PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nakano Wakao (ranked 3674 p4p, 6460 weight class) and Bill Sykes (ranked 443 p4p, 606 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wakao
vs
Sykes

186 cm
25
205
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
206
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nakano Wakao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Bill Sykes!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Donald Grub and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wakao throws the left hand but Sykes avoids the punch easily.
Wakao has been working on his boxing with his coaches at JAG Battle Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Wakao throws an overhand right that lands on Sykes's shoulder, as Sykes tries to avoid the shot.
Wakao misses with a hook. Sykes ducked under it nicely.
Sykes now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Wakao throws a hook but Sykes avoids it easily.
Wakao throws an off balance right hand

and Sykes counters by moving into the clinch.
Sykes keeps control of Wakao as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Sykes prevents Wakao from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Wakao's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Wakao's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wakao pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wakao throws a hook but Sykes avoids it easily.
Wakao sets himself, and Sykes steps forward looking for the clinch! Wakao avoids it this time.
Sykes takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sykes avoids the body shot from Wakao.
Wakao misses with a hook.
Wakao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wakao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sykes feints the counter takedown.
Sykes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wakao.
Sykes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wakao.
Sykes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sykes blocks a jab.
Wakao throws a right hand that misses
and Sykes counters with a one-two to the body.
Wakao misses with a straight left.
Sykes is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wakao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wakao misses with a hook. Sykes ducked under it nicely.
Sykes looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Wakao swings for the body but Sykes moves out of range.
Wakao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sykes.
Wakao looks to throw the jab but Sykes is out of range.
Wakao misses with a looping left.
Wakao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It seemed like Sykes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Sykes slips under a jab from Wakao.
Sykes tries to counter with a clinch but Wakao shakes him off and moves away.
Wakao throws a jab when Sykes was well out of range.
Sykes throws a counter combo.
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!
Wakao misses with a hook

and Sykes holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sykes stalling in the clinch.
Wakao is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wakao is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Wakao breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sykes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wakao.
Nakano Wakao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wakao ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Wakao throws a hook but Sykes blocks it.
Sykes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wakao. Sykes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wakao misses with a hook. Sykes ducked under it nicely.
Wakao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sykes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wakao is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wakao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sykes was well out of range. Poor timing from Wakao.
Sykes let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wakao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sykes manages to avoid it.
Sykes throws a counter combo.
Sykes is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Wakao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sykes.
Sykes wants to counter the offense by Wakao and move into the clinch position.
Wakao throws an off balance right hand

and Sykes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Sykes pulls guard successfully.
Sykes is looking to stand up but Wakao isn't so interested in that idea.
Wakao tries to stand but Sykes is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sykes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nakano Wakao dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sykes slips under a jab.
Sykes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice jab there from Wakao.
Wakao misses with a body shot.
Despite the aggression on Sykes's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Wakao throws an off balance right hand

and Sykes moves into the clinch.

Wakao breaks the clinch.
Bill Sykes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wakao keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Wakao swings widly with a right hand

and Sykes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wakao has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Sykes has passed into side control.

Sykes decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Wakao connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wakao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sykes manages to avoid it.
Good exchange - Wakao coming out on top.
A slow jab from Wakao misses its intended target.
Wakao rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Sykes counter with a right hand.
Sykes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sykes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wakao misses with a jab to the body
and Sykes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wakao misses with a body shot.
Sykes is looking for the big counter here.
Wakao throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sykes stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Wakao throws a shot from downtown. Sykes moves away and avoids it.
Sykes drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wakao defends it well.
Wakao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sykes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sykes! But no joy.
Wakao throws a jab but it's blocked by Sykes.
Wakao sets himself, and Sykes steps forward looking for the clinch! Wakao avoids it this time.
A telegraphed right hand from Wakao misses the target.
Wakao swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykes slips a jab from Wakao.
Sykes blocks a jab.
Wakao is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sykes can do to turn this around?
Sykes ducks under a wild hook from Wakao.
Sykes ducks under a wild hook from Wakao.
Wakao looks to land a left hand but Sykes moved out of range nicely.
Sykes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wakao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sykes was well out of range. Poor timing from Wakao.
Sykes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Sykes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sykes changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Wakao lands with a cross.
Wakao misses with a lunging right hand
and Sykes counters with a series of strikes. Wakao will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sykes has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Wakao looks to land a right hand but Sykes moved out of range.
Sykes with the counter takedown but Wakao avoids it easily.
Wakao throws a lazy uppercut
and Sykes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sykes staying out of range there.
A countering left hand to the body from Sykes misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Wakao misses the target.
Wakao misses with an uppercut.
Wakao misses with a straight right.
Sykes throws a fast counter high kick but Wakao manages to duck under it in time.
Wakao throws a looping overhand right but Sykes ducks down to avoid it.
Sykes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wakao.
Sykes thinks about the counter body kick.
Wakao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sykes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sykes slips under a jab from Wakao.
Sykes staying out of range there.
Sykes staying out of range there.
Wakao moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSykes.
Wakao misses with a hook. Sykes ducked under it nicely.
Sykes steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Sykes slips under a jab from Wakao.
Sykes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wakao.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wakao throws a poor cross that misses
and Sykes counters with a left to the body.
Sykes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sykes drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wakao defends it well.
Sykes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Sykes! But no joy.
Sykes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wakao throws out the jab.
Wakao connects with a nice looking jab.
Wakao throws a big shot that misses.
A shot to the body from Wakao misses
and Sykes counters with a big head kick but Wakao shrugs it off.
Wakao looks to score with a jab to the body but Sykes is just out of range.
And Sykes tries to counter it with a takedown but Wakao pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wakao throws the left hand but Sykes avoids the punch easily.
Sykes is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
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!
A jab from Wakao finds it's way through Sykes's defenses.
Sykes defending well as Wakao loads up on a big left hand.
Wakao moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromSykes.
Wakao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nakano Wakao dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Wakao misses with a looping right.
Wakao throws an overhand right that lands on Sykes's shoulder, as Sykes tries to avoid the shot.
And Sykes tries to counter it with a takedown but Wakao pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Wakao throws a hook but Sykes blocks it.
Sykes takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Wakao misses with a wild body shot.
Sykes tries to counter with a clinch but Wakao shakes him off and moves away.
Wakao misses with an uppercut

and Sykes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Wakao is trying to force a seperation but Sykes has the dominant position.

Sykes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wakao takes a swing at Sykes's ribcage but misses.
Sykes drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wakao defends it well.
Wakao throws an overhand right that lands on Sykes's shoulder, as Sykes tries to avoid the shot.
Wakao throws a jab when Sykes was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sykes moves out of range as Wakao strikes.
Sykes drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Wakao defends it well.
Sykes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wakao thows a left - swing and a miss!
As Wakao backs off Sykes throws a huge counter combo but Wakao manages to avoid it all.
A telegraphed right hand from Wakao misses the target.
Sykes throws a counter combo.
Sykes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wakao.
Sykes with the counter takedown but Wakao avoids it easily.
Wakao misses with a body shot
and Sykes counters with a straight right hand.
Wakao throws a body shot but no joy.
Wakao connects with the punch.
Wakao misses the jab.
Wakao loads up on a big right hand but Sykes slips the punch.
Sykes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Wakao throws a poor cross that misses
and Sykes counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Wakao missing with a left hand there. Sykes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sykes is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wakao looks to land a left hand but Sykes moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Wakao misses its intended target.
Sykes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Wakao throws the left hand but Sykes avoids the punch easily.
Sykes slips a straight right by Wakao.
Wakao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sykes.
Sykes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sykes is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wakao throws a right hand that misses
and Sykes counters with a left and a right that stings Wakao.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wakao rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Wakao takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wakao throws a right hand that misses
and Sykes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wakao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sykes was well out of range. Poor timing from Wakao.
Sykes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
As Wakao backs off Sykes throws a huge counter combo but Wakao manages to avoid it all.
Wakao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wakao swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nakano Wakao is winning the standup battle so far.
Wakao loads up on a big right hand but Sykes slips the punch.
Wakao swings away with a body shot that misses
and Sykes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Wakao throws a sloppy body shot

and Sykes counters by clinching up.
Sykes wants to take the fight to the mat but Wakao manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Wakao's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sykes is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sykes tries for a takedown but Wakao manages to get underhooks.
Nakano Wakao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bill Sykes.
Wakao is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Wakao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wakao misses with a straight right.
Sykes with the counter takedown but Wakao avoids it easily.
Wakao throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sykes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wakao throws an overhand right that lands on Sykes's shoulder, as Sykes tries to avoid the shot.
Sykes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wakao throws out the jab.
Sykes is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Wakao with a body shot.
Bill Sykes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nakano Wakao is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sykes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sykes throws a counter combo.

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 Nakano Wakao.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Wakao, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nakano Wakao!