PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Leonard Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isamu Natsuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Washington comes to the cage accompanied by Snuffed Out by Streetlife. The key to victory for Leonard Washington has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Washington
vs
Natsuki

185 cm
36
220 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

190 cm
30
212 lbs
24 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Leonard Washington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Isamu Natsuki!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Steve Erwin and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Washington changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Washington on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Washington chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Natsuki can pounce on him.
Washington lands a nice looking body shot.
Washington works the jab nicely.
Washington throws a body punch but Natsuki moves out of range.

Natsuki scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Natsuki trying to control from half guard but Washington is working away.
Washington is looking for a sweep. Natsuki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Natsuki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Washington keeping hold of Natsuki's head, controlling as best he can.
Natsuki wants to free his trapped foot but Washington is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natsuki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Natsuki wants to pass the guard but Washington is defending well.
Washington has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Natsuki is working away from the top position though.
Natsuki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Natsuki content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Natsuki is looking to take a break and control but Washington is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Natsuki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Washington throws a hook but Natsuki avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington catches Natsuki with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Washington takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

It looks like Leonard Washington has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice leg kick lands there from Natsuki.
Washington tries to clinch up.
Washington takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Natsuki connects with an inside leg kick.
Washington chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Washington moves out of range of the strikes.
Natsuki ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Washington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Natsuki manages to avoid it.
Washington tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Natsuki was well out of range. Poor timing from Washington.
Natsuki lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Washington fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Natsuki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Isamu Natsuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Natsuki shoots for a double leg takedown but Washington sprawls well. He's pushed Natsuki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Natsuki lands a nice looking body kick.
Natsuki darts in looking for a takedown but Washington gets double underhooks and turns Natsuki into the cage.
Washington wants to stall.
I was talking to Washington's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Washington prevents a takedown attempt there.
Leonard Washington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isamu Natsuki.

Natsuki has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Washington uses from the top position.
Natsuki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Washington is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Natsuki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Washington is one step ahead there.
Natsuki is trying to keep Washington in close.
Washington has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Natsuki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Washington defends well.
Washington controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Washington trying to control but Natsuki is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Natsuki is trying to keep Washington in close.
Washington is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Natsuki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Washington doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Washington manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
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!
Washington pushing down on Natsuki's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isamu Natsuki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Leonard Washington's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A chopping leg kick lands by Natsuki.
Natsuki shoots for a double leg takedown but Washington sprawls well. He's pushed Natsuki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A solid body kick from Natsuki.
Natsuki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Washington swivels and escapes.

Washington has managed to clinch.
Washington misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Washington tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Natsuki tries to score a body lock takedown but Washington shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Leonard Washington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isamu Natsuki.

Washington successfully pulls guard.
Natsuki wants to control from the top but Washington keeps moving.
Natsuki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Washington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Washington working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington working a defensive guard but Natsuki manages to pass into side control anyway.
Sloppy strikes there by Natsuki.

Natsuki thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Washington is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Natsuki has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Washington prevents Natsuki from moving into mount.
My spies in Masaru Fighting Systems inform me that Natsuki has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Natsuki is putting a hurting on Washington here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington taking a bit of punishment here - Natsuki scoring with strikes.
Natsuki working the ground and pound but Washington is defending the strikes.
Washington is trying to improve his position.
Natsuki trying to control the position but Washington is working away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A bit of a lull in the action here.
Washington stops Natsuki from passing to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Washington wants to control but Natsuki postures up.
Washington trying to remain calm as Natsuki controls from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Natsuki trying to control the position but Washington is working away.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Natsuki throws a leg kick that misses.
Natsuki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Natsuki scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Natsuki lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Natsuki slips a jab from Washington.
Natsuki feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Washingtons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Isamu Natsuki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Washington misses the shot to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Washington checks a leg kick.
Natsuki looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Leonard Washington is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Natsuki moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washington walks into a left hand.
Washington showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Natsuki.
Washington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Natsuki manages to avoid it.
Natsuki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Natsuki moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Washington avoids the body shot from Natsuki.
Washington is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Natsuki lands a front kick.
Washington wants to clinch but Natsuki slips to the side

and Natsuki counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Washington's guard now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Natsuki looking to pass the guard.
Natsuki throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isamu Natsuki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Leonard Washington's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Natsuki connects with a leg kick. Washington looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Washington dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Natsuki throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Washington throws a body punch but Natsuki moves out of range.
Natsuki is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Washington.
Natsuki throws a leg kick but Washington sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Washington misses the target.
Washington pivots, looking for a leg kick but Natsuki is out of range and Washington settles back down.
Washington is looking to wear down Natsuki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Washington avoids the head kick by Natsuki.
Washington slips a straight right by Natsuki.
Washington fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Natsuki manages to avoid it.
Washington tries to clinch but Natsuki moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Natsuki feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Washington's calf.

Natsuki shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Washington's guard.
Natsuki trying to control but Washington is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Natsuki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Natsuki stands up over Washington, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Washington is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Natsuki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Washington is keeping the position for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Natsuki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Leonard Washington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Natsuki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Washington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Natsuki trying to control the position from guard on top but Washington is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Natsuki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Natsuki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Natsuki throws a big elbow that misses.
Natsuki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Natsuki pushing down on Washington's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington controlling the position well.
Natsuki slows the pace down in half guard.
Natsuki prevents Washington from improving his position.
Isamu Natsuki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Washington is refusing to be controlled, as Natsuki sits in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Washington manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Natsuki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Washington swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Washington is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Washington working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Natsuki.
Natsuki stays in close to Washington's body and controls the position.
Isamu Natsuki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Isamu Natsuki.
A clash of legs there as Washington blocks the low kick.
Good work by Washington as he checks the leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Washington lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Natsuki moves forwards but Washington connects with a nice, crisp jab.
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!
Nice shot by Washington.

And that's the end of the fight!
Isamu Natsuki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Natsuki winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isamu Natsuki!
Isamu Natsuki took some time post fight to say the following; 'First off to my man Don Afrika, Congrats on RCS 100 keep up the great work!! Now, Terrell I know we have been exchanging some harsh words leading up to this moment, so why stop now? You will never be able to swim with this shark!! '.