PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuki Nakai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicky Santoro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yuki Nakai has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nakai
vs
Santoro

170 cm
30
154 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

160 cm
22
150 lbs
15 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuki Nakai!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nicky Santoro!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santoro tries to clinch there but Nakai circles away.
Santoro throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Santoro scores with a takedown into Nakai's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nakai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Santoro is fighting to break Nakai's control of his arms but Nakai is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Nakai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nakai working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Santoro.
Santoro passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nakai gets back to half guard.
Nakai is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Santoro scores with a couple of nice shots.
Santoro is nestled in close to Nakai, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Santoro throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
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. Santoro connects with a nice short shot to Nakai's temple.
Nakai wants to control but Santoro is keeping busy.
Santoro is trying to control the action in half guard but Nakai is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Santoro working Nakai over with strikes.
Nakai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nakai has a hand on Santoro's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Santoro takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Santoro looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Santoro landing strikes from the mount.
Nakai tries to reverse the position but Santoro maintains control.
Nakai taking shots to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Santoro scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santoro landing strikes from the mount.
Santoro unloading with bombs!
Nakai slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Nakai on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Santoro there.
Nakai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Santoro controlling the action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nakai is looking to control Santoro's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nakai avoid being mounted?
Nakai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Santoro's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Santoro's back!
Nakai doesn't have the hooks in and Santoro manages to turn into his guard.
Nakai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakai is pulling down on Santoro's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santoro postures up.
Santoro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakai is keeping the position for now.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakai keeps moving.
Santoro working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Santoro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Santoro is in close to Nakai's body, working some short punches and elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Santoro accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Santoro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nakai's head.
Nakai keeping moving, preventing Santoro from controlling successfully.
Nakai has momentary wrist control but Santoro slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakai trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nakai is trying to keep Santoro in close.
Santoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santoro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakai looking for a sweep. Not yet Nakai, not yet.
Santoro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakai keeps moving.
Nakai working a defensive guard here.
Nakai has momentary wrist control but Santoro slips an elbow through the middle.
Santoro wants to pass the guard but Nakai is keeping the position.
Nakai looking for a sweep. Not yet Nakai, not yet.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Nakai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Santoro got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nakai has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Santoro has managed to get both his arms back between Nakai's legs - danger averted.
Santoro lands a couple of elbows.
Santoro lands a couple of digs.

Nakai working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Santoro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Santoro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Santoro is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Santoro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nakai working a defensive guard here.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Nakai keeping moving, preventing Santoro from controlling successfully.
Santoro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakai keeps moving.
Santoro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Nakai is looking for a triangle but Santoro pushes his legs off easily.
Nakai controls Santoro momentarily but Santoro frees himself.
Santoro trying to control but Nakai is working from the bottom.
Santoro stays in close to Nakai's body and controls the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakai wants to sweep here but Santoro controlling him for the moment.
Santoro content to stall in guard here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nicky Santoro hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Santoro misses with a double jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Santoro.
Nakai thows a body shot but no joy.

Nakai tries to keep at a distance but Santoro has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nakai misses with a body punch.
Nakai is trying to drag Santoro to the mat but Santoro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A left hand lands to the body for Nakai.

Santoro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Santoro shoots in for a double leg but Nakai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Santoro avoids the body shot from Nakai.

Santoro forces Nakai back against the cage and clinches.

Nakai gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Santoro regains guard.
Santoro looking to control.
Nakai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Santoro bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nakai's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakai keeps moving.
Santoro lands a couple of digs.
Santoro cracks Nakai with a solid left hand.
Nakai is pulling down on Santoro's head to control his posture.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Santoro postures up.
Nakai keeping full guard, as Santoro tries to pass.
Nakai wants to sweep but no luck.
Nakai trying to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

We're going to have a standup here because Yuki Nakai wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Nakai throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Nakai gets tackled into the cage by Santoro. Santoro maintains the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Santoro dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nakai lands a leg kick that knocks Santoro off balance momentarily.
Nakai throws a nice outside leg kick.
A punch lands to the side of Nakai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nakai gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A jab from Nakai misses.
Nakai tries to clinch up.
Nakai fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Santoro is out of range.
Nakai takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nakai misses with a leg kick.
Nakai tries to clinch there but Santoro circles away.
Nakai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A leg kick checked by Santoro.
A clash of legs there as Santoro blocks the low kick.
Santoro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nakai as he jumps to the side.
Santoro tries to clinch but Nakai is having none of it.
Santoro takes a swing at Nakai's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakai throws a leg kick but Santoro sees it coming and moves out of range.

Santoro scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Santoro is looking to take a break and control but Nakai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nakai has hold of Santoro's hands but Santoro slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Santoro is nestled in close to Nakai, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Santoro lands strikes from half guard.
Santoro lands strikes from half guard.
Nakai has hold of Santoro's hands but Santoro slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nakai is trying to control but can't.

Santoro wants to work for an arm triangle but Nakai is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Santoro thows a huge punch but Nakai dodges it nicely.
Nakai moves into full guard.
Nicky Santoro has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakai bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Santoro's guard.

Santoro working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nakai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nakai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nakai works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Nakai is keen to just control but Santoro is a slippery customer.
Santoro punching from the bottom.
Nakai is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Nakai tries to pass to full mount but Santoro defends it.
Santoro wants to control but Nakai is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Nakai seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Santoro does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakai is working for a kimura but Santoro is defending it quite comfortably.
Santoro misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Santoro is controlling Nakai's trapped leg to prevent Nakai from advancing to side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Santoro manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Santoro throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nakai escapes and throws Santoro's legs to the side, diving into side control!
You can see the frustration on Santoro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Santoro tries to strike but it doesn't land.

Nakai is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Santoro has escaped the position, nice work there.
Santoro throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Santoro sneaks back into half guard.

Santoro makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Nakai swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santoro looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nakai attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nakai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Santoro fails to land with a series of punches.
Nakai tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Santoro manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Santoro. Nakai does a little dance to reset his feet.

Nakai forces Santoro back against the cage and clinches.

Santoro breaks from the clinch.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Nakai walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Santoro checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nakai misses with a low kick.
Nicky Santoro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakai takes one to the side of the head.
Santoro tries to clinch but Nakai is having none of it.
Decent striking displayed by Santoro there.

Santoro looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Santoro is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Santoro takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nakai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Santoro.
Nakai trying to control but Santoro postures up.
Santoro is keen to just control but Nakai is a slippery customer.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Nakai works his way to full guard. Good work.

Nakai has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Santoro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nakai looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nakai is trying to keep Santoro in close.
Santoro with a nice head shot there.
Santoro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nakai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakai working a defensive guard here.
Santoro trying to control but Nakai is working from the bottom.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Santoro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakai is keeping the position for now.
Santoro trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Santoro throws a strike but Nakai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Santoro looking for a sweep. Not yet Santoro, not yet.

Nakai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Nakai is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Santoro is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Santoro has escaped and now he's on top!
Santoro slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Nakai is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Nakai wants to control but Santoro is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Santoro is trying to control. Nakai wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Santoro not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Santoro lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Santoro is looking to stall here but Nakai recovers full guard.
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!
Nakai wants to sweep here but Santoro controlling him for the moment.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Santoro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nakai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Santoro passes Nakai's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nakai is looking for a sweep. Santoro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Santoro stalling.
Nakai has hold of Santoro's hands but Santoro slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santoro slips a nice elbow through Nakai's hands, connecting with Nakai's forehead.
Nakai wants to improve his position but Santoro is controlling well.

Santoro is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicky Santoro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Santoro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nakai.
Santoro checks a low kick from Nakai.
Santoro is looking to clinch but Nakai is avoiding it.
Nakai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nakai fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Santoro tries to close the distance and clinch but Nakai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A slow jab from Nakai misses its intended target.
No luck for Nakai with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuki Nakai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santoro connects with a single shot there.
Nakai throws a low kick but Santoro avoids it.
Nakai misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santoro sizes up Nakai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Santoro uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nakai.
Santoro keeps the fight on the outside.
Santoro avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Nakai takes the fight into the clinch.
Santoro lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nakai misses with a body punch.
Santoro prevents a body shot from Nakai.
Santoro lands with a right to the head.
Santoro pushes Nakai back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nakai misses with a punch to the body.

Santoro turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Santoro manages to end up in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakai is trying to get back to half guard.
Nakai is not content to let Santoro control the position.
Santoro scoring with punches and elbows.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakai is looking for a sweep.
Nakai takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
You can see the frustration on Nakai's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nakai takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Check out the look on Santoro's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Nakai is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santoro cracks Nakai with a big elbow.
Nakai manages to get back to half guard.

Santoro seems to be working for a kimura but Nakai defends the submission attempt.
Santoro seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nakai does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Santoro not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Santoro prevents Nakai from improving his position.
Santoro takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nakai is not content to let Santoro control the position.
Nakai is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakai has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Santoro is working away from the top position though.
Santoro wants to take a breather but Nakai is having none of it.
Nakai tries to get to full guard but Santoro has control of the leg.
Nakai trying to control but Santoro postures up.
Nakai is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Santoro looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nakai with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nakai is pressing down on Santoro's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Santoro showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Santoro postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Nakai has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Santoro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Santoro loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Santoro working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Santoro throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Santoro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Santoro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santoro is in close to Nakai's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Nakai is looking for a triangle but Santoro pushes his legs off easily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Santoro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Santoro is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakai keeps moving.
Santoro scoring with punches to the head and body.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakai keeps moving.
Santoro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakai is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Santoro stands up over Nakai, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Nakai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nakai holds on and takes a little breather.
Well,Nakai is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?
Santoro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Santoro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nakai controls Santoro momentarily but Santoro frees himself.
Santoro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Santoro throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Santoro postures up in Nakai's guard and throws a big left but Nakai blocks it.
Nakai is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Santoro wants to control from the top but Nakai keeps moving.
Yuki Nakai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Nakai trying to control the position.
Santoro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Santoro postures up.
Santoro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Santoro works over Nakai with some ground and pound from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakai trying to control the position.

Nakai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Santoro is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nakai lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Santoro!
Santoro flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Santoro is in all sorts of trouble here.
Nakai seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Santoro is holding on tight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Santoro is looking to get to half guard.
Nakai wants to control the pace but Santoro is squirming around nicely.
Santoro bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicky Santoro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Santoro has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Nicky Santoro!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Nicky Santoro!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Nicky Santoro!

Nicky Santoro wins by unanimous decision!
Nicky Santoro is the new featherweight champion!
Nicky Santoro managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, [CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « ONI ↑ 5x160Q, into his post fight interview.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
90%

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