PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Nakamoto (ranked 4246 p4p, 4226 weight class) and Tim Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Nakamoto
vs
Thompson

177 cm
25
150
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Nakamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tim Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakamoto lands a high kick!
Nakamoto tries for a takedown but Thompson sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck for Nakamoto with that takedown attempt.
Thompson misses with a wild body shot.
Nakamoto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thompson circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Nakamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Nakamoto with that takedown attempt.
Nakamoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nakamoto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nakamoto is looking for a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson shoots in for a double leg but Nakamoto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Thompson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nakamoto misses with a takedown attempt - Thompson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamoto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Thompson avoids it really well and circles away.
Thompson wants to counter with a clinch but Nakamoto pushes him away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thompson is defended easily by Nakamoto.

Nakamoto has closed the distance and engaged Thompson in a clinch.

Nakamoto manages to break the clinch.
Thompson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakamoto pinned against the cage. Nakamoto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nakamoto.
Horrible takedown attempt by Thompson or perhaps it was just good defense by Nakamoto, which made it look bad.
Thompson misses with a wild combination.
Thompson shoots for a double leg takedown but Nakamoto sprawls well. He's pushed Thompson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nakamoto is defended easily by Thompson.
Nakamoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nakamoto shoots in looking for a takedown but Thompson manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nakamoto's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamoto slaps away a takedown attempt from Thompson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Thompson tries for a takedown but Nakamoto circles away easily
and Nakamoto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Thompson stuffs the takedown.
Thompson lands with a nice body punch.
Nakamoto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nakamoto is breathing heavily.
Thompson tries for a takedown but Nakamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Thompson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thompson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thompson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thompson closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nakamoto circles away.

Nakamoto has managed to clinch.

Nakamoto manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
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!
Thompson trying to control but Nakamoto is working from the bottom.
Thompson wants to pass the guard but Nakamoto is keeping the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thompson throws a big right hand that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kenji Nakamoto will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nakamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thompson fails with the takedown.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nakamoto.
Sloppy strikes from Thompson. Those never looked like landing.
Thompson looks for a takedown but Nakamoto sprawls well.
Thompson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thompson wants it to stay on the feet.
Nakamoto dives in for a single leg takedown but Thompson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thompson tries to pull guard but Nakamoto won't allow it.
Kenji Nakamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Thompson.
Nakamoto has Thompson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Thompson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch but Nakamoto keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamoto's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Nakamoto has Thompson pressed against the cage, preventing Thompson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nakamoto is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thompson is defending well.
Thompson struggles to land a body shot inside as Nakamoto controls his hands.
Thompson tries for a takedown. No joy.

Nakamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nakamoto fails with a takedown attempt.
As Nakamoto backs off Thompson throws a huge counter combo but Nakamoto manages to avoid it all.
Thompson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nakamoto counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson shoots in and drives through. Nakamoto sprawls well.
Nakamoto dives in and grabs Thompson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes down on Nakamoto's head and hops out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thompson doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakamoto circles away.
Thompson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakamoto pinned against the cage. Nakamoto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Nakamoto gets a clinch.
Thompson misses with an elbow over the top.
Nakamoto tries for a takedown. No joy.
Thompson is working for takedown but Nakamoto is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakamoto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nakamoto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nakamoto changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Thompson shoots for a takedown but Nakamoto saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nakamoto throws a big counter combination but Thompson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nakamoto seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Thompson displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Nakamoto closes the distance and clinches.
Thompson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nakamoto gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nakamoto struggles to land a body shot inside as Thompson controls his hands.
Thompson gets underhooks to prevent Nakamoto's takedown attempt.

Nakamoto decides to pull guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nakamoto is on top in guard.

Thompson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson wants to stand and escape but Nakamoto is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson trying to control the position.
Thompson wants to get back to his feet but Nakamoto passes into half guard.
Nakamoto frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakamoto tries to control but Thompson wriggling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Nakamoto dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Thompson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thompson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nakamoto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nakamoto seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Thompson is looking to clinch.
Nakamoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Thompson tries to clinch there but Nakamoto circles away.
Nakamoto wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Thompson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Thompson avoids the body shot from Nakamoto.
No joy there for Nakamoto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thompson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Nakamoto defends it well.
Kenji Nakamoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamoto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thompson is fending him off so far but Nakamoto persists. Nope, Thompson circles away and we're back to standing.
Nakamoto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson swings for the body but Nakamoto moves out of range.
Thompson throws a head kick that misses.

Nakamoto has managed to clinch.
Nakamoto is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenji Nakamoto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakamoto keeps control of Thompson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Thompson tries to break free but Nakamoto pushes him back against the cage.
Nakamoto has Thompson pressed against the cage, preventing Thompson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Thompson jumps guard but Nakamoto stands there with Thompson around his waist. Thompson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Thompson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nakamoto is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Thompson is defending well.
Thompson is trying to push Nakamoto away but Nakamoto has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Thompson fails to pull guard.
Thompson is looking to break free of the clinch but Nakamoto has double underhooks.

Nakamoto manages to break the clinch.
Thompson looks to clinch
and Nakamoto counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nakamoto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thompson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nakamoto's waist but Nakamoto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Thompson off to one side.
Nakamoto drops down looking for a counter takedown but Thompson sprawls and moves away.
Thompson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nakamoto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thompson can do to turn this around?
Thompson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nakamoto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson tries to clinch there but Nakamoto circles away.
Nakamoto shoots in for a double leg but Thompson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nakamoto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Thompson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nakamoto manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson tries to clinch but Nakamoto is having none of it.
Thompson tried to score with a low kick but Nakamoto checks it.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thompson throws a head kick but Nakamoto moves out of range.
Nakamoto throws a sloppy head kick and Thompson moves out of range easily.
Nakamoto keeps the fight on the outside.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamoto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nakamoto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Thompson defends it nicely.
Thompson moves out of range as Nakamoto throws a body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thompson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nakamoto swats away the attempt to clinch by Thompson.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Thompson jabs Nakamoto to the body, keeping him at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Nakamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nakamoto 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27

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