PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuichiro Nagashima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Diego Paixao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zack Diego Paixao is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nagashima
vs
Diego Paixao

179 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
150 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuichiro Nagashima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zack Diego Paixao!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diego Paixao shoots for a double leg takedown but Nagashima sprawls well. He's pushed Diego Paixao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Diego Paixao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Diego Paixao tries to clinch but Nagashima is having none of it.
Nagashima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Yuichiro Nagashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Diego Paixao.
Nagashima closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Diego Paixao tries to keep at a distance but Nagashima has taken the fight into the clinch.
Diego Paixao drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nagashima lands an elbow inside.
Diego Paixao trying to stall but Nagashima improves his position.
Diego Paixao is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nagashima is defending well for now.
A body shot lands from Nagashima.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Diego Paixao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nagashima as he jumps to the side.
Nagashima lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Diego Paixao circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nagashima moves into the clinch successfully.
Nagashima working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Nagashima breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nagashima misses with a two punch combination.
Nagashima lands with a kick to the temple. Diego Paixao shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nagashima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Diego Paixao looks gassed!

Nagashima closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Nagashima breaks the clinch.

Nagashima closes the distance and clinches.

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

Nagashima clinches up with Diego Paixao and pushes him back against the cage.
Diego Paixao tries to break the clinch but Nagashima is controlling the position.
Diego Paixao tries to pull guard but Nagashima holds him up against the cage and eventually Diego Paixao drops back down to his feet.
A nice left hand lands by Nagashima.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nagashima manages to break the clinch.

Nagashima rushes Diego Paixao and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nagashima working Diego Paixao over with knees to the body.
Nagashima lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Diego Paixao backwards.
Nagashima lands a right hand.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Nagashima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Diego Paixao tries to keep at a distance but Nagashima has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nagashima.
Diego Paixao stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Nagashima lands a body punch.
Nagashima with a knee to the head.
Nagashima lands with a left to the head.
Nagashima lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nagashima lands a left hand that snaps the head of Diego Paixao backwards.
Diego Paixao tries to pull guard but Nagashima holds him up against the cage and eventually Diego Paixao drops back down to his feet.
Nagashima lands a nice elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima stalling against the cage.
Nagashima utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Nagashima breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diego Paixao is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nagashima.

Nagashima drives through and clinches with Diego Paixao against the cage.

Nagashima breaks from the clinch.
A head kick from Nagashima lands but Diego Paixao takes it in his stride.
Nagashima misses with a jab, cross combination.

Nagashima drives through and clinches with Diego Paixao against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Nagashima.
A short uppercut from Nagashima.
Nagashima taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima lands a nice uppercut.
Nagashima lands a shoulder strike.
Nagashima makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Nagashima.
Nagashima lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nagashima lands a left hand.
A right handed body shot lands from Nagashima.
Diego Paixao is trying to break free.
Nagashima displaying some good clinch control by pressing Diego Paixao up against the cage.

Nagashima breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Diego Paixao fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nagashima lands a two punch combo.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Nagashima clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuichiro Nagashima dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Diego Paixao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nagashima moves away.
Diego Paixao shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nagashima as he jumps to the side.

Nagashima clinches up with Diego Paixao and pushes him back against the cage.
Diego Paixao takes a shot to the head.
Nagashima lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Diego Paixao tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nagashima smiles and moves away.
Diego Paixao tries for a takedown but Nagashima sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Yuichiro Nagashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Diego Paixao.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagashima throws a series of punches but Diego Paixao avoids them all with ease.
Nagashima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Diego Paixao is breathing heavily.
Diego Paixao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diego Paixao is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nagashima.
Nagashima lands a head kick. Diego Paixao smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Nagashima forces Diego Paixao back against the cage and clinches.
Nagashima is leaning against Diego Paixao and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nagashima dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

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

Nagashima clinches with his opponent.
A hook to the body from Nagashima.
Nagashima lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Nagashima.
Nagashima leaning his opponent against the cage.
Nagashima lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nagashima stalling against the cage.
Nagashima lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Nagashima breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Diego Paixao shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Nagashima clinches up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nagashima.
Nagashima has Diego Paixao pressed against the cage.
Nagashima pushes Diego Paixao back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nagashima working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nagashima throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Diego Paixao blocks it with crossed arms.
Diego Paixao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short right from Nagashima.
Nagashima will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Diego Paixao up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nagashima's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diego Paixao. Nagashima does a little dance to reset his feet.

Nagashima has closed the distance and engaged Diego Paixao in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Nagashima.

Nagashima pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Diego Paixao misses with a takedown attempt - Nagashima sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Diego Paixao shoots in looking for a takedown. Nagashima tries to sprawl out of it but Diego Paixao keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nagashima manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Diego Paixao looks to clinch

and Nagashima counters by clinching up.
Nagashima lands a good knee to the midsection. Diego Paixao won't want to take too many of those.
Nagashima swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yuichiro Nagashima has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nagashima tries to stall but Diego Paixao uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diego Paixao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nagashima just stands there and leans against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nagashima.
Diego Paixao trying to control the position but instead, Nagashima has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diego Paixao into the cage.
Nagashima swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A bit of stalling here from Nagashima.
Diego Paixao tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Nagashima breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Diego Paixao.
Diego Paixao darts in trying to clinch

and Nagashima counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Diego Paixao jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Nagashima walks away with a smile on his face. Diego Paixao gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nagashima slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuichiro Nagashima dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nagashima darts in and clinches Diego Paixao up against the cage.

Nagashima manages to break the clinch.
Nagashima tries to clinch but Diego Paixao moves away

and Diego Paixao counters with a takedown into side control.

Nagashima explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Zack Diego Paixao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diego Paixao fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Diego Paixao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No joy there for Diego Paixao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Nagashima gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

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

Diego Paixao drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nagashima pushes Diego Paixao away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Diego Paixao gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diego Paixao is looking to take a break and control but Nagashima is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nagashima is pushing Diego Paixao's head away, looking to escape. Diego Paixao manages to hold on to the position though.
Nagashima is not content to let Diego Paixao control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Diego Paixao throws a wild body kick that Nagashima sees coming a mile off.

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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Diego Paixao is defended easily by Nagashima.
Nagashima connects with a high kick.

Nagashima gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nagashima lands a knee to the body.
Nagashima lands a right hand.

Diego Paixao breaks the clinch.
Diego Paixao wants to clinch but Nagashima slips to the side

and Nagashima moves into the clinch.
Nagashima is trying to maintain a safe position but Diego Paixao gets an underhook and turns Nagashima into the cage.
Diego Paixao has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nagashima avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Yuichiro Nagashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Diego Paixao.
Nagashima slowing the pace effectively.
Diego Paixao drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nagashima pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagashima stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nagashima wants it to stay on the feet.
Diego Paixao shoots in for a takedown but Nagashima shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A right-left combo lands from Nagashima.
Zack Diego Paixao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nagashima closes the distance and pushes Diego Paixao back into the cage.
Nagashima scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Diego Paixao tries to stall but Nagashima uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nagashima with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nagashima has a couple of punches blocked by Diego Paixao.
Nagashima pushes off an throws an elbow but Diego Paixao leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nagashima stops a takedown attempt from Diego Paixao.
Yuichiro Nagashima is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Nagashima manages to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nagashima is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Diego Paixao doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nagashima holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Nagashima digs a right hand into Diego Paixao's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Diego Paixao's gas tank.
Diego Paixao trying to control the position but instead, Nagashima has worked for underhooks and has pushed Diego Paixao into the cage.
Nagashima content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nagashima lands a body shot in the clinch.
Diego Paixao tries to work over Nagashima's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Diego Paixao managing to block the knees to the body from Nagashima.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Diego Paixao.
Nagashima has had enough of the clinch but Diego Paixao keeps him there for the moment.
Diego Paixao misses with a body punch.
Nagashima blocks an uppercut.

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 Yuichiro Nagashima.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nagashima, 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuichiro Nagashima!