PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pikku Nakarainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nakarainen comes to the cage accompanied by Juice Leskinen - Vaasankin veri vapisee. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nakarainen
vs
Higashikuni

152 cm
25
145 lbs
15 - 4 - 2

162 cm
24
146 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brute

- Elite Fighter© + Laundry
Brute

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 15 - 4 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Pikku Nakarainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Katsu Higashikuni!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Nakarainen misses.
Higashikuni comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice cross by Nakarainen.

Nakarainen drives through with a takedown into Higashikuni's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nakarainen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Higashikuni looking for a sweep. Not yet Higashikuni, not yet.

Higashikuni throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Higashikuni is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Higashikuni has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nakarainen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakarainen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakarainen is in close to Higashikuni's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higashikuni throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nakarainen advances position into side control!
Higashikuni is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakarainen stalling away here and it's allowed Higashikuni to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Nakarainen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Higashikuni working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nakarainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nakarainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nakarainen trying to control but Higashikuni is working from the bottom.
Higashikuni working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni wants to sweep here but Nakarainen controlling him for the moment.
Higashikuni keeping moving, preventing Nakarainen from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Higashikuni is on top in guard.
Nakarainen keeping full guard, as Higashikuni tries to pass.
Nakarainen controlling Higashikuni's posture.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Higashikuni pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakarainen is keeping the position for now.
Higashikuni trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakarainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni with a flurry of punches that miss.
Higashikuni advances to half guard.
Higashikuni tries to pass to full mount but Nakarainen defends it.
Nakarainen moves into full guard.
Nakarainen trying to control the position.
Nakarainen is adopting a defensive guard.
Higashikuni scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni looking to sit in guard and control but Nakarainen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakarainen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Higashikuni swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Nakarainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nakarainen trying to control but Higashikuni is working from the bottom.
Nakarainen preventing the sweep.
Nakarainen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Higashikuni swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nakarainen stopping the sweep attempt from Higashikuni.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakarainen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Higashikuni swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni working a defensive guard here.
Nakarainen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nakarainen lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Higashikuni down.
Higashikuni manages to get back to half guard.
Nakarainen not doing much here.
Nakarainen working the head and body with strikes.
Nakarainen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Nakarainen winds up and cracks Higashikuni with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Higashikuni manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nakarainen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nakarainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nakarainen trying to control but Higashikuni is working from the bottom.
Nakarainen advances position into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nakarainen scores with a couple of short elbows.

Nakarainen is trying to get an arm triangle but Higashikuni is defending well.
Nakarainen trying to control the action but Higashikuni is working from the bottom.
Higashikuni gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Higashikuni wants to get back to full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nakarainen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nakarainen trying to control but Higashikuni is working from the bottom.
Nakarainen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nakarainen stopping the sweep attempt from Higashikuni.
Nakarainen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nakarainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Higashikuni is keeping the position for now.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni can't keep his opponent in guard - Nakarainen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nakarainen 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.
Higashikuni tries to get to full guard but Nakarainen has control of the leg.
Nakarainen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Higashikuni keeps working.
Nakarainen works his way into side control.
Nakarainen tries to move into full mount but can't pass Higashikuni's legs.
Nakarainen in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Higashikuni is looking for a sweep.
Higashikuni is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nakarainen tries to advance to mount but Higashikuni denies him.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Nakarainen is looking to take a break and control but Higashikuni is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Higashikuni sneaks back into half guard.
Higashikuni tries to get to full guard but Nakarainen has control of the leg.

Nakarainen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Higashikuni is just riding it out for now. Nakarainen eventually gives up the hold.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nakarainen prevents Higashikuni from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pikku Nakarainen dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Higashikuni takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nakarainen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Higashikuni changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nakarainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Higashikuni looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nakarainen misses with a low kick.
Nakarainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Higashikuni connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nakarainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Higashikuni throws a low kick but Nakarainen avoids it.
Nakarainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nakarainen tries to land a leg kick but Higashikuni saw it coming and moves away.
Nakarainen misses with a body kick.
Higashikuni blocks a jab.
Horrible takedown by Higashikuni or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakarainen which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni stuns Nakarainen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nakarainen feints and then cracks Higashikuni's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Higashikuni down.
Higashikuni moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Higashikuni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Higashikuni gets a takedown into half guard.
Higashikuni is looking to advance position but Nakarainen won't allow it.
Higashikuni stalling.
Nakarainen trying to control here.
Higashikuni has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakarainen wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni landing shots from mount.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Higashikuni dominating with strikes here.
Nakarainen is desperately trying to improve his position but Higashikuni has a good base and remains in mount.
Higashikuni lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Higashikuni unloads with some shots from mount but Nakarainen bucks and avoids them well.
Nakarainen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Nakarainen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Higashikuni's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni wants to improve his position but Nakarainen is controlling well.
Nakarainen is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Nakarainen wants to pass the guard but Higashikuni is keeping the position.
Higashikuni is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Higashikuni wants to pass the guard but Nakarainen is defending well.
Katsu Higashikuni has got the better of the ground game so far.
Higashikuni moves nicely into side control.
Nakarainen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakarainen trying to control but Higashikuni postures up.
Nakarainen is holding on to half guard well.
Higashikuni sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nakarainen defending well though.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Higashikuni lands a nice short elbow.
Higashikuni is trying to control. Nakarainen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Higashikuni missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higashikuni thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nakarainen's head.
Higashikuni missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Higashikuni works his way into full mount!
Nakarainen is trying to escape the mount.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Higashikuni connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Nakarainen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Higashikuni putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Higashikuni landing strikes from the mount and Nakarainen is in trouble!
Higashikuni lands a nice shot to the head.
Higashikuni pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Nakarainen is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higashikuni lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Oh Nakarainen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Higashikuni avoids the attempt from Nakarainen to control.
Higashikuni landing strikes from the mount and Nakarainen is in trouble!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Higashikuni cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Higashikuni! Nakarainen is hurt baaadly! Higashikuni is firing away with more strikes - Nakarainen is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Katsu Higashikuni!
A relieved looking Katsu Higashikuni thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.