PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Musan Zaintashara (ranked 1214 p4p, 1648 weight class) and Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 178 p4p, 251 weight class). Zaintashara comes to the cage accompanied by The Art of War. Nakagawa has chosen Koto - CloZee as his entrance music. Musan Zaintashara has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Zaintashara
vs
Nakagawa

188 cm
23
185
9 - 2 - 1

190 cm
22
198
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

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 9 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Musan Zaintashara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaintashara throws a leg kick which misses Nakagawa's front leg but catches the back leg as Nakagawa tries to avoid it.
Nakagawa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zaintashara looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Nakagawa's jab looks to have found its range, popping Zaintashara under the eye.
Nakagawa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nakagawa throws a big shot that misses.
Zaintashara ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nakagawa ducks under a wild hook from Zaintashara.
Nakagawa scores with a nice right hand.

Nakagawa throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zaintashara was covering up waiting for the punch and Nakagawa finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nakagawa is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Zaintashara seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nakagawa tries to free his leg and advance position but Zaintashara is retaining full guard.

Zaintashara throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zaintashara keeping moving, preventing Nakagawa from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Zaintashara looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nakagawa passes into side control.
Zaintashara wants to control but Nakagawa postures up.
Nakagawa staying calm.
Nakagawa lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Zaintashara down.
Zaintashara is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaintashara is trying to control Nakagawa's posture but Nakagawa avoids it.
Zaintashara tries to buck Nakagawa off but Nakagawa is having none of it.
Zaintashara manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nakagawa's best efforts.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura here.
Zaintashara is trying to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Nakagawa seems content to control.

Zaintashara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakagawa pulls his head out easily.
Zaintashara is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa stalling.
Nakagawa tries to pass to full mount but Zaintashara defends it.
Zaintashara trying to control but Nakagawa postures up.

Zaintashara actively working from the bottom here.

Zaintashara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zaintashara tries to get to full guard but Nakagawa has control of the leg.
Nakagawa takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Zaintashara is holding on to half guard well.
Nakagawa is nestled in close to Zaintashara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zaintashara trying to control here.
Zaintashara wants to get back to full guard.
Zaintashara is not content to let Nakagawa control the position.
Zaintashara wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Nakagawa is trying to work for a kimura but Zaintashara is defending well.
Ground and pound from Nakagawa.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nakagawa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa dominated that round.
That's time! Zaintashara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zaintashara throws a low kick but it's checked well by Nakagawa.
Zaintashara fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nakagawa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zaintashara napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakagawa is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Zaintashara's shoulder. That is not cool.
Nakagawa throws an elbow but Zaintashara slips to the side and avoids it well.
Nakagawa trying to control the action but Zaintashara is working from the bottom.
Zaintashara gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Zaintashara actively working from the bottom here.
Zaintashara is looking to improve his position.

Nakagawa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zaintashara has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakagawa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nakagawa prevents Zaintashara from improving his position.
Well, if Nakagawa is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Zaintashara is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nakagawa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nakagawa's back!

Zaintashara looking for the choke but no joy.
Nakagawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaintashara has got his arm under Nakagawa's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Nakagawa has spun round into Zaintashara's guard beautifully! Well done that man!

Nakagawa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zaintashara has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakagawa has managed to get both his arms back between Zaintashara's legs - danger averted.
Zaintashara wants to improve his position but instead Nakagawa has moved into half guard.
Nakagawa wants to control but Zaintashara is keeping him busy.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nakagawa connects with a nice short shot to Zaintashara's temple.
Zaintashara taking some punishment here, with Nakagawa in his half guard.

Zaintashara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakagawa is trying to work for a kimura but Zaintashara is defending well.

Zaintashara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakagawa pulls his head out easily.

Nakagawa seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Zaintashara has recovered full guard.

Zaintashara has his foot on Nakagawa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nakagawa works his way back into a safe position though.

Zaintashara working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nakagawa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nakagawa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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.
Nakagawa is pushing down on Zaintashara's leg trying to pass to half guard. Zaintashara is fighting to maintain full guard but Nakagawa has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaintashara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Nakagawa is trying to work for a kimura but Zaintashara is defending well.
Zaintashara is refusing to be controlled, as Nakagawa sits in half guard.

Zaintashara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zaintashara regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Zaintashara.
Nakagawa throws a hook but Zaintashara avoids it easily.

Nakagawa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zaintashara did well to prevent Nakagawa getting side control.

Zaintashara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakagawa pulls his head out easily.

Zaintashara actively working from the bottom here.
Nakagawa is nestled in close to Zaintashara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Zaintashara is staying active underneath Nakagawa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nakagawa in particular looking to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zaintashara actively working from the bottom here.
Nakagawa wants to pass the guard but Zaintashara is defending well.
Nakagawa keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaintashara manages to get to full guard.
Nakagawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaintashara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakagawa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Zaintashara's head.
Zaintashara wants to improve his position but instead Nakagawa has moved into half guard.
Zaintashara wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Nakagawa seems to be working for a kimura but Zaintashara defends the submission attempt.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zaintashara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nakagawa working Zaintashara over with strikes.
Nakagawa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Zaintashara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nakagawa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Zaintashara does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Zaintashara tries to get to full guard but Nakagawa has control of the leg.
Musan Zaintashara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa is trying to control the action in half guard but Zaintashara is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nakagawa landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Zaintashara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nakagawa is looking to take a break and control but Zaintashara is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Zaintashara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakagawa pulls his head out easily.
Nakagawa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Zaintashara flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nakagawa scores with a nice strike.
Zaintashara looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nakagawa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Nakagawa manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Zaintashara on his heels. He'll look to pass Zaintashara's guard now, I'm sure.
Nakagawa is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nakagawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Zaintashara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zaintashara working for a triangle but Nakagawa defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nakagawa 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.