PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Herald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hideki Nakamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Herald
vs
Nakamoto

190 cm
22
281 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
24
225 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Justin Herald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hideki Nakamoto!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herald fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nakamoto on the side of the head.
Nakamoto falls off balance throwing a combination
and Herald counters with a nice body shot.
Nakamoto misses with a lunging right hand
and Herald counters with a nice uppercut.
Nakamoto misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Herald counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nakamoto misses with a right hand
and Herald counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Herald drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Herald throwing strikes from guard but Nakamoto blocks nicely.
Herald stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakamoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Herald has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Herald wants to control from the top but Nakamoto keeps moving.
Herald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Herald looking to sit in guard and control but Nakamoto gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Herald keeping moving, preventing Nakamoto from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herald has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nakamoto off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Nakamoto doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Herald connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nakamoto shoots and misses
and Herald counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nakamoto looks gassed!
Nakamoto fails with the takedown
and Herald counters with a three punch combo that has Nakamoto backing up. Nakamoto nods at Herald to acknowledge the strikes.
Justin Herald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hideki Nakamoto.

Herald closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Herald lands in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herald is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Herald thows a big elbow that misses.
Herald postures up in Nakamoto's guard and throws a big left but Nakamoto blocks it.

Herald drops back looking for a leg! Nakamoto is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nakamoto manages to kick Herald off! Herald jumps back into Nakamoto's guard.
Nakamoto has momentary wrist control but Herald slips an elbow through the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herald scoring with punches to the head and body.
Herald postures up in Nakamoto's guard and throws a big left but Nakamoto blocks it.
Herald looking to pass the guard.
Nakamoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nakamoto wants to sweep but no luck.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nakamoto can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herald is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakamoto has wrist control.
Herald with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Herald landing some decent shots from guard.
Herald postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Herald with a flurry of punches that miss.
Herald thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Herald controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Nakamoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Herald in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nakamoto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Herald throwing strikes but missing.
Nakamoto keeping moving, preventing Herald from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herald trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Nakamoto manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Herald has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nakamoto off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Nakamoto tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Herald counters with a one-two to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nakamoto darts in trying to clinch
and Herald counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Herald dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nakamoto tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Herald counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nakamoto misses with a hook
and Herald counters with a series of strikes. Nakamoto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Nakamoto misses with a hook
and Herald counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nakamoto doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nakamoto throws a leg kick that is checked
and Herald counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Herald swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nakamoto.

Nakamoto is rocked!
Nakamoto misses with a hook
and Herald counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakamoto walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nakamoto is still on wobbly legs! Can Herald finish him?
Nakamoto is breathing heavily.
Herald ducks down into range and throws a picture perfect right hook that connects with Nakamoto's jaw. Nakamoto's eyes stare off into space as he falls to the mat, out cold! Herald does the decent thing and steps back, rather than landing any shots to his unconscious opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Justin Herald!