PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oleksandr Nakonechniy (ranked 3259 p4p, 6035 weight class) and Takeshi Nagasaki (ranked 387 p4p, 0 weight class). Oleksandr Nakonechniy has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Nakonechniy
vs
Nagasaki

177 cm
25
157
3 - 3 - 0

184 cm
25
160
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Oleksandr Nakonechniy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeshi Nagasaki!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Lou da Vinci and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakonechniy slaps away a takedown attempt from Nagasaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nakonechniy dives in for a single leg takedown but Nagasaki sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nagasaki swings for the body but Nakonechniy moves out of range.
Nakonechniy drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nagasaki sprawls and moves away.
Nagasaki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nakonechniy counters with a nice body shot.
Nagasaki is looking to clinch.
Nakonechniy half committed to a counter leg kick.
Nakonechniy throws a series of punches but Nagasaki moves out of range.
Nagasaki steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Nakonechniy.
Nakonechniy tries a head kick but it misses.
Nagasaki looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Nagasaki shoots for a takedown but Nakonechniy saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nagasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakonechniy, which made it look bad.
Oleksandr Nakonechniy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takeshi Nagasaki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagasaki tries to clinch up.
Nakonechniy has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakonechniy closes the distance and clinches.
Nakonechniy landing knees to the head.
Nagasaki tries to pull guard but Nakonechniy won't allow it.

Nakonechniy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nagasaki moves in looking to clinch but Nakonechniy pushes him off.
Nakonechniy fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Nakonechniy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nagasaki, pushing him back against the cage.
Nagasaki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nakonechniy after a bit of a struggle.
Nagasaki tries to score a body lock takedown but Nakonechniy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nagasaki gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nakonechniy.
Nagasaki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nagasaki is trying to force a seperation but Nakonechniy has the dominant position.
Nakonechniy scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Nagasaki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nagasaki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A countering left hand to the body from Nagasaki misses.
Nagasaki shoots in for a takedown but Nakonechniy shows good takedown defense.
Nagasaki lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nakonechniy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nagasaki as he avoids it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nagasaki goes for a double leg but Nakonechniy avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nakonechniy continues to drive forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nakonechniy.
Nakonechniy shoots in for a double leg but Nagasaki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Nakonechniy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nakonechniy keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nagasaki's efforts to push away.

Nagasaki breaks the clinch.
Nakonechniy blocks a jab.
Nagasaki tries for a takedown but Nakonechniy circles away easily
and Nakonechniy counters with a nice uppercut.
Nagasaki dives in and grabs Nakonechniy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nakonechniy pushes down on Nagasaki's head and hops out.
Nagasaki looks winded!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki taking a breather.
Nagasaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Nakonechniy won't allow it.

Nagasaki jumps guard and drags Nakonechniy to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Nakonechniy passes Nagasaki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nakonechniy wants to pass to mount but Nagasaki is defending the position.
Nakonechniy is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Nakonechniy stands up from half guard.
Nakonechniy shoots in looking for a takedown. Nagasaki tries to sprawl out of it but Nakonechniy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nagasaki manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleksandr Nakonechniy dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nakonechniy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nagasaki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nakonechniy somewhat.
Nagasaki shoots in for a takedown but Nakonechniy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nakonechniy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nagasaki slaps away a takedown attempt from Nakonechniy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleksandr Nakonechniy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nakonechniy looks for a takedown but Nagasaki sprawls well.
A nice side step and Nagasaki releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagasaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakonechniy circles away.

Nagasaki gets tackled into the cage by Nakonechniy. Nakonechniy maintains the clinch.
Nagasaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nakonechniy is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Nakonechniy's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nakonechniy managing to block the knees to the body from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki tries to circle away but Nakonechniy has him pinned against the cage.

Nakonechniy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Nagasaki.

Nakonechniy clinches up against the cage.
Nakonechniy is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nagasaki can do to turn this around?
Nakonechniy tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nakonechniy drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nagasaki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nakonechniy pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nakonechniy jumps guard but Nagasaki turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki avoiding damage as Nakonechniy throws knees to the body.
Nagasaki is looking to control Nakonechniy's arms but Nakonechniy gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nagasaki has his back to the cage.
Nakonechniy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nagasaki after a bit of a struggle.
Nagasaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nakonechniy gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A frustrated look appears on Nagasaki's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nagasaki tries to pull guard but Nakonechniy won't allow it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nakonechniy drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nagasaki jumps guard but Nakonechniy stands there with Nagasaki around his waist. Nagasaki gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nakonechniy has Nagasaki pressed against the cage, preventing Nagasaki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Oleksandr Nakonechniy has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nakonechniy tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nagasaki avoids it.
Nagasaki misses with a hook to the ribs.

Nakonechniy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nagasaki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nakonechniy drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nagasaki sprawls and moves away.
Nagasaki leaves Nakonechniy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nakonechniy shoots for a takedown but Nagasaki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nakonechniy has a takedown stuffed.
Takeshi Nagasaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki throws a sloppy head kick and Nakonechniy moves out of range easily.
Nagasaki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice takedown defense from Nakonechniy. No joy for Nagasaki on that attempt.
Nagasaki dives in and grabs Nakonechniy's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nakonechniy pushes down on Nagasaki's head and hops out.
No luck for Nagasaki with that takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nagasaki throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nakonechniy appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nakonechniy misses with a takedown attempt - Nagasaki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
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 Oleksandr Nakonechniy will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nagasaki tries to clinch up but Nakonechniy circles away and keeps his distance.
Nagasaki leaves Nakonechniy with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nagasaki throws a right and a left that Nakonechniy avoids nicely.
Nakonechniy appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nakonechniy moves out of range of the body kick.
Nagasaki shoots in for a double leg but Nakonechniy sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nagasaki throws an off balance right hand
and Nakonechniy connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nagasaki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nakonechniy rushes Nagasaki and presses him up against the cage.

Nakonechniy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nagasaki rushes Nakonechniy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nagasaki goes for a takedown attempt but Nakonechniy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Oleksandr Nakonechniy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takeshi Nagasaki.
Nagasaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Nakonechniy has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nagasaki takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nagasaki tries for a takedown but Nakonechniy manages to get underhooks.
Nakonechniy effectively controlling the action here.

Nakonechniy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nakonechniy shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nagasaki defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki moves in looking to clinch but Nakonechniy pushes him off.
Nagasaki pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nagasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakonechniy, which made it look bad.
Nakonechniy is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nagasaki.
Nakonechniy circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nagasaki misses with a takedown

and Nakonechniy counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Nakonechniy pulls Nagasaki into guard.

Nakonechniy has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nagasaki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nagasaki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nakonechniy is on top in guard.

Nagasaki preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nakonechniy controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Nakonechniy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Nagasaki stuffs the takedown attempt from Nakonechniy. Nakonechniy gets slowly back to his feet.
Nakonechniy misses with a two punch combination.
Oleksandr Nakonechniy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakonechniy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nakonechniy seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Nagasaki darts in looking for a takedown but Nakonechniy gets double underhooks and turns Nagasaki into the cage.
Nakonechniy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nakonechniy wants it to stay on the feet.
Nakonechniy fails to land with a series of punches.
Nagasaki is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nagasaki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nakonechniy as he avoids it easily.
Nakonechniy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nagasaki misses with a double jab.

Nakonechniy clinches up against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nagasaki looking to stall.
Nagasaki wants to get back to striking at distance but Nakonechniy won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oleksandr Nakonechniy showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nakonechniy has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oleksandr Nakonechniy!