PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nakagome Kakuzo (ranked 1239 p4p, 1390 weight class) and Reece Robertson (ranked 171 p4p, 195 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kakuzo
vs
Robertson

185 cm
28
180
19 - 14 - 0

185 cm
25
183
10 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nakagome Kakuzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Reece Robertson!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Joseph Jones and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Robertson throws a jab but it's blocked by Kakuzo.
It looked like Kakuzo wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kakuzo tries a head kick but it misses.
Kakuzo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Robertson throws a right hand that Kakuzo ducks under and follows up with a left that Kakuzo also avoids with ease.
Kakuzo is looking to counter the offense by Robertson and move into the clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kakuzo. That's going to slow Robertson down.
Robertson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kakuzo connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice uppercut there from Kakuzo.
Robertson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kakuzo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Robertson.
Kakuzo shoots for a takedown but Robertson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kakuzo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Robertson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kakuzo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Robertson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kakuzo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Kakuzo misses the target.
Robertson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kakuzo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kakuzo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kakuzo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kakuzo trying to control but Robertson is working from the bottom.
Kakuzo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kakuzo landing some decent shots from guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Robertson can do anything to dispel that myth.
Robertson wants to stand up but Kakuzo is controlling him.
Robertson keeping moving, preventing Kakuzo from controlling successfully.
Kakuzo 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.
Kakuzo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Robertson has momentary wrist control but Kakuzo slips an elbow through the middle.
Robertson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kakuzo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo trying to control but Robertson is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kakuzo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Robertson is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kakuzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Robertson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kakuzo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kakuzo throws a big elbow that misses.
Kakuzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kakuzo throws a big elbow that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kakuzo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kakuzo is looking to work some ground and pound but Robertson has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kakuzo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo tries to free his leg and advance position but Robertson is retaining full guard.
Kakuzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kakuzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Robertson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Robertson has momentary wrist control but Kakuzo slips an elbow through the middle.
Kakuzo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Robertson's guard.
Kakuzo wants to take a breather but Robertson is having none of it.
Kakuzo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kakuzo is keen to just control but Robertson is a slippery customer.
Kakuzo slows the pace down in half guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo is trying to control. Robertson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Robertson is trying to stand back up but Kakuzo is controlling him

Kakuzo is looking for a kimura but Robertson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kakuzo to get the leverage.
Kakuzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Robertson has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Kakuzo is on him like a limpet, forcing Robertson back against the cage.
Kakuzo tries for a takedown. No joy.
Robertson is pressed up against the cage. Kakuzo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Robertson down to the mat. Robertson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nakagome Kakuzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kakuzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Robertson.
Kakuzo thinks about countering with a body kick.
Robertson lands with a shot to the body.
Kakuzo moves out of range of the body kick.
Robertson tries to land a front kick but Kakuzo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Robertson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kakuzo moves away.
Reece Robertson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kakuzo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Robertson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Robertson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Robertson throws a hook but Kakuzo blocks it.
Kakuzo fails to land the takedown.
Robertson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kakuzo.
Robertson throws a body punch but Kakuzo moves out of range.
Robertson tries to bum rush Kakuzo with a series of wild strikes but Kakuzo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kakuzo dives in for a single leg takedown but Robertson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Robertson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kakuzo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Kakuzo drags the fight down to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robertson wants to control from the top but Kakuzo keeps moving.
Kakuzo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kakuzo throwing shots but Robertson is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuzo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kakuzo slips a nice elbow through Robertson's hands, connecting with Robertson's forehead.
Kakuzo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Robertson is looking to escape.
Kakuzo working Robertson over with strikes.
Robertson has hold of Kakuzo's hands but Kakuzo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kakuzo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kakuzo throwing shots but Robertson is blocking nicely.
Robertson is trying to stand back up but Kakuzo is controlling him
Kakuzo is looking to advance position but Robertson won't allow it.
Kakuzo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kakuzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Kakuzo there.

Kakuzo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Robertson defends it well.
Kakuzo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Robertson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kakuzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Robertson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kakuzo.
Robertson is staying active underneath Kakuzo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kakuzo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kakuzo is keen to just control but Robertson is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo prevents Robertson from standing back up.
Kakuzo is trying to control. Robertson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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

Kakuzo dives in and scores a takedown into Robertson's guard.

Robertson has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kakuzo is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Robertson with a knee to the head.

Robertson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kakuzo closes the distance and pushes Robertson back into the cage.
Robertson can't break the clinch.
Kakuzo is trying to drag Robertson to the mat but Robertson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nakagome Kakuzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kakuzo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Robertson prevents it.
Kakuzo stalling the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Robertson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kakuzo is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Robertson to the mat. Robertson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Robertson pushes Kakuzo off and scrambles back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reece Robertson seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Kakuzo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Kakuzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Robertson really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kakuzo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kakuzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Robertson defending well though.
Kakuzo looks to land a strike but Robertson avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kakuzo stops Robertson from standing up.
Kakuzo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Robertson wants to stand but Kakuzo is controlling the position.
Kakuzo throws a big right hand that misses.
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 Nakagome Kakuzo will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kakuzo takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kakuzo moves out of range of the leg kick from Robertson.
Robertson looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Robertson on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kakuzo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Robertson back to the cage. Kakuzo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Robertson misses with a hook. Kakuzo ducked under it nicely.
Kakuzo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Robertson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kakuzo with a hook.
Robertson throws a shot to the body.
Kakuzo misses with a shot to the body
and Robertson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Robertson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Robertson tries to sprawl but Kakuzo drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kakuzo is keen to just control but Robertson is a slippery customer.
Kakuzo slips a nice elbow through Robertson's hands, connecting with Robertson's forehead.
Kakuzo works his way into side control.
Nakagome Kakuzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Kakuzo.
Kakuzo creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Robertson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Kakuzo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Robertson defending against the ground and pound.
Kakuzo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Robertson keeps working.
Kakuzo sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Robertson is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kakuzo misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Robertson taking a bit of punishment here - Kakuzo scoring with strikes.
Kakuzo working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
An elbow from Kakuzo crashes against the mat.
Kakuzo lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Kakuzo postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kakuzo is trying to ground and pound but Robertson uses the momentary lack of control by Kakuzo to regain half guard.
Robertson wants to get back to his feet.
Kakuzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kakuzo is looking to stall here but Robertson recovers full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Robertson's head.
Kakuzo postures up in Robertson's guard and throws a big left but Robertson blocks it.
Robertson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kakuzo looking to sit in guard and control but Robertson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kakuzo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kakuzo wants to free his trapped foot but Robertson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kakuzo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Robertson keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Robertson kicks off Kakuzo and gets to his feet.
Kakuzo avoids the head kick by Robertson.

Kakuzo gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Robertson dodges the ground and pound from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Robertson is avoiding damage well.
Kakuzo working the ground and pound.
Robertson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sloppy strikes there by Kakuzo.
An elbow from Kakuzo crashes against the mat.
Kakuzo landing strikes.
Kakuzo creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Reece Robertson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nakagome Kakuzo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kakuzo lands an elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nakagome Kakuzo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kakuzo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nakagome Kakuzo!