PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jacoby Wilcox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenzo Nakata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wilcox comes to the cage accompanied by Danger: Wildman. 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.

Wilcox
vs
Nakata

196 cm
21
218 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
208 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Jacoby Wilcox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenzo Nakata!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilcox lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nakata looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Wilcox looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Wilcox seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nakata does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Wilcox is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nakata defends it well.
Nakata is trying to maintain the position but Wilcox is very close to passing his half guard.
Wilcox trying to control the action but Nakata is working from the bottom.
Nakata is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakata gets back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wilcox stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakata swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wilcox postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No joy there for Wilcox, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wilcox fails to land with a series of punches.
Nakata uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wilcox.

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.
Wilcox misses the jab.
Nakata displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wilcox throws out the jab.

Wilcox is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nakata's half guard.
Nakata regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nakata tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wilcox sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Nakata's guard.

Wilcox is working for a kimura but Nakata is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nakata manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata wants to sweep but no luck.
Nakata is trying to keep Wilcox in close.
Nakata pulls Wilcox in close to prevent any damage.
Nakata controls Wilcox momentarily but Wilcox frees himself.
Nakata keeping full guard, as Wilcox tries to pass.
Wilcox will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nakata keeping moving, preventing Wilcox from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nakata gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nakata takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

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.
Wilcox dips to his left and cracks Nakata with an uppercut!
Wilcox throws a jab when Nakata was well out of range.
Wilcox throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nakata.
Nakata shoots and misses
and Wilcox counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacoby Wilcox dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nakata misses with a takedown
and Nakata takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nakata shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Wilcox counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jacoby Wilcox seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wilcox throws a jab but it's blocked by Nakata.
Wilcox tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakata blocks a leg kick.
Nakata defending well as Wilcox loads up on a big left hand.
Wilcox throws a looping overhand right but Nakata ducks down to avoid it.
Wilcox throws a series of punches but Nakata moves out of range.
Nakata has his takedown stuffed

and Wilcox counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Nakata's guard now.
Jacoby Wilcox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenzo Nakata.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakata is retaining full guard.
Nakata lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Wilcox!
Nakata looking to control but Wilcox is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Wilcox really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Nakata content just to control the position here.
Nakata can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Wilcox is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nakata looking to control but Wilcox is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Wilcox is desperately trying to improve his position but Nakata has a good base and remains in mount.
Nakata controlling the pace for now.
Nakata wants to control the pace but Wilcox is squirming around nicely.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kenzo Nakata just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A shot to the body from Nakata misses

and Wilcox counters with a single leg into guard. Nakata didn't expect that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakata is keeping the position for now.
Wilcox trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakata lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Wilcox!
Nakata looking to control but Wilcox is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Wilcox is looking to improve his position but Nakata isn't that keen on the idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wilcox wants to control but Nakata is having none of it.
Nakata trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacoby Wilcox dominated that second round.
That's time! Wilcox's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nakata tries for a takedown but Wilcox circles away easily

and Wilcox counters with a shoot takedown. Nakata fights it but they end up in guard.
Nakata keeping moving, preventing Wilcox from controlling successfully.
Wilcox stopping the sweep attempt from Nakata.
Nakata pulls Wilcox in close to his closed guard and prevents Wilcox from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nakata wants to sweep here but Wilcox controlling him for the moment.
Nakata is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakata has control of Wilcox's left arm, preventing Wilcox from doing any damage.
Wilcox trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wilcox wants to pass the guard but Nakata is keeping the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nakata with a poor takedown
and Wilcox counters with a left and a right that stings Nakata.
Nakata misses with a takedown

and Wilcox counters with a single leg into guard. Nakata didn't expect that.
Jacoby Wilcox has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kenzo Nakata.
Nakata takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilcox tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakata is retaining full guard.
Wilcox trying to control but Nakata is working from the bottom.
Nakata wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Wilcox is now in half guard.
Wilcox controlling the pace.
Wilcox throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wilcox is trying to control. Nakata wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wilcox looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Nakata trying to control here.
Nakata keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata tries to roll over but Wilcox keeps him under control.

Wilcox is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nakata ducks under a wild hook from Wilcox.
Kenzo Nakata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jacoby Wilcox is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jacoby Wilcox is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Wilcox fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nakata fails with the takedown

and Wilcox counters with a single leg into guard. Nakata didn't expect that.
Wilcox controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacoby Wilcox showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Wilcox has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacoby Wilcox!