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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Barbosa (ranked 994 p4p, 53 weight class) and Santosh Nagasaki (ranked 636 p4p, 35 weight class). Nagasaki has chosen Execute Plan: Nuclear Tortoise as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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165 cm
26
137 lbs
15 - 9 - 1 |
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170 cm
29
144 lbs
17 - 11 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Barbosa! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Santosh Nagasaki! The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Barbosa jabs at Nagasaki's body. Nagasaki lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Barbosa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance. Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Santosh Nagasaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout. Nagasaki goes for a double leg but Barbosa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Barbosa continues to drive forward. Barbosa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nagasaki connects with a body shot that sends Barbosa's belly button to the back. Nagasaki moves out of range as Barbosa strikes. Nagasaki lands a glancing blow to the side of Barbosa's head. Barbosa throws a head kick but Nagasaki moves out of range.
Nagasaki fails to land with a series of punches.
Nagasaki wants to clinch up but Barbosa keeps it at a distance. Nagasaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barbosa moves away. Donk. Nagasaki catches Barbosa right on the button with a cross. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. A head kick misses from Barbosa. Barbosa checks a leg kick nicely. Barbosa feinted with a counter takedown. Barbosa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Nagasaki digs a good hook to Barbosa's body.
Nagasaki throws a body shot but no joy. Barbosa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nagasaki.
That's one minute gone in the round. Nagasaki loads up on a big right hand but Barbosa slips the punch. Nagasaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barbosa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nagasaki somewhat. Barbosa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook. A swing and a miss from Nagasaki. Nagasaki tries for a takedown but Barbosa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily. Marcelo Barbosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santosh Nagasaki. Nagasaki tries to score with a low kick but Barbosa moves his leg out of the way. Nagasaki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Barbosa throws out the jab but it was never going to land. Barbosa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt. Barbosa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nagasaki throws out the jab. Barbosa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nagasaki. Barbosa lands a slapping body shot.
Barbosa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Barbosa throws a sloppy head kick and Nagasaki moves out of range easily. Nagasaki rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barbosa counters with a shoot takedown. Nagasaki fights it but they end up in guard. This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff! Barbosa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nagasaki is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Barbosa, into his guard. Nagasaki with a flurry of punches that miss. Nagasaki is in close to Barbosa's body, working some short punches and elbows. Nagasaki working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound. Barbosa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nagasaki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu. Nagasaki trying to control but Barbosa is working from the bottom. Barbosa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nagasaki's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Barbosa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nagasaki is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Barbosa, into his guard. Nagasaki distracts Barbosa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm. Barbosa has his foot on Nagasaki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nagasaki works his way back into a safe position though. A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nagasaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand. Nagasaki works over Barbosa with some ground and pound from guard. Nagasaki cracks Barbosa with a solid left hand. Barbosa looking to control.
Barbosa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound. Nagasaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Barbosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Barbosa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nagasaki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nagasaki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. Nagasaki lands a couple of decent looking shots. Nagasaki with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal. Nagasaki is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions. Barbosa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nagasaki defends well. Barbosa keeping moving, preventing Nagasaki from controlling successfully. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Nagasaki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barbosa's head. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Santosh Nagasaki will probably get the nod. That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Nagasaki connects with the punch. Nagasaki scores with a hook. Nagasaki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barbosa. Nagasaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Barbosa is just out of range. Nagasaki lands with a nice body punch. Nagasaki closes the distance looking to clinch and Barbosa counters with a shoot takedown. Nagasaki fights it but they end up in guard. Nagasaki looking for a sweep. Not yet Nagasaki, not yet. Barbosa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nagasaki swivels though and keeps the full guard. Nagasaki 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. Barbosa looking to pass the guard. Nagasaki has his hands on Barbosa's head, controlling the position.
That's one minute gone in the round. Nagasaki looking to sweep here. No luck so far. Barbosa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nagasaki is keeping the position for now. Nagasaki keeping moving, preventing Barbosa from controlling successfully. Barbosa tries to free his leg and advance position but Nagasaki is retaining full guard. Barbosa 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.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet. Nagasaki looks to score with a jab to the body but Barbosa is just out of range. Barbosa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot. Barbosa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Nagasaki lands a lovely overhand right. A chopping leg kick lands by Nagasaki. Nagasaki turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick. Good standup being displayed there by Nagasaki as he connects with a hook. Barbosa throws a lazy right hand but Nagasaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily. Nagasaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barbosa manages to avoid it. A telegraphed right hand from Barbosa misses the target. Barbosa defending well as Nagasaki loads up on a big left hand. Barbosa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple. Barbosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nagasaki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barbosa was well out of range. Poor timing from Nagasaki. Barbosa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit. 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! Nagasaki misses with an uppercut. Barbosa throws a head kick but Nagasaki moves out of range.
Nagasaki feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position. Barbosa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nagasaki with a nice head shot there.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Nagasaki cracks Barbosa with a solid left hand. Nagasaki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound. Barbosa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nagasaki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard. Barbosa working for a triangle but Nagasaki defends it easily.
Nagasaki lands a couple of decent looking shots. Barbosa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nagasaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance. Nagasaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That's four minutes gone in the round. Nagasaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage. Barbosa is looking for a triangle here but Nagasaki uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Nagasaki lands a nice forearm strike. Barbosa tries to bench press Nagasaki off him but Nagasaki keeps the position. Nagasaki lands some shots froms side control. Nagasaki scoring with punches and elbows. Nagasaki scoring with punches and elbows. Nagasaki lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Barbosa down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Santosh Nagasaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards. The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!
Barbosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki connects with a jab. Nagasaki throws a shot from downtown. Barbosa moves away and avoids it. Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barbosa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son. Nagasaki misses with a straight left. Nagasaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbosa.
Barbosa ducks under a wild hook from Nagasaki. Nagasaki lands with a straight right. Barbosa didn't see that one coming. Barbosa lands a jab to the head.
Nagasaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbosa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Barbosa swings for the body but Nagasaki moves out of range.
Nagasaki throws an off balance right hand
and Barbosa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground. 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! Barbosa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet. Nagasaki wants to sweep here but Barbosa controlling him for the moment. Barbosa looking to sit in guard and control but Nagasaki gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
That's one minute gone in the round. Nagasaki working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound. Nagasaki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barbosa swivels though and keeps the full guard. Nagasaki scores with a decent looking elbow strike. Barbosa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nagasaki is aware though and is defending well. Nagasaki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head. Nagasaki content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots. The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing. Nagasaki scoring with punches to the head and body. Nagasaki throws a strike but Barbosa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top. Nagasaki keeping moving, preventing Barbosa from controlling successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round. Barbosa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics. Nagasaki wants to improve his position but instead Barbosa has moved into half guard.
Nagasaki trying to control here.
Barbosa passes to full mount! Nagasaki is wriggling around trying to escape.
That's three minutes gone in the round. Barbosa jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Nagasaki is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Nagasaki and Barbosa has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Barbosa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead. Barbosa tries for a kimura but Nagasaki is defending well. Barbosa is trying to get an arm triangle but Nagasaki is defending well. Santosh Nagasaki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
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. Nagasaki can't do much from the bottom here. Barbosa looking to control but instead Nagasaki has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard. Nagasaki wants to control but Barbosa is keeping busy and won't allow it. Marcelo Barbosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Nagasaki felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it. Barbosa is working for a kimura but Nagasaki is defending it quite comfortably.
Nagasaki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard. The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. Barbosa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nagasaki is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Barbosa, into his guard.
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 Marcelo Barbosa. Well Nagasaki 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29 Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29 Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Santosh Nagasaki! Santosh Nagasaki seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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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
45% |
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