PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 259 p4p, 445 weight class) and Manny Tavares (ranked 40 p4p, 69 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Nakagawa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Koto - CloZee. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Nakagawa
vs
Tavares

190 cm
26
190
12 - 5 - 0

183 cm
27
185
14 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

Brooklyn Apothecary
Conquer

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Manny Tavares!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, David Schapiro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavares on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Tavares pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nakagawa slips under a jab.
Nakagawa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tavares tries to avoid it but Nakagawa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tavares to the ground. Tavares escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tavares throws a right and a left that Nakagawa avoids nicely.
Tavares tries to work over Nakagawa's front leg with a kick but Nakagawa checks it.
Tavares cracks Nakagawa with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nakagawa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Tavares throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nakagawa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tavares throws an overhand right that lands on Nakagawa's shoulder, as Nakagawa tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nakagawa connects with a jab.
Nakagawa swings for the body but Tavares moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakagawa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tavares sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tavares tries a quick counter leg kick but Nakagawa is wise to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa lands a slapping body shot.
Nakagawa missing with a left hand there. Tavares was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nakagawa throws a body punch but Tavares moves out of range.
A nice leg kick from Tavares, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nakagawa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nakagawa throws a body punch but Tavares moves out of range.
Nakagawa blocks a head kick by Tavares.
Tavares misses with a looping left.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tavares.
A left lands for Tavares.
A big left from Nakagawa misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tavares. Nakagawa does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavares takes a jab right on the kisser.
A big right from Nakagawa misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Tavares misses the target.
Nakagawa moves out of range of the strikes.
Tavares throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nakagawa or perhaps it was just good defense by Tavares, which made it look bad.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Tavares! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinnosuke Nakagawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nakagawa takes a swing at Tavares's ribcage but misses.
A cross from Tavares lands.
Nakagawa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Tavares counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheers as Nakagawa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tavares doesn't seem phased though.
Some bone on bone action there as Nakagawa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares dips to his left and cracks Nakagawa with an uppercut!
Tavares displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nakagawa throws out the jab.
Nakagawa misses with a body shot.

Nakagawa takes the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Nakagawa fails to land.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nakagawa takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tavares.
Nakagawa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tavares backwards.
Nakagawa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Tavares blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nakagawa swings wildly with an uppercut but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tavares lands a hook to the side of the head.

Nakagawa has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Tavares regains guard immediately.
Tavares is trying to control the position but Nakagawa postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nakagawa wants to control from the top but Tavares keeps moving.
Nakagawa advances position into side control!
An elbow from Nakagawa crashes against the mat.
Nakagawa tries to score with some ground and pound. Tavares controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Nakagawa controls the position from side control.

Nakagawa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tavares knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tavares sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shinnosuke Nakagawa will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A big right from Tavares misses.
Nakagawa tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tavares manages to circle out of the way.
Tavares is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa throws a lazy uppercut
and Tavares counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nakagawa lands with a right hand.
Nakagawa scores with a hook.
Nakagawa moves out of range as Tavares strikes.
Nice body punch from Nakagawa.
Nakagawa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tavares sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tavares misses with a looping left.
A jab lands there for Tavares.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tavares stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Tavares defending well as Nakagawa loads up on a big left hand.
Tavares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nakagawa walks into a stiff left hand from Tavares.
Nakagawa scores with a jab. Tavares acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nakagawa closes the distance and clinches up with Tavares, looking for a takedown. Nakagawa pushes Tavares against the cage but Tavares circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nakagawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tavares scores with a jab to the body.
Tavares catches Nakagawa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Tavares closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Tavares is looking to chop away at Nakagawa's legs.
Nakagawa tries for a takedown but Tavares circles away easily
and Tavares counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinnosuke Nakagawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nakagawa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A leg kick checked by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tavares has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Tavares misses with a wild body shot.
Nakagawa throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tavares stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Manny Tavares is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tavares throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tavares scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nice shot lands for Tavares.
Nakagawa tries for a takedown but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nakagawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tavares was well out of range. Poor timing from Nakagawa.
Tavares dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavares throws a head kick but Nakagawa moves out of range.
Nakagawa drops down looking for a counter takedown but Tavares sprawls and moves away.
Tavares uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nakagawa.
Tavares staying out of range there.
Nakagawa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavares.

Nakagawa clinches up against the cage.
Tavares misses with a punch on the inside.
Nakagawa misses with some punches.

Tavares manages to break the clinch.
Nakagawa scores with a body shot.
Tavares throws a sloppy head kick and Nakagawa moves out of range easily.
Nakagawa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tavares lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa slips a jab and a cross from Tavares.
Tavares throws out a loose jab but Nakagawa uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big left from Tavares misses.
Nakagawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tavares swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nakagawa misses with an uppercut
and Tavares counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nakagawa thinking.
Tavares thumps Nakagawa with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tavares stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Tavares wants it to stay on the feet.
Tavares misses with a right hand

and Nakagawa moves into the clinch.

Tavares's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nakagawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tavares moves away.
Tavares only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Tavares ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nakagawa slips a straight right by Tavares.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Tavares showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nakagawa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tavares.
Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Tavares as he avoids it easily.
A jab lands there for Tavares.
Tavares throws a jab when Nakagawa was well out of range.
Nakagawa tries for a takedown but Tavares circles away easily
and Tavares makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nakagawa throws a lazy right hand but Tavares sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big right from Nakagawa misses.
It seemed like Tavares was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavares scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nakagawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tavares was well out of range. Poor timing from Nakagawa.

Nakagawa drives through with a takedown into Tavares's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tavares has his hands on Nakagawa's head, controlling the position.
Nakagawa 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa preventing the sweep.
Tavares is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Nakagawa won't allow Tavares to sweep him here.
Nakagawa pushing down on Tavares's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tavares wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tavares is controlling Nakagawa's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Nakagawa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Tavares is defending against the submission attempts here by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa thows a huge punch but Tavares dodges it nicely.
Nakagawa is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Tavares avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nakagawa.
Nakagawa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nakagawa stalling away here and it's allowed Tavares to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Tavares seems keen to control Nakagawa's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nakagawa tries to clinch but Tavares moves out of range.
Tavares fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakagawa manages to avoid it.
Tavares throws a big shot that misses.
Nakagawa tries to counter by clinching up but Tavares breaks away and moves out of range.
Nakagawa ducks under a wild hook from Tavares.
Manny Tavares is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nakagawa throws out a loose jab but Tavares uses good head movement to avoid it.
Manny Tavares seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nakagawa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Tavares sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nakagawa somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinnosuke Nakagawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tavares will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nakagawa attempts a counter takedown but Tavares avoids it well and moves away.
Tavares lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tavares fails to land with a series of punches.
Nakagawa feinted with a counter takedown.
Tavares cracks Nakagawa with a right hand to the side of the head.
A swing and a miss from Tavares.
Tavares has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakagawa throws a right hand that Tavares ducks under and follows up with a left that Tavares also avoids with ease.
Tavares looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tavares moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tavares, as that shot connected.
Nakagawa swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Manny Tavares comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tavares has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight for Manny Tavares!
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight for Manny Tavares!
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight for Manny Tavares!

Manny Tavares wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Manny Tavares made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.