PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tsuyoshi Nakayama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Holden Rosenthal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nakayama comes to the cage accompanied by The Vapors - Turning Japanese. Rosenthal is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rick Derringer - I Am a Real American. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Nakayama
vs
Rosenthal

189 cm
24
192 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

185 cm
20
194 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Hell's Balls Nutrition

5th Round

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tsuyoshi Nakayama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Holden Rosenthal!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Rosenthal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Rosenthal shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nakayama napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rosenthal working away.
Nakayama is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rosenthal's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rosenthal trying to control the action but Nakayama is working from the bottom.

Rosenthal seems to be looking for submissions.
Rosenthal drops an elbow to the side of Nakayama's head.
Rosenthal is taking a breather. Nakayama says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Rosenthal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nakayama's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakayama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rosenthal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakayama blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rosenthal.
Rosenthal controlling the action here.
Rosenthal seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nakayama does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rosenthal landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rosenthal is stalling here. Nakayama is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Rosenthal seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Nakayama has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nakayama stands up.
Rosenthal shoots in for a double leg but Nakayama sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Nakayama. No joy for Rosenthal on that attempt.
Rosenthal shoots in for a takedown but Nakayama shows good takedown defense.
Tsuyoshi Nakayama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holden Rosenthal.
Rosenthal walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nakayama throws a jab but it's blocked by Rosenthal.
Nakayama misses with a looping left.
Nakayama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rosenthal.
Nakayama stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Horrible takedown by Rosenthal or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakayama which made him look bad.
Nakayama throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rosenthal takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice takedown defense from Nakayama. No joy for Rosenthal on that attempt.
Nakayama looks to land a combination. Rosenthal sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Rosenthal with that takedown attempt.
Nakayama cracks Rosenthal with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nakayama with a jab.
Nakayama misses with a few strikes there.
Rosenthal thows a body shot but no joy.
Nakayama fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nakayama throws a jab but it's blocked by Rosenthal.
Nakayama misses with a wild body shot.
Nakayama lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rosenthal defending well as Nakayama loads up on a big left hand.

Rosenthal darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Rosenthal is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Nakayama reverses the position - he's now on top in Rosenthal's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakayama wants to stand but Rosenthal is controlling his posture from full guard.
Rosenthal thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Rosenthal has a closed guard, preventing Nakayama from standing up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tsuyoshi Nakayama dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rosenthal throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nakayama connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nakayama slips under a jab.
Rosenthal throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A swing and a miss from Nakayama.
Rosenthal avoids the body shot from Nakayama.
Nakayama slips a jab from Rosenthal.
Nakayama misses with an uppercut.
Nakayama swings for the body but Rosenthal moves out of range.
Nakayama tries to bum rush Rosenthal with a series of wild strikes but Rosenthal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nakayama moves out of range as Rosenthal strikes.
Rosenthal throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rosenthal missing with a left hand there. Nakayama was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rosenthal shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakayama pinned against the cage. Nakayama gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nakayama swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rosenthal misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Nakayama counter with a right hand.
Rosenthal lands a jab.
Holden Rosenthal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rosenthal misses with a takedown
and Nakayama counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rosenthal gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rosenthal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Tsuyoshi Nakayama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holden Rosenthal.
A combination from Nakayama does no damage.
Nakayama is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nakayama throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nakayama slaps away a takedown attempt from Rosenthal, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nakayama keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nakayama throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rosenthal throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nakayama.
Rosenthal tries for a takedown but Nakayama circles away easily
and Nakayama counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Rosenthal misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Nakayama to counter with a crisp jab.
Rosenthal is breathing heavily.
Rosenthal uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakayama.
Nakayama scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rosenthal in his tracks.
Tsuyoshi Nakayama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nakayama misses the jab.
Nakayama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nakayama is looking to land body kicks.
A jab from Rosenthal misses.
Rosenthal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nakayama counters with a nice uppercut.
A shot to the body from Rosenthal misses
and Nakayama counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Nakayama counters with a nice uppercut.
Nakayama throws a good cross that connects.

Rosenthal gets a takedown into half guard.
Nakayama gets back to full guard.
Nakayama lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rosenthal!
Nakayama can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rosenthal is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal is in all sorts of trouble here.

Nakayama get's back to his feet.
Nakayama misses with a wild body shot.
Nakayama thows a body shot but no joy.
Rosenthal fails with the takedown.
Nakayama lands an overhand right.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rosenthal throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nakayama.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rosenthal shoots in and drives through. Nakayama sprawls well.
Nakayama scores with a jab. Rosenthal acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tsuyoshi Nakayama dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Nakayama lands with a nice body punch.
Nakayama throws a lazy right hand but Rosenthal sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rosenthal scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nakayama uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rosenthal.
Rosenthal misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nakayama misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters circling - Nakayama throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rosenthal blocks a jab.
Tsuyoshi Nakayama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakayama digs a good hook to Rosenthal's body.
Rosenthal throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nakayama's waist but Nakayama gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rosenthal off to one side.
Rosenthal dodges the punch combination from Nakayama.
Rosenthal takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakayama bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nakayama lands a jab to Rosenthal's midsection.
Rosenthal takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakayama lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rosenthal tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nakayama was well out of range. Poor timing from Rosenthal.
Nakayama fails to land with a series of punches.
Rosenthal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nakayama sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rosenthal walks into a left hand.
Rosenthal tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nakayama swivels and escapes.
Nakayama takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rosenthal has his takedown stuffed
letting Nakayama counter with a right hand.
Tsuyoshi Nakayama has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Holden Rosenthal.
No joy there for Rosenthal, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nakayama throws a body punch but Rosenthal moves out of range.
Rosenthal drops his hands momentarily and Nakayama takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nakayama takes a swing at Rosenthal's ribcage but misses.
Tsuyoshi Nakayama is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakayama takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Rosenthal takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nakayama misses with a double jab.
Rosenthal has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nakayama.
Nakayama cracks Rosenthal with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nakayama scores with a jab to the body.
Nakayama misses with a looping right.
Nakayama throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nakayama scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nakayama misses with a looping right.
Rosenthal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nakayama counters with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nakayama fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rosenthal looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rosenthal tries for a takedown but Nakayama sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rosenthal misses with a combination
and Nakayama counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rosenthal has a takedown stuffed.
Rosenthal takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Rosenthal has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nakayama lands with an overhand left.
Nakayama scores with a body shot.
Nakayama scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nakayama's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Nakayama duly obliges.
Nakayama connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rosenthal takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakayama lands with a shot to the body.
Nakayama scores with a jab to the body.
Holden Rosenthal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakayama throws a series of punches but Rosenthal avoids them all with ease.
Nakayama lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nakayama cracks Rosenthal with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nakayama throws a one two combo.
Nakayama lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nakayama lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nakayama tests Rosenthal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rosenthal takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nakayama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rosenthal can do to turn this around?
Nakayama lands a jab to the nose.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nakayama getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nakayama keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Tsuyoshi Nakayama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rosenthal shoots and misses
and Nakayama counters with a three punch combo that has Rosenthal backing up. Rosenthal nods at Nakayama to acknowledge the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tsuyoshi Nakayama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nakayama, 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tsuyoshi Nakayama!