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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nakagome Kakuzo (ranked 710 p4p, 1257 weight class) and Ender Knightley (ranked 94 p4p, 161 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!
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| 185 cm
31
180
25 - 17 - 0 |
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181 cm
25
180
7 - 4 - 1 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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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 25 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nakagome Kakuzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ender Knightley!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Roger Salmon and Josh West.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Knightley connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kakuzo. Kakuzo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kakuzo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kakuzo tries a head kick but it misses.
Knightley is looking to slow Kakuzo down with leg kicks.
Kakuzo throws a hook but Knightley blocks it.
Kakuzo misses with an uppercut.
Kakuzo lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kakuzo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kakuzo avoids the head kick by Knightley.
Nice body punch from Kakuzo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knightley tries to clinch but Kakuzo moves out of range.
Knightley avoids a kick to the body.
Kakuzo attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kakuzo looks to land a body kick but Knightley moved away.
Knightley tries to score with a low kick but Kakuzo moves his leg out of the way.
A head kick misses from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo throws a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kakuzo. Knightley does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kakuzo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Knightley with the inside leg kick.
Knightley uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kakuzo.
Knightley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kakuzo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kakuzo loads up on a big right hand but Knightley slips the punch.
Kakuzo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Knightley digs a good body shot into Kakuzo's ribs.
The fighters circling - Kakuzo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Knightley scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Knightley pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kakuzo lands a nice shot that snaps Knightley's head back.
Kakuzo scores with a sloppy right hand. Knightley should have avoided that one.
Knightley has managed to clinch.
Kakuzo blocks a body shot from Knightley.
Knightley is working Kakuzo over against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kakuzo is looking to control Knightley's arms but Knightley gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kakuzo has his back to the cage.
Kakuzo misses with a punch on the inside.
Knightley lands a nice uppercut.
Knightley letting Kakuzo take a breather here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Knightley tries to throw a body punch but Kakuzo avoids it by throwing Knightley back against the cage.
Knightley misses with a hook from the clinch.
Knightley lands with a right to the head.
Knightley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knightley being controlled against the cage.
Knightley works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kakuzo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knightley lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Knightley throws a punch but it's blocked by Kakuzo.
Kakuzo is trying to trip Knightley. He has hold of a leg but Knightley is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Kakuzo persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Kakuzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Knightley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Knightley has Kakuzo pulled in close to control his posture.
Kakuzo throwing strikes but missing.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Knightley's head.
Kakuzo trying to control but Knightley is working from the bottom.
Knightley looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Knightley wants to sweep here but Kakuzo controlling him for the moment.
Kakuzo postures up.
Knightley has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kakuzo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Knightley's guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kakuzo throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Knightley to regain full guard.
Knightley 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 throws an elbow that misses. Knightley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kakuzo's guard. Nice move by Knightley!
Kakuzo is looking for a triangle here but Knightley uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kakuzo is looking for a sweep.
Knightley advances to full mount.
Knightley controlling his opponent.
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.
That's time! Back to the action!
Knightley throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kakuzo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Knightley lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kakuzo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kakuzo works the jab nicely.
Knightley lands a glancing blow to the side of Kakuzo's head.
Kakuzo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kakuzo showed some decent athleticism there.
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!
Kakuzo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Knightley's head.
Kakuzo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Knightley is staying active underneath Kakuzo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kakuzo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kakuzo throwing shots but Knightley is blocking nicely.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuzo 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.
Knightley wants to control but Kakuzo is keeping busy.
Knightley has his hands clasped together around Kakuzo's back. He's all about the action.
Knightley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo is working for a kimura but Knightley is defending it quite comfortably.
Knightley wants to get back to full guard.
Kakuzo wants to work for an arm triangle but Knightley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kakuzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
That's two 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.
Kakuzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Knightley defending well though.
Knightley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kakuzo.
Knightley is not content to let Kakuzo control the position.
Knightley keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
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 Knightley's temple.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Knightley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo trying to control the action but Knightley is working from the bottom.
Kakuzo thows a huge punch but Knightley dodges it nicely.
Knightley pushes Kakuzo off looking to stand but Kakuzo dives back in and keeps control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nakagome Kakuzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knightley tries to get to full guard but Kakuzo has control of the leg.
Knightley has his hands clasped together around Kakuzo's back. He's all about the action.
Kakuzo is trying to control. Knightley 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 tries to clinch up.
Knightley uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kakuzo.
Knightley throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kakuzo.
Nakagome Kakuzo is winning the standup battle so far.
Knightley lands a jab-cross combination.
Knightley scoring well with a low kick there.
Knightley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Knightley controlling the position well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Knightley defending well though.
Kakuzo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kakuzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kakuzo is looking to stall here but Knightley recovers full guard.
Knightley wants to get back to his feet but Kakuzo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kakuzo throws a strike but Knightley rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kakuzo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nakagome Kakuzo dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!
Knightley misses with a low kick.
Kakuzo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kakuzo misses with a body shot.
Kakuzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Knightley.
Kakuzo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Knightley shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kakuzo eats them both and turns towards Knightley to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kakuzo misses with a low kick.
Kakuzo cracks Knightley with an open hand slap.
A swing and a miss from Kakuzo.
Nakagome Kakuzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kakuzo throws a hook but Knightley blocks it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kakuzo. Knightley does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knightley misses with a hook. Kakuzo ducked under it nicely.
Knightley gets a clinch.
Kakuzo lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Knightley.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good body shot from Kakuzo.
A head punch on the inside from Kakuzo fails to land.
Knightley lands with a left to the head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Knightley wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kakuzo is trying to drag Knightley to the mat but Knightley just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Knightley swings wildly with an uppercut but Kakuzo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kakuzo has Knightley pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Kakuzo pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Knightley tumbling to the mat - Kakuzo dives into Knightley's guard.
Knightley pushes Kakuzo off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kakuzo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nice jab there from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo fails with the takedown.
Knightley fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kakuzo.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knightley throws a leg kick but Kakuzo sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A clash of legs there as Knightley blocks the low kick.
Knightley takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Knightley gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Knightley slips under a jab.
Ender Knightley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kakuzo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kakuzo scores with a nice strike.
Kakuzo takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Knightley bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kakuzo's head backwards.
Kakuzo throws a head kick that misses
and Knightley counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Knightley closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kakuzo.
Knightley misses with the head strike.
Knightley has a couple of punches blocked by Kakuzo.
A right hand to the body from Kakuzo.
Knightley is looking to break free of the clinch but Kakuzo has double underhooks.
Knightley scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Knightley lands with a right to the head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knightley lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from Knightley.
A hook to the body from Knightley.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kakuzo manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kakuzo is looking for a triangle but Knightley pushes his legs off easily.
Knightley stands and steps away. Kakuzo gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kakuzo avoids the head kick by Knightley.
A swing and a miss from Kakuzo.
Knightley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Knightley is looking to clinch but Kakuzo is avoiding it.
Knightley misses with a hook. Kakuzo ducked under it nicely.
Kakuzo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Knightley throws out the jab.
Knightley moves out of range of the body kick from Kakuzo.
Knightley just misses with a punch to the body.
Kakuzo staying out of range there.
Kakuzo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo blocks a low kick nicely.
Knightley slips a jab from Kakuzo.
Knightley flicks out a counter leg kick but Kakuzo steps away.
Kakuzo shoots in looking for a takedown. Knightley tries to sprawl out of it but Kakuzo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knightley manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nakagome Kakuzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knightley keeps Kakuzo at a distance using the push kick.
Knightley has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
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!
Knightley tries a head kick but it misses.
Knightley lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kakuzo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Knightley swivels and escapes.
Kakuzo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kakuzo gets tackled into the cage by Knightley. Knightley maintains the clinch.
Knightley gets through Kakuzo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Knightley manages to break the clinch.
Ender Knightley 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 closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kakuzo lands in his opponent's guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Ender Knightley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kakuzo 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Josh West scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nakagome Kakuzo!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
61% |
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