PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pablo Esposito (ranked 1769 p4p, 1863 weight class) and Hajime Nakamura (ranked 157 p4p, 168 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Nakamura's choice of entrance music: Soldier of Fortune - Loudness. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Esposito
vs
Nakamura

180 cm
25
153
6 - 0 - 0

174 cm
26
145
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Pablo Esposito!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hajime Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Daniel Franklin and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Esposito looking to score a takedown here. Nakamura is defending well but Esposito drives through and ends up in Nakamura's guard.
Nakamura pulls Esposito in close to prevent any damage.
Esposito stopping the sweep attempt from Nakamura.

Nakamura is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Esposito is aware though and is defending well.
Esposito trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Esposito looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito distracts Nakamura with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Esposito from controlling successfully.
Nakamura is trying to control the position but Esposito postures up.
Nakamura looking to hit a scissor sweep but Esposito is one step ahead there.
Esposito tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakamura is retaining full guard.
Esposito trying to control but Nakamura is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Esposito fails with the takedown.

That's two 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.
Nakamura misses with an uppercut.
Esposito appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Esposito defending well as Nakamura loads up on a big left hand.
Nakamura looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nakamura swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Esposito shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nakamura is trying to defend but Esposito finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nakamura keeping hold of Esposito's head, controlling as best he can.
Esposito has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Nakamura tries to get to full guard but Esposito has control of the leg.
Esposito sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nakamura defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nakamura.
Esposito in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nakamura avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nakamura looking to control.
Esposito wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Nakamura manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Esposito manages to get himself to full guard.

Nakamura wants to control from the top but Esposito keeps moving.
Esposito trying to keep a closed guard but Nakamura is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Esposito is trying to control the position but Nakamura postures up.

Esposito is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Esposito wants to sweep here but Nakamura controlling him for the moment.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Esposito has wrist control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nakamura looking to pass the guard.
Esposito wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Nakamura is now in 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 Pablo Esposito will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Esposito fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nakamura throws an overhand right that lands on Esposito's shoulder, as Esposito tries to avoid the shot.
Nakamura scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sloppy strikes from Nakamura. Those never looked like landing.
Nakamura throws a low kick, looking for Esposito's leg but Esposito calmly moves out of range.

Esposito looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Nakamura pulls Esposito in to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Esposito throws an elbow that misses. Nakamura uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Esposito's guard. Nice move by Nakamura!

Nakamura works over Esposito with some ground and pound from guard.
Nakamura passes Esposito's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito wants to control but Nakamura is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Well, if Nakamura 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.
Esposito trying to control here.
Esposito trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Nakamura manages to pass to mount!

Nakamura is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Esposito can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Nakamura sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Esposito slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nakamura missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nakamura prevents Esposito from improving his position.
Nakamura trying to control from half guard but Esposito is working away.
Still in half guard, Nakamura seems content to control.
Nakamura is trying to control. Esposito wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakamura is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Esposito has managed to free his arm - good work.
Esposito is looking to improve his position.

Esposito actively working from the bottom here.
Esposito avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nakamura.
Nakamura performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nakamura loads up on a big right hand but Esposito slips the punch.
Esposito drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nakamura sprawls and moves away.

Esposito closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Esposito is trying to work for a kimura but Nakamura is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esposito seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nakamura does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nakamura gets full guard.
Nakamura has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Esposito has passed into side control.

Esposito working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakamura tries to bench press Esposito off him but Esposito keeps the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hajime Nakamura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Esposito's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Nakamura throws the left hand but Esposito avoids the punch easily.
Esposito shoots for a double leg takedown but Nakamura sprawls well. He's pushed Esposito's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nakamura throws a jab when Esposito was well out of range.
Nakamura throws a nice looking combination but Esposito bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Esposito looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nakamura lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Esposito shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakamura pinned against the cage. Nakamura gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pablo Esposito. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Esposito shoots in looking for a takedown but Nakamura manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Esposito's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamura cracks Esposito with a good jab.
Nakamura throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Esposito looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esposito checks the leg kick.
Nakamura misses with a low kick as Esposito jumps back.
Esposito attempts a counter takedown but Nakamura avoids it well and moves away.
Hajime Nakamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Esposito.
Nakamura scores with a jab to the head.
Esposito checks the leg kick.
Hajime Nakamura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nakamura misses with a head kick.
Esposito moves out of range as Nakamura strikes.
Esposito tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nakamura swivels and escapes.
Esposito darts in looking for a takedown but Nakamura gets double underhooks and turns Esposito into the cage.
Esposito is trying to pull guard but Nakamura has him pressed against the cage.

Nakamura breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakamura. Esposito does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nakamura tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nakamura lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nakamura ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Esposito moves away.
Esposito dives in for a single leg takedown but Nakamura sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Esposito tries to pull guard but Nakamura forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Nakamura tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nakamura gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Esposito.
Esposito blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nakamura has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Esposito is trying to keep an underhook but Nakamura manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Still in half guard, Nakamura seems content to control.
Nakamura thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Esposito's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura slows the pace down in half guard.
Nakamura has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakamura not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hajime Nakamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nakamura slows the pace down in half guard.
Esposito wants to improve his position but Nakamura is controlling well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakamura controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nakamura wants to pass the guard but Esposito is defending well.
Nakamura looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A leg kick checked by Esposito.
Esposito will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hajime Nakamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakamura throws a low kick, looking for Esposito's leg but Esposito calmly moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakamura misses with a jab, cross combination.
Esposito keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nakamura.
Esposito shoots in and drives through. Nakamura sprawls well.
Pablo Esposito has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nakamura lands with a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hajime Nakamura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nakamura 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 Peter Branson scores the fight for Hajime Nakamura!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Hajime Nakamura!
Judge David Hoff scores the fight for Hajime Nakamura!

Hajime Nakamura wins by unanimous decision!
Hajime Nakamura decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.