PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yusuke Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicky Santoro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nakamura comes to the cage accompanied by Movado - Neva Believe U. Nicky Santoro told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Nakamura
vs
Santoro

173 cm
23
158 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

160 cm
21
150 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « Fatality MMA ↑ 5x160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yusuke Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nicky Santoro!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Sosuke Kotani and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakamura slips a jab from Santoro.

Santoro shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Nakamura napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Nakamura is trying to get back to half guard.
Nakamura manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Santoro missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Nakamura looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Santoro is thwarting Nakamura's attempts to control the position.
Santoro slows the pace down in half guard.
Santoro looks to land a strike but Nakamura avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakamura works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santoro throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Santoro tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakamura is retaining full guard.
Santoro works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Santoro lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Santoro prevents Nakamura from improving his position.
Well, if Santoro 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura wants to get back to his feet.
Santoro is looking to take a break and control but Nakamura is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Santoro working Nakamura over with strikes.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Santoro lands a nice short elbow.
Santoro looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
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!
Santoro 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 throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Nakamura tries to roll over but Santoro keeps him under control.

Santoro is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nakamura doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Santoro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura tries to roll over but Santoro keeps him under control.
Santoro working Nakamura over with strikes.
Santoro passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Nakamura!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Santoro looking to finish Nakamura with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nakamura!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is desperately trying to improve his position but Santoro has a good base and remains in mount.
Nakamura taking shots to the head.
Santoro landing strikes from the mount.
Santoro wants to control the pace but Nakamura is squirming around nicely.
Santoro landing strikes from the mount and Nakamura is in trouble!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nakamura in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Santoro lands a big shot there that rocks Nakamura but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Nakamura tries to reverse the position but Santoro maintains control.
Santoro has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nakamura throwing hammer fists to the chest of Santoro. What's that going to do exactly?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santoro working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Santoro wants to control the pace but Nakamura is squirming around nicely.
Santoro punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Santoro dominated that 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.

Santoro looks to land a left hand but Nakamura moved out of range nicely.
Santoro throws a jab but it's blocked by Nakamura.
Nakamura misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice jab there from Santoro.
Nakamura shoots in for a takedown but Santoro shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Santoro lands a jab to Nakamura's midsection.
Santoro just misses with a punch to the body.
Santoro tried to score with a low kick but Nakamura checks it.
Santoro scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nakamura doesn't seem bothered though.
Nakamura misses with a double jab.
Santoro fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakamura manages to avoid it.
Santoro just misses with a punch to the body.
Santoro throws a nice looking combination but Nakamura bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Santoro scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nakamura in his tracks.
Nakamura shoots in but Santoro avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yusuke Nakamura. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro dodges the punch combination from Nakamura.
Santoro scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nakamura in his tracks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nakamura.
Nakamura shoots in but no luck this time.

Santoro decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ground and pound from Santoro.
Still in half guard, Santoro seems content to control.
Ground and pound from Santoro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santoro controlling the action here.
Nakamura on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nicky Santoro has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santoro working over Nakamura with some ground and pound. Nakamura looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nakamura is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Nakamura is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Santoro's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Santoro's back!
Santoro wants to get back to his feet.
Santoro tries to roll but Nakamura sticks to his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Nakamura doesn't have the hooks in and Santoro manages to turn into his guard.
Santoro trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Santoro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Santoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakamura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santoro controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nicky Santoro.
Santoro stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Santoro wants it to stay on the feet.
Santoro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakamura will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura stuffs the takedown.
Santoro fails to land the takedown.
Nakamura changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Santoro tries to avoid it but Nakamura manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Santoro to the ground. Santoro escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Santoro fails with a takedown attempt.
Nakamura takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Nakamura shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Santoro is trying to defend but Nakamura finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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!
Santoro is staying active underneath Nakamura, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nakamura is thwarting Santoro's attempts to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Santoro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Nakamura's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Santoro shoots in looking for a takedown but Nakamura manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Santoro's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck for Santoro with that takedown attempt.
Yusuke Nakamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Nakamura. No joy for Santoro on that attempt.
Yusuke Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nicky Santoro.
Santoro tries to score with a low kick but Nakamura moves his leg out of the way.
Santoro stuffs the takedown.
Santoro shoots in looking for a takedown but Nakamura manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Santoro's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nakamura throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Santoro throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nakamura counters with a nice leg kick.
Nakamura shoots in for a double leg but Santoro sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nakamura shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Santoro as he avoids it easily.
Nakamura lands with a cross.
Santoro slips under a jab from Nakamura.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakamura gets a double leg takedown into Santoro's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Santoro wants to sweep here but Nakamura controlling him for the moment.
Santoro lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nakamura!
Santoro takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Nakamura is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Santoro controlling the position easily from mount.
Santoro can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nakamura is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santoro dominating with strikes here.
Nakamura holds on to Santoro around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Santoro content just to control the position here.
Santoro looking to control but Nakamura is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santoro breaks from Nakamura's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Santoro landing strikes from the mount and Nakamura is in trouble!
Nakamura is desperately trying to improve his position but Santoro has a good base and remains in mount.
Santoro fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Santoro controlling from the full mount.
Santoro tries to control but Nakamura wriggling away.
Nakamura wants to hold on but Santoro pushes him away.
Santoro is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Nakamura can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Yusuke Nakamura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
BOOM! Santoro connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Santoro looking to control but Nakamura is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Santoro sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nakamura takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Santoro can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nakamura is looking to escape.
Santoro working away from the top, dropping strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Santoro working for a guillotine from mount but Nakamura is in no mood to give up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicky Santoro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Santoro 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicky Santoro!
Nicky Santoro managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, [CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « Fatality MMA ↑ 5x160Q, into his post fight interview.