PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oleksandr Nakonechniy (ranked 4327 p4p, 3599 weight class) and Ichiro Shimizu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ichiro Shimizu has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Oleksandr Nakonechniy's chin.

Nakonechniy
vs
Shimizu

177 cm
25
157
2 - 3 - 0

183 cm
25
158
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oleksandr Nakonechniy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ichiro Shimizu!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Kavanagh and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shimizu tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakonechniy throws a sloppy head kick
and Shimizu counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Shimizu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nakonechniy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shimizu.

Nakonechniy rushes Shimizu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Nakonechniy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nakonechniy throws a nice looking combination but Shimizu bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nakonechniy swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Nakonechniy manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shimizu throws a body kick that misses.

Nakonechniy has closed the distance and engaged Shimizu in a clinch.
Nakonechniy trying to land knees to the body.
Shimizu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Shimizu tries to circle away but Nakonechniy has him pinned against the cage.
Shimizu tries a knee to the head but Nakonechniy blocks it.
Nakonechniy leaning against his opponent.
Nakonechniy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nakonechniy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Shimizu is trying to pull guard but Nakonechniy has him pressed against the cage.
Oleksandr Nakonechniy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichiro Shimizu.

Nakonechniy pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu is looking to stand up but Nakonechniy won't let him.

Nakonechniy has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Shimizu is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Nakonechniy has Shimizu pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Shimizu manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nakonechniy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Shimizu gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nakonechniy jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Shimizu walks away with a smile on his face. Nakonechniy gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Nakonechniy closes the distance and pushes Shimizu back into the cage.

Nakonechniy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nakonechniy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shimizu avoids it really well and circles away.
Nakonechniy is breathing heavily.
Shimizu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakonechniy shoots in for a takedown but Shimizu shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Shimizu tries to bum rush Nakonechniy with a series of wild strikes but Nakonechniy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nakonechniy throws a big counter combination but Shimizu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Shimizu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nakonechniy tries to avoid it but Shimizu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nakonechniy to the ground. Nakonechniy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As Shimizu tries to get set, Nakonechniy tries to push him back and clinch up but Shimizu manages to avoid the attempt.
Shimizu has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Shimizu. No joy for Nakonechniy on that attempt.
Shimizu doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakonechniy circles away.

Nakonechniy pushes Shimizu up against the cage in a clinch.
Shimizu prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shimizu can't break the clinch.
Shimizu wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakonechniy blocks an uppercut.
Shimizu prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shimizu tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakonechniy smiles and moves away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nakonechniy is defended easily by Shimizu.
No luck for Shimizu with that takedown attempt.
Nakonechniy tries to counter by clinching up but Shimizu breaks away and moves out of range.
Shimizu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nakonechniy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shimizu fails with a takedown attempt.
Nakonechniy is looking for a counter combo.

Nakonechniy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Shimizu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nakonechniy looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A combination from Shimizu does no damage.

Nakonechniy gets a clinch.
Shimizu working hard to break the clinch.
Shimizu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nakonechniy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Shimizu fails to pull guard.

Nakonechniy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nakonechniy shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nakonechniy sets himself, and Shimizu steps forward looking for the clinch! Nakonechniy avoids it this time.
Shimizu shoots and misses

and Nakonechniy counters by moving into the clinch.
Oleksandr Nakonechniy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichiro Shimizu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shimizu wants to stall.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Shimizu gets underhooks to prevent Nakonechniy's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakonechniy tries a body shot but Shimizu blocks it.

Nakonechniy jumps guard.

Nakonechniy looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shimizu throwing strikes from guard but Nakonechniy blocks nicely.
Nakonechniy is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Shimizu looking to sit in guard and control but Nakonechniy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nakonechniy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakonechniy looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakonechniy is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Nakonechniy trying to control but Shimizu is working from the bottom.
Shimizu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakonechniy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shimizu can do to turn this around?
Shimizu thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Nakonechniy sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nakonechniy wants to control from the top but Shimizu keeps moving.

Nakonechniy gets to his feet - Shimizu follows without any prompting.
Shimizu wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shimizu leaves Nakonechniy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Nakonechniy moves into range and clinches up with Shimizu.
Shimizu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nakonechniy has him pressed against the cage.
Nakonechniy is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Shimizu is defending well.
Nakonechniy tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shimizu just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shimizu tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shimizu tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nakonechniy jumps guard and drags Shimizu to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Nakonechniy wants to sweep but no luck.
Shimizu wants to stand but Nakonechniy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Nakonechniy keeping full guard, as Shimizu tries to pass.
Shimizu looking to sit in guard and control but Nakonechniy gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nakonechniy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shimizu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nakonechniy throws an elbow that misses. Shimizu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nakonechniy's guard. Nice move by Shimizu!

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

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleksandr Nakonechniy dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nakonechniy rushes Shimizu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nakonechniy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nakonechniy holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Nakonechniy pulls Shimizu into guard.

Nakonechniy pushes Shimizu off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shimizu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shimizu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
No joy there for Shimizu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakonechniy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Shimizu feints the counter takedown.
Shimizu throws a head kick that half lands.
Ichiro Shimizu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shimizu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nakonechniy avoids it really well and circles away.
Shimizu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Shimizu wants to clinch up but Nakonechniy keeps it at a distance.
Nakonechniy stuffs the takedown attempt from Shimizu. Shimizu gets slowly back to his feet.
Oleksandr Nakonechniy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ichiro Shimizu.
Shimizu with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nakonechniy counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shimizu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakonechniy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shimizu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nakonechniy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shimizu somewhat.
Shimizu stuffs the takedown.
Shimizu with the counter takedown but Nakonechniy avoids it easily.
Nakonechniy closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shimizu circles away.

Nakonechniy takes the fight into the clinch.

Nakonechniy breaks the clinch.
Shimizu shoots in looking for a takedown but Nakonechniy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shimizu's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nakonechniy tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Shimizu manages to circle out of the way.
Shimizu with a poor takedown

and Nakonechniy counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nakonechniy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakonechniy decides to pull guard.
Nakonechniy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shimizu manages to get himself to full guard.

Nakonechniy decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Good exchange - Nakonechniy coming out on top.
Nakonechniy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Shimizu as he avoids it easily.
Shimizu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nakonechniy paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Shimizu with a nice calf kick.
Shimizu works over Nakonechniy's head and body with a nice combination.

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

Nakonechniy successfully pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shimizu throwing strikes but missing.
Shimizu trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakonechniy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakonechniy is trying to keep Shimizu in close.
Shimizu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shimizu postures up.
Ichiro Shimizu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oleksandr Nakonechniy is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oleksandr Nakonechniy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nakonechniy, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oleksandr Nakonechniy!