PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shunji Nishida (ranked 5182 p4p, 4995 weight class) and Jun Morimoto (ranked 503 p4p, 494 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nishida
vs
Morimoto

170 cm
18
173
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
18
182
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Shunji Nishida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jun Morimoto!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Jorge Garcia and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morimoto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Morimoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nishida.
Morimoto takes a swing at Nishida's ribcage but misses.
Nishida checks a low kick from Morimoto.
Morimoto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nishida will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nishida misses with a wild body shot.
Nishida lands a high kick!
Nishida shoots in looking for a takedown. Morimoto tries to sprawl out of it but Nishida keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Morimoto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morimoto blocks a head kick by Nishida.
Morimoto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice body kick from Nishida.
Nishida throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Morimoto looks to land a body kick but Nishida moved away.
Morimoto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nishida looks to land a left hand but Morimoto moved out of range nicely.
Morimoto takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nishida looks to land a right hand but Morimoto moved out of range.
Morimoto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nishida.
Nishida misses the shot to the body.
Morimoto moves out of range of the body kick from Nishida.
Morimoto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nishida appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nishida misses with a head kick.
Jun Morimoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nishida tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Morimoto was well out of range. Poor timing from Nishida.
Nishida misses with a series of wild punches.
Nishida looks to land a body kick but Morimoto moved away.
Morimoto fails to land with a series of punches.
Nishida avoids the head kick by Morimoto.

Nishida drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nishida trying to control the position from guard on top but Morimoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morimoto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Morimoto controls Nishida momentarily but Nishida frees himself.
Nishida wants to control from the top but Morimoto keeps moving.
Morimoto keeping full guard, as Nishida tries to pass.
Morimoto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nishida trying to control the position from guard on top but Morimoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nishida trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Morimoto had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nishida defends it easily.
Nishida has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Morimoto trying to control the position.
Nishida looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Nishida wants to control from the top but Morimoto keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Morimoto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Morimoto prevents Nishida from improving his position.
Nishida is trying to maintain the position but Morimoto is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Nishida is looking for a sweep. Morimoto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Morimoto seems to be working for a kimura but Nishida defends the submission attempt.

Morimoto is working for a submission of some sort.

Morimoto looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Morimoto is keen to just control but Nishida is a slippery customer.
Nishida wants to get back to full guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Nishida might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nishida is working hard here to advance position.
Nishida trying to hold on to Morimoto's head to control him but Morimoto postures up.
Nishida wants to improve his position but Morimoto is controlling well.
Morimoto is keen to just control but Nishida is a slippery customer.
Morimoto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Morimoto looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Morimoto prevents Nishida from improving his position.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Morimoto is looking for a kimura but Nishida is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Morimoto to get the leverage.
Nishida wants to get back to full guard.
Nishida is looking to control Morimoto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nishida avoid being mounted?
Nishida is looking to improve his position.

Nishida looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Nishida gets back to full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Morimoto passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nishida tries to improve position but can't.
Nishida sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Morimoto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nishida keeps working.
Morimoto takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nishida trying to hold on to Morimoto's head to control him but Morimoto postures up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Morimoto in particular looking to stall.

Morimoto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nishida has managed to free his arm - good work.

Morimoto is working for a kimura but Nishida is defending it quite comfortably.
We've been informed that Morimoto has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Morimoto prevents Nishida from improving his position.
Morimoto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nishida does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Morimoto trying to control the pace.
Morimoto is continuing to stall.

Morimoto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nishida defends it well.
Nishida is looking to improve his position.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Morimoto is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nishida trying to hold on to Morimoto's head to control him but Morimoto postures up.
Morimoto is looking to take a break and control but Nishida is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Morimoto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nishida sees it coming and defends easily.
Morimoto is trying to control the action in half guard but Nishida is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jun Morimoto will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nishida tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Morimoto is able to avoid easily.
Morimoto wants to counter with a clinch but Nishida pushes him away.
Morimoto checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Shunji Nishida is winning the standup battle so far.
Nishida throws a sloppy head kick and Morimoto moves out of range easily.
Nishida lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Morimoto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nishida pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Morimoto wants to counter with a clinch but Nishida pushes him away.
Nishida throws a sloppy head kick and Morimoto moves out of range easily.
Morimoto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Morimoto takes a swing at Nishida's ribcage but misses.
Nishida avoids the head kick by Morimoto.
Nishida buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nishida displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Morimoto throws out the jab.
Some wild striking there from Nishida.
Nishida avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nishida drops down looking for a counter takedown but Morimoto sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morimoto looks to throw the jab but Nishida is out of range.
Morimoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nishida attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Morimoto throws a body punch but Nishida moves out of range.
Morimoto looks to land a left hand but Nishida moved out of range nicely.
Nishida feinted with a counter takedown.
Nishida tries to land a front kick but Morimoto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A clash of legs there as Morimoto blocks the low kick.
Nishida wants to slow Morimoto down by chopping away at his legs.
Nishida avoids the head kick by Morimoto.
Nishida throws a leg kick but Morimoto moved away.
Nishida dodges the punch combination from Morimoto.
Nishida throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Morimoto has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Nishida.
Morimoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nishida waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Morimoto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nishida will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Morimoto only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Morimoto throws a series of punches but Nishida avoids them all with ease.
Morimoto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nishida moves away.

Nishida throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Morimoto was covering up waiting for the punch and Nishida finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nishida trying to control the position from guard on top but Morimoto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nishida trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Morimoto lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Morimoto is on top in guard.

Morimoto passes Nishida's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nishida wants to improve his position but Morimoto is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morimoto seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nishida is staying active underneath Morimoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Morimoto might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Nishida haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Nishida is looking for a sweep. Morimoto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nishida is staying active underneath Morimoto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nishida is trying to control but can't.

Nishida looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Jun Morimoto has got the better of the ground game so far.

Morimoto is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Nishida still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Nishida has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morimoto gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Nishida looking to control but Morimoto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Nishida goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Morimoto is on top in guard.
Nishida trying to keep a closed guard but Morimoto is proving a slippery customer.

Nishida has his foot on Morimoto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Morimoto works his way back into a safe position though.
Morimoto controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Nishida working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Morimoto doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Morimoto manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Morimoto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nishida swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nishida can't keep his opponent in guard - Morimoto advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Morimoto takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nishida is not content to let Morimoto control the position.
Morimoto keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Morimoto is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Morimoto is keen to just control but Nishida is a slippery customer.

That's six 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.
Nishida trying to control from the bottom.

Morimoto is looking for a kimura here.
Morimoto is taking a breather. Nishida says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nishida tries to roll over but Morimoto keeps him under control.
Nishida is trying to maintain the position but Morimoto is very close to passing his half guard.
Nishida wants to get back to full guard.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Morimoto is keen to just control but Nishida is a slippery customer.
Nishida is trying to maintain the position but Morimoto is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Morimoto blocks a head kick by Nishida.
Shunji Nishida is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nishida takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Morimoto throws a right and a left that Nishida avoids nicely.
Nishida half committed to a counter leg kick.
No joy there for Morimoto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nishida throws a leg kick but Morimoto sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nishida avoids the head kick by Morimoto.
Nishida misses with a head kick.
Morimoto throws a big shot that misses.
Nishida attempts a counter takedown but Morimoto avoids it well and moves away.
Morimoto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Morimoto avoids the body shot from Nishida.
Morimoto throws a jab when Nishida was well out of range.
Nishida appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nishida.
Morimoto lands a jab to the head.
Morimoto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nishida.
Nishida gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Morimoto.
Morimoto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nishida was well out of range. Poor timing from Morimoto.
Morimoto misses with a kick to the body.
No luck for Nishida with that takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A slow jab from Morimoto misses its intended target.
Nishida motions for Morimoto to come forward. Nishida throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Some bone on bone action there as Morimoto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nishida swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Morimoto looks to score with a jab to the body but Nishida is just out of range.
Nishida half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Morimoto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nishida.
Nishida misses with a hook. Morimoto ducked under it nicely.
Morimoto pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Morimoto is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Some wild striking there from Nishida.

Nishida throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Morimoto was covering up waiting for the punch and Nishida finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nishida looking to pass the guard.
Nishida stands and throws Morimoto's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Morimoto prevents Nishida from improving position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jun Morimoto.
I think Morimoto 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 18:20
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 20:18
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 18:20

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jun Morimoto!