PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kenzo Nakata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reodfsenior Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Nakata
vs
Castro

180 cm
22
208 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
203 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Kenzo Nakata!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Reodfsenior Castro!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Daniel Bishop and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakata thuds a left hand into Castro's body.
Castro misses with a double jab.
Castro throws a series of punches but Nakata avoids them all with ease.
Castro scores with a jab to the head.
Nakata shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nakata thows a body shot but no joy.
Castro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nakata.
Castro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nakata.
Castro throws a looping overhand right but Nakata ducks down to avoid it.

Castro scores a takedown into full mount!
Nakata is trying to escape the mount.
Castro with a couple of short strikes.
Castro is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakata gets back to half guard.

Castro is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Castro is trying to work for a kimura but Nakata is defending well.
Nakata tries to get to full guard but Castro has control of the leg.
Nakata slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Nakata throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Nakata working for a triangle but Castro defends it easily.
Castro preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakata is working hard here to advance position.
Castro content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nakata wants to sweep here but Castro controlling him for the moment.
Castro trying to control but Nakata is working from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Castro decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nakata, up you get!
Nakata shoots in but Castro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenzo Nakata. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nakata is breathing heavily.
Nakata dodges the punch combination from Castro.
Castro gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nakata counters with a slapping leg kick.

Nakata scores a takedown into full mount!
Castro tries to reverse the position but Nakata maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Nakata with a couple of short strikes.
Castro in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Nakata landing strikes from the mount.
Castro is looking to get to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nakata fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Castro keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Nakata.
Castro is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Nakata punishing his opponent with strikes.
Nakata unloading with bombs!
Nakata scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nakata lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro working to try and regain half guard.
Nakata unloading with bombs!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castro throwing hammer fists to the chest of Nakata. What's that going to do exactly?
Nakata working the ground and pound effectively.
Nakata lands a big shot there that rocks Castro but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Castro wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Nakata has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Castro's face.
Castro is working to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castro wants to hold on but Nakata pushes him away.
Castro regains half guard.
Nakata landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenzo Nakata dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Some wild striking there from Castro.

Nakata shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Castro is trying to defend but Nakata finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Castro pushes Nakata off looking to stand but Nakata dives back in and keeps control.
Nakata slips a nice elbow through Castro's hands, connecting with Castro's forehead.

Castro is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakata pulls his head out easily.
Nakata throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nakata prevents Castro from standing back up.
Castro is pressing down on Nakata's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Castro is breathing heavily.
Nakata is in close to Castro's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nakata lands a couple of elbows.
Nakata connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakata postures up and lands a big shot to Castro's brow.

Castro manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Nakata changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Castro looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nakata in side control lands a decent elbow.
Castro is looking to reverse the position.
Nakata in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Nakata scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Castro to see if he's OK.
Castro is trying to buck Nakata off.
Nakata creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Nakata connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Castro some visible discomfort.
Castro tries to escape but Nakata is in control.
Nakata scores with punches from side control.
Castro is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Nakata is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakata lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Check out the look on Nakata's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Nakata is trying to get an arm triangle but Castro is defending well.
Nakata misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Castro is trying to control Nakata's posture but Nakata avoids it.
Nakata working the head and body with strikes.
Castro wants to control but Nakata postures up.
Castro managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nakata.
Castro manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Nakata stops Castro from getting back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nakata tries for a takedown but Castro circles away easily

and Castro counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nakata!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nakata is looking to escape.
Castro dominating with strikes here.
Nakata is looking to get to half guard.
Castro avoids the attempt from Nakata to control.
Castro scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nakata working to try and regain half guard.
BOOM! Castro connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nakata has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Castro trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nakata wants to hold on but Castro pushes him away.
Castro landing strikes from the mount and Nakata is in trouble!
Castro with shots to the head and body - Nakata looks very uncomfortable down there.
Castro looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Nakata is in all sorts of trouble here.
BOOM! Castro connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nakata tries to hold on but Castro postures up.
Castro landing shots from mount.
Castro breaks from Nakata's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Nakata regains half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakata wants to improve his position but Castro is controlling well.
Nice strikes from Castro there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Reodfsenior Castro will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Castro misses with a takedown

and Nakata counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Castro!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakata lands with some strikes.
Castro in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Castro squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Castro takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Castro tries to hold on but Nakata pushes him away.
Castro is looking to improve his position but Nakata isn't that keen on the idea.
Nakata lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Nakata with a couple of short strikes.
Castro gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakata thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Castro to regain full guard.

Castro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nakata doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nakata manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Castro is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nakata defends well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nakata's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nakata in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Castro working for a triangle but Nakata defends it easily.
Nakata postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nakata lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Nakata got a little sloppy there for a moment and Castro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakata has managed to get both his arms back between Castro's legs - danger averted.
Nakata lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nakata postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nakata thows a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Castro is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Castro prevents the takedown attempt.

Castro gets control of Nakata's arms and successfully pulls guard. Castro will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Castro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Castro not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kenzo Nakata overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nakata lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Castro is on top in guard.
Nakata tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Castro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Castro working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nakata is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nakata throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nakata thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Castro is pressing down on Nakata's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Castro punching from the bottom - just letting Nakata know he's still in a fight.
Nakata scoring with some ground and pound.
Nakata trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Castro manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Nakata controls Castro momentarily but Castro frees himself.
Nakata is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Castro stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Castro.
Nakata misses with a takedown attempt
and Castro counters with a nice low kick that buckles Nakata's knee momentarily.
Castro lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nakata throws a left and a right that both miss

and Castro decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Nakata's guard.
Castro thows a big elbow that misses.
Castro trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nakata's guard.
Nakata trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Castro has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nakata is proving hard to escape from.
Nakata lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Castro!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castro is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Castro misses with a head kick.
Nakata tries for a takedown but Castro circles away easily

and Castro counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Castro lands a nice short elbow.
Nakata is trying to get back to full guard.
Castro is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nakata moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nakata wants to sweep here but Castro controlling him for the moment.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Castro postures up and lands a big shot to Nakata's brow.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castro stands and steps away. Nakata gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Reodfsenior Castro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Castro lands with a straight right. Nakata didn't see that one coming.
Castro throws a series of punches but Nakata moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Nakata misses the target.
Castro throws a nice looking combination but Nakata bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Castro sizes up Nakata with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Castro stuffs the takedown attempt from Nakata. Nakata gets slowly back to his feet.
Castro misses with a few strikes there.

Nakata drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Castro throws Nakata to one side and escapes!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro lands a really nice looking cross but Nakata seems unphased.
Nakata looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenzo Nakata. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Castro drives through with a takedown into guard.

Nakata looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Nakata escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Castro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Castro gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Castro cracks a nice hook into Nakata's ribs.
Nakata gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Castro counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castro closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nakata to the mat! Nakata manages to get full guard.
Castro is looking to stand up but Nakata won't let him.
Castro trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakata is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakata looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Castro gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Castro lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nakata circles away quickly and effectively.

Nakata shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nakata is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Nakata got a little sloppy there for a moment and Castro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakata has managed to get both his arms back between Castro's legs - danger averted.
Nakata content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Castro kicks Nakata off and gets to his feet.
Nakata changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Castro tries to avoid it but Nakata manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Castro to the ground. Castro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakata takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nakata fails with the takedown
and Castro counters with a two punch combo.
Reodfsenior Castro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Castro throws a combination. Nakata tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

Nakata shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Castro is trying to defend but Nakata finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Castro kicks off Nakata and gets to his feet.
Nakata misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Castro.
Castro lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Castro gets the takedown into side control.
Castro lands a few punches from side control.
Nakata manages to get back to half guard.

Nakata looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reodfsenior Castro dominated that fourth 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Castro shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Castro was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nakata really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Castro with a couple of short strikes.
Nakata is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Castro wants to control the pace but Nakata is squirming around nicely.
Castro working Nakata over with strikes here.
Castro dominating with strikes here.
Castro in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
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.
Castro lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Nakata hang on?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro dominating with strikes here.
Castro prevents Nakata from getting the reversal.
Castro cracks Nakata with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Nakata is looking to improve his position but Castro isn't that keen on the idea.
Castro dominating with strikes here.
Castro dominating with strikes here.
Castro dominating with strikes here.
Nakata working to try and regain half guard.

Castro looking to secure an arm triangle but Nakata defends it well.
Castro is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Nakata that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Nakata is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Nakata in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Castro working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Castro lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Nakata hang on?
Nakata working to try and regain half guard.
Castro lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Castro looking to control but Nakata is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nakata is desperately trying to improve his position but Castro has a good base and remains in mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata taking shots to the head.
Nakata is desperately trying to improve his position but Castro has a good base and remains in mount.
Castro scoring with strikes but Nakata is staying in there.
Nakata is trying desperately to improve position.
Nakata tries to hold on but Castro postures up.

Castro has control of Nakata's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Nakata regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Castro landing punches.
Castro with good strikes from the mount here!
Kenzo Nakata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakata is looking to improve his position but Castro isn't that keen on the idea.
Nakata gets back to half guard.
Nakata works his way to full guard. Good work.
Castro with a nice head shot there.
Castro wants to get up but he can't break Nakata's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nakata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Castro decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Reodfsenior Castro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nakata fails to land with a series of punches.
Nakata misses with a takedown attempt

and Castro counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Castro avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Castro postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Reodfsenior Castro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Castro has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 46:49
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 46:49
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Reodfsenior Castro!
Reodfsenior Castro is the new light heavyweight champion!