PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 14 p4p, 71 weight class) and Ramone Rocksaw (ranked 2 p4p, 10 weight class). Nakagawa comes to the cage accompanied by Koto - CloZee. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Nakagawa
vs
Rocksaw

190 cm
33
190
28 - 12 - 0

185 cm
32
188
25 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ramone Rocksaw!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rocksaw is looking to score with low kicks.

Nakagawa moves into range and clinches up with Rocksaw.
Rocksaw blocking some punches.
Nakagawa swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rocksaw presses Nakagawa against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nakagawa blocks an uppercut.
Rocksaw tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nakagawa is looking to take this one to the mat.
Nakagawa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rocksaw throws a head punch that misses.
Rocksaw gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nakagawa.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Rocksaw has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Nakagawa wants the takedown. Rocksaw is fighting it off but Nakagawa persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rocksaw's guard against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rocksaw keeping moving, preventing Nakagawa from controlling successfully.
We've been hearing that Nakagawa has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Nakagawa throws an elbow that misses. Rocksaw uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nakagawa's guard. Nice move by Rocksaw!

Rocksaw must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rocksaw throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakagawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nakagawa has momentary wrist control but Rocksaw slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rocksaw accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rocksaw postures up in Nakagawa's guard and throws a big left but Nakagawa blocks it.

Nakagawa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Nakagawa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rocksaw trying to control but Nakagawa is working from the bottom.
Nakagawa is trying to keep Rocksaw in close.
Rocksaw working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Nakagawa working for a triangle but Rocksaw defends it easily.

Nakagawa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rocksaw defends well.
Rocksaw is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rocksaw working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nakagawa's head.
Rocksaw throwing strikes but missing.
Rocksaw postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rocksaw postures up and lands a big shot to Nakagawa's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rocksaw cracks Nakagawa with a solid left hand.
Nakagawa wants to sweep but no luck.

Rocksaw avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Nakagawa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rocksaw gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rocksaw throws a big right hand that misses.
Nakagawa is trying to control the position but Rocksaw postures up.
Rocksaw stands up over Nakagawa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nakagawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rocksaw works over Nakagawa with some ground and pound from guard.
Nakagawa has momentary wrist control but Rocksaw slips an elbow through the middle.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nakagawa is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rocksaw trying to control the position here.
Nakagawa throws a big elbow that misses.
Rocksaw preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rocksaw pulls Nakagawa in to control the position.
Rocksaw looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
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.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Nakagawa fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rocksaw to the ground. Nakagawa is now in Rocksaw's guard.
Nakagawa wants to pass the guard but Rocksaw is keeping the position.
Nakagawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Rocksaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa is keen to just control but Rocksaw is a slippery customer.
Rocksaw is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nakagawa is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rocksaw!
Nakagawa tries to control but Rocksaw wriggling away.
Rocksaw holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Nakagawa tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Rocksaw bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw postures up and lands a big shot to Nakagawa's brow.
Nakagawa is trying to control the position but Rocksaw postures up.
Nakagawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Nakagawa working for a triangle but Rocksaw defends it easily.
Nakagawa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rocksaw working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rocksaw trying to control but Nakagawa is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw postures up in Nakagawa's guard and throws a big left but Nakagawa blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakagawa trying to control the position.
Nakagawa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rocksaw's guard.

Rocksaw looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nakagawa throws a strike but Rocksaw rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nakagawa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rocksaw's guard.

Rocksaw keeping moving, preventing Nakagawa from controlling successfully.
Nakagawa passes Rocksaw's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rocksaw is looking to improve his position.
Rocksaw keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Nakagawa throwing shots but Rocksaw is blocking nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rocksaw falls off balance throwing a combination

and Nakagawa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nakagawa.

Nakagawa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rocksaw is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nakagawa, into his guard.

Nakagawa looking for a triangle here. Rocksaw is fighting it but it looks tight! Nakagawa pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Rocksaw is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa retains his middleweight title!
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.
Ramone Rocksaw spoke after the fight, saying 'Lanky piece of shit, it’s a joke'.