PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jonny Dahman (ranked 1994 p4p, 1226 weight class) and Rinya Nakamura (ranked 148 p4p, 102 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Dahman
vs
Nakamura

182 cm
25
140
6 - 1 - 0

170 cm
26
142
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Conquest Nutrition™ (160Q) $97
BANZAI NUTRITION

BANZAI NUTRITION

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jonny Dahman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rinya Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dahman misses with a straight left.
Dahman lands a glancing blow to the side of Nakamura's head.
Dahman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nakamura's waist but Nakamura gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dahman off to one side.
Dahman throws a series of punches but Nakamura moves out of range.
Nakamura with a nice cross.
Jonny Dahman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakamura throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Dahman is looking to counter punch.
Nakamura leaves Dahman with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nakamura is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dahman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dahman tries to clinch but Nakamura moves out of range.
Dahman closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dahman is defended easily by Nakamura.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jonny Dahman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nakamura fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Dahman on the side of the head.
Nakamura thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dahman looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
A big right from Nakamura misses.
Nakamura has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Nakamura will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A cross from Nakamura lands.
Nakamura throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura throws a jab when Dahman was well out of range.
Nakamura has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Dahman.
Nakamura scores with a punch to the head.
Nakamura fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nakamura misses with a jab, cross combination.
The fighters circling - Nakamura throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dahman swinging wildly here.
Dahman throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Dahman buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nakamura misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura misses with the combination.
Nakamura shoots for a double leg takedown but Dahman sprawls well. He's pushed Nakamura's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nice straight punches there by Dahman. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Dahman.
Nakamura blocks a leg kick.
Nakamura misses with a left hand
letting Dahman counter with a right hand.
Nakamura slips a jab from Dahman.
Nakamura slips under a jab from Dahman.
A jab from Nakamura does it's job there.
Dahman shoots in but Nakamura avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dahman with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nakamura to score with a decent uppercut.
Nakamura throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dahman's waist but Dahman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nakamura off to one side.
Nakamura throws a body kick that misses.

Nakamura drives through with a takedown into Dahman's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dahman is trying to keep Nakamura in close.

Dahman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nakamura gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dahman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Dahman keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rinya Nakamura dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nakamura decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nakamura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nakamura is trying to control. Dahman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Dahman pushes Nakamura off and gets back to his feet.
Dahman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nakamura.
Dahman seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nice takedown defense from Dahman. No joy for Nakamura on that attempt.
Good leg kick by Dahman.
Dahman avoids a kick to the body.

Dahman has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nakamura drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dahman wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura is working for takedown but Dahman is calmly controlling the position for now.
Jonny Dahman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rinya Nakamura.
Nakamura on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Dahman is struggling to control the position.
Dahman lands an uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Dahman is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Nakamura gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Nakamura prevents Dahman from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nakamura is looking for a kimura but Dahman is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nakamura to get the leverage.
Nakamura lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakamura perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Dahman tries to roll over but Nakamura keeps him under control.
Nakamura missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is controlling the pace.

Nakamura seems to be working for a kimura but Dahman defends the submission attempt.

Nakamura seems to be working for a kimura but Dahman defends the submission attempt.
Nakamura drops an elbow to the side of Dahman's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Nakamura.
Dahman is looking to improve his position.
Nakamura is trying to control. Dahman wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nakamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Dahman trying to hold on to Nakamura's head to control him but Nakamura postures up.
Nakamura working over Dahman with some ground and pound. Dahman looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nakamura is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Still in half guard, Nakamura seems content to control.
Nakamura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Dahman punching from the bottom.
Dahman is looking for a sweep. Nakamura is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nakamura scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura prevents Dahman from improving his position.
Dahman on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dahman is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Nakamura jumps into side control!

Nakamura thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Dahman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dahman is working hard here to advance position.
Nakamura working the body and head with strikes.
Nakamura lands a few punches from side control.

Nakamura is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dahman knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dahman takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Dahman is rocked!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rinya Nakamura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nakamura uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Nakamura takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Dahman swings for the body but Nakamura moves out of range.
Nakamura tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakamura ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dahman wants to clinch up but Nakamura keeps it at a distance.
Nakamura lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Dahman misses with a straight right.
Dahman really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nakamura is defended easily by Dahman.
Dahman throws a right hand that misses
and Nakamura counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Nakamura does no damage.
Nakamura loads up on a big right hand but Dahman slips the punch.
Dahman looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Good exchange - Dahman coming out on top.
Dahman tries to clinch up but Nakamura circles away and keeps his distance.
Dahman misses with a wild combination.
Nakamura looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Dahman tries to clinch but Nakamura is having none of it.
Dahman throws a right hand that misses
and Nakamura counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rinya Nakamura seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Dahman closes the distance and pushes Nakamura back into the cage.

Nakamura's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nakamura throws a right and a left that both miss.
A combination from Dahman does no damage.
Nakamura swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Dahman wants to clinch up but Nakamura keeps it at a distance.
Nakamura throws out a counter right but Dahman avoids it with no problem.
Nakamura bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Dahman's head backwards.
Nakamura misses with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dahman looks to land a combination but Nakamura avoids it well.
A jab from Nakamura finds it's way through Dahman's defenses.
Nakamura throws a combination that misses
and Dahman counters with a two punch combo.
Nakamura misses with a low kick as Dahman jumps back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Nakamura.
Dahman swings widly with a right hand
and Nakamura counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dahman fails with a takedown attempt.
Dahman works over Nakamura's head and body with a nice combination.
Nakamura has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nakamura there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nakamura fails with a takedown attempt.
Jonny Dahman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rinya Nakamura.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dahman looks to land a combination but Nakamura avoids it well.
Dahman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakamura manages to avoid it.
Dahman ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Dahman with a jab.
Nakamura keeps the fight on the outside.
Dahman is looking to slow Nakamura down with leg kicks.
Rinya Nakamura is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
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!

Nakamura looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Dahman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jonny Dahman.
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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rinya Nakamura!
A relieved looking Rinya Nakamura thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.