PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kyoji Kubota (ranked 3851 p4p, 175 weight class) and Pinched Nerve (ranked 4604 p4p, 203 weight class). Kubota's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Sweet Inspiration by Hiroshi Satoh. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kubota
vs
Nerve

173 cm
25
143 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

176 cm
19
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Urban Fighter
Knockdown Clothes

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kyoji Kubota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pinched Nerve!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Francis DeMontford and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nerve scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kubota doesn't seem bothered though.
Nerve connects with a body shot that sends Kubota's belly button to the back.
Nerve thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nerve misses with a body shot.
Nerve misses with a wild body shot.
Kubota closes the distance and clinches up with Nerve, looking for a takedown. Kubota pushes Nerve against the cage but Nerve circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nerve catches Kubota with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kubota throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kubota throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kubota works over Nerve's head and body with a nice combination.
Kubota takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kubota takes one to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nerve scores with a nice head shot.
Kubota is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nerve is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kubota.
Nerve throws a shot from downtown. Kubota moves away and avoids it.
Kubota gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nerve.
Kubota swinging wildly here.
Nerve scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nerve lands with an overhand left.
Nerve avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nerve is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kubota had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Nerve connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kubota shoots in but no luck this time.
Kubota closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
We've been hearing reports that Kubota has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Nerve uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kubota throws an overhand right that lands on Nerve's shoulder, as Nerve tries to avoid the shot.
A jab from Nerve does it's job there.
Nerve scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kubota is defended easily by Nerve.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyoji Kubota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kubota throws a right and a left that Nerve avoids nicely.
Kubota shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nerve eats them both and turns towards Kubota to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kubota takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nerve dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kubota has a takedown stuffed.
Pinched Nerve is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kubota or perhaps it was just good defense by Nerve, which made it look bad.
Kubota on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nerve lands with a shot to the body.
Kubota walks into a left hand.
Nerve scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kubota in his tracks.
Kubota connects with a high kick.
Nerve lands with a good body shot.
Kubota gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kubota shoots in for a takedown but Nerve shows good takedown defense.
Kubota is breathing heavily.
Nerve getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kubota dives in for a single leg takedown but Nerve sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Nerve moves into the clinch.
Nerve lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nerve lands a nice uppercut.
Nerve scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nerve lands an uppercut.
Nerve stops a takedown attempt from Kubota.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nerve lands a shoulder strike.
Kubota is trying to drag Nerve to the mat but Nerve just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nerve lands a hook that snaps the head of Kubota backwards.
Nerve scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kubota is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nerve is defending well.
Nerve lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short left from Nerve.
Kubota tries to score a body lock takedown but Nerve shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A short left from Nerve.
Nerve lands with a light punch inside.
Kubota dodges an elbow strike from Nerve.
Nerve prevents Kubota from breaking the clinch.
Nerve scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nerve lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kubota wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nerve has him pressed against the cage.
Nerve is pushing Kubota up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Kubota has clasped his hands together around Nerve's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nerve can't do much from the bottom here.
Nerve keeping his opponent close.
Nerve wants to control but Kubota postures up.
Kubota in the domination position with Nerve hanging on.
Kubota trying to control the action but Nerve is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kubota working away.
Nerve holding on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pinched Nerve 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.

Nerve with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kubota.
Nerve is trying to control Kubota's posture but Kubota avoids it.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Nerve tries to buck Kubota off but Kubota is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kubota throwing strikes but Nerve manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Kyoji Kubota overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kubota is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kubota seems a little lost for a moment, as Nerve dominates the positioning.
Kubota tries to improve position but can't.
You can see the frustration on Kubota's face as Nerve controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Let's hope that Nerve has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Kubota holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Kubota can't do much from the bottom here.
Nerve blocks the strikes from Kubota.
Kubota is being controlled here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kubota.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nerve struggling a bit here.
Nerve holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Kubota connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Nerve some visible discomfort.
Kubota wants to control but Nerve is keeping him busy.
Nerve tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kubota wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Nerve's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nerve gets back to half guard.
Nerve is positioning himself well to prevent Kubota advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kubota looking for a submission but Nerve manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Nerve seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kyoji Kubota will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nerve jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kyoji Kubota is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kubota staying out of range there.
Nerve misses with a looping left.
Kubota appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Kubota scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kubota is keen to just control but Nerve is a slippery customer.
Nerve controlling the position for now.
Kubota throwing shots but Nerve is blocking nicely.
Kubota prevents Nerve from improving his position.
Kubota tries to pass to full mount but Nerve defends it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nerve is doing well to control the position and prevent Kubota from advancing to side control.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Nerve.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kubota is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nerve doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kubota.
Kubota is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kubota working Nerve over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nerve controlling the position for now.
Kubota throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kubota sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nerve defending well though.
Nerve keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Kubota wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nerve keeps working.
Nerve controlling the position for now.
Nerve's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nerve lands with an overhand left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nerve clinches with his opponent.
Nerve lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nerve lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kubota tries to score a body lock takedown but Nerve shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nerve lands a right hand.
Nerve has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kubota looking for a takedown.
Nerve lands with a short shot to the head.
Nerve lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nerve prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kyoji Kubota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kubota's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kubota wants to take the fight to the mat but Nerve manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nerve tries a knee to the head but Kubota blocks it.
Kubota is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nerve is defending well.
Nerve lands a nice shot to the body.
Nerve working some nice short punches in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nerve lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kubota has Nerve pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nerve manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nerve.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nerve working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nice body punch from Nerve.
Nerve lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kubota backwards.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Nerve in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Nerve lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kubota backwards.
Nerve stalling in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Nerve.
Nerve working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nerve lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kubota wants a takedown.
Kubota goes for a takedown attempt but Nerve pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nerve lands a body shot.
Pinched Nerve seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kubota moves forwards but Nerve connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nerve scores with a decent looking hook.
Nerve thuds a left hand into Kubota's body.
Nerve lands with a straight right. Kubota didn't see that one coming.
Nerve moves out of range of the body kick from Kubota.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pinched Nerve comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nerve has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chris Dean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pinched Nerve!
During a confident post fight interview, Pinched Nerve thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Kyoji Kubota spoke after the fight, saying 'Pinched-kun wa doumo arigatou gozaimasu! Ganbatte!'.