PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Godefroy Courtial (ranked 1921 p4p, 2721 weight class) and Kaoru Nagashima (ranked 207 p4p, 278 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Courtial
vs
Nagashima

169 cm
26
150
16 - 6 - 1

178 cm
27
150
10 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

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 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Godefroy Courtial!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kaoru Nagashima!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Courtial misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nagashima.
Nagashima steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Courtial.
Courtial has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Deathsquad in the buildup to the fight.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Courtial.
Nice takedown defense from Courtial. No joy for Nagashima on that attempt.
Nagashima ducks under a wild hook from Courtial.
Courtial's jab looks to have found its range, popping Nagashima under the eye.
Courtial misses with an uppercut. Nagashima saw that one coming.
Courtial swings for the body but Nagashima moves out of range.
A head kick by Courtial misses

and Nagashima counters with a nice double leg into side control. Courtial won't be happy with that.
Nagashima in side control, throwing shots but Courtial defends.
Nagashima in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Courtial tries to bench press Nagashima off him but Nagashima keeps the position.
Nagashima tries to move to mount but Courtial blocks the move with his legs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nagashima in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Nagashima throws an elbow but Courtial slips to the side and avoids it well.
Courtial holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Nagashima misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Courtial is looking to regain half guard here but Nagashima keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagashima in side control, throwing shots but Courtial defends.
Courtial is in a bad spot here and he knows it... just holding on for now.
Courtial is looking for a sweep.
An elbow from Nagashima crashes against the mat.
Nagashima working the head with strikes.
Nagashima lands some shots froms side control.
Nagashima lands some shots froms side control.
Nagashima has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nagashima working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Courtial on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Nagashima working the ground and pound.
Courtial wants to control but Nagashima postures up.
Nagashima working the body and head with strikes.
Nagashima throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Nagashima landing a few strikes.
Nagashima scoring with punches and elbows.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Nagashima is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Courtial has escaped the position, nice work there.
Courtial is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Courtial manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Nagashima throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Courtial performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Nagashima actively working from the bottom here.

Nagashima looking for submissions off his back.
Nagashima flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Courtial wants to free his trapped foot but Nagashima is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Courtial in particular looking to stall.
Nagashima misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Nagashima landing a few short strikes.
Courtial controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Courtial is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Nagashima misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Courtial not doing much here.
Nagashima misses with some strikes from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Courtial blocks the strikes from Nagashima.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
An inside leg kick lands from Courtial.
Good standup being displayed there by Courtial as he connects with a hook.
Courtial scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nagashima shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Courtial but Courtial pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Courtial throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nagashima.
Courtial feints and then cracks Nagashima's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nagashima down.
Nagashima avoids the head kick by Courtial.
Courtial scores with a jab to the head.
Nagashima shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Courtial but Courtial pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Godefroy Courtial has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Nagashima.
Nagashima bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nagashima on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kaoru Nagashima will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Courtial swings for the body but Nagashima moves out of range.
Nagashima tries to counter with a clinch but Courtial shakes him off and moves away.
Nagashima has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nagashima misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nagashima with a lazy takedown attempt
and Courtial counters with a nice uppercut.
Nagashima darts in looking for a takedown but Courtial gets double underhooks and turns Nagashima into the cage.
Godefroy Courtial has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Nagashima.
Courtial looks to score with a jab to the body but Nagashima is just out of range.
Courtial throws the left hand but Nagashima avoids the punch easily.
Nagashima is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Courtial misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Godefroy Courtial is winning the standup battle so far.
Nagashima 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.

Courtial clinches with his opponent.
Nagashima wants to take the fight to the mat but Courtial manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nagashima tries for a takedown but Courtial manages to get underhooks.
Courtial prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagashima prevents a body shot from Courtial.

Courtial breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Courtial moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nagashima takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nagashima bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A jab from Courtial does it's job there.
Courtial dips to his left and cracks Nagashima with an uppercut!

Courtial closes the distance and clinches.
Nagashima is working for takedown but Courtial is calmly controlling the position for now.
Courtial swings wildly with an uppercut but Nagashima uses good head movement to avoid it.
Courtial lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Nagashima jumps into guard, dragging Courtial to the mat.
Courtial showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nagashima throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.
Courtial seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Courtial avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Courtial slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Courtial tries to free his leg and advance position but Nagashima is retaining full guard.
Nagashima can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Courtial controls the pace.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Nagashima striking off his back but it's not causing Courtial any problems.
Courtial won't allow Nagashima to sweep him here.
Nagashima can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Courtial controls the pace.

Nagashima working for a triangle but Courtial defends it easily.
Courtial is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nagashima can do to turn this around?
Courtial trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nagashima has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Courtial can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Courtial content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Nagashima throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nagashima doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Courtial slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Nagashima is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Courtial is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Nagashima throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nagashima working for a triangle but Courtial defends it easily.
Courtial seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Godefroy Courtial dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Courtial scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nagashima displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Courtial throws out the jab.
Nagashima's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Courtial connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nagashima scrambles back to his feet.
Courtial looks to score with a jab to the body but Nagashima is just out of range.
Courtial with a nice cross.
Nagashima 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.
Courtial misses with a wild body shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Courtial.
Courtial misses with an attempted mid kick.
Courtial moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Courtial displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nagashima.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagashima blocks a jab.
Nagashima drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Courtial defends it well.
Nice defenses there by Nagashima.
Nice cross by Courtial.
Nagashima avoids the body shot from Courtial.
Courtial lands with a good body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Courtial. No joy for Nagashima on that attempt.
Courtial was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Godefroy Courtial has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Nagashima.
Nagashima looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nagashima takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Courtial misses with a wild body shot.
Nagashima is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Courtial connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nagashima. Nagashima circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nagashima's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Courtial connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nagashima scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Courtial loads up on a big right hand but Nagashima slips the punch.
Nagashima is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Courtial smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Courtial connects with a solid leg kick.
Nagashima dives in and grabs Courtial's left leg, looking for a takedown. Courtial pushes down on Nagashima's head and hops out.
Courtial scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nagashima shoots in for a takedown but Courtial shows good takedown defense.
Courtial looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Godefroy Courtial is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Courtial misses the jab.
Nagashima feints the counter takedown.
Courtial throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Nagashima stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Courtial lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Courtial has managed to clinch.
Nagashima blocks an uppercut.
Courtial scores with a hook to the body.
Nagashima tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Courtial lands a left hand.
Courtial lands with a light punch inside.

Nagashima gets control of Courtial's arms and successfully pulls guard. Nagashima will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Nagashima being controlled here, momentarily.

Courtial avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Courtial is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Courtial continues to stall.

Nagashima had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Courtial defends it easily.
Courtial sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Courtial looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Nagashima is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Courtial defends well.
Courtial engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Nagashima striking off his back but it's not causing Courtial any problems.
Courtial controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nagashima throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Godefroy Courtial showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Courtial has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Godefroy Courtial!
The defeated Kaoru Nagashima had this to say: 'I meditated on the mountain but my understanding was off, Akirono has left me this day, I will return stronger and aligned'.