PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Nakai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakbar Shamuli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenji Nakai has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Nakai
vs
Shamuli

217 cm
25
146 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

158 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Nakai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hakbar Shamuli!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Sano and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nakai shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Shamuli manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Shamuli keeping moving, preventing Nakai from controlling successfully.
Nakai will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Shamuli wants to stand and escape but Nakai is having none of it.
Nakai controls from within his opponent's guard.
Shamuli keeping moving, preventing Nakai from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kenji Nakai just wasn't active enough.

Shamuli closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nakai to the mat! Nakai manages to get full guard.
Nakai lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Shamuli!
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!
Shamuli is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamuli is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Shamuli is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Shamuli can do anything to dispel that myth.
Shamuli is trying to stand but he's just given Nakai his back.
Nakai lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Nakai really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Shamuli looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Shamuli is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Nakai is riding his opponent, not letting Shamuli buck him off.
Shamuli trying to get back to his feet but Nakai is in full control for now.
Shamuli looking very determined here, making life difficult for Nakai.
Nakai has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Shamuli's body.
Nakai throwing wild punches that miss their target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakai working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Shamuli is trying to stand back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Nakai tightening his grip on Shamuli, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamuli looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Shamuli is keeping busy.
Shamuli controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Nakai lands shots from the back.
Shamuli has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Nakai.
Nakai wants to control but Shamuli is keeping busy.

Shamuli is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Nakai off. It looks like it's working - Nakai slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Shamuli displaying calm under pressure there.
Shamuli fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamuli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nakai.

Nakai scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Shamuli wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakai throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Nakai decides to stand up, so the ref orders Shamuli to his feet.
Shamuli displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nakai.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shamuli stuffs the takedown attempt from Nakai. Nakai gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Nakai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shamuli has his takedown stuffed
and Nakai counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Nakai 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.

Nakai throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nakai leaves Shamuli with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Shamuli shoots in for a takedown but Nakai shows good takedown defense.
Nakai slaps away a takedown attempt from Shamuli, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kenji Nakai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakbar Shamuli.
Nakai shoots for a double leg takedown but Shamuli sprawls well. He's pushed Nakai's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nakai.
Nakai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Shamuli backs up against the cage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nakai is defended easily by Shamuli.

Shamuli closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nakai avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Shamuli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakai trying to hold on to Shamuli's head to control him but Shamuli postures up.
Nakai regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Shamuli.
Kenji Nakai overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Shamuli is looking to advance position but Nakai has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Shamuli is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Nakai trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nakai controlling from mount.
You get the feeling that Shamuli really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakai throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Shamuli because Nakai loaded up on that one.
Shamuli is in a horrible position here. Nakai smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nakai looking to control but Shamuli is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Nakai working for a submission but Shamuli is keeping him at bay.
Shamuli is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Shamuli somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakai shoots in looking for a takedown. Shamuli tries to sprawl out of it but Nakai keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Shamuli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakai misses with a head kick.
Shamuli closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nakai circles away.
No luck for Nakai with that takedown attempt.

Nakai looking to score a takedown here. Shamuli is defending well but Nakai drives through and ends up in Shamuli's guard.
Nakai 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nakai prevents Shamuli from getting back to his feet.
Nakai postures up in Shamuli's guard and throws a big left but Shamuli blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shamuli wants to stand up but Nakai is controlling him.
Nakai tries to free his leg and advance position but Shamuli is retaining full guard.

Shamuli pushes Nakai off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Shamuli or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakai which made him look bad.

Nakai closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Shamuli's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shamuli wants to get back to his feet but Nakai is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Shamuli is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Nakai dives into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shamuli is not content to let Nakai control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kenji Nakai will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Shamuli dives in for a single leg takedown but Nakai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Nakai jumps guard and drags Shamuli to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nakai holds on and takes a little breather.
Shamuli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakai is keeping the position for now.
Nakai is trying to control the position but Shamuli postures up.
Shamuli tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakai is retaining full guard.
Nakai looking to control.

We're going to have a standup here because Kenji Nakai wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Horrible takedown by Shamuli or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakai which made him look bad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakai throws a head kick but Shamuli moves out of range.

Shamuli gets caught flat footed, as Nakai shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nakai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shamuli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Shamuli wants to stand but Nakai is controlling the position.
Shamuli takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakai trying to control but Shamuli is working from the bottom.
Shamuli is looking to stand up but Nakai isn't so interested in that idea.
Nakai seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kenji Nakai.
Shamuli looks for a takedown but Nakai sprawls well.
Kenji Nakai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakbar Shamuli.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakai's jab looks to have found its range, popping Shamuli under the eye.
Shamuli dives in for a single leg takedown but Nakai sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nakai wants to take the fight to the mat but Shamuli manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Shamuli tries for a takedown but Nakai manages to get underhooks.
Nakai leaning his opponent against the cage.
Nakai is trying to force a seperation but Shamuli has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shamuli gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nakai.
Nakai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nakai can't break the clinch.
Nakai gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shamuli.
Shamuli drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamuli wants to take the fight to the mat but Nakai manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Nakai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Shamuli smiles and moves away.

Nakai shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakai throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Nakai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nakai has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Nakai!