PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yuichiro Nagashima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kelly Axel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kelly Axel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nagashima
vs
Axel

179 cm
23
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuichiro Nagashima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kelly Axel!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axel fails with a takedown attempt.
Nagashima stuffs the takedown.
Nagashima throws a right and a left that both miss.
Axel shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nagashima sprawls well. Nagashima wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Axel gets slowly back to his feet.
Yuichiro Nagashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kelly Axel.
Nagashima misses with a few strikes there.
Nagashima displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Axel.

Nagashima closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Axel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nagashima gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot in the inside from Nagashima.
Axel goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nagashima prevents it.

Nagashima pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagashima lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Axel circles away quickly and effectively.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Axel is defended easily by Nagashima.
Axel looks gassed!
Nagashima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Nagashima clinches up with Axel and pushes him back against the cage.
Nagashima lands an uppercut.
Nagashima landing knees to the head.
Nagashima lands a body punch.
Nagashima lands an elbow inside.

Nagashima's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Axel shoots in for a takedown but Nagashima shows good takedown defense.

Nagashima closes the distance and clinches.
Nagashima lands an uppercut.
Nagashima scores with a shoulder strike.
Axel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nagashima breaks from the clinch.

Nagashima rushes Axel and presses him up against the cage.

Nagashima manages to break the clinch.
Axel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Nagashima has closed the distance and engaged Axel in a clinch.
Axel takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nagashima lands with a light punch inside.
Nagashima lands a damaging elbow.
Nagashima putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Axel in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nagashima scores with a shoulder strike.
Nagashima lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Axel's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right hook to the body lands for Nagashima.
Nagashima stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima tries a knee to the head but Axel blocks it.
Nagashima crunches a lovely knee into Axel's ribcage.
Nagashima throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Axels head.
Nagashima manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Axel fails with the takedown.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nagashima.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Axel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nagashima avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nagashima lands a hook to the side of the head.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Nagashima has taken the fight to the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nagashima.
Nagashima lands with a light punch inside.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Axel has a takedown stuffed.
Nagashima scores with a head kick.

Nagashima clinches up against the cage.
Nagashima lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nagashima lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Axel.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuichiro Nagashima dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kelly Axel's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Axel fails with a takedown attempt.

Nagashima darts in and clinches Axel up against the cage.
Nagashima tries a knee to the head but Axel blocks it.
Nagashima content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nagashima landing knees to the head.
Nagashima lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nagashima lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Axel backwards.
Nagashima using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Axel has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nagashima lands a damaging elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nagashima manages to break the clinch.

Nagashima clinches.
Nagashima presses Axel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nagashima unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Axel being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagashima doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nagashima swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nagashima avoiding damage.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice takedown defense from Nagashima. No joy for Axel on that attempt.
Axel shoots for a takedown but Nagashima saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Yuichiro Nagashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kelly Axel.
Axel shoots in looking for a takedown. Nagashima tries to sprawl out of it but Axel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nagashima manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Nagashima has managed to clinch.
Nagashima stalling against the cage.

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.
Nagashima is trying to break free.
Nagashima wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Axel has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nagashima is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Axel has Nagashima pressed against the cage, preventing Nagashima from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Nagashima breaks from the clinch.

Nagashima fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Axel, pushing him back against the cage.
Nagashima pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nagashima prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nagashima with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Axel is trying to drag Nagashima to the mat but Nagashima just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axel shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nagashima as he jumps to the side.

Nagashima takes the fight into the clinch.
Nagashima scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nagashima fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Axel wants a takedown but no success here.
Axel is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nagashima lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nagashima gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Axel.
Nagashima throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's four 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.
Axel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nagashima gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nagashima - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Axel tries to score a body lock takedown but Nagashima shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Nagashima manages to break the clinch.
Yuichiro Nagashima is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Axel darts in trying to clinch

and Nagashima counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Axel.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nagashima tries to land a knee to the head but Axel blocks with his arms.
Axel goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nagashima prevents it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuichiro Nagashima dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kelly Axel's cut.
That's time! Nagashima's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Axel with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nagashima counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nagashima.
Axel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nagashima gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nagashima is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Axel tries to score a body lock takedown but Nagashima shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Yuichiro Nagashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kelly Axel.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Axel fails with the takedown

and Nagashima counters by moving into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nagashima.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Nagashima lands a nice elbow.
Nagashima lands an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nagashima works on Axel's body with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nagashima manages to break the clinch.

Nagashima takes the fight into the clinch.
Nagashima tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Axel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Nagashima as the two fighters clinch.
Axel is trying to drag Nagashima to the mat but Nagashima just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Axel blocking some punches.
Nagashima gets underhooks to prevent Axel's takedown attempt.

Nagashima breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Axel throws a leg kick

and Nagashima holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Nagashima digs a right hand into Axel's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Axel's gas tank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima has had enough of the clinch but Axel keeps him there for the moment.
Axel tries for a takedown but Nagashima manages to get underhooks.
Nagashima lands a good knee to the midsection. Axel won't want to take too many of those.
Axel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nagashima gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nagashima prevents the takedown attempt.
A shot in the inside from Nagashima.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Axel has his takedown stuffed
and Nagashima counters with a three punch combo that has Axel backing up. Axel nods at Nagashima to acknowledge the strikes.
Axel tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Nagashima counters by moving into the clinch.
Axel has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nagashima avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nagashima looking to throw knees to the head but Axel is blocking nicely.

Nagashima breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Axel with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nagashima counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nagashima.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima connects with a nasty looking knee right to Axel's face.
Nagashima will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Axel up against the cage.
A knee to the head by Nagashima.
Nagashima is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Axel dodges an elbow strike from Nagashima.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nagashima.
Nagashima wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nagashima wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Axel has him pressed against the cage.
Axel goes for a takedown attempt but Nagashima pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Axel doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nagashima holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Yuichiro Nagashima is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four 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.
Axel shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Nagashima moves into the clinch.
Nagashima working aggressively here.
Nagashima working hard to break the clinch.
Nagashima stops a takedown attempt from Axel.

Nagashima's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Axel shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Nagashima counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nagashima.
Kelly Axel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nagashima has Axel pushed against the cage.
Nagashima tries to land a knee to the head but Axel blocks with his arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuichiro Nagashima showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nagashima 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:26
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuichiro Nagashima!