PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryosuke Takahashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoshihiro Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryosuke Takahashi has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Takahashi
vs
Nakamura

180 cm
25
185 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

187 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryosuke Takahashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yuuki Gou and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Takahashi is defended easily by Nakamura.

Nakamura has Takahashi up against the cage in a clinch.
Nakamura dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Takahashi jumps guard but Nakamura stands there with Takahashi around his waist. Takahashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Takahashi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryosuke Takahashi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Takahashi has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Nakamura uses from the top position.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.

Takahashi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nakamura is aware though and is defending well.

Takahashi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takahashi keeping full guard, as Nakamura tries to pass.

Takahashi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Takahashi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Takahashi keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Nakamura might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Takahashi kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Nakamura got a little sloppy there for a moment and Takahashi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakamura has managed to get both his arms back between Takahashi's legs - danger averted.
Takahashi is breathing heavily.
Nakamura is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura working some strikes from top position.
Nakamura trying to control but Takahashi is working from the bottom.
Nakamura controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Yoshihiro Nakamura.

Nakamura closes the distance and pushes Takahashi back into the cage.
Takahashi jumps guard but Nakamura stands there with Takahashi around his waist. Takahashi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nakamura holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Takahashi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakamura smiles and moves away.

Nakamura scores with a takedown into Takahashi's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura forces his way into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nakamura in particular looking to stall.
Nakamura is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nakamura wants to control but Takahashi is keeping him busy.
Nakamura throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nakamura controlling the action here.
Nakamura takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Takahashi is staying active underneath Nakamura, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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.

Nakamura is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Takahashi defends it well.

Takahashi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakamura pulls his head out easily.
Nakamura looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Takahashi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nakamura to the mat! Nakamura manages to get full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Takahashi from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nakamura can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Takahashi drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Takahashi seems to have locked his on tight now - Nakamura screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Takahashi, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Ryosuke Takahashi!