PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between HIROTA MAEDA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshihiro Nakatumura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

MAEDA
vs
Nakatumura

154 cm
19
144 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

196 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, HIROTA MAEDA!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Nakatumura!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

MAEDA scores with a takedown into Nakatumura's guard.
MAEDA might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nakatumura is striking off his back. MAEDA thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Nakatumura pushes MAEDA off looking to stand but MAEDA dives back in and keeps control.

Nakatumura looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
MAEDA is keen to just control but Nakatumura is a slippery customer.

MAEDA is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nakatumura is just riding it out for now. MAEDA eventually gives up the hold.
MAEDA sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nakatumura defending well though.
MAEDA stops Nakatumura from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakatumura wants to sweep but MAEDA has passed to side control!
You can see the frustration on Nakatumura's face as MAEDA controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nakatumura with a lazy takedown attempt

and MAEDA counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
MAEDA stopping the sweep attempt from Nakatumura.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nakatumura is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. MAEDA is aware though and is defending well.
MAEDA wants to pass the guard but Nakatumura is keeping the position.
Nakatumura is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Nakatumura looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! MAEDA has picked Nakatumura up and slammed him! Nakatumura can't keep hold of the triangle and MAEDA manages to pass to side control!
Nakatumura looks gassed!
Nakatumura is trying to get back to half guard.

MAEDA decides to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakatumura with a lazy takedown attempt

and MAEDA decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nakatumura's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
MAEDA trying to control but Nakatumura is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nakatumura looking for a guillotine here but MAEDA defends easily.

Nakatumura is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and MAEDA defends well.
MAEDA pushing down on Nakatumura's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nakatumura can do anything to dispel that myth.
MAEDA wants to control but Nakatumura is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from MAEDA there.
MAEDA is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
MAEDA blocks Nakatumura's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Nakatumura manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Nakatumura looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

MAEDA escapes and gets back to his feet.
HIROTA MAEDA seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MAEDA misses with the combination.
MAEDA wants to clinch up but Nakatumura keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakatumura showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from MAEDA.

MAEDA has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nakatumura is working for takedown but MAEDA is calmly controlling the position for now.
HIROTA MAEDA has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoshihiro Nakatumura.
Nakatumura stalling.
MAEDA gets underhooks to prevent Nakatumura's takedown attempt.
Nakatumura tries to pull guard but MAEDA won't allow it.
Nakatumura working hard to break the clinch.
MAEDA is trying to break the clinch but Nakatumura is controlling him.

MAEDA gets a trip takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

HIROTA MAEDA dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nakatumura gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and MAEDA counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
MAEDA is thwarting Nakatumura's attempts to control the position.

Nakatumura actively working from the bottom here.
MAEDA wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nakatumura keeps working.
HIROTA MAEDA overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nakatumura misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Nakatumura is trying to escape back to his feet but MAEDA uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Nakatumura tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but MAEDA wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nakatumura tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakatumura tries to bench press MAEDA off him but MAEDA keeps the position.
Nakatumura is breathing heavily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nakatumura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

MAEDA changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nakatumura looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nakatumura takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
A lull in the action here.

MAEDA decides to stand up, so the ref orders Nakatumura to his feet.
Nakatumura dodges the punch combination from MAEDA.
Nakatumura misses with a takedown attempt

and MAEDA counters with a single leg into guard. Nakatumura didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MAEDA stopping the sweep attempt from Nakatumura.
MAEDA trying to control but Nakatumura is working from the bottom.
MAEDA slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nakatumura misses with a strike from the bottom.
Nakatumura tries to bench press MAEDA off him but MAEDA keeps the position.
MAEDA controlling from side mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MAEDA has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nakatumura tries for a takedown but MAEDA circles away easily

and MAEDA counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by MAEDA.
HIROTA MAEDA has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yoshihiro Nakatumura.

MAEDA avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
MAEDA is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Nakatumura is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nakatumura throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nakatumura throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! MAEDA escapes and throws Nakatumura's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nakatumura is trying to improve his position.
MAEDA trying to control the position but Nakatumura is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakatumura tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

HIROTA MAEDA dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

MAEDA scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Nakatumura gets back to half guard.
Nakatumura is trying to stand back up but MAEDA is controlling him

Nakatumura is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but MAEDA pulls his head out easily.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nakatumura wants to get back to full guard.
MAEDA wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nakatumura keeps working.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MAEDA tries to pass the half guard into mount. Nakatumura knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakatumura actively working from the bottom here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nakatumura gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and MAEDA counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
MAEDA looking to pass the guard.
MAEDA not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Nakatumura is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
MAEDA trying to control but Nakatumura is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakatumura escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MAEDA gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
MAEDA controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
MAEDA wants to control from the top but Nakatumura keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

MAEDA got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nakatumura has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, MAEDA has managed to get both his arms back between Nakatumura's legs - danger averted.

Nakatumura is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
HIROTA MAEDA is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Nakatumura escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MAEDA gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
MAEDA wants to control from the top but Nakatumura keeps moving.

Nakatumura is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. MAEDA is aware though and is defending well.

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.

Nakatumura looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nakatumura is looking to stand up but MAEDA isn't so interested in that idea.
Yoshihiro Nakatumura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
MAEDA stays in close to Nakatumura's body and controls the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
MAEDA throws a series of punches but Nakatumura moves out of range.
MAEDA fails with a takedown attempt.

MAEDA gets caught flat footed, as Nakatumura shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
HIROTA MAEDA showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for MAEDA, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... HIROTA MAEDA!