PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vasily Khrapov Jr (ranked 1096 p4p, 933 weight class) and Hideki Nakamura (ranked 152 p4p, 133 weight class). Hideki Nakamura has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Khrapov Jr
vs
Nakamura

178 cm
27
175
7 - 4 - 0

178 cm
25
170
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vasily Khrapov Jr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Hideki Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khrapov Jr lands the left hand.
Khrapov Jr ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nakamura moves away.
Khrapov Jr lands with a straight right. Nakamura didn't see that one coming.
Nakamura lands a nice shot that snaps Khrapov Jr's head back.
Nakamura ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
We've been hearing reports that Khrapov Jr has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Nakamura scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Nakamura throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
An attempted straight right counter from Khrapov Jr misses the target.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nakamura. That's going to slow Khrapov Jr down.

Nakamura clinches with his opponent.
Khrapov Jr tries to break the clinch but Nakamura is controlling the position.
Khrapov Jr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nakamura fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Nakamura.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nakamura.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Khrapov Jr breaks from the clinch.
Khrapov Jr thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nakamura tries a quick counter leg kick but Khrapov Jr is wise to it.
Nakamura is looking to slow Khrapov Jr down with leg kicks.
Khrapov Jr connects with a crisp jab.
Khrapov Jr takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nakamura catches Khrapov Jr with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nakamura tries to clinch up but Khrapov Jr circles away and keeps his distance.
Khrapov Jr bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Khrapov Jr takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nakamura fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nakamura swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nakamura fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Khrapov Jr looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nakamura is looking to chop away at Khrapov Jr's legs.
Nakamura misses with a low kick.
Nakamura connects with a body shot that sends Khrapov Jr's belly button to the back.
Khrapov Jr ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A little feinted left hand from Khrapov Jr on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Khrapov Jr tries to clinch there but Nakamura circles away.
Khrapov Jr checks a low kick from Nakamura.
Nakamura throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nakamura fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Khrapov Jr manages to avoid it.
It looked like Khrapov Jr wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakamura. Khrapov Jr does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khrapov Jr tries to keep at a distance but Nakamura has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khrapov Jr digs a right hand into Nakamura's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nakamura's gas tank.
Good body shot from Nakamura.

Khrapov Jr wants the takedown. Nakamura is fighting it off but Khrapov Jr persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Nakamura's guard against the cage.
Khrapov Jr is working Nakamura over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Khrapov Jr working some strikes from top position.
Khrapov Jr wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Khrapov Jr postures up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Khrapov Jr's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Khrapov Jr postures up.
Khrapov Jr being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Khrapov Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nakamura trying to keep a closed guard but Khrapov Jr is proving a slippery customer.
Khrapov Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakamura trying to keep a closed guard but Khrapov Jr is proving a slippery customer.
Khrapov Jr cracks Nakamura with a solid left hand.
Khrapov Jr throws a big right hand that misses.
Khrapov Jr postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Khrapov Jr postures up and lands a big shot to Nakamura's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Khrapov Jr postures up in Nakamura's guard and throws a big left but Nakamura blocks it.
Khrapov Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Khrapov Jr throwing strikes but missing.
Khrapov Jr lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Khrapov Jr postures up in Nakamura's guard and throws a big left but Nakamura blocks it.
Khrapov Jr scoring with some ground and pound.
Khrapov Jr throwing strikes but missing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hideki Nakamura will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Khrapov Jr darts in and clinches Nakamura up against the cage.
Khrapov Jr has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nakamura is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nakamura lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Vasily Khrapov Jr has been cut.
Khrapov Jr tries to break the clinch but Nakamura is controlling the position.

Khrapov Jr has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Nakamura regains guard immediately.
Nakamura avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Khrapov Jr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Khrapov Jr postures up in Nakamura's guard and throws a big left but Nakamura blocks it.
Nakamura is trying to keep Khrapov Jr in close.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khrapov Jr chips away with some ground and pound.
Khrapov Jr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nakamura wants to stand up but Khrapov Jr is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura working a defensive guard here.
Nakamura has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Khrapov Jr scoring with punches to the head and body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Khrapov Jr throwing strikes but missing.
Khrapov Jr won't allow Nakamura to sweep him here.
Khrapov Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Khrapov Jr trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nakamura pulls Khrapov Jr in to control the position.
Khrapov Jr won't allow Nakamura to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Khrapov Jr cracks Nakamura with a solid left hand.
Khrapov Jr distracts Nakamura with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nakamura wants to sweep here but Khrapov Jr controlling him for the moment.
Khrapov Jr lands a couple of elbows.
Khrapov Jr postures up in Nakamura's guard and throws a big left but Nakamura blocks it.
Khrapov Jr works over Nakamura with some ground and pound from guard.
Khrapov Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakamura has wrist control.
Khrapov Jr postures up in Nakamura's guard and throws a big left but Nakamura blocks it.
Nakamura bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Khrapov Jr's guard.

Nakamura forces his way into half guard.
Nakamura wants to control but Khrapov Jr is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura tries to pass the half guard into mount. Khrapov Jr knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nakamura trying to control the pace.
Nakamura stalling away here and it's allowed Khrapov Jr to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Khrapov Jr is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nakamura engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Vasily Khrapov Jr overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Khrapov Jr keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Khrapov Jr looking for a sweep. Not yet Khrapov Jr, not yet.
Nakamura stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Khrapov Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Khrapov Jr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakamura would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Nakamura won't allow Khrapov Jr to sweep him here.

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

Nakamura pushes Khrapov Jr up against the cage in a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nakamura breaks from the clinch.
Nakamura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nakamura throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khrapov Jr shoots in for a takedown but Nakamura shows good takedown defense.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vasily Khrapov Jr dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Vasily Khrapov Jr's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nakamura misses with a low kick.
Khrapov Jr takes one to the chin there.
Nakamura misses with a looping right.
A telegraphed right hand from Nakamura misses the target.
Khrapov Jr slips under a jab.
Nakamura lands with a nice body punch.
Nakamura takes a swing at Khrapov Jr's ribcage but misses.
Nakamura throws a shot to the body.
Khrapov Jr gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nakamura counters with a thumping low kick.
Nakamura misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamura throws an overhand right that lands on Khrapov Jr's shoulder, as Khrapov Jr tries to avoid the shot.
Nakamura lands a jab.
Nakamura misses with a straight right.
Khrapov Jr seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Khrapov Jr takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nakamura throws a leg kick but Khrapov Jr checks it.
It looked like Khrapov Jr was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Nakamura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Nakamura coming out on top.
Khrapov Jr misses with a wild body shot.
Khrapov Jr blocks the body kick.
Khrapov Jr takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Hideki Nakamura seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nakamura misses with a straight right.
Hideki Nakamura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Nakamura tries to keep at a distance but Khrapov Jr has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nakamura is trying to break free.
Khrapov Jr lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nakamura backwards.
Khrapov Jr on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Khrapov Jr fails to land.

Khrapov Jr's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nakamura chopping away at his opponent's legs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Khrapov Jr.
Nakamura looks to score with a jab to the body but Khrapov Jr is just out of range.
Nakamura waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Khrapov Jr.
Nakamura misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Khrapov Jr closes the distance and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Khrapov Jr wants to break the clinch but can't.
Khrapov Jr blocking some punches.
Nakamura can't find room to land a body shot as Khrapov Jr controls the action.
Nakamura prevents a body shot from Khrapov Jr.
Khrapov Jr goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nakamura prevents it.
Khrapov Jr trying to stall but Nakamura improves his position.
Nakamura lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A right hand to the body from Nakamura.
Khrapov Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nakamura pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasily Khrapov Jr. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nakamura with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A jab lands there for Khrapov Jr.
Khrapov Jr walks into a jab.
Khrapov Jr throws out a loose jab but Nakamura uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakamura has closed the distance and engaged Khrapov Jr in a clinch.

Nakamura breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A leg kick checked by Khrapov Jr.
Nakamura with a hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nakamura.
Nakamura staying out of range there.
Khrapov Jr fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Khrapov Jr shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Nakamura manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Nakamura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Khrapov Jr throwing strikes from guard but Nakamura blocks nicely.
Nakamura is pulling down on Khrapov Jr's head to control his posture.
Nakamura looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura controlling Khrapov Jr's posture.
Khrapov Jr wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Nakamura not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nakamura has his hands on Khrapov Jr's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nakamura throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Khrapov Jr scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Khrapov Jr steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nakamura.
Khrapov Jr throws a big shot that misses.
Khrapov Jr misses with a straight left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hideki 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hideki Nakamura!
Hideki Nakamura gave a mention to AVALON in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).