PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Momoshiro Kitsune (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yusuke Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kitsune might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 僕はミス・テイク～. Nakamura has chosen Movado - Neva Believe U as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kitsune
vs
Nakamura

160 cm
24
152 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

173 cm
25
158 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Momoshiro Kitsune!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yusuke Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Kenichi Hosakawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kitsune shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakamura pinned against the cage. Nakamura gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Nakamura closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kitsune looking for a takedown.
Kitsune tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Momoshiro Kitsune. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kitsune drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kitsune is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Nakamura can't fight it off and eventually Kitsune manages to take the fight to the floor. Nakamura looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Nakamura escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kitsune gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Nakamura pushes Kitsune off and gets back to his feet.
Momoshiro Kitsune seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakamura avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakamura has closed the distance and engaged Kitsune in a clinch.
Kitsune can't get the takedown.
Nakamura is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kitsune wants a takedown but no success here.

Kitsune pulls guard.
Nakamura is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Kitsune working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nakamura doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nakamura manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nakamura is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Yusuke Nakamura hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nakamura swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kitsune.
Horrible takedown by Kitsune or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakamura which made him look bad.
Nakamura swinging wildly here.
Nakamura lands a really nice looking cross but Kitsune seems unphased.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kitsune misses with a takedown attempt - Nakamura sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nakamura lands with a shot to the body.

Nakamura moves into the clinch.
Kitsune drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nakamura pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nakamura throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura thuds a left hand into Kitsune's body.
Nakamura pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kitsune looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Nakamura closes the distance and clinches.
Kitsune has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nakamura is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kitsune tries to score a body lock takedown but Nakamura shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kitsune has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nakamura avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kitsune changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nakamura fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kitsune misses with a takedown attempt
and Nakamura counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kitsune tries to clinch up but Nakamura circles away and keeps his distance.
Nakamura misses with a few strikes there.

Nakamura moves into the clinch.
Nakamura is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Nakamura jumps into guard, dragging Kitsune to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

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

Nakamura escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kitsune gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakamura looking to control.
Nakamura preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kitsune throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakamura works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nakamura trying to control the position here.
Kitsune might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kitsune stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakamura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Kitsune from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yusuke Nakamura 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.

Nakamura lands with a right hand.
Nakamura clobbers Kitsune with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kitsune uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nakamura.

Nakamura gets the takedown into side control.
Nakamura scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kitsune tries to buck Nakamura off but Nakamura is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nakamura decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Kitsune shoots in but no luck this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakamura feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kitsune's calf.
Nakamura with a jab.
Kitsune is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nakamura.

It looks like Momoshiro Kitsune has been cut.
Nakamura swings for the body but Kitsune moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakamura closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kitsune is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kitsune can't do much from the bottom here.
Kitsune is looking to regain half guard here but Nakamura keeps moving and retains side control.
Nakamura controlling from side mount.
Kitsune tries to buck Nakamura off but Nakamura is having none of it.
Nakamura taking a breather here.
Yusuke Nakamura has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Yusuke Nakamura wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nakamura cracks a nice hook into Kitsune's ribs.
Kitsune shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nakamura counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Kitsune gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakamura struggling a bit here.
Kitsune tries to score with some ground and pound. Nakamura controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kitsune working the head with strikes.
Nakamura is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura wants to improve his position but Kitsune is controlling well.
Nakamura gets full guard.
Kitsune is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakamura has wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nakamura is on top in guard.
Kitsune wants to stand up but Nakamura is controlling him.

Nakamura got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kitsune has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakamura has managed to get both his arms back between Kitsune's legs - danger averted.
Nakamura lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Kitsune is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nakamura is aware though and is defending well.
Nakamura working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nakamura content to stall in guard here.
Kitsune throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura 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.
Nakamura has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kitsune is proving hard to escape from.
Kitsune is trying to control the position but Nakamura postures up.
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!
Nakamura stays in close to Kitsune's body and controls the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A cross from Nakamura lands.

Kitsune shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nakamura is trying to control the position but Kitsune postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nakamura working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kitsune.
Kitsune throwing strikes from guard but Nakamura blocks nicely.

Nakamura is looking for a triangle but Kitsune pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yusuke Nakamura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Momoshiro Kitsune's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nakamura fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kitsune on the side of the head.
A punch combination from Nakamura misses.
Kitsune misses with a takedown attempt - Nakamura sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Nakamura scores with a takedown into Kitsune's guard.
Kitsune trying to keep a closed guard but Nakamura is proving a slippery customer.

Kitsune throws his legs up looking for a submission but Nakamura uses it to pass to side control.
Nakamura landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Nakamura is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Kitsune will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Nakamura working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Kitsune is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura cracks Kitsune with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nakamura controlling from side mount.
Kitsune tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Nakamura stalls from top position.
Kitsune struggling a bit here.
Kitsune tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nakamura wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nakamura works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitsune is trying to control Nakamura's posture but Nakamura avoids it.

Nakamura decides to stand back up.
Kitsune takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Some wild striking there from Nakamura.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kitsune misses with a takedown attempt
and Nakamura cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Nakamura gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakamura staying calm.

Nakamura decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kitsune to his feet.
Nakamura is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Nakamura throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kitsune on the side of the head.
Momoshiro Kitsune has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nakamura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kitsune sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitsune tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nakamura sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kitsune somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Momoshiro Kitsune. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nakamura shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kitsune eats them both and turns towards Nakamura to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kitsune doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nakamura has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

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

Kitsune is fighting off a takedown attempt but Nakamura is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kitsune to the mat. Kitsune regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nakamura engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Nakamura got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kitsune has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakamura has managed to get both his arms back between Kitsune's legs - danger averted.
Yusuke Nakamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Kitsune is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nakamura is aware though and is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kitsune can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nakamura controls the pace.

Kitsune escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nakamura gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kitsune is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nakamura defends well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nakamura is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yusuke Nakamura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nakamura 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Yusuke Nakamura!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Yusuke Nakamura!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Yusuke Nakamura!

Yusuke Nakamura wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Yusuke Nakamura thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.