PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between murray mintz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Makoto Nagano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). mintz comes to the cage accompanied by Smack My Bitch Up- The Prodigy. Nagano is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Ashes to ashes - Saxon. Makoto Nagano is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

mintz
vs
Nagano

170 cm
21
141 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

175 cm
26
135 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

THE STEEL PENN NUTRITION
•‡• LION Clothing •‡•

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, murray mintz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Makoto Nagano!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nagano on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Nagano is looking to slow mintz down with leg kicks.
mintz tries to clinch up but Nagano circles away and keeps his distance.
mintz takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A slapping leg kick lands for mintz.
Nagano fails to land with a series of punches.
Nagano is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
mintz throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nagano's head.
The fighters circling - Nagano throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nagano misses with a two punch combination.
Nagano changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
mintz scores with a spinning back kick!
A looping hook to the body misses from Nagano. mintz does a little dance to reset his feet.

mintz takes the fight into the clinch.
Nagano can't break the clinch.
mintz stalling.
Knees to the body from mintz.

mintz breaks from the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Nagano. mintz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nagano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
mintz slips under a jab from Nagano.
Nagano throws a hook but mintz avoids it easily.
A slapping body kick lands there for mintz.
Nagano looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagano sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
mintz throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nagano's head.
mintz thuds his shin into the meat of Nagano's side.

mintz closes the distance and pushes Nagano back into the cage.

mintz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
mintz pushes Nagano away with a front kick.
mintz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nagano.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from mintz. Nagano shrugs it off though.
mintz lands with a slapping head kick.

mintz has Nagano up against the cage in a clinch.
mintz landing knees to the head.
mintz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

mintz manages to break the clinch.

mintz fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nagano, pushing him back against the cage.
mintz is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nagano wants to break the clinch but can't.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nagano.
mintz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

mintz breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

mintz moves into the clinch.

mintz breaks from the clinch.

Nagano tries to keep at a distance but mintz has taken the fight into the clinch.

mintz breaks from the clinch.
Nagano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. mintz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
mintz scores with a head kick.
Nagano throws a shot from downtown. mintz moves away and avoids it.
mintz bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
mintz fakes the leg kick and cracks Nagano in the body.

mintz gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
mintz lands a knee to the body.
mintz throws a knee to the head but misses.

mintz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

mintz has taken the fight to the clinch.
mintz is stalling here.
mintz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nagano's face.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
mintz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
mintz landing knees to the head.
A bit of stalling here from mintz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagano working hard to break the clinch.
mintz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

mintz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

mintz clinches with his opponent.

mintz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
mintz turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
mintz lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nagano will feel that in the morning.

mintz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
mintz lands a good knee to the midsection. Nagano won't want to take too many of those.
mintz lands a good knee to the midsection. Nagano won't want to take too many of those.
mintz stalling.
mintz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
mintz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
mintz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
mintz lands a good knee to the midsection. Nagano won't want to take too many of those.

mintz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nagano takes a swing at mintz's ribcage but misses.
Nagano walks forward, straight into a front kick from mintz.
mintz lands with a nice body kick.

mintz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
mintz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nagano has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from mintz.
mintz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nagano tries to break the clinch but mintz is controlling the position.
Nagano is trying to break the clinch but mintz has him pressed against the cage.
mintz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nagano's efforts to push away.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by mintz.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
mintz scores with a knee to the head.
mintz taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
mintz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nagano tries to circle away but mintz has him pinned against the cage.
mintz slowing the pace effectively.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by murray mintz.
Nagano misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

mintz clinches up against the cage.
mintz misses with a knee strike.
mintz connects with a knee to the head.
Nagano avoiding damage as mintz throws knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from mintz.

Nagano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
mintz throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nagano's head.

Nagano tries to keep at a distance but mintz has taken the fight into the clinch.
mintz trying to land knees to the body.
Nagano is trying to break the clinch but mintz is controlling him.
Nagano takes a knee right on the jaw!
mintz tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

mintz breaks the clinch.
mintz slips a jab and a cross from Nagano.
Nagano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but mintz was well out of range. Poor timing from Nagano.
mintz throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Nagano gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows mintz to score an easy takedown into full guard.

mintz has gone for a leg lock! Nagano slips out almost immediately though and dives into mintz's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
mintz controlling the position.
Nagano throws a strike but mintz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
mintz seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Nagano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

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.
Nagano looking to control.

mintz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nagano throws a hook but mintz avoids it easily.
Makoto Nagano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nagano throws the left hand but mintz avoids the punch easily.
Nagano tries to clinch but mintz moves away
and mintz counters with a leg kick.

mintz closes the distance and pushes Nagano back into the cage.
mintz blocks a body shot from Nagano.
mintz crunches a lovely knee into Nagano's ribcage.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

mintz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

mintz moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagano wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but mintz has him pressed against the cage.
mintz scores with a knee to the head.
Nagano tries to circle away but mintz has him pinned against the cage.

mintz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

mintz darts in and clinches Nagano up against the cage.
mintz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
mintz landing knees to the head.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A knee to the head by mintz.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
Nagano working hard to break the clinch.
mintz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nagano has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
mintz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nagano's face.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
mintz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

mintz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

mintz moves into the clinch.
mintz landing knees to the body.
mintz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
mintz blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nagano can't break the clinch.
mintz scores a nice knee to the body.
mintz is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
mintz scores a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by mintz.
mintz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
mintz leaning against his opponent.

mintz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
mintz scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A low kick from Nagano is predictable there

and mintz counters by clinching up.

mintz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nagano misses with a double jab.
mintz lands a head kick!
A kick lands to the mid section there for mintz.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
mintz with a body punch. A glancing blow.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A chopping leg kick lands by mintz.
mintz scores with a kick to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by mintz.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

mintz rushes Nagano and presses him up against the cage.
mintz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nagano's face.
Nagano wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nagano is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Nagano manages to break the clinch.
mintz moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
murray mintz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
mintz scores with a kick to the midsection.
mintz fails to land the takedown.

Nagano tries to keep at a distance but mintz has taken the fight into the clinch.
mintz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nagano can do to turn this around?
Knees in the clinch landing for mintz.
Nagano takes a knee right on the jaw!
mintz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nagano's face.
mintz working Nagano over with knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as mintz takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
mintz lands a nice knee to the body.
mintz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nagano's face.
Nagano wants to break free but mintz has control.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. mintz obliges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagano has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
mintz lands a nice knee to the body.
mintz scores with a knee to the head.
mintz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
mintz scores a nice knee to the body.
Nagano wants to break free but mintz has control.
mintz keeps control of Nagano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
mintz scores a nice knee to the body.

mintz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
mintz thuds his shin into the meat of Nagano's side.
Nagano steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from mintz. That one must have hurt.
mintz throws a quick inside leg kick.
mintz plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nagano misses with a body punch
and mintz counters with a solid body kick.
mintz thumps Nagano with a low kick.
Nagano's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nagano misses with a looping left.
mintz throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
mintz cracks the inside of Nagano's front leg.

mintz gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
mintz with a knee to the head.
mintz lands a knee to the body.
mintz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Nagano breaks the clinch.

mintz closes the distance and clinches.
mintz tries a knee to the head but Nagano blocks it.
mintz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nagano wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A frustrated look appears on Nagano's face as he tries to break the clinch.
mintz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nagano has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nagano has had enough of the clinch but mintz keeps him there for the moment.
Nagano wants to get back to striking at distance but mintz won't allow it.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
mintz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nagano has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nagano tries to break free but mintz pushes him back against the cage.
Nagano is trying to break the clinch but mintz has him pressed against the cage.
mintz manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
mintz with a knee to the head.
Nagano tries to circle away but mintz has him pinned against the cage.
mintz avoiding damage.
mintz tries a knee to the head but Nagano blocks it.

Nagano manages to break the clinch.

mintz closes the distance and clinches.
Nagano is trying to break the clinch but mintz is controlling him.
mintz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nagano is keeping busy.
mintz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nagano is defending well for now.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
mintz taking a breather.
Nagano lands a hook to the side of the head.
mintz dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Nagano is trying to break the clinch but mintz is controlling him.

mintz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
mintz moves away from the strike by Nagano.
mintz moves in looking to clinch but Nagano pushes him off.

mintz darts in and clinches Nagano up against the cage.
mintz prevents Nagano from breaking the clinch.

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.
Nagano throws a head punch that misses.
Nagano working hard to break the clinch.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but Nagano blocks with his arms.
mintz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nagano has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
mintz prevents Nagano from breaking the clinch.
mintz landing knees to the body.
mintz tries to stall but Nagano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

mintz breaks from the clinch.
mintz tries to clinch up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nagano crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from mintz - the referee stops the clock and Nagano gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says mintz. Nagano manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

mintz clinches.
mintz keeps control of Nagano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
mintz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The referee calls for mintz to work.
mintz seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
mintz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nagano in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

mintz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nagano looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
mintz cracks the inside of Nagano's front leg.
Nagano throws a jab when mintz was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

murray mintz clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nagano throws a predictable looking body shot

and mintz moves into the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for mintz.
mintz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nagano is trying to force a seperation but mintz has the dominant position.
mintz has Nagano pressed against the cage, preventing Nagano from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

mintz breaks from the clinch.
A lazy body kick from Nagano

and mintz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

mintz breaks from the clinch.
mintz slips under a jab from Nagano.

mintz clinches.
mintz connects with a knee to the head.

mintz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nagano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nagano throws a hook but mintz blocks it.
Nagano misses with an uppercut. mintz saw that one coming.
mintz throws a head kick that Nagano semi-blocks.
mintz fails with an attempt to clinch.

mintz drives through and clinches with Nagano against the cage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
mintz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nagano's face.
mintz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nagano in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

mintz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
mintz scores with a leg kick.

mintz rushes Nagano and presses him up against the cage.
mintz tries a knee to the head but Nagano blocks it.
mintz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. mintz obliges.
mintz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
mintz keeps control of Nagano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Knees in the clinch landing for mintz.
mintz working Nagano over with knees to the body.
mintz is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nagano takes a knee right on the jaw!
mintz keeps control of Nagano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

mintz breaks from the clinch.
Nagano swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
mintz keeps Nagano at a distance using the push kick.
Crunch! mintz slams his shin into Nagano's torso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
mintz lands a two punch combo.

mintz gets a clinch.
Nagano tries to circle away but mintz has him pinned against the cage.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
mintz is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nagano doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Knees in the clinch landing for mintz.
mintz stalling.

Nagano breaks from the clinch.

mintz clinches up with Nagano and pushes him back against the cage.
mintz connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nagano's face.
mintz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

mintz escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A nice leg kick lands there from mintz.

mintz clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Nagano's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The referee calls for mintz to work.
Nagano is trying to break the clinch but mintz has him pressed against the cage.
murray mintz has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. mintz obliges.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nagano wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but mintz has him pressed against the cage.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but Nagano blocks with his arms.
Nagano misses with the head strike.
mintz scores a nice knee to the body.
Nagano is trying to break the clinch but mintz is controlling him.
mintz leaning his opponent against the cage.
mintz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nagano looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
mintz tries to stall but Nagano uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nagano looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Knees to the body from mintz.
mintz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
mintz crunches a lovely knee into Nagano's ribcage.

mintz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

mintz forces Nagano back against the cage and clinches.
mintz with a knee to the head.
mintz using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
mintz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nagano blocks it with crossed arms.

Nagano breaks the clinch.
Nagano misses with a series of wild punches.
Nagano takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
mintz misses with a head kick.
Nagano throws a combination that misses
and mintz counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nagano throws a leg kick
and mintz counters with an outside leg kick.
mintz turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

mintz moves into the clinch successfully.
mintz scores with a knee to the head.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

mintz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

mintz pushes Nagano up against the cage in a clinch.

Nagano breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

mintz has taken the fight to the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nagano has had enough of the clinch but mintz keeps him there for the moment.
Nagano tries to circle away but mintz has him pinned against the cage.
Nagano wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nagano wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

murray mintz had his way with Makoto Nagano in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

mintz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nagano. That did some damage!
mintz tries to close the distance and clinch but Nagano swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
mintz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nagano swats away the attempt to clinch by mintz.
mintz wants to clinch up but Nagano keeps it at a distance.
mintz tries to clinch up but Nagano circles away and keeps his distance.

mintz instigates a clinch.
Nagano stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
mintz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nagano has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nagano wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knees in the clinch landing for mintz.

Nagano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A low kick from Nagano misses
and mintz counters with a nice body kick.

Nagano tries to keep at a distance but mintz has taken the fight into the clinch.
mintz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nagano's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

mintz breaks the clinch.
Nagano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract mintz.
Nagano lands a jab.
Nagano throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nagano tries to bum rush mintz with a series of wild strikes but mintz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

mintz drives through and clinches with Nagano against the cage.
mintz leaning against his opponent.
Nagano misses with a hook from the clinch.
mintz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section.
mintz with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by mintz.
mintz has Nagano pressed against the cage, preventing Nagano from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
mintz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
mintz lands a knee to the head.

mintz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nagano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but mintz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
murray mintz is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagano throws a head kick that misses

and mintz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
mintz keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nagano's efforts to push away.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as mintz takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
mintz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
mintz displaying some good clinch control by pressing Nagano up against the cage.
Nagano has had enough of the clinch but mintz keeps him there for the moment.

Nagano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

mintz has taken the fight to the clinch.
mintz scores a nice knee to the body.

mintz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
mintz fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nagano.
mintz defending well as Nagano loads up on a big left hand.
mintz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nagano swats him away and circles back towards the center.

mintz takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
mintz scores with a knee to the head.
Nagano wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nagano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
Makoto Nagano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nagano lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nagano lands with a short shot to the head.
Nagano tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
mintz lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A bit of stalling here from mintz.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nagano has had enough of the clinch but mintz keeps him there for the moment.
mintz has Nagano pushed against the cage.

mintz breaks the clinch.
Nagano throws a leg kick

and mintz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
mintz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
mintz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
mintz utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
mintz throws a knee to the head but misses.

Nagano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

mintz has taken the fight to the clinch.
mintz lands a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Nagano fails to land.
Knees in the clinch landing for mintz.
mintz misses with a knee strike.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nagano wants to get back to striking at distance but mintz won't allow it.
mintz connects with a knee to the head.
mintz has Nagano pressed against the cage, preventing Nagano from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nagano lands a shot to the body.
mintz tries to land a knee to the head but Nagano blocks with his arms.
Nagano misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nagano tries to break free but mintz pushes him back against the cage.
mintz unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nagano working hard to break the clinch.
mintz scores with a knee to the head.
mintz stalls.

mintz breaks the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
murray mintz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well mintz 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 50:44
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 50:45
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... murray mintz!
murray mintz retains his bantamweight title!