PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takaishi Minong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Nagasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Minong
vs
Nagasaki

172 cm
22
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

166 cm
20
140 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takaishi Minong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiro Nagasaki!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nagasaki misses with a few strikes there.
Nagasaki throws a series of punches but Minong moves out of range.
Nagasaki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Nagasaki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Minong moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Minong takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nagasaki misses with a wild combination.
Minong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nagasaki is fending him off so far but Minong persists. Nope, Nagasaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Nagasaki scores with a kick to the body.
Nagasaki throws a series of punches but Minong moves out of range.
Minong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Minong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Minong doesn't manage to clinch there - Nagasaki circles away.
Nagasaki tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice combination there by Nagasaki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagasaki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Minong tries for a takedown but Nagasaki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Minong misses with a head kick.
Nagasaki misses with a series of wild punches.
Nagasaki throws a sloppy head kick

and Minong counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Minong trying to control from half guard but Nagasaki is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minong prevents Nagasaki from standing back up.
Minong is looking to advance position but Nagasaki won't allow it.
Minong tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Nagasaki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Well, if Minong is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Minong throws a strike but Nagasaki avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Minong controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Nagasaki has his feet on Minong's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Some wild striking there from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki swinging wilding here.
Minong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nagasaki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nagasaki scores with a one two! Minong had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nagasaki misses with the combination.
Nagasaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nagasaki throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Minong moves into the clinch.

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.
A bit of stalling here from Minong.
Nagasaki wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nagasaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Minong won't allow it.
Nagasaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Minong won't allow it.
Nagasaki can't break the clinch.
Minong keeps control of Nagasaki as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nagasaki wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Minong has him pressed against the cage.

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

Minong changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nagasaki looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nagasaki looks gassed!
The referee asks Minong politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Minong prefers to stall for the moment though.
Minong in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Minong decides to stand back up.
Hiro Nagasaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Minong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takaishi Minong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nagasaki tries to bum rush Minong with a series of wild strikes but Minong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nagasaki tries to bum rush Minong with a series of wild strikes but Minong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nagasaki throws the kick towards the body but Minong avoids it.
Minong tries for a takedown but Nagasaki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nagasaki lands a nice looking body kick.

Minong clinches up against the cage.
Nagasaki wants to break the clinch but can't.

Nagasaki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nagasaki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Minong holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Nagasaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Minong won't allow it.
Minong controlling the action here for a moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Minong keeps control of Nagasaki as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nagasaki is trying to break the clinch but Minong has him pressed against the cage.
Minong is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Minong jumps guard.
Minong striking off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Minong wants to get back to his feet but Nagasaki is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minong is trying to keep Nagasaki in close.

Minong scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Nagasaki misses with an attempted mid kick.
Minong fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nagasaki checks it well.
Nagasaki throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Minong.
Nagasaki lands a nice looking kick to the body. Minong takes a step back to recover.
Minong fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's two 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.
Nagasaki thuds his shin into the meat of Minong's side.
A head kick misses from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki tries a head kick but it misses.
Minong takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nagasaki.
Danga de danga de dang - Nagasaki scores with a four punch combination!
Nagasaki throws the kick towards the body but Minong avoids it.

Minong changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nagasaki looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nagasaki pushes Minong away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Minong gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Minong creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nagasaki sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Minong slows the pace down.
Minong trying to control the position but Nagasaki is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki is letting Minong control him for a moment.
Nagasaki taking a bit of punishment here - Minong scoring with strikes.
Minong controlling from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minong'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.
Minong seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Nagasaki for as long as he can get away with.

Minong stands up and beckons Nagasaki to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takaishi Minong dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Minong throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Minong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Minong throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nagasaki's waist but Nagasaki gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Minong off to one side.
Nagasaki avoids the head kick by Minong.
Minong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nagasaki throws a combination that misses

and Minong moves into the clinch.
Minong fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takaishi Minong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nagasaki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nagasaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Minong won't allow it.
Nagasaki wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Minong has him pressed against the cage.
Minong keeps control of Nagasaki as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nagasaki wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Minong keeps control of Nagasaki as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Minong manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki throws a push kick but Minong slaps the foot to one side.
Minong moves in looking to clinch but Nagasaki pushes him off.
A head kick misses from Nagasaki.
Minong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minong gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Nagasaki regains guard.
Minong prevents Nagasaki from getting back to his feet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Minong's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Minong slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Nagasaki wants to stand up but Minong is controlling him.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nagasaki lands a high kick!
Nagasaki throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nagasaki misses with a two punch combination.
Nagasaki looks to land a combination but Minong avoids it well.
Minong wants to clinch up but Nagasaki keeps it at a distance.
Nagasaki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nagasaki misses with a low kick as Minong jumps back.
Nagasaki misses with a few strikes there.
Minong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nagasaki is fending him off so far but Minong persists. Nope, Nagasaki circles away and we're back to standing.
Nagasaki moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Minong lands with a thumping leg kick.
Minong fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Some wild striking there from Nagasaki.

Minong closes the distance and clinches.
Nagasaki prevents the takedown attempt.
Nagasaki is looking to break free of the clinch but Minong has double underhooks.
Nagasaki is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Minong breaks from the clinch.
Minong avoids the head kick by Nagasaki.
Nagasaki swats away the attempt to clinch by Minong.
Minong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Minong moves out of range of the body kick from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nagasaki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nagasaki lands a front kick.
Hiro Nagasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nagasaki throws a sloppy head kick and Minong moves out of range easily.
Minong will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Minong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Takaishi Minong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Minong fails to land the takedown.
Minong is looking to clinch.
Nagasaki lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A punch combination from Nagasaki misses.
Minong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nagasaki.

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.
Nagasaki scores with a one two! Minong had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nagasaki tries to bum rush Minong with a series of wild strikes but Minong uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Minong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nagasaki fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Minong.
Minong will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Minong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Minong tries to clinch but Nagasaki is having none of it.
Minong avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hiro Nagasaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Nagasaki. Minong shrugs it off though.
Nagasaki looks to land a combination but Minong avoids it well.
Minong wants to clinch up but Nagasaki keeps it at a distance.
Nagasaki throws a series of strikes that have Minong backpedaling.
Nagasaki throws a sloppy head kick and Minong moves out of range easily.
Minong shoots in but Nagasaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nagasaki misses with a double jab

and Minong counters by clinching up.

Minong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Minong tries for a takedown but Nagasaki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nagasaki throws a series of punches but Minong avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Takaishi Minong.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Minong, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takaishi Minong!