PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Josh Daigle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masayo Nagase (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Daigle's entrance music is The State of Massachusetts -- Dropkick Murphys. A fine choice. Josh Daigle has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Daigle
vs
Nagase

180 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Josh Daigle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Masayo Nagase!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nagase is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice combination there by Daigle.

Daigle shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nagase is looking to improve his position but Daigle isn't that keen on the idea.
Nagase wants to control but Daigle is having none of it.
Nagase slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Nagase tries to get to full guard but Daigle has control of the leg.
Daigle missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Daigle tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Daigle seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Daigle tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagase is trying to stand back up but Daigle is controlling him
Daigle is looking to advance position but Nagase won't allow it.
Daigle missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Daigle looks to throw the jab but Nagase is out of range.
Daigle closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Daigle uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Daigle lands a jab-cross combination.

Daigle has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nagase with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Nagase pulls Daigle into guard.
Nagase looking to control.
Daigle would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Nagase is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Daigle stands and steps away. Nagase gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Daigle is breathing heavily.
Nagase swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Daigle counters with a takedown into side control.
Nagase manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Daigle tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Daigle is refusing to be controlled, as Nagase sits in half guard.
Nagase landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nagase missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nagase wants to get back to his feet.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Daigle trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagase sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Daigle has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nagase is working away from the top position though.

Nagase is looking for a kimura but Daigle is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nagase to get the leverage.
Daigle wants to sweep but Nagase has passed to side control!
Daigle tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Nagase struggling to keep hold of the position.
Daigle tries to roll but Nagase sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Daigle has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Daigle knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nagase on the ground.
Nagase is controlling the position but Daigle somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Daigle slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Daigle is looking for a triangle but Nagase pushes his legs off easily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nagase fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Daigle getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Daigle dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Daigle throws a series of strikes that have Nagase backpedaling.
Daigle displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Daigle lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Nagase misses with a takedown attempt - Daigle sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Daigle throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Daigle throws a combination that misses

and Nagase counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Daigle's guard now.
Nagase trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Daigle throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Daigle wants to stand and escape but Nagase is having none of it.
Nagase wants to control from the top but Daigle keeps moving.
Daigle keeping full guard, as Nagase tries to pass.
Nagase wants to control from the top but Daigle keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Daigle working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Nagase has passed into half guard!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daigle is trying to stand.

Nagase stands up and beckons Daigle to join him on the feet.
Daigle throws a combination. Nagase tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Daigle!
Nagase shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Daigle counters with a two punch combo.

Daigle has taken the fight to the clinch.
Daigle prevents a takedown attempt there.
Josh Daigle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masayo Nagase.
Daigle holding his opponent close, against the cage.

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

Daigle clinches up with Nagase and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daigle stalling the fight.
Nagase wants a takedown but no success here.
Daigle is pressed up against the cage. Nagase has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Daigle down to the mat. Daigle avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Daigle fails to land with a series of punches.
Daigle misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Daigle throws a series of punches but Nagase avoids them all with ease.
Nagase with a lazy takedown attempt

and Daigle counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nagase tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Daigle smiles and moves away.
Nagase with a lazy takedown attempt
and Daigle counters with a big head kick but Nagase shrugs it off.
Josh Daigle is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nagase keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Daigle rushes Nagase and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nagase wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nagase trying to stall but Daigle improves his position.
Daigle has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nagase is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nagase drops down looking for an ankle pick but Daigle pulls his leg out and moves away.
Josh Daigle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Daigle swinging wilding here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagase shoots and misses
and Daigle counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Daigle throws a sloppy head kick and Nagase moves out of range easily.
Nagase has his takedown stuffed
and Daigle connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Daigle fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nagase, pushing him back against the cage.

Daigle has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Nagase clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Josh Daigle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Daigle is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Nagase knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Nagase for a finish.
Daigle missing with strikes from the back.
Nagase is keeping busy.

Daigle looking for the choke from the back.
Nagase is covering up but some of the strikes from Daigle are getting through and doing damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Daigle has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Nagase is covering up but some of the strikes from Daigle are getting through and doing damage.
Daigle is punishing Nagase with strikes - can he finish him?!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Daigle's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Daigle looking for the RNC.
Nagase finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Daigle thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Nagase working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Daigle dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A solid leg kick lands there for Daigle.
Nagase closes this distance looking for a takedown but Daigle circles away.
Nagase misses with a jab, cross combination.
Daigle misses with a head kick.
Daigle shoots and misses

so Nagase counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Daigle wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Nagase is now in half guard.
Nagase seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Daigle does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Daigle moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Daigle manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Daigle throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Nagase takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Daigle throws a combination. Nagase tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Daigle throws a combination. Nagase tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Daigle!

Daigle scores a takedown into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daigle prevents Nagase from getting the reversal.
Nagase is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Daigle avoids the attempt from Nagase to control.
Nagase regains half guard.
Daigle wants to stand but Nagase has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Nagase is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Daigle's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Daigle's back!
Nagase has Daigle flattened out and is raining down punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nagase struggling to keep hold of the position.
Daigle wants to get back to his feet.
Daigle tries to roll but Nagase sticks to his back.
Daigle manages to reverse the position and now he's in Nagase's guard. Nice work there by Daigle.
Daigle slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Nagase has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Daigle can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Daigle preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daigle trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Daigle trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nagase's guard.
Nagase looking to hit a scissor sweep but Daigle is one step ahead there.
Daigle has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Daigle pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nagase is keeping the position for now.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Nagase holds on and takes a little breather.
Nagase is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Daigle throws a sloppy head kick and Nagase moves out of range easily.
Nagase falls off balance throwing a combination
and Daigle counters with a one-two to the body.
Nagase shoots in for a takedown but Daigle shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Daigle swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Nagase counters with a nice double leg into side control. Daigle won't be happy with that.
Nagase lands an elbow.
Daigle is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Daigle is not content to let Nagase control the position.
Daigle is looking to regain half guard here but Nagase keeps moving and retains side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nagase is looking to take a break and control but Daigle is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Masayo Nagase has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nagase throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masayo Nagase comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Daigle 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Daigle!