PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kaoru Nagashima (ranked 1669 p4p, 1026 weight class) and Anthony Merel (ranked 170 p4p, 110 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nagashima
vs
Merel

178 cm
30
150
12 - 16 - 0

171 cm
31
152
17 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 12 - 16 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kaoru Nagashima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Merel!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Skip Squint and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Merel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nagashima.
Nagashima appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nagashima shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Merel as he avoids it easily.
Nagashima looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A jab from Merel finds it's way through Nagashima's defenses.
Nagashima bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nagashima fails with a takedown attempt.
Nagashima misses with a takedown attempt - Merel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaoru Nagashima. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagashima shoots in looking for a takedown. Merel tries to sprawl out of it but Nagashima keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Merel manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've been informed that Merel has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Anthony Merel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Merel lands a jab to the head.
Merel misses with a lunging right hand

and Nagashima moves into the clinch.
Merel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Merel lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Merel breaks from the clinch.
Merel misses with an uppercut.
Nagashima shoots in and drives through. Merel sprawls well.
Nagashima tries for a takedown but Merel circles away easily
enabling Merel to counter with a crisp jab.
Nagashima slips a straight right by Merel.
Nagashima half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Merel scores with a shot to the body.
Nagashima is breathing heavily.
Nagashima with a lazy takedown attempt
and Merel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Nagashima is rocked!
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!
Merel sees an opening and throws a straight punch right through Nagashima's defenses. It connects perfectly with Nagashima's jaw and knocks him out cold! Wow - that's a contender for knockout of the year - absolutely brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Anthony Merel!
A victorious Anthony Merel thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Kaoru Nagashima was interviewed post fight and said 'I meditated on the mountain but my understanding was off, Akirono has left me this day, I will return stronger and aligned'.