PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Cuervo Oquendo (ranked 2432 p4p, 2378 weight class) and Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 370 p4p, 362 weight class). Nakagawa is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Koto - CloZee. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Oquendo
vs
Nakagawa

185 cm
21
190
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
198
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cuervo Oquendo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Roberts and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oquendo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Oquendo throws a hook but Nakagawa blocks it.
Nakagawa goes for a double leg but Oquendo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Oquendo continues to drive forward.
Nakagawa defending well as Oquendo loads up on a big left hand.
A jab from Oquendo finds it's way through Nakagawa's defenses.
Nice uppercut there from Nakagawa.
Oquendo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nakagawa. Nakagawa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Oquendo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Oquendo lands with a hook. Nakagawa tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nakagawa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cuervo Oquendo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakagawa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Oquendo with a nice cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nakagawa looking to score a takedown here. Oquendo is defending well but Nakagawa drives through and ends up in Oquendo's guard.

Oquendo is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Nakagawa presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Nakagawa breaks the clinch.
Oquendo misses with a body shot.
A slow jab from Oquendo misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Oquendo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nakagawa with the counter takedown but Oquendo avoids it easily.
Good shot there by Oquendo.
Oquendo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nakagawa.
Cuervo Oquendo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Oquendo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nakagawa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Oquendo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nakagawa fails with the takedown.

Oquendo drives through and clinches with Nakagawa against the cage.
Nakagawa lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nakagawa is looking for a takedown.
Cuervo Oquendo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinnosuke Nakagawa.
Nakagawa is trying to pull guard but Oquendo has him pressed against the cage.
Oquendo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nakagawa backwards.
Nakagawa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Oquendo is trying to break the clinch but Nakagawa is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oquendo lands with a right to the head.
Nakagawa throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Nakagawa fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nakagawa.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nakagawa.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nakagawa.
Oquendo lands with a light punch inside.
Nakagawa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nakagawa misses with the head strike.
Oquendo misses with a short punch on the inside.

Nakagawa manages to break the clinch.
Nakagawa connects with a jab.
No joy there for Oquendo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nakagawa swings widly with a right hand
and Oquendo counters with a left and a right that stings Nakagawa.
Oquendo throws a jab when Nakagawa was well out of range.
Nakagawa looks to land a left hand but Oquendo moved out of range nicely.
Oquendo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nakagawa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Oquendo is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nakagawa ducks under a wild hook from Oquendo.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nakagawa, as that shot connected.
Nakagawa slips a jab from Oquendo.
Nakagawa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Oquendo.
Nakagawa slips a straight right by Oquendo.
Oquendo is looking to clinch.
Nakagawa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nakagawa staying out of range there.
Oquendo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nakagawa slips a jab from Oquendo.
Nakagawa ducks under a wild hook from Oquendo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nakagawa.
An attempted straight right counter from Oquendo misses the target.
The fighters circling - Oquendo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Oquendo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Oquendo cracks Nakagawa with a good jab.
Nakagawa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
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!
Oquendo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nakagawa on the side of the head.
Nakagawa looks to score with a jab to the body but Oquendo is just out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Oquendo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Oquendo throws a shot from downtown. Nakagawa moves away and avoids it.
Nakagawa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nakagawa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A little feinted left hand from Oquendo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good exchange - Nakagawa coming out on top.
Oquendo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Cuervo Oquendo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Oquendo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nakagawa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Oquendo.
Nakagawa drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Oquendo defends it well.
Oquendo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cuervo Oquendo is winning the standup battle so far.
Oquendo lunges at Nakagawa with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nakagawa's hand.
Nakagawa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Oquendo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nakagawa circles away quickly and effectively.
Oquendo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Nakagawa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Oquendo to the mat! Oquendo manages to get full guard.

Oquendo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nakagawa off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oquendo throws a right hand that misses
and Nakagawa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nakagawa slips a jab and a cross from Oquendo.
And Nakagawa tries to counter it with a takedown but Oquendo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Oquendo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Oquendo throws the left hand but Nakagawa avoids the punch easily.
Nakagawa feints the counter takedown.
Oquendo works over Nakagawa's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Oquendo.
Nakagawa slips under a jab.
Nakagawa drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Oquendo defends it well.
Oquendo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nakagawa can do to turn this around?
Nakagawa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Nakagawa closes the distance and clinches.
Nakagawa blocking some punches.
Oquendo tries a body shot but Nakagawa blocks it.
Oquendo is pressed up against the cage. Nakagawa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Oquendo down to the mat. Oquendo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nakagawa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Oquendo.
Oquendo tries to close the distance and clinch but Nakagawa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Oquendo with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nakagawa to score with a decent uppercut.
Oquendo throws a lazy right hand but Nakagawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nakagawa changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Oquendo throws a poor cross that misses
and Nakagawa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Oquendo as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Oquendo.
Oquendo misses with a hook

and Nakagawa counters with a shoot takedown. Oquendo fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nakagawa wants to control from the top but Oquendo keeps moving.
Oquendo pulls Nakagawa in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakagawa preventing the sweep.
Oquendo keeping moving, preventing Nakagawa from controlling successfully.
Nakagawa wants to pass the guard but Oquendo is keeping the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa stops Oquendo from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nakagawa scores with a hook.
Oquendo misses with a hook

and Nakagawa counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Oquendo!
Nakagawa lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Oquendo wants to get back to his feet but Nakagawa drags him back down.
Nakagawa working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Oquendo struggling a bit here.
Nakagawa wants to control but Oquendo is keeping him busy.
Oquendo tries to buck Nakagawa off but Nakagawa is having none of it.
Nakagawa lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Oquendo down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oquendo is being controlled here.
Nakagawa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Oquendo is trying to control Nakagawa's posture but Nakagawa avoids it.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Nakagawa working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Oquendo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Oquendo tries to get out of the position.
Oquendo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nakagawa's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Oquendo wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nakagawa working Oquendo over with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nakagawa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Oquendo tries to kick Nakagawa off but Nakagawa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cuervo Oquendo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Oquendo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Oquendo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nakagawa walks into a straight right hand from Oquendo.
Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown but Oquendo shows good takedown defense.
Nakagawa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oquendo.
Nakagawa swings for the body but Oquendo moves out of range.

Nakagawa drives through and clinches with Oquendo against the cage.
Oquendo misses with a punch on the inside.

Oquendo breaks the clinch.
Oquendo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakagawa manages to avoid it.
Nakagawa swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Oquendo throws a combination. Nakagawa tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The fighters circling - Oquendo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nakagawa lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nakagawa blocks a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nakagawa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oquendo scores with a jab.
Oquendo misses with a left hand

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Oquendo won't be happy with that.
Nakagawa moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Oquendo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oquendo takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Nakagawa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Oquendo, who protects the arm well.
Nakagawa throws a strike aimed at the side of Oquendo's head but Oquendo avoids it well.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oquendo takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Nakagawa looks up at the clock and then as Oquendo takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Nakagawa smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Oquendo is looking for a sweep.
Oquendo is working hard here to advance position.

Nakagawa is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Oquendo is trying to escape and Nakagawa transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Oquendo is forced to tap! Nice work there by Nakagawa! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
In his post fight interview, Shinnosuke Nakagawa started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.