PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Uchimura Nakata (ranked 1731 p4p, 84 weight class) and Preston Mason (ranked 2687 p4p, 142 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nakata
vs
Mason

162 cm
19
132 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
140 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Uchimura Nakata!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Preston Mason!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Russell Pearce and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakata displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mason.

Mason changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nakata looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Mason landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Nakata tries to bench press Mason off him but Mason keeps the position.
Nakata manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Nakata thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mason's head.
Mason regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nakata has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Nakata has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Mason looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nakata passes into half guard.
Mason is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Mason gets full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mason is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nakata landing some decent shots from guard.
Mason has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nakata landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mason lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nakata tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakata is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Nakata is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nakata utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nakata looking for a sweep. Not yet Nakata, not yet.
Mason throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakata works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nakata looking for a sweep. Not yet Nakata, not yet.
Mason with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakata wants to sweep but no luck.
Mason with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mason's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Mason postures up.
Mason content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nakata on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nakata tries to get out of the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mason accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nakata is trying to keep Mason in close.
Nakata lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nakata cracks Mason with a solid left hand.
Mason wants to sweep but no luck.
Mason not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nakata pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mason is keeping the position for now.
Nakata lands a couple of digs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nakata accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mason wants to sweep here but Nakata controlling him for the moment.
Nakata connects with a couple of short punches.
Mason wants to sweep but no luck.
Nakata postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mason is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mason lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mason takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nakata is trying to get back to full guard.
Nakata on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nakata is trying is best to control the position here.

Mason is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nakata is just riding it out for now. Mason eventually gives up the hold.
Nakata trying to control but Mason postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakata has hold of Mason's hands but Mason slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mason throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mason throws a strike but Nakata avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Mason postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mason distracts Nakata with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nakata wants to sweep here but Mason controlling him for the moment.
Mason working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nakata's head.
Nakata is trying to keep Mason in close.
Mason trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nakata manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mason manages to get himself to full guard.

Mason bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nakata's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Mason dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mason keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mason throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nakata's waist but Nakata gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mason off to one side.
Uchimura Nakata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakata is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mason sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nakata displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mason.

Mason gets caught napping as Nakata dives in and scores a takedown. Mason manages to retain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mason looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakata is one step ahead there.
Nakata missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mason bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nakata's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mason wants to control from the top but Nakata keeps moving.
Mason throws a big right hand that misses.
Preston Mason has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mason preventing the sweep.
Mason is fighting to break Nakata's control of his arms but Nakata is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason working some strikes from top position.
Mason throws a big right hand that misses.
Mason lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mason throws a big elbow that misses.
Nakata trying to control the position here.
Mason is in close to Nakata's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nakata working a defensive guard here.
Mason working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mason won't allow Nakata to sweep him here.
Nakata is working hard here to advance position.
Mason chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason throws a strike but Nakata rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nakata cracks Mason with a solid left hand.
Mason doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Mason looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nakata trying to control but Mason is working from the bottom.
Mason looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakata is one step ahead there.
Mason scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Nakata keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mason's head.
Nakata working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mason looking for a sweep. Not yet Mason, not yet.
Mason wants to improve his position but instead Nakata has moved into half guard.
Mason is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mason manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nakata postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nakata chips away with some ground and pound.

Mason had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nakata defends it easily.
Mason wants to sweep here but Nakata controlling him for the moment.
Nakata chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakata stopping the sweep attempt from Mason.
Nakata scoring with some ground and pound.
Nakata scoring with punches to the head and body.

Mason had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nakata defends it easily.
Mason lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nakata preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nakata wants to sweep here but Mason controlling him for the moment.
Nakata working a defensive guard here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mason postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mason stopping the sweep attempt from Nakata.
Mason trying to control but Nakata is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nakata holds on and takes a little breather.
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 Uchimura Nakata will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mason.
No luck for Mason with that takedown attempt.
Nakata throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mason's waist but Mason gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nakata off to one side.

Mason decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nakata makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nakata.
Mason working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mason scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mason advances position into side control!
Mason in side control lands a decent elbow.
Mason misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Nakata is looking to regain half guard here but Mason keeps moving and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Nakata's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakata is trying to improve his position.
Nakata wants to control but Mason postures up.
Nakata is not content to let Mason control the position.
Nakata is trying to get back to half guard.
Mason scores with a couple of short elbows.
Nakata is looking for a sweep.
Mason working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Sloppy strikes there by Mason.
Mason creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Nakata is trying to control Mason's posture but Mason avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason trying to control the position but Nakata is working away.
Nakata avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Mason.
Mason working away.
Nakata taking punishment in the form of punches.
Mason lands a nice forearm strike.
Nakata is looking for a sweep.
Nakata looking for a sweep but Mason has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Mason dominating with strikes here.
Mason has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakata tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Mason landing strikes from the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Mason is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

My spies in Lovelair Muay Thai/MMA inform me that Mason has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Nakata is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Mason lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mason frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Mason unloading with bombs!
A nice elbow there by Mason.
Nakata tries to hold on but Mason postures up.
Nakata is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason landing strikes from the mount and Nakata is in trouble!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nakata is squirming around, avoiding Mason's attempts to control the action.
Mason lands a couple of good shots and Nakata has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Nakata is rocked!
Mason not allowing Nakata to control his hands.
Nakata wants to escape the position.
Mason is trying to stick to Nakata's back but Nakata is turning into Mason. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Mason's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Nakata.
Mason preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nakata preventing the sweep.
Nakata makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nakata postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mason is on top in guard.

Nakata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Mason really 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.

Mason shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nakata misses with a takedown

and Mason counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nakata won't be happy with that.
Nakata is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Mason wants to control but Nakata is keeping him busy.
Mason cracks Nakata with a big right hand but Nakata just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Mason lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Nakata down.
Mason cracks Nakata with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nakata takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nakata tries to bench press Mason off him but Mason keeps the position.
Mason working the ground and pound from side control.
Nakata is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Mason's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mason slips a nice elbow through Nakata's hands, connecting with Nakata's forehead.
Oh Nakata is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason prevents Nakata from improving his position.
Nakata seems to have got his legs back now.
Nakata is trying to control but can't.
Nakata taking some punishment here, with Mason in his half guard.
Nakata wants to get back to full guard.
Mason working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nakata wants to get back to full guard.
Mason not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mason wants to free his trapped foot but Nakata is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Mason winds up and cracks Nakata with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Mason.
Nakata wants to get back to full guard.
Mason throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakata wants to improve his position but Mason is controlling well.
Nakata regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nakata looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mason is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakata has wrist control.
Mason trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mason is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakata has wrist control.
Nakata is trying to control the position but Mason postures up.
Mason postures up in Nakata's guard and throws a big left but Nakata blocks it.
Nakata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mason with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mason postures up and lands a big shot to Nakata's brow.
Mason working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nakata tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mason makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakata working a defensive guard here.
Mason being controlled here momentarily.
Mason scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nakata utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mason lands a couple of digs.
Mason postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nakata tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakata working a defensive guard here.
Nakata wants to sweep but no luck.
Mason throws a strike but Nakata rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mason manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nakata manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mason working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Mason's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nakata is trying to control the position but Mason postures up.
Mason connects with a couple of short punches.
Nakata utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nakata wants to sweep here but Mason controlling him for the moment.
Mason trying to control but Nakata is working from the bottom.
Mason throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mason content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nakata trying to keep a closed guard but Mason is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Preston Mason dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Nakata. No joy for Mason on that attempt.
Nakata changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nakata shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mason sprawls well. Mason wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nakata gets slowly back to his feet.
Nakata defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mason.
Mason fails to land the takedown.
Uchimura Nakata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Preston Mason.
Mason is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nakata sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nakata tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Mason defends well and Nakata ends up having to push Mason into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Mason closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nakata did well to prevent Mason getting side control.
Nakata is looking to control Mason's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nakata avoid being mounted?
Nakata tries to get to full guard but Mason has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Mason lands a nice short elbow.
Nakata moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nakata looking for a sweep. Not yet Nakata, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakata is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nakata keeping moving, preventing Mason from controlling successfully.
Mason works over Nakata with some ground and pound from guard.
Mason is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakata avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nakata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mason advances position into side control!
Nakata is looking for a sweep.
Nakata is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Nakata managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Mason.
Nakata tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Mason wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Mason working the body and head with strikes.
Nakata wants to control but Mason postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason lands a nice forearm strike.
Nakata is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nakata manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nakata is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mason stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakata swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nakata not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mason is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakata has wrist control.
Nakata looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nakata avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mason preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mason accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nakata wants to sweep here but Mason controlling him for the moment.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason wants to control from the top but Nakata keeps moving.
Nakata tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakata preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mason missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nakata working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Mason.
Nakata keeping full guard, as Mason tries to pass.
Mason works over Nakata with some ground and pound from guard.
Nakata looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Mason postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mason wants to pass the guard but Nakata is keeping the position.
Nakata controlling Mason's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakata will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Mason looking to sit in guard and control but Nakata gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nakata preventing the sweep.
Nakata working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mason tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakata lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mason looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mason throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Mason is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Uchimura Nakata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Preston Mason is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nakata scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Preston Mason comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mason 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 46:49
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 45:50
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Preston Mason!
Preston Mason is the new bantamweight champion!
After winning the bout, Preston Mason thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.