PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mohammed Kahn (ranked 4 p4p, 11 weight class) and Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 1 p4p, 3 weight class). Kahn's entrance music is كارتل مدان. A fine choice. Nakagawa has chosen Koto - CloZee as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kahn
vs
Nakagawa

188 cm
35
205
37 - 10 - 1

190 cm
31
190
22 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mohammed Kahn!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kahn throws a leg kick but Nakagawa sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kahn throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kahn missing with a left hand there. Nakagawa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kahn swings for the body but Nakagawa moves out of range.
Kahn has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Convicted Fight Club in the buildup to the fight.
Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kahn as he avoids it easily.
Kahn scores with a nice strike.
Nakagawa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kahn.
Kahn dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kahn thumps Nakagawa with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahn just misses with a punch to the body.
And Nakagawa tries to counter it with a takedown but Kahn pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kahn throws a big shot that misses.
Kahn throws a right hand that misses

and Nakagawa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakagawa is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Kahn as he works his way to full guard.
Nakagawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Kahn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kahn working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nakagawa.
Nakagawa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kahn is keeping the position for now.
Nakagawa stands and throws Kahn's legs to the side, diving into side control.

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.
Nakagawa controlling from side mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kahn has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nakagawa trying to control the action but Kahn is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn defending against the ground and pound.
Nakagawa is looking to take a break and control but Kahn is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Nakagawa tries for a kimura but Kahn is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nakagawa looking to control but instead Kahn has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Nakagawa wants to pass to mount but Kahn is defending the position.

Nakagawa is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nakagawa seems to be working for a kimura but Kahn defends the submission attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shinnosuke Nakagawa will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kahn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nakagawa was well out of range. Poor timing from Kahn.
Nakagawa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nakagawa throws a hook to the side of Kahn's head but Kahn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A counter left hand to the body from Kahn misses its target.
Kahn throws a head kick that misses

and Nakagawa counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kahn!
Nakagawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kahn is not content to let Nakagawa control the position.
Nakagawa tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa working the strikes but Kahn uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Nakagawa looks to land a strike but Kahn avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa advances to half guard.
Nakagawa wants to control but Kahn is keeping him busy.
Nakagawa is pressing down on Kahn's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kahn is holding on for now.

Nakagawa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kahn doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nakagawa.
Nakagawa trying to pass the guard but Kahn defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nakagawa is keen to just control but Kahn is a slippery customer.
Nakagawa throwing shots but Kahn is blocking nicely.
Nakagawa trying to mount his opponent but Kahn defends it.
Nakagawa passes to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahn regains half guard there - taking advantage of Nakagawa's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kahn defends it well.
Nakagawa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four 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.
Nakagawa throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Nakagawa unloads with some shots from mount but Kahn bucks and avoids them well.

Nakagawa has hold of an arm here, looking to extend it. He's committed to the armbar attempt here! Will he get it?! Yes! Kahn is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa is the new light heavyweight champion!
An out of breath Shinnosuke Nakagawa thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Mohammed Kahn spoke after the fight, saying 'Jihad!'.