PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hideki Nakamura (ranked 3106 p4p, 3286 weight class) and Jimmy Navarro (ranked 377 p4p, 393 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Nakamura
vs
Navarro

178 cm
23
170
5 - 1 - 0

180 cm
26
180
6 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

The Dirty Needle Project

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Hideki Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jimmy Navarro!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Navarro moves out of range of the strikes.
Nakamura misses with an uppercut
and Navarro counters with a nice uppercut.
Navarro keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nakamura.
Nakamura tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Navarro manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Navarro swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Navarro ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nakamura lands a jab.
Nakamura fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Navarro manages to avoid it.
Nakamura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nakamura rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Navarro counters with a nice body shot.
Navarro throws a shot from downtown. Nakamura moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Navarro ducks under a wild hook from Nakamura.
Navarro misses with a body kick.
A jab from Nakamura misses.
Nakamura lands a slapping body shot.
Nakamura has his takedown stuffed
and Navarro counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura throws a lazy uppercut
and Navarro counters with a nice uppercut.
Nakamura's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Navarro connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Nakamura scrambles back to his feet.
Nakamura misses with a hook
and Navarro counters with a low kick, right behind Nakamura 's knee.
Navarro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakamura.
Navarro misses with a body shot.
Nakamura takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nakamura throws a lazy right hand but Navarro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nakamura takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Navarro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nakamura is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Navarro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nakamura dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Navarro throws a leg kick which misses Nakamura's front leg but catches the back leg as Nakamura tries to avoid it.
Nakamura on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakamura uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Navarro.
Some bone on bone action there as Nakamura checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nakamura doesn't manage to clinch there - Navarro circles away.
Navarro wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nakamura misses with a wild combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakamura. Navarro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Navarro throws a combination that misses
and Nakamura counters with a two punch combo.
Nakamura lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Navarro moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Navarro circles away from the clinch attempt
and Navarro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nakamura missing with a left hand there. Navarro was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Navarro tries to keep at a distance but Nakamura has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short right from Nakamura on the inside.
Navarro lands a shoulder strike.
A right hand to the body from Navarro.
A nice left hand lands by Navarro.
Navarro lands a hook that snaps the head of Nakamura backwards.
Nakamura misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Navarro misses with some punches.
Navarro lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nakamura or not.
Navarro prevents a body shot from Nakamura.
Nakamura tries to throw a body punch but Navarro avoids it by throwing Nakamura back against the cage.
Navarro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nakamura backwards.
Navarro missing with knees to the body.
Navarro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nakamura's elbow.
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!
Nakamura misses with some punches.
Navarro working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Navarro scores with a shot to the side of Nakamura's head.
A shot in the inside from Nakamura.
Nakamura lands a right hand.
Navarro lands a shoulder strike.
Nakamura stalling in the clinch.

Navarro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Navarro scores with a decent looking hook.
Navarro bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nakamura throws a series of punches but Navarro avoids them all with ease.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Navarro! But no joy.
Nakamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Nakamura closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Navarro.
Navarro misses with a punch to the body.
Navarro tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakamura misses with a punch on the inside.
Nakamura misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Navarro.

Navarro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nakamura throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Navarro.
Navarro has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Nakamura takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nakamura fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Despite the aggression on Navarro's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Navarro connects with a body shot that sends Nakamura's belly button to the back.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakamura. Navarro does a little dance to reset his feet.
Navarro uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nakamura.
Nakamura takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nakamura throws a lazy head kick
and Navarro counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nakamura misses the shot to the body.
Nakamura throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Navarro feints a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Navarro blocks the body kick.
Navarro misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nakamura rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Navarro counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Navarro uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hideki Nakamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed right hand from Nakamura misses the target.
Navarro connects with an inside leg kick.
Nakamura tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Navarro connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nakamura misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Navarro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Navarro lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Jimmy Navarro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nakamura is looking to clinch.
Jimmy Navarro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nakamura throws a shot from downtown. Navarro moves away and avoids it.
Nakamura is looking to clinch.
Navarro jabs at Nakamura's body.
Navarro has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Nakamura. Those never looked like landing.
Nakamura backing away here, and Navarro unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Navarro getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
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!

Nakamura closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Navarro to the mat! Navarro manages to get full guard.
Nakamura throws a strike but Navarro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nakamura pulls Navarro in to control the position.
Navarro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nakamura looking to hit a scissor sweep but Navarro is one step ahead there.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Navarro is fighting to break Nakamura's control of his arms but Nakamura is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Navarro preventing the sweep.
Nakamura wants to get back to his feet but Navarro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nakamura lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Nakamura trying to control but Navarro is working from the bottom.
Nakamura throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four 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 pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nakamura pushes down on Navarro's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Nakamura tries to pass to full mount but Navarro defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Navarro is refusing to be controlled, as Nakamura sits in half guard.
Nakamura prevents Navarro from improving his position.
Navarro is refusing to be controlled, as Nakamura sits in half guard.
Navarro keeping control of the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Navarro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. And we move into the final round!

Nakamura swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice jab there from Navarro.
Nakamura checks the leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Navarro darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nakamura misses with a lunging right hand
and Navarro counters with a straight right hand.
Nakamura throws a right hand that misses
and Navarro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nakamura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Navarro circles away from the clinch attempt.
Navarro now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Nakamura loads up on a big right hand but Navarro slips the punch.
A nice side step and Navarro releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Navarro throws a right hand that misses
and Nakamura counters with a stiff right hand.
Nakamura throws a lazy right hand but Navarro sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Navarro throws out a counter right but Nakamura avoids it with no problem.
Navarro misses with a wild body shot.
Nakamura is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Navarro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakamura.
Nakamura 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Navarro, as that shot connected.
Nakamura shoots in looking for a takedown. Navarro tries to sprawl out of it but Nakamura keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Navarro manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nakamura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Navarro lands with a kick to the temple. Nakamura shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nakamura misses with a body kick.
Navarro appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Navarro looks for the body kick but Nakamura saw that one coming.
Nakamura is looking to clinch.
Nakamura moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nakamura throws an off balance right hand
and Navarro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura throws a poor cross that misses
and Navarro counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A slapping leg kick lands for Navarro.
Nakamura rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Navarro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nakamura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Navarro was well out of range. Poor timing from Nakamura.
Navarro swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Navarro takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nakamura fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Navarro flicks out a counter leg kick but Nakamura steps away.
Navarro scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Nakamura drives through and clinches with Navarro against the cage.
Navarro lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Navarro fails to land.
Navarro prevents a body shot from Nakamura.
Jimmy Navarro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nakamura looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nakamura throws an elbow that misses.
Nakamura misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nakamura working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Navarro.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nakamura.
Navarro blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nakamura throws a punch but it's blocked by Navarro.
Nakamura misses with a hook to the ribs.
Navarro blocks a body shot from Nakamura.
Nakamura misses with some punches.
Navarro blocking some punches.
Jimmy Navarro seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nakamura misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Navarro.
Nakamura scores with a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura misses with a punch to the body.
Nakamura misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nakamura swings wildly with an uppercut but Navarro uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nakamura misses with the head strike.
Nakamura tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hideki Nakamura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Navarro lands with a right to the head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Navarro as Nakamura tries to tie him up.
Navarro works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nakamura throws a head punch that misses.
Navarro prevents a body shot from Nakamura.
Nakamura tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Hideki Nakamura.
I think Navarro 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy Navarro!