PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Mamma (ranked 4586 p4p, 401 weight class) and Gurizuri Nakamura (ranked 4882 p4p, 414 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mamma
vs
Nakamura

178 cm
18
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

168 cm
18
186 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joseph Mamma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gurizuri Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, William Gold and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mamma feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nakamuras jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nakamura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nakamura takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mamma definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Mamma closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Mamma connects with a crisp jab.

Nakamura throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mamma tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Nakamura is in Mamma's guard.
My spies in Crapollas Gym inform me that Nakamura has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Nakamura lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Mamma 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.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mamma is looking for a triangle but Nakamura pushes his legs off easily.
Nakamura stands up over Mamma, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nakamura not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Mamma is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nakamura distracts Mamma with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Mamma 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mamma is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nakamura defends well.

Nakamura avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Mamma is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nakamura with a nice head shot there.

Mamma has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nakamura can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nakamura working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Mamma controls Nakamura momentarily but Nakamura frees himself.

Mamma is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Nakamura trying to control but Mamma is working from the bottom.
Nakamura postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nakamura is pushing down on Mamma's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mamma is fighting to maintain full guard but Nakamura has managed to sneak the leg through.

Mamma looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ground and pound from Nakamura.
Mamma is looking for a sweep. Nakamura is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nakamura working over Mamma with some ground and pound. Mamma looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nakamura prevents Mamma from improving his position.

Mamma actively working from the bottom here.
Mamma wants to improve his position but Nakamura is controlling well.
Mamma taking some punishment here, with Nakamura in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mamma actively working from the bottom here.
Nakamura perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nakamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nakamura landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Nakamura has eaten all the pies!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nakamura connects with a nice short shot to Mamma's temple.
Nakamura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nakamura lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Nakamura moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Mamma.
Nakamura scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Mamma to see if he's OK.
Mamma is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nakamura off and has taken his back!

Mamma looking for the RNC.
Mamma controlling well, preventing Nakamura from escaping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mamma missing with punches from the back.

Mamma has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
I really don't envy Nakamura right now.

Mamma patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Mamma misses with an elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nakamura fending off the submission attempt from Mamma.

Nakamura showing good submission defense here.
Nakamura just trying to survive but Mamma is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You can see the frustration on Nakamura's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Nakamura staying busy and making it hard for Mamma to control.
Nakamura tries to roll but Mamma sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Mamma dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nakamura throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mamma was covering up waiting for the punch and Nakamura finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mamma trying to keep a closed guard but Nakamura is proving a slippery customer.

Mamma 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.
Nakamura lands a couple of elbows.
Mamma on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Mamma tries to get out of the position.
Nakamura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakamura has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nakamura controlling from the top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nakamura's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mamma is looking for a triangle here but Nakamura uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Mamma is looking to regain half guard here but Nakamura keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mamma is not content to let Nakamura control the position.
Nakamura lands a nice forearm strike.
Nakamura trying to control the action but Mamma is working from the bottom.
Mamma 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 working the ground and pound.
Mamma is looking for a sweep.
Nakamura controls the position from side control.
Nakamura in side control lands a decent elbow.
Mamma tries to improve position but can't.
Mamma is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura working the ground and pound from side control.
Nakamura cracks Mamma with a big elbow.
Mamma is not content to let Nakamura control the position.
Mamma is trying to get back to half guard.
Nakamura trying to control the position but Mamma is working away.
Mamma tries to bench press Nakamura off him but Nakamura keeps the position.
Mamma takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Nakamura working the ground and pound from side control.
Nakamura connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Mamma some visible discomfort.
Nakamura trying to control the action but Mamma is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mamma is looking for a sweep.
Nakamura lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Mamma down.
You can see the frustration on Mamma's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Mamma tries to bench press Nakamura off him but Nakamura keeps the position.
Nakamura lands a nice forearm strike.
Nakamura working the ground and pound from side control.
Mamma is trying to get back to half guard.
Nakamura landing strikes.
Nakamura lands an elbow.
Mamma is not content to let Nakamura control the position.
Nakamura working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura scoring with punches and elbows.
Mamma is being controlled here.
Gurizuri Nakamura has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nakamura working away.
Mamma taking a bit of punishment here - Nakamura scoring with strikes.
Mamma on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Nakamura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mamma keeps working.
Mamma is looking for a sweep.
Nakamura lands an elbow.
Mamma sneaks back into half guard.

Mamma looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nakamura looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mamma with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mamma trying to control but Nakamura postures up.
Mamma missing with punches from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gurizuri Nakamura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nakamura shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nakamura is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Nakamura trying to control the position from guard on top but Mamma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakamura works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nakamura content to control rather than advance.
Nakamura trying to control from Mamma's half guard. Mamma has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mamma 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.
Nakamura makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nakamura slips nicely into half guard.
Nakamura has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakamura scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nakamura prevents Mamma from improving his position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nakamura lands a nice short elbow.
Nakamura working over Mamma with some ground and pound. Mamma looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nakamura working over Mamma with some ground and pound. Mamma looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Mamma has hold of Nakamura's hands but Nakamura slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nakamura lands a nice short elbow.
Mamma is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nakamura working Mamma over with strikes.
Mamma trying to hold on to Nakamura's head to control him but Nakamura postures up.
Mamma wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura lands with a punch from half guard.
Ground and pound from Nakamura.
Nakamura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mamma keeps working.

Mamma looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Nakamura there.
Mamma trying to control but Nakamura postures up.
Nakamura is keen to just control but Mamma is a slippery customer.
Mamma is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nakamura's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nakamura's back!
Nakamura breaks Mamma's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakamura chips away with some ground and pound.
Mamma keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Nakamura is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakamura got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mamma has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakamura has managed to get both his arms back between Mamma's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakamura postures up and lands a big shot to Mamma's brow.
Nakamura is in close to Mamma's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mamma has momentary wrist control but Nakamura slips an elbow through the middle.
Nakamura's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Mamma keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.

Mamma looking for a guillotine here but Nakamura defends easily.
Nakamura lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nakamura trying to control the position from guard on top but Mamma is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakamura with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Nakamura avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nakamura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakamura controlling from the top position.
Nakamura chips away with some ground and pound.
Nakamura is in close to Mamma's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nakamura lands a couple of digs.
Nakamura postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakamura slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Nakamura shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Nakamura was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

And that's the end of the fight!
Gurizuri Nakamura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nakamura 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gurizuri Nakamura!