PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nakagome Kakuzo (ranked 598 p4p, 552 weight class) and Kawainui Perry (ranked 87 p4p, 80 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.

Kakuzo
vs
Perry

185 cm
29
180
22 - 14 - 0

178 cm
25
177
8 - 2 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Wrestler Wayfare

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 22 - 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 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kawainui Perry!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Perry checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
And Perry responds with a good body kick, but Kakuzo manages to step out the way in time.
A good leg kick by Kakuzo.
Kakuzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Perry.
An attempted straight right counter from Kakuzo misses the target.
Kakuzo closes the distance but Perry moves to the side
and Perry counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Perry throws a head kick but Kakuzo moves out of range.
Perry checks a leg kick.
Kakuzo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kakuzo throws a right hand that misses
and Perry counters with an inside leg kick.
Perry misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kakuzo.
Perry takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kakuzo moves to clinch but Perry breaks away
and Perry counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Nakagome Kakuzo has been cut.
Kakuzo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Perry's head backwards.
A big left from Kakuzo misses.
Kakuzo scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Perry.
A clash of legs there as Kakuzo blocks the low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Perry. Kakuzo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kakuzo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Perry looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nakagome Kakuzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Kakuzo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Perry doesn't seem phased though.
Perry staying out of range there.
Perry flicks out a counter leg kick but Kakuzo steps away.
That kick from Kakuzo tenderised Perry's leg. Perry is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kakuzo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Perry with the inside leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo tries to work over Perry's front leg with a kick but Perry checks it.
Kakuzo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Perry's sensitive parts.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but Perry moves out of range.
Kakuzo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Perry counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kakuzo moves out of range of the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kakuzo fails with a takedown attempt.
Perry misses with an uppercut. Kakuzo saw that one coming.
A low kick from Kakuzo misses
and Perry counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kakuzo slips a jab from Perry.
Kakuzo wants to clinch.
Perry swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Perry misses with a body shot.
Perry scores with a leg kick.
Kakuzo stalks Perry and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Perry's face. Perry staggers backwards, shaken.
Kakuzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Perry.
Kawainui Perry is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Perry misses the jab.
Kakuzo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kakuzo checks a low kick from Perry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perry walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kakuzo cracks Perry with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kakuzo misses with a body shot
and Perry counters with a slapping leg kick.
Perry throws a wild body kick that Kakuzo sees coming a mile off.
Kakuzo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Perry is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kakuzo with a body shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kakuzo checks a leg kick.
Kakuzo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kakuzo blocks a jab.
Perry walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Perry slaps away a takedown attempt from Kakuzo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kakuzo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nakagome Kakuzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Perry misses with a looping left.
Perry slips a jab from Kakuzo.
Perry throws out a counter right but Kakuzo avoids it with no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kakuzo keeps Perry at a distance using the push kick.
Perry jabs Kakuzo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Perry lands a glancing blow to the side of Kakuzo's head.
The fighters circling - Kakuzo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice shot by Perry.
Kakuzo misses with a low kick as Perry jumps back.
Kakuzo throws a lazy right hand but Perry sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Perry throws a solid leg kick but Kakuzo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Perry.
Perry throws a front kick aimed at Kakuzo's knee but Kakuzo avoids it well.
Perry misses with a looping right.
Kakuzo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Perry back to the cage. Kakuzo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kakuzo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Perry. Perry circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kakuzo scoring well with a low kick there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nakagome Kakuzo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nakagome Kakuzo's cut.
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.

A clash of legs there as Perry blocks the low kick.
Nice cross by Kakuzo.
Perry throws a hook but Kakuzo avoids it easily.
Kakuzo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Perry jabs Kakuzo to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Kakuzo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kakuzo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
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. Kakuzo connects with a nice short shot to Perry's temple.
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. Kakuzo connects with a nice short shot to Perry's temple.
Kakuzo trying to control the action but Perry is working from the bottom.
Perry is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kakuzo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kakuzo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perry is pressing down on Kakuzo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kakuzo throws an elbow that misses. Perry uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kakuzo's guard. Nice move by Perry!

Kakuzo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Perry gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kakuzo is looking for a triangle here but Perry uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kakuzo manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Perry content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kakuzo is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kakuzo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Perry blocks the strikes from Kakuzo.

Kakuzo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kakuzo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Perry pulls his head out easily.
Kakuzo is in trouble now - Perry has advanced to mount!
Kakuzo is looking to improve his position but Perry isn't that keen on the idea.
Kakuzo is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perry manages to capitalize on a mistake by Kakuzo to take his back!

Kakuzo defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Kakuzo tries to escape but Perry has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Kakuzo manages to reverse the position and now he's in Perry's guard. Nice work there by Kakuzo.
Kakuzo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Perry's guard.
Perry controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kakuzo misses with a head shot. Perry uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo wants to control from the top but Perry keeps moving.
Kakuzo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nakagome Kakuzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kakuzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kakuzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kakuzo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kakuzo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kakuzo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nakagome Kakuzo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nakagome Kakuzo's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kakuzo takes the fight into the clinch.
Perry creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kakuzo's defenses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Perry as Kakuzo tries to tie him up.
Kakuzo dodges an elbow strike from Perry.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Perry.
Perry throws a head punch that misses.
Kakuzo has had enough of the clinch but Perry keeps him there for the moment.
Kakuzo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kakuzo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Perry after a bit of a struggle.
Kakuzo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Perry is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Kakuzo has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Perry is trying to keep an underhook but Kakuzo manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kakuzo wants to pass to mount but Perry is defending the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kakuzo trying to work for an americana but Perry has managed to regain full guard.
Perry is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Perry prevents Kakuzo from improving his position.
Kakuzo is looking to control Perry's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kakuzo avoid being mounted?
Kakuzo moves into full guard.

Kakuzo working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Perry has passed into half guard!
Kakuzo is looking to improve his position.
Perry with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.

Kakuzo actively working from the bottom here.
Perry is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Kakuzo looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Perry pushes past his half guard into mount!
Kakuzo regains half guard.

Kakuzo actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kakuzo tries to roll over but Perry keeps him under control.
Kakuzo is looking to control Perry's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kakuzo avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perry slows the pace down in half guard.
Kakuzo is looking to improve his position.
Kakuzo is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Perry jumps into side control!
Perry wants to control but Kakuzo is keeping him busy.

Kakuzo wants to improve his position, back to half guard but Perry has ideas of his own. He's got hold of Kakuzo's far side arm and it looks like he's got an Americana. Ohh! Ohhhh! OOOOOOOOOH! A human being's arm is not meant to bend like that! Kakuzo is tapping like a morse code operator on the Titanic! SOS SOS! He's out of here! Great win for Perry!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Kawainui Perry!
Kawainui Perry thanked the fans post fight for their support.