PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshihiro Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forza Gr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yoshihiro Nakamura has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Nakamura
vs
Gr

186 cm
21
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
18
190 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Forza Gr!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nakamura closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nakamura lands in his opponent's guard.
Gr wants to sweep but no luck.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Gr keeps moving.
Nakamura preventing the sweep.
Nakamura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gr works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nakamura knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gr on the ground.
Nakamura wants to pass the guard but Gr is keeping the position.
Gr punching from the bottom - just letting Nakamura know he's still in a fight.

Gr throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Gr keeps moving.
Gr should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Gr controlling the position.

Nakamura gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Nakamura bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gr looks gassed!
Gr is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakamura working away.
Nakamura trying to control the position but Gr is working away.

Nakamura decides to stand back up.

Nakamura looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Gr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gr.

Nakamura stands and steps away. Gr gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Gr drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Nakamura takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Nakamura prevents Gr from improving position.
Nakamura is looking for a sweep.
Nakamura wants to control but Gr postures up.
Nakamura manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gr's best efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura looks like he's trying to stand up.
Gr scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Nakamura is trying to get back to full guard.
Nakamura is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nakamura is trying to control but can't.

Gr is looking for a kimura here.
Gr has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nakamura gets back to full guard.
Nakamura trying to keep a closed guard but Gr is proving a slippery customer.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Gr from controlling successfully.
Nakamura looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gr stopping the sweep attempt from Nakamura.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gr's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gr trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakamura can't keep his opponent in guard - Gr advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nakamura is controlling Gr's trapped leg to prevent Gr from advancing to side control.
Nakamura is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Gr seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nakamura does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gr missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gr wants to take a breather but Nakamura is having none of it.
Nakamura has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gr is working away from the top position though.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gr fails with the takedown
and Nakamura counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Nakamura shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gr is working to get back to half guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Gr has eaten all the pies!

Nakamura wants to finish this one by submission but Gr is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Nakamura.
Gr looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Nakamura wants to control but Gr is keeping busy.
Nakamura is trying to stick to Gr's back but Gr is turning into Nakamura. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Nakamura's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gr.
Nakamura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakamura throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Nakamura is looking to stand up but Gr isn't so interested in that idea.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gr with a poor takedown
and Nakamura counters with a three punch combo that has Gr backing up. Gr nods at Nakamura to acknowledge the strikes.
Forza Gr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gr misses with a takedown attempt

and Nakamura counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gr's guard now.
Yoshihiro Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forza Gr.
Gr tries to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Nakamura dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nakamura looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Gr looking for a sweep. Not yet Gr, not yet.
Gr is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Gr has his foot on Nakamura's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nakamura works his way back into a safe position though.
Nakamura trying to control the position from guard on top but Gr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakamura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gr is keeping the position for now.
Nakamura is fighting to break Gr's control of his arms but Gr is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Nakamura postures up.
Nakamura trying to control but Gr is working from the bottom.
Nakamura won't allow Gr to sweep him here.
Nakamura will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nakamura postures up in Gr's guard and throws a big left but Gr blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gr is on top in guard.
Gr advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gr throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Nakamura tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nakamura can't do much from the bottom here.
Nakamura is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Gr is looking to take a break and control but Nakamura is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nakamura is trying to control Gr's posture but Gr avoids it.
Gr trying to control the action but Nakamura is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Nakamura gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nakamura avoiding damage.

Nakamura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gr shoots and misses

and Nakamura moves into the clinch.

Nakamura gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Gr tries to strike from the bottom.
Gr controls Nakamura momentarily but Nakamura frees himself.
Nakamura trying to control but Gr is working from the bottom.
Nakamura preventing the sweep.
Nakamura sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nakamura would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gr wants to sweep here but Nakamura controlling him for the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Gr feints and as Nakamura raises his hands in defense, Gr changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Gr cracks Nakamura with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is trying to keep Gr in close.
Nakamura wants to stand and escape but Gr is having none of it.
Gr with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nakamura managing to control the position.
Gr looking to pass the guard.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Gr from controlling successfully.

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

Nakamura moves into the clinch.
Gr has Nakamura pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nakamura manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Nakamura tightens his grip and picks Gr up, before dumping him to the ground. Gr manages to land in guard.
Yoshihiro Nakamura overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nakamura with a nice head shot there.
Nakamura throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gr trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Gr trying to keep a closed guard but Nakamura is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gr looking for a guillotine here but Nakamura defends easily.
Nakamura trying to control but Gr is working from the bottom.
Gr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakamura is one step ahead there.
Gr controls Nakamura momentarily but Nakamura frees himself.

Nakamura stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Gr with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nakamura counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gr won't be happy with that.
Yoshihiro Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forza Gr.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gr is looking to regain half guard here but Nakamura keeps moving and retains side control.
Gr is not content to let Nakamura control the position.
Nakamura working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoshihiro Nakamura dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nakamura fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gr, pushing him back against the cage.
Gr tries to pull guard but Nakamura won't allow it.
Gr tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nakamura just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gr has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nakamura is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Yoshihiro Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forza Gr.
Gr goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nakamura prevents it.
Gr tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakamura smiles and moves away.

Nakamura shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nakamura was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nakamura misses with a head shot.
Nakamura controlling from mount.
Nakamura's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gr tries to hold on but Nakamura pushes him away.
Nakamura landing strikes from the mount and Gr is in trouble!
Gr wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Nakamura.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakamura stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.

Nakamura closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nakamura lands in his opponent's guard.
Gr scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Gr keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Nakamura loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nakamura has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Gr has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nakamura can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gr tries to strike from the bottom.
Gr looking to control.
Nakamura trying to control but Gr is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura throwing strikes from guard but Gr blocks nicely.

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

Nakamura drives through with a takedown into guard.
Nakamura trying to control but Gr is working from the bottom.
Nakamura throws a big right hand that misses.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Gr keeps moving.
Nakamura looking to pass the guard.
Gr looking for a sweep. Not yet Gr, not yet.
Gr throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Gr throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Nakamura closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nakamura lands in his opponent's guard.
Nakamura trying to control the position from guard on top but Gr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gr tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Gr working for a triangle but Nakamura defends it easily.

Gr working for a triangle but Nakamura defends it easily.
Nakamura with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nakamura showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gr keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Nakamura showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gr working a defensive guard but Nakamura manages to pass into side control anyway.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gr is looking for a sweep.
Gr is not content to let Nakamura control the position.
Gr wants to control but Nakamura postures up.

Nakamura decides to stand back up.
Gr misses with a takedown

and Nakamura counters with a takedown into side control.

Nakamura wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Gr, who protects the arm well.
Gr manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakamura is pressing down on Gr's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gr is holding on for now.
Nakamura controlling the pace.
Forza Gr has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Yoshihiro Nakamura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nakamura 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yoshihiro Nakamura!