PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leko Pavicevic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shunsuke Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nakamura has chosen Bate pesadão as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pavicevic
vs
Nakamura

190 cm
21
219 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

185 cm
21
205 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Leko Pavicevic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shunsuke Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakamura scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pavicevic doesn't seem bothered though.
Nakamura lands the left hand.
Pavicevic shoots in for a takedown but Nakamura shows good takedown defense.
Pavicevic has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nakamura finds it's way round the side to connect with Pavicevic's head.
Pavicevic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nakamura defends it nicely.
Pavicevic is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nakamura.

Pavicevic gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Nakamura to score an easy takedown into full guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Pavicevic is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nakamura throwing strikes from guard but Pavicevic blocks nicely.
Nakamura landing some decent shots from guard.
Pavicevic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakamura is one step ahead there.
Nakamura in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Pavicevic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavicevic controlling Nakamura's posture.
Nakamura works over Pavicevic with some ground and pound from guard.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Pavicevic has wrist control.
Pavicevic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nakamura accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Pavicevic is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pavicevic trying to keep a closed guard but Nakamura is proving a slippery customer.
Nakamura loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nakamura throws a strike but Pavicevic rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nakamura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakamura striking off his back.
Nakamura tries to strike from the bottom.
Nakamura trying to strike off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura tries to strike from the bottom.
Pavicevic trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakamura doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Nakamura will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Nakamura tries to strike from the bottom.
Pavicevic pushes down on Nakamura's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Pavicevic looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Pavicevic 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.
Nakamura wants to get back to full guard.
Nakamura flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nakamura missing with punches from the bottom.
Pavicevic wants to control but Nakamura is keeping him busy.

Pavicevic is working for a submission of some sort.
Nakamura punching from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Pavicevic is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nakamura defends it well.
Pavicevic is breathing heavily.
Nakamura lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Nakamura tries to get to full guard but Pavicevic has control of the leg.
Nakamura manages to get to full guard.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Pavicevic from controlling successfully.
Nakamura thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Pavicevic trying to control but Nakamura is working from the bottom.
Nakamura trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Pavicevic from controlling successfully.
Nakamura throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

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.
Nakamura throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Pavicevic 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.
Nakamura trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Pavicevic advances to half guard.

Nakamura is defending against the submission attempts here by Pavicevic.
Nakamura misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Nakamura missing with punches from the bottom.
Nakamura throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Nakamura missing with punches from the bottom.
Nakamura won't allow Pavicevic to pass to mount.
Nakamura missing with punches from the bottom.
Nakamura is pressing down on Pavicevic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shunsuke Nakamura will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pavicevic misses with a head kick.
Pavicevic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Nakamura scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Nakamura throws a strike but Pavicevic avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Pavicevic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nakamura accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pavicevic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nakamura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakamura works over Pavicevic with some ground and pound from guard.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Pavicevic has wrist control.
Pavicevic 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.

Pavicevic is looking for a triangle but Nakamura pushes his legs off easily.
Nakamura postures up in Pavicevic's guard and throws a big left but Pavicevic blocks it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Pavicevic is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nakamura throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura is working Pavicevic over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nakamura in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Pavicevic is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nakamura defends well.
Nakamura stands up over Pavicevic, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nakamura connects with a couple of short punches.
Nakamura must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nakamura landing some decent shots from guard.
Nakamura throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nakamura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pavicevic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nakamura looking to pass the guard.
Nakamura postures up.
Nakamura with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura lands a couple of elbows.
Nakamura working some strikes from top position.
Pavicevic keeping full guard, as Nakamura tries to pass.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Pavicevic has wrist control.
Nakamura connects with a couple of short punches.
Nakamura throws and elbow that misses. Pavicevic uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nakamura's guard. Nice move by Pavicevic!

Pavicevic 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.
Shunsuke Nakamura has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Pavicevic from controlling successfully.
Pavicevic tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakamura is retaining full guard.
Nakamura lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Nakamura throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Pavicevic is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pavicevic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pavicevic wants to pass the guard but Nakamura is keeping the position.
Nakamura looking for a sweep. Not yet Nakamura, not yet.
Nakamura throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.

Pavicevic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nakamura thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Nakamura throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Nakamura throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Nakamura throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Pavicevic 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.
Nakamura thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

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 throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Nakamura striking off his back but it's not causing Pavicevic any problems.
Pavicevic trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakamura trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Nakamura wants to sweep but no luck.
Nakamura manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Nakamura scoring with strikes but Pavicevic is staying in there.
Nakamura lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Pavicevic is trying to escape the mount.
Pavicevic is working hard here to advance position.
Nakamura working Pavicevic over with strikes here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shunsuke Nakamura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pavicevic tries for a takedown but Nakamura sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Nakamura shoots in and bounces Pavicevic off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nakamura's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nakamura trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nakamura throws and elbow that misses. Pavicevic uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nakamura's guard. Nice move by Pavicevic!

Pavicevic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nakamura tries to strike from the bottom.
Nakamura will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Nakamura keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Nakamura tries to strike from the bottom.
Nakamura throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakamura with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Pavicevic can't handle though.
Nakamura throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Pavicevic wants to pass the guard but Nakamura is keeping the position.
Pavicevic is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavicevic works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nakamura missing with punches from the bottom.
Pavicevic not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nakamura is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nakamura flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Nakamura punching from the bottom.
Nakamura throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Pavicevic blocks the strikes from Nakamura.
Nakamura is not content to let Pavicevic control the position.

Pavicevic is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Pavicevic trying to pass the guard but Nakamura defending well.
Leko Pavicevic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shunsuke Nakamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nakamura is pressing down on Pavicevic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nakamura wants to sweep here but Pavicevic controlling him for the moment.
Pavicevic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nakamura is trying to control the position but Pavicevic postures up.

Pavicevic drops back looking for a leg! Nakamura is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nakamura manages to kick Pavicevic off! Pavicevic jumps back into Nakamura's guard.
Nakamura looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nakamura doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Nakamura controlling Pavicevic's posture.
Pavicevic is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pavicevic trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nakamura getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Pavicevic enables Nakamura to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Pavicevic manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nakamura accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nakamura working some strikes from top position.
Pavicevic has momentary wrist control but Nakamura slips an elbow through the middle.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Pavicevic keeps moving.
Pavicevic looking for a sweep. Not yet Pavicevic, not yet.
Pavicevic is trying to control the position but Nakamura postures up.
Nakamura trying to control the position from guard on top but Pavicevic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Horrible takedown by Pavicevic or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakamura which made him look bad.

Nakamura shoots in and gets a takedown into Pavicevic's guard.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Pavicevic has wrist control.
Pavicevic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nakamura works over Pavicevic with some ground and pound from guard.
Pavicevic keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Nakamura lands a couple of digs.
Nakamura is in close to Pavicevic's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nakamura loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nakamura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Pavicevic has wrist control.
Nakamura lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nakamura accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shunsuke Nakamura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nakamura 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

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