PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 38 p4p, 76 weight class) and Macca Outback (ranked 5 p4p, 11 weight class). Nakagawa kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Koto - CloZee. 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?

Nakagawa
vs
Outback

190 cm
34
190
36 - 16 - 0

188 cm
34
193
32 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Macca Outback!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Hirohito Nitta and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakagawa ducks right into an uppercut from Outback.
Nakagawa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Outback throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nakagawa attempts a counter takedown but Outback avoids it well and moves away.
Nakagawa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Outback circles away.
Outback throws a hook to the side of Nakagawa's head but Nakagawa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nakagawa misses with a looping left.
Outback throws a leg kick which misses Nakagawa's front leg but catches the back leg as Nakagawa tries to avoid it.
Nakagawa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Outback pinned against the cage. Outback gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakagawa. Outback does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nakagawa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Outback.

Nakagawa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nakagawa working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Outback is trying to maintain the position but Nakagawa is very close to passing his half guard.
Nakagawa scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Outback keeping hold of Nakagawa's head, controlling as best he can.
Nakagawa thows a huge punch but Outback dodges it nicely.
Nakagawa is nestled in close to Outback, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Outback can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nakagawa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nakagawa wants to control but Outback is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa prevents Outback from improving his position.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Outback defends it well.
Outback tries to get to full guard but Nakagawa has control of the leg.
Nakagawa slips a nice elbow through Outback's hands, connecting with Outback's forehead.
Nakagawa wants to take a breather but Outback is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Outback wants to get back to full guard but Nakagawa has mounted him!
Nakagawa lands a couple of good shots and Outback has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Outback is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Nakagawa is hanging on to Outback's back as he tries to escape.

Nakagawa has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Outback is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Outback right now.

Nakagawa is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Outback knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Outback for a finish.

Outback showing good submission defense here.

Nakagawa working for a choke but Outback is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A slow jab from Outback misses its intended target.
Outback lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nakagawa avoids the body shot from Outback.
Nakagawa attempts a counter takedown but Outback avoids it well and moves away.
Outback with a nice calf kick.
Outback throws a leg kick but Nakagawa checks it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nakagawa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nakagawa moves out of range as Outback strikes.
Outback throws out a loose jab but Nakagawa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nakagawa blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Outback throws the kick towards the body but Nakagawa avoids it.
Macca Outback seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Outback misses with a hook

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nakagawa is trying to control. Outback wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nakagawa controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakagawa is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nakagawa seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Outback is looking to improve his position.

That's two 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.
Nakagawa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Outback does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nakagawa trying to mount his opponent but Outback defends it.
Outback is pressing down on Nakagawa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nakagawa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Outback can do to turn this around?
Nakagawa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Outback is keeping the position for now.
Nakagawa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Outback works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Outback looks to score with a jab to the body but Nakagawa is just out of range.
Outback uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakagawa.
Outback scores with a hook.
Nakagawa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Outback.
Nakagawa moves out of range of the strikes.
Nakagawa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Outback misses with a body shot.
Nakagawa drops down looking for a counter takedown but Outback sprawls and moves away.
Outback missing with a left hand there. Nakagawa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Nakagawa takes the fight into the clinch.
Nakagawa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Outback wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Outback has a couple of punches blocked by Nakagawa.

Outback breaks from the clinch.
Nakagawa misses the jab.
Nakagawa slips a jab from Outback.
Nice uppercut there from Outback.
Nakagawa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nakagawa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Outback.
Nakagawa feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Outback. No joy for Nakagawa on that attempt.
Outback throws out a counter right but Nakagawa avoids it with no problem.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Outback throws a solid leg kick but Nakagawa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Outback.
Nakagawa ducks under a wild hook from Outback.
The fighters circling - Nakagawa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Outback throws a left and a right that both miss

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Outback is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Macca Outback will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nakagawa moves out of range of the strikes.
Outback looks to land a right hand but Nakagawa moved out of range.
A slow jab from Outback misses its intended target.
Nakagawa misses with an uppercut
and Outback counters with a three punch combo that has Nakagawa backing up. Nakagawa nods at Outback to acknowledge the strikes.
Outback looks to land a right hand but Nakagawa moved out of range.
Nakagawa scores with a body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakagawa. Outback does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nakagawa throws a looping overhand right but Outback ducks down to avoid it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Outback is avoiding damage well.
Nakagawa working the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Outback keeps working.
Nakagawa cracks Outback with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Nakagawa trying to control the action but Outback is working from the bottom.
Nakagawa lands a nice forearm strike.

Nakagawa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Outback is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Nakagawa tries for a kimura but Outback is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa trying to control the action but Outback is working from the bottom.
Sloppy strikes there by Nakagawa.
Outback wants to control but Nakagawa postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakagawa goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Outback rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Nakagawa's guard! Nice work there by Outback!
Nakagawa managing to control the position.

Nakagawa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Outback defends well.
Nakagawa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Outback must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa working a defensive guard but Outback manages to pass into side control anyway.
Nakagawa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Outback wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nakagawa struggling a bit here.
Nakagawa is looking for a sweep.
Nakagawa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nakagawa sneaks back into half guard.
Nakagawa is pressing down on Outback's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa clearly takes that 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.

Outback tries to land a body kick

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nakagawa is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Nakagawa passes Outback's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nakagawa trying to control from half guard but Outback is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Outback keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nakagawa is looking to take a break and control but Outback is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nakagawa wants to pass the guard but Outback is defending well.
Outback felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Outback keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nakagawa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Outback keeps working.
Nakagawa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nakagawa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Outback keeps working.

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.
Nakagawa scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Outback on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Nakagawa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Outback has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nakagawa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Outback defending well though.
Nakagawa is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Outback!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa wants to control but Outback has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Nakagawa is thwarting Outback's attempts to control the position.
Nakagawa passes the guard and advances to mount!
Outback wants to hold on but Nakagawa pushes him away.

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.

Nakagawa has hold of Outback's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Outback manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Nakagawa working Outback over with strikes here.
Nakagawa postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Outback looks a forlorn figure.
Nakagawa looking to control but Outback is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa had his way with Macca Outback in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nakagawa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Outback.
Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Outback sprawls well. Outback wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nakagawa gets slowly back to his feet.
Outback throws a lazy uppercut

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nakagawa is looking to take a break and control but Outback is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nakagawa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Outback is just riding it out for now. Nakagawa eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Outback trying to control here.
Nakagawa lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakagawa is looking to take a break and control but Outback is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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

Outback is defending against the submission attempts here by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa wants to advance to full mount but Outback doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Macca Outback has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Outback keeping moving, preventing Nakagawa from controlling successfully.
Outback has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nakagawa.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Outback misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nakagawa.
Outback throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Outback is looking to chop away at Nakagawa's legs.
Outback misses with a leg kick.
Nakagawa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Outback paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nakagawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Outback was well out of range. Poor timing from Nakagawa.
Outback thinks about the counter body kick.
Nakagawa shoots for a double leg takedown but Outback sprawls well. He's pushed Nakagawa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinnosuke Nakagawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Outback misses with the combination.
Nice defenses there by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa jabs Outback to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nakagawa misses with an uppercut.
Outback follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
That kick from Outback tenderised Nakagawa's leg. Nakagawa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nakagawa keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Outback misses with an uppercut. Nakagawa saw that one coming.

Nakagawa fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Outback to the ground. Nakagawa is now in Outback's guard.
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!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Outback looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakagawa is one step ahead there.
Nakagawa trying to control the position from guard on top but Outback is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nakagawa 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 49:45
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 49:45
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 49:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa retains his middleweight title!
After winning the bout, Shinnosuke Nakagawa thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.