PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marlin Scars (ranked 4351 p4p, 328 weight class) and Nacochata Nakashi (ranked 5861 p4p, 375 weight class). Marlin Scars has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Scars
vs
Nakashi

190 cm
20
155 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

165 cm
18
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

One stop shop

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marlin Scars!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nacochata Nakashi!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakashi tries to clinch but Scars moves away
and Scars counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Scars throws a series of strikes that have Nakashi backpedaling.
Nakashi throws a body kick that misses

and Scars counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Scars controlling the action here.
Scars has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Scars moves into full mount! Nakashi won't be happy about that!
Nakashi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Scars. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nakashi looks winded!
Scars wants to take Nakashi's back here but Nakashi is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Scars content just to control the position here.

Scars with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakashi avoids a series of strikes thrown by Scars.
We've been hearing good reports from Scars's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Scars working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Scars tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nakashi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Scars can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nakashi is looking to escape.
Scars throwing strikes here but Nakashi is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scars controlling the pace for now.
Scars will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Scars is landing with some decent strikes but Nakashi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Scars looking to control and managing it successfully.
BOOM! Scars connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Scars is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Nakashi has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Nakashi!
Nakashi trying to control the position from guard on top but Scars is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marlin Scars 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.

Scars drives through with a takedown into Nakashi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Scars stays in close to Nakashi's body and controls the position.
Scars trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakashi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Scars controls the pace.
Scars is in close to Nakashi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scars with a nice head shot there.
Nakashi is breathing heavily.
Scars is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scars seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Nakashi for as long as he can get away with.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Scars plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nakashi closes the distance looking to clinch

and Scars counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nakashi won't be happy with that.

Scars tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Scars has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Scars really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Scars taking a breather here.

Scars is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nakashi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Scars is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Nakashi is trying to escape and Scars transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Nakashi is forced to tap! Nice work there by Scars! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marlin Scars!
An out of breath Marlin Scars thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Nacochata Nakashi stepped up to the mic, saying '...'.