PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rory Espinoza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Akira Nakamura was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Espinoza
vs
Nakamura

179 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

187 cm
23
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rory Espinoza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Nakamura !
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Ren Mimura and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nakamura closes the distance and pushes Espinoza back into the cage.
Espinoza is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Nakamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nakamura rushes Espinoza and presses him up against the cage.
Nakamura scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nakamura is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Nakamura 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Espinoza slips a jab and a cross from Nakamura .

Espinoza darts in and clinches Nakamura up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Espinoza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Espinoza displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nakamura .
Espinoza stuffs the takedown attempt from Nakamura . Nakamura gets slowly back to his feet.
Espinoza changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rory Espinoza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Nakamura .

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakamura forces Espinoza back against the cage and clinches.
Nakamura jumps guard but Espinoza stands there with Nakamura around his waist. Nakamura gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Espinoza has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Nakamura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Nakamura closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Espinoza looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Nakamura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Nakamura has Espinoza up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is trying to drag Espinoza to the mat but Espinoza just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nakamura is looking for a takedown.
Nakamura lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Espinoza.
Nakamura landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Nakamura decides to pull guard.
Nakamura pulls Espinoza in close to prevent any damage.

Nakamura has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Espinoza off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Espinoza stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Espinoza wants it to stay on the feet.
Espinoza appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rory Espinoza is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nakamura shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Espinoza sprawls well. Espinoza wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nakamura gets slowly back to his feet.
Nakamura closes this distance looking for a takedown but Espinoza circles away.
Nakamura circles away from the clinch attempt.

Nakamura has closed the distance and engaged Espinoza in a clinch.
Espinoza misses with a punch to the body.
Espinoza can't break the clinch.
Nakamura is trying to pull guard but Espinoza turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza is trying to break the clinch but Nakamura is controlling him.
Nakamura tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Espinoza throws an elbow but misses.

Nakamura escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nakamura moves to clinch but Espinoza breaks away
and Espinoza counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakamura has his takedown stuffed

and Espinoza counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nakamura won't be happy with that.
Nakamura looks winded!
Espinoza is putting a hurting on Nakamura here, landing some big shots from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Akira Nakamura dominated that round.
That's time! Espinoza's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nakamura is looking to clinch.
Espinoza wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nakamura tries to clinch up but Espinoza circles away and keeps his distance.
Espinoza feinted with a counter takedown.
Nakamura tries to score a power double leg takedown but Espinoza sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nakamura somewhat.
Nakamura misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Espinoza feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamura tries to close the distance and clinch up but Espinoza swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nakamura is trying hard to land a takedown here. Espinoza sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Espinoza is looking to counter the offense by Nakamura and move into the clinch.
Rory Espinoza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Nakamura .
A looping hook to the body misses from Espinoza. Nakamura does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Espinoza gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nakamura tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Espinoza smiles and moves away.
Nakamura looks for a takedown but Espinoza sprawls well.
Nakamura is breathing heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Nakamura scores with a four punch combination!
A jab from Espinoza misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Nakamura ! But no joy.
Nakamura shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nakamura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Espinoza throws a quick counter head kick but Nakamura was just out of range.
Rory Espinoza is winning the standup battle so far.
Nakamura misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nakamura now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Espinoza forces Nakamura back against the cage and clinches.
Nakamura is looking to take this one to the mat.
Espinoza working hard to break the clinch.

Nakamura breaks the clinch.
Nakamura fails with a takedown attempt.
Espinoza feinted with a counter takedown.
Espinoza lunges at Nakamura with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nakamura 's hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza lands a nice hook to Nakamura 's body. Nakamura takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nakamura shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Espinoza as he jumps to the side.
A looping hook to the body misses from Espinoza. Nakamura does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nakamura wants to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nakamura is defended easily by Espinoza.
Espinoza attempts a counter takedown but Nakamura avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nakamura shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Espinoza pinned against the cage. Espinoza gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Espinoza appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Espinoza jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Espinoza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nakamura shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Espinoza defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Espinoza dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Espinoza doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakamura circles away.
Nakamura throws a counter combo.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nakamura shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Espinoza sprawls well. Espinoza wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nakamura gets slowly back to his feet.

Nakamura pushes Espinoza up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nakamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nakamura connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Espinoza. No joy for Nakamura on that attempt.

Espinoza has managed to clinch.
Nakamura is trying to drag Espinoza to the mat but Espinoza just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rory Espinoza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akira Nakamura .
Nakamura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakamura jumps guard but Espinoza stands there with Nakamura around his waist. Nakamura gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nakamura wants to take the fight to the mat but Espinoza manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Espinoza gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nakamura .
Espinoza stalling the fight.
Nakamura has Espinoza pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Espinoza manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Espinoza tries to throw a body punch but Nakamura avoids it by throwing Espinoza back against the cage.
Espinoza is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Espinoza can't break the clinch.
Nakamura keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Espinoza's efforts to push away.

Nakamura breaks the clinch.
Nakamura circles away from the clinch attempt.
Espinoza throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nakamura tries to clinch there but Espinoza circles away.
Espinoza half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Espinoza stuffs the takedown attempt from Nakamura . Nakamura gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Espinoza.
Nakamura goes for a double leg but Espinoza avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Espinoza continues to drive forward.
Espinoza looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Good exchange - Espinoza coming out on top.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nakamura looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nakamura darts in looking for a takedown but Espinoza gets double underhooks and turns Nakamura into the cage.
Nakamura looks to clinch
and Espinoza counters with a head kick.
Espinoza misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Espinoza. Those never looked like landing.
Espinoza misses with a body shot.

Nakamura clinches up with Espinoza and pushes him back against the cage.
Nakamura keeps control of Espinoza as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nakamura goes for a takedown attempt but Espinoza pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nakamura looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Espinoza half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Akira Nakamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Espinoza misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nakamura is looking to clinch but Espinoza is avoiding it.
Nakamura swats away the attempt to clinch by Espinoza.
Nakamura wants to counter with a clinch but Espinoza pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory Espinoza showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Espinoza has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory Espinoza!