Akabane seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Akabane is pressed up against the cage. Wood has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Akabane down to the mat. Akabane avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ryusuke Akabane will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Akabane darts in and clinches Wood up against the cage.
Akabane is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Wood to keep the fight standing.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Akabane works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Akabane wants to control from the top but Wood keeps moving.
Wood is trying to keep Akabane in close.

Wood has his foot on Akabane's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Akabane works his way back into a safe position though.
Akabane stays in close to Wood's body and controls the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akabane wants to control from the top but Wood keeps moving.
Akabane postures up in Wood's guard and throws a big left but Wood blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood wants to stand and escape but Akabane is having none of it.
Wood keeping moving, preventing Akabane from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Akabane throws a push kick but Wood slaps the foot to one side.
Akabane takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wood blocks a head kick by Akabane.
Wood wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Akabane shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wood throws a sloppy head kick and Akabane moves out of range easily.
Akabane throws a series of punches but Wood avoids them all with ease.
Wood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Akabane manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Akabane is looking for the big counter here.
Akabane misses with a jab, cross combination.
Akabane has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wood misses with a body kick.
Akabane steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Wood.

Akabane moves into the clinch.
Akabane tries to pull guard but Wood holds him up against the cage and eventually Akabane drops back down to his feet.
Alberto Wood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryusuke Akabane.
Wood is looking to control Akabane's arms but Akabane gets an underhook and turns him. Now Wood has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood goes for a takedown in the clinch but Akabane prevents it.
Wood tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Akabane smiles and moves away.
Akabane changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Wood tries to avoid it but Akabane manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Wood to the ground. Wood escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Wood is looking to clinch but Akabane is avoiding it.
Akabane misses with a double jab.
Wood is trying hard to land a takedown here. Akabane sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Wood tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Akabane manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ryusuke Akabane seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wood is looking to clinch.
Akabane is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Wood gets tackled into the cage by Akabane. Akabane maintains the clinch.

Akabane breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Akabane closes the distance and pushes Wood back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood is trying to drag Akabane to the mat but Akabane just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Akabane has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Wood uses from the top position.

Akabane has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Wood off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Wood on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Akabane takes the fight into the clinch.
Nice elbow from Akabane.
Akabane is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Wood to keep the fight standing.
Wood has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Akabane avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wood is trying to maintain a safe position but Akabane gets an underhook and turns Wood into the cage.
Wood is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akabane lands a shoulder strike.
Akabane is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Akabane's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Akabane lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Akabane.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wood wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Akabane attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Wood swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Danga de danga de dang - Akabane scores with a four punch combination!
Wood stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wood wants it to stay on the feet.
Wood attempts a counter takedown but Akabane avoids it well and moves away.

Wood looking to score a takedown here. Akabane is defending well but Wood drives through and ends up in Akabane's guard.
Alberto Wood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryusuke Akabane is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Wood preventing the sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryusuke Akabane comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Akabane 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryusuke Akabane!