PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hiruki Nakeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vince Bartone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vince Bartone has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Nakeda
vs
Bartone

160 cm
24
132 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

182 cm
20
157 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiruki Nakeda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vince Bartone!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakeda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nakeda misses with a head kick.
Bartone lands with a hook. Nakeda tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nakeda takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Bartone fails with a takedown attempt.
Nakeda throws a sloppy head kick and Bartone moves out of range easily.
Vince Bartone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakeda tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakeda doesn't manage to clinch there - Bartone circles away.
Nakeda misses with a wild body shot.
Nakeda takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A right-left combo lands from Bartone.
Nakeda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nakeda steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bartone. That one must have hurt.
Nakeda throws a lazy body kick
and Bartone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakeda showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bartone.
Nakeda walks into a straight right hand from Bartone.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartone misses with a two punch combination.
Bartone chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nakeda can pounce on him.
Nakeda fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bartone checks it well.
Nakeda misses with a jab to the body
and Bartone makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bartone scores with a one two! Nakeda had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bartone lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nakeda backs up against the ropes.
Bartone fails with a takedown attempt.
Bartone avoids the head kick by Nakeda.

Bartone shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nakeda wants to sweep but no luck.
Nakeda working a defensive guard here.
Bartone scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Bartone is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bartone thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nakeda knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bartone on the ground.

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

Nakeda looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bartone thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nakeda tries to close the distance and clinch but Bartone swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nakeda gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bartone.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bartone is defended easily by Nakeda.
Hiruki Nakeda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vince Bartone.
Bartone throws a leg kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakeda clinches but Bartone breaks the clinch
and Bartone counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Bartone.
Nakeda tries to clinch up but Bartone circles away and keeps his distance.
Nakeda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice body kick there by Nakeda.
Bartone lands with a nice body punch.
Bartone lands with a cross.
Nakeda is looking to clinch.
Nakeda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nakeda walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Good work by Bartone as he checks the leg kick.
Nakeda fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nakeda with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bartone throws a series of punches but Nakeda avoids them all with ease.
Nakeda throws a head kick that misses.
Nakeda throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bartone throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Bartone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bartone throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nakeda fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bartone keeps the fight on the outside.
Bartone stuns Nakeda with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bartone throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bartone fails to land with a series of punches.
Nakeda misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nakeda avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from Bartone.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vince Bartone dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bartone throws a series of punches but Nakeda moves out of range.
Nakeda throws a head kick that misses.
A clash of legs there as Bartone blocks the low kick.
Bartone shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bartone avoids the head kick by Nakeda.
Nakeda throws a head kick that misses
and Bartone counters with a good low kick that Nakeda was not able to check.
Nakeda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bartone swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nakeda throws a body kick that misses.
Bartone has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nakeda slips a jab and a cross from Bartone.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartone throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nakeda tries to clinch but Bartone is having none of it.
A low kick from Nakeda misses
and Bartone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakeda closes the distance but Bartone moves to the side
and Bartone counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakeda misses with a head kick.
Nakeda dodges the punch combination from Bartone.
A head kick by Nakeda misses
and Bartone counters with a nice uppercut.
Bartone connects with the punch.
Nakeda looks for the body kick but Bartone saw that one coming.
Nakeda throws a head kick that misses
and Bartone counters with a series of strikes. Nakeda will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bartone, right into the meat.
Nakeda tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Bartone paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bartone uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nakeda.
Bartone misses with the combination.

Nakeda drives through and clinches with Bartone against the ropes.
Nakeda tries to land a knee to the head but Bartone blocks with his arms.

Nakeda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bartone throws a one two combo.
Nakeda throws a lazy head kick
and Bartone counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakeda misses with a head kick.
Bartone misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bartone blocks a head kick by Nakeda.
Bartone connects with a right hand. Nakeda shakes it off.
Bartone throws a shot to the body.
Bartone keeps the fight on the outside.
Vince Bartone is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bartone swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A jab from Bartone does it's job there.
Nakeda goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nakeda looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nakeda is looking to land body kicks.
Bartone takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Bartone!
Bartone throws a right hand that Nakeda ducks under and follows up with a left that Nakeda also avoids with ease.
Nakeda goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakeda fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bartone misses with a few strikes there.
Bartone scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Bartone thuds his right hand into Nakeda's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Nakeda scores with a nice body kick.
Bartone connects with a right hand. Nakeda shakes it off.
Nakeda fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nakeda throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bartone with a jab.
Bartone shoots for a double leg takedown but Nakeda sprawls well. He's pushed Bartone's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nakeda showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bartone.

Nakeda closes the distance and pushes Bartone back into the ropes.

Nakeda breaks from the clinch.
Hiruki Nakeda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bartone is defended easily by Nakeda.
Hiruki Nakeda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vince Bartone.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakeda walks into a left hand.
Nakeda throws a sloppy head kick
and Bartone counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nakeda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nakeda misses with an attempted mid kick.
Bartone looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nakeda is fending him off so far but Bartone persists. Nope, Nakeda circles away and we're back to standing.
Nakeda throws a leg kick but Bartone sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nakeda throws a lazy right hand but Bartone sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vince Bartone seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick misses from Nakeda.
Bartone scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nakeda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bartone.
Nakeda misses with a wild body shot.
Jab by Bartone.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vince Bartone will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Bartone displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Nakeda tries to land a front kick but Bartone steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nakeda throws a sloppy head kick
and Bartone counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nakeda thinking.
Nakeda with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nakeda tries to clinch but Bartone is having none of it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nakeda. That's going to slow Bartone down.
Nakeda throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bartone.
Bartone is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bartone stalks Nakeda and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nakeda's face. Nakeda staggers backwards, shaken.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bartone.
Bartone takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nakeda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bartone swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nakeda throws a lazy head kick
and Bartone makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Bartone displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bartone throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartone looks to land a combination. Nakeda sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A head kick by Nakeda misses
and Bartone counters with a stiff right hand.
Bartone lands with a nice combination. Nakeda backs away looking to recover.
Nakeda stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nakeda wants it to stay on the feet.
Bartone changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nakeda tries to avoid it but Bartone manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nakeda to the ground. Nakeda escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bartone takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakeda throws a body kick that misses.
Nakeda lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bartone's sensitive parts.
Bartone throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bartone misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bartone misses with a two punch combination.
Bartone dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nakeda. That did some damage!
Nakeda misses with a head kick.
Bartone throws a leg kick which misses Nakeda's front leg but catches the back leg as Nakeda tries to avoid it.
Bartone closes the distance and clinches up with Nakeda, looking for a takedown. Bartone pushes Nakeda against the ropes but Nakeda circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hiruki Nakeda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vince Bartone.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartone rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nakeda moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Nakeda takes the fight into the clinch.
Bartone looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Nakeda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bartone lands with a nice combination. Nakeda backs away looking to recover.
Nakeda throws a sloppy head kick and Bartone moves out of range easily.
The crowd cheers as Bartone lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nakeda doesn't seem phased though.
A head kick by Nakeda misses
enabling Bartone to counter with a crisp jab.
Nakeda moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Nakeda throws a head kick but Bartone moves out of range.
Nakeda misses with a body kick.
Nakeda tries a head kick but it misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Bartone looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakeda throws a head kick that misses.
Nakeda tries to clinch up.
Bartone looks to land a combination. Nakeda sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Bartone is working the combinations to good effect here.
Bartone throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bartone misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nakeda misses with a head kick.
Nakeda throws a wild body kick that Bartone sees coming a mile off.
A right-left combo lands from Bartone.
Bartone swats away the attempt to clinch by Nakeda.
Jab from Bartone.
Nakeda throws a lazy head kick
and Bartone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakeda takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Vince Bartone is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bartone 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.

Nakeda instigates a clinch.

Nakeda manages to break the clinch.
Nakeda misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Bartone counters with a two punch combo.
Nakeda tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nakeda tries to clinch up.
Nakeda is looking to wear down Bartone with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bartone feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Nakeda's calf.
Nakeda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bartone.
Bartone scores with a decent looking hook.
Nakeda leaves Bartone with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bartone dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nakeda. That did some damage!
Hiruki Nakeda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bartone blocks a leg kick.
Nakeda looks to throw a body kick
and Bartone counters with a straight right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hiruki Nakeda showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bartone has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vince Bartone!