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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Grant Merrill (ranked 4776 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaoru Nageshima (ranked 4775 p4p, 412 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.
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| 183 cm
19
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0 |
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174 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Grant Merrill!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kaoru Nageshima!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yuuki Gou.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nageshima misses with a takedown attempt - Merrill sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nageshima bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nageshima gets tackled into the cage by Merrill. Merrill maintains the clinch.
Nageshima tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merrill has had enough of the clinch but Nageshima keeps him there for the moment.
Merrill escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Merrill throws a leg kick but Nageshima sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nageshima tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merrill throws a body punch but Nageshima moves out of range.
Nageshima misses with a takedown
and Merrill moves into the clinch.
Merrill is trying to break the clinch but Nageshima is controlling him.
Merrill prevents a takedown attempt there.
Grant Merrill has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Nageshima.
Nageshima successfully pulls guard.
Merrill avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merrill stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Merrill dives in and grabs Nageshima's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nageshima pushes down on Merrill's head and hops out.
Merrill shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nageshima as he jumps to the side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nageshima is defended easily by Merrill.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Merrill fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nageshima, pushing him back against the cage.
Nageshima has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Merrill uses from the top position.
Nageshima has an active guard here but Merrill has managed to pass into half guard.
Nageshima trying to control but Merrill postures up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nageshima manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Merrill keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Nageshima drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nageshima has Merrill pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Merrill manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nageshima is trying to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Kaoru Nageshima will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Nageshima is looking to clinch but Merrill is avoiding it.
Merrill wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nageshima decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nageshima winds up and cracks Merrill with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Merrill is trying to stand back up but Nageshima is controlling him
Merrill is not content to let Nageshima control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nageshima tries to stand and escape but Merrill is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Merrill wants to control but Nageshima is keeping busy.
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. Nageshima connects with a nice short shot to Merrill's temple.
Nageshima is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Merrill knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nageshima on the ground.
Nageshima stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Merrill. No joy for Nageshima on that attempt.
Merrill throws a quick counter kick to the body but Nageshima avoids it.
Nageshima closes the distance and clinches up with Merrill, looking for a takedown. Nageshima pushes Merrill against the cage but Merrill circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Merrill on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Merrill throws a body shot but no joy.
Merrill shoots in for a takedown but Nageshima shows good takedown defense.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merrill keeps the fight on the outside.
Nageshima stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nageshima wants it to stay on the feet.
Nageshima shoots for a double leg takedown but Merrill sprawls well. He's pushed Nageshima's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Grant Merrill has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaoru Nageshima.
Nageshima misses with a takedown attempt - Merrill sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jab from Merrill.
Nageshima tries to score a power double leg takedown but Merrill sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nageshima somewhat.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nageshima shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Merrill is trying to defend but Nageshima finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Merrill keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nageshima wants to lay and pray for a moment but Merrill keeps working.
Nageshima is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Merrill has managed to free his arm - good work.
Merrill controlling the position for now.
Nageshima is trying to control. Merrill wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nageshima is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Merrill has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nageshima slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kaoru Nageshima showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Nageshima dives in for a single leg takedown but Merrill sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A quick step to the side and Merrill tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nageshima avoids the head kick by Merrill.
Merrill fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nageshima sprawls well initially but Merrill persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nageshima pushes Merrill off but Merrill dives into side control.
Kaoru Nageshima has got the better of the ground game so far.
Merrill throwing strikes but Nageshima manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Nageshima wants to control but Merrill is keeping him busy.
Merrill is trying to get back to his feet.
Nageshima tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Nageshima lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Merrill down.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Merrill managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nageshima.
Nageshima is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Merrill has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nageshima is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Merrill has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nageshima should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Nageshima passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Merrill!
Merrill tries to hold on but Nageshima postures up.
Nageshima has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nageshima throwing strikes here but Merrill is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nageshima goes for an armbar but Merrill turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Merrill.
Merrill drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Nageshima dives on top into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nageshima trying to control but Merrill is working from the bottom.
Nageshima scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nageshima has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Merrill is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nageshima loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nageshima pushing down on Merrill's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
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. Nageshima connects with a nice short shot to Merrill's temple.
Merrill is refusing to be controlled, as Nageshima sits in half guard.
Nageshima seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Merrill is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Kaoru Nageshima!
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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
40% |
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