PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Gunnarsson (ranked 1 p4p, 8 weight class) and Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 1 p4p, 3 weight class). Gunnarsson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Björk - Army Of Me. Nakagawa comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Koto - CloZee kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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?

Gunnarsson
vs
Nakagawa

193 cm
32
205
26 - 14 - 0

190 cm
34
190
34 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Powerful

NARCOS
Conviction

Tempo Athletics

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gunnar Gunnarsson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Emerson Jorge and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakagawa connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gunnarsson. Gunnarsson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gunnarsson darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Gunnarsson's corner calls for a 1-2. Gunnarsson obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gunnarsson throws a low kick but Nakagawa avoids it.
Nakagawa looks to score with a jab to the body but Gunnarsson is just out of range.
Gunnar Gunnarsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gunnarsson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gunnarsson wants it to stay on the feet.
Nakagawa defending well as Gunnarsson loads up on a big left hand.
Nakagawa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gunnarsson throws out the jab.
A big left from Nakagawa misses.
Nakagawa moves away from the strike by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Gunnarsson misses.
Nakagawa changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Gunnarsson looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nakagawa moves out of range as Gunnarsson strikes.
And Nakagawa tries to counter it with a takedown but Gunnarsson pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nakagawa slips a jab from Gunnarsson.
Nakagawa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gunnarsson throws a wild body kick that Nakagawa sees coming a mile off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakagawa shoots in and bounces Gunnarsson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nakagawa postures up.
Gunnarsson keeping full guard, as Nakagawa tries to pass.
Gunnarsson 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.

Gunnarsson looking for a guillotine here but Nakagawa defends easily.

Gunnarsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson trying to keep a closed guard but Nakagawa is proving a slippery customer.

Gunnarsson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nakagawa postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Gunnarsson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Nakagawa is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Gunnarsson.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Nakagawa.
Nakagawa scoring with punches from side control.
Nakagawa lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gunnarsson down.
Gunnarsson is trying to get back to half guard.
The strikes coming from Nakagawa are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gunnarsson is looking to reverse the position.
Nakagawa looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Gunnarsson is avoiding damage well.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gunnarsson has escaped the position, nice work there.

Nakagawa swings around for an armbar but Gunnarsson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nakagawa's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakagawa wants to hit a sweep here but Gunnarsson passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Nakagawa there!
Gunnarsson wants to control the action but instead Nakagawa gets a body lock and reverses into Gunnarsson's guard! Nice work!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Gunnarsson misses the shot to the body.
Nakagawa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nakagawa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Gunnarsson takes a swing at Nakagawa's ribcage but misses.
Nakagawa with the counter takedown but Gunnarsson avoids it easily.
Gunnarsson throws a big shot that misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Gunnarsson. That snapped Nakagawa's head back.
Gunnarsson swings for the body but Nakagawa moves out of range.
Gunnarsson swings for the body but Nakagawa moves out of range.
Gunnarsson swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Nakagawa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gunnarsson wants to control but Nakagawa postures up.
Gunnarsson regains half guard.
Gunnarsson is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa uses his free foot to push down on Gunnarsson's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson is working to get back to half guard.
Nakagawa lands a heavy elbow.
Gunnarsson wants to control but Nakagawa is having none of it.

Nakagawa swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Gunnarsson is now in Nakagawa's guard. A big mistake from Nakagawa there, giving up the dominant position!
Nakagawa trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakagawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakagawa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Nakagawa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Gunnarsson's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakagawa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nakagawa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gunnarsson looking to pass the guard.
Nakagawa is trying to hold Gunnarsson in close to prevent damage but Gunnarsson has managed to pass into half guard.
Nakagawa gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Gunnarsson postures up.
Gunnarsson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakagawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nakagawa is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Gunnarsson does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Gunnar Gunnarsson is winning the standup battle so far.
Gunnarsson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Gunnarsson moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakagawa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gunnarsson doesn't seem bothered though.
Gunnarsson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nakagawa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Gunnar Gunnarsson will probably get the nod.
That's time! Gunnarsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gunnarsson cracks Nakagawa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nakagawa avoids the body shot from Gunnarsson.
Nakagawa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Gunnarsson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A low kick lands for Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nakagawa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Gunnarsson scores with a nice right hand.

Nakagawa manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Gunnarsson on his heels. He'll look to pass Gunnarsson's guard now, I'm sure.
Gunnarsson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nakagawa.
Gunnarsson working a defensive guard here.
Nakagawa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Gunnarsson swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa trying to control but Gunnarsson is working from the bottom.
Gunnarsson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nakagawa passes into half guard.
Gunnarsson wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy.

Nakagawa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Gunnarsson sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two 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.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nakagawa connects with a nice short shot to Gunnarsson's temple.

Gunnarsson looking for submissions off his back.
Nakagawa thows a huge punch but Gunnarsson dodges it nicely.
Nakagawa is trying to control the action in half guard but Gunnarsson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nakagawa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gunnarsson is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson is looking to improve his position.
Nakagawa looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nakagawa is thwarting Gunnarsson's attempts to control the position.
Nakagawa trying to pass the guard but Gunnarsson defending well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Gunnarsson scores with a head kick.
Gunnarsson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Nakagawa forces Gunnarsson back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nakagawa has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Gunnarsson clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Gunnarsson trying to control the action but Nakagawa just sinks the hooks in.
A lull in the action here.

Gunnarsson is in a bad position with Nakagawa working for a choke. Gunnarsson manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Our spies down at at Xtreme Black House inform us that Nakagawa has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakagawa wants to control the position but Gunnarsson says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Nakagawa moves into full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gunnarsson throws a leg kick

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Gunnarsson won't be happy with that.
Gunnarsson can't do much from the bottom here.
Nakagawa wants to control for a moment but Gunnarsson uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Gunnarsson is looking to control Nakagawa's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gunnarsson avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nakagawa trying to control but Gunnarsson is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Nakagawa connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Gunnarsson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Nakagawa postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Gunnarsson looks a forlorn figure.
Gunnarsson is desperately trying to improve his position but Nakagawa has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Gunnarsson's face.
Nakagawa landing punches.
Gunnarsson can't escape the position.
Nakagawa avoids the attempt from Gunnarsson to control.
Nakagawa landing shots from mount.
Nakagawa scoring with strikes but Gunnarsson is staying in there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakagawa avoids the attempt from Gunnarsson to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa content just to control the position here.
Gunnarsson is looking to get to half guard.
Nakagawa breaks from Gunnarsson's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Nakagawa takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
BOOM! Nakagawa connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nakagawa looking to finish Gunnarsson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Gunnarsson!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa with shots to the head and body - Gunnarsson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Nakagawa pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Gunnarsson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Gunnarsson is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Nakagawa raining down shots from the mount!
Gunnarsson manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Nakagawa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gunnarsson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nakagawa.
Nakagawa misses with a wild body shot.
Gunnarsson throws a hook but Nakagawa blocks it.
Gunnarsson lands a nice shot that snaps Nakagawa's head back.
Gunnarsson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nakagawa on the side of the head.
Gunnarsson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nakagawa has time to react.

Nakagawa clinches with his opponent.
Gunnarsson blocking some punches.

Gunnarsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa scores with a sloppy right hand. Gunnarsson should have avoided that one.
Gunnarsson misses with a kick to the body.
Nakagawa feints the counter takedown.
Gunnarsson lands with a good body shot.
Gunnarsson misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nakagawa in his tracks.
Nakagawa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Gunnarsson throws a shot from downtown. Nakagawa moves away and avoids it.
Nakagawa slips under a jab.
Nakagawa throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gunnarsson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Gunnarsson digs a good hook to Nakagawa's body.
Nakagawa staying out of range there.
Gunnarsson misses with a hook. Nakagawa ducked under it nicely.
Gunnarsson misses with a right hand

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Gunnarsson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Gunnarsson trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gunnarsson taking shots to the head.
Nakagawa with shots to the head and body - Gunnarsson looks very uncomfortable down there.
Nakagawa dominating with strikes here.
Gunnarsson wants to control but Nakagawa is having none of it.
Nakagawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakagawa is landing with some decent strikes but Gunnarsson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Gunnar Gunnarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakagawa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Gunnarsson has worked his arm free - good work by Gunnarsson!
Gunnarsson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nakagawa's best efforts.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nakagawa is controlling the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nakagawa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nakagawa 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 45:50
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 46:48
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa is the new light heavyweight champion!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa thanked the fans post fight for their support.