PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nakagome Kakuzo (ranked 728 p4p, 3920 weight class) and Killua Zoldyck (ranked 97 p4p, 457 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kakuzo
vs
Zoldyck

185 cm
24
180
12 - 9 - 0

180 cm
23
180
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nakagome Kakuzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Killua Zoldyck!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Joseph Jones and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zoldyck throws a low kick but Kakuzo avoids it.
Zoldyck throws an overhand right that lands on Kakuzo's shoulder, as Kakuzo tries to avoid the shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kakuzo.
Kakuzo lands a head kick. Zoldyck smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kakuzo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zoldyck checks a low kick from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo misses with a leg kick
enabling Zoldyck to counter with a crisp jab.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kakuzo - that will leave a mark!
Zoldyck with a nice calf kick.
Kakuzo doesn't manage to clinch there - Zoldyck circles away.
A little jabbing left from Zoldyck on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jab from Zoldyck.
Kakuzo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
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!
Zoldyck misses with a wild body shot.
Zoldyck goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zoldyck tries a low kick but Kakuzo avoids it.
Kakuzo lands with a hook. Zoldyck tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoldyck throws a wild body kick that Kakuzo sees coming a mile off.
Zoldyck avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nakagome Kakuzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A bone on bone clash there as Kakuzo blocks the leg kick.
Zoldyck fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Kakuzo closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zoldyck did well to prevent Kakuzo getting side control.
Zoldyck wants to improve his position but Kakuzo is controlling well.
Kakuzo throwing shots but Zoldyck is blocking nicely.
Zoldyck 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.
Kakuzo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kakuzo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Zoldyck wants to improve his position but Kakuzo is controlling well.
Kakuzo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo prevents Zoldyck from improving his position.
Zoldyck keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zoldyck moves into full guard.
Kakuzo won't allow Zoldyck to sweep him here.
Kakuzo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zoldyck is on top in guard.

Kakuzo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kakuzo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Zoldyck defends well.
Zoldyck must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoldyck works over Kakuzo with some ground and pound from guard.
Kakuzo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Zoldyck stopping the sweep attempt from Kakuzo.
Zoldyck working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kakuzo's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kakuzo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kakuzo is trying to control the position but Zoldyck postures up.
Kakuzo trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Kakuzo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zoldyck wants to pass the guard but Kakuzo is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zoldyck wants to control from the top but Kakuzo keeps moving.
Kakuzo throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Zoldyck throws a big right hand that misses.
Zoldyck wants to control from the top but Kakuzo keeps moving.
Zoldyck lands a couple of elbows.

Kakuzo looking for a guillotine here but Zoldyck defends easily.
Kakuzo is looking to stand up but Zoldyck isn't so interested in that idea.

Kakuzo has his foot on Zoldyck's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Zoldyck works his way back into a safe position though.
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 Nakagome Kakuzo will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kakuzo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Zoldyck.
Good standup being displayed there by Zoldyck as he connects with a hook.
Kakuzo throws a right hand that Zoldyck ducks under and follows up with a left that Zoldyck also avoids with ease.
Kakuzo throws a shot from downtown. Zoldyck moves away and avoids it.
Zoldyck throws a head kick but Kakuzo moves out of range.
Kakuzo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kakuzo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Zoldyck only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Nice shot lands for Kakuzo.
Kakuzo fails with an attempt to clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Kakuzo.
Zoldyck misses with a right hand
and Kakuzo counters with a straight right hand.
Zoldyck ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nakagome Kakuzo is winning the standup battle so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zoldyck throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kakuzo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kakuzo slips a jab and a cross from Zoldyck.
Kakuzo slips a jab from Zoldyck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zoldyck misses the shot to the body.

Kakuzo has managed to clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zoldyck.
A shot in the inside from Zoldyck.
A short body shot lands from Zoldyck as the two fighters clinch.
Kakuzo is looking to take this one to the mat.

Zoldyck pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kakuzo tried to score with a low kick but Zoldyck checks it.
Kakuzo getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Zoldyck throws a leg kick which misses Kakuzo's front leg but catches the back leg as Kakuzo tries to avoid it.
Nice uppercut lands for Kakuzo. That snapped Zoldyck's head back.
Kakuzo scores with a head kick.
Kakuzo throws a head kick that misses.

Kakuzo forces Zoldyck back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Zoldyck pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but Zoldyck is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Kakuzo moves into the clinch successfully.
Zoldyck works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Kakuzo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kakuzo goes for a double leg but Zoldyck avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Zoldyck continues to drive forward.

Kakuzo drags the fight down to the ground.
Zoldyck landing with the ground and pound.
Kakuzo keeping moving, preventing Zoldyck from controlling successfully.
Zoldyck trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nakagome Kakuzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zoldyck lands a couple of elbows.
Zoldyck stands up over Kakuzo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kakuzo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Zoldyck wants to pass the guard but Kakuzo is keeping the position.

Kakuzo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zoldyck lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kakuzo wants to get back to his feet but Zoldyck passes into half guard.

Zoldyck is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kakuzo trying to control here.
Zoldyck not doing much here.
Kakuzo wants to get back to his feet.
Kakuzo trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kakuzo actively working from the bottom here.
Kakuzo trying to control but Zoldyck postures up.
Zoldyck blocks the strikes from Kakuzo.

Kakuzo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Zoldyck uses his free foot to push down on Kakuzo's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kakuzo.
Zoldyck is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Zoldyck lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Zoldyck pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Zoldyck landing strikes from the mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Killua Zoldyck showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zoldyck keeps Kakuzo at a distance using the push kick.
Kakuzo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kakuzo keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kakuzo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zoldyck.
Some wild striking there from Kakuzo.
Zoldyck dodges the punch combination from Kakuzo.
Zoldyck counters with a body kick.
Zoldyck on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kakuzo. Kakuzo obviously looking to wear him down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zoldyck throws a push kick but Kakuzo slaps the foot to one side.

Kakuzo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zoldyck, pushing him back against the cage.

Zoldyck manages to break the clinch.
Kakuzo has his takedown stuffed
and Zoldyck counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuzo moves in looking to clinch but Zoldyck pushes him off.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but Zoldyck moves out of range.
Kakuzo misses with a wild combination.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zoldyck fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kakuzo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Zoldyck keeps the fight on the outside.
Kakuzo checks a low kick from Zoldyck.
Zoldyck misses with a body shot.
Kakuzo staying out of range there.
Kakuzo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kakuzo lands with an overhand left.
Zoldyck takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kakuzo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo slips under a jab from Zoldyck.
Kakuzo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kakuzo shoots in for a takedown but Zoldyck shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Zoldyck connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kakuzo checks a leg kick.
Kakuzo throws a sloppy head kick and Zoldyck moves out of range easily.
Kakuzo misses with a wild combination.
Zoldyck takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kakuzo connects with a solid leg kick.
A low kick lands for Kakuzo.
Kakuzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zoldyck.
Zoldyck jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Kakuzo as he connects with a hook.
Zoldyck misses the body punch
letting Kakuzo counter with a right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Zoldyck misses the target.
Some bone on bone action there as Zoldyck checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Zoldyck misses with a body kick.
Nice straight punches there by Kakuzo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kakuzo.
Zoldyck ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kakuzo moves away.
Kakuzo scores with a nice body kick.
Kakuzo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kakuzo throws a body punch but Zoldyck moves out of range.
Kakuzo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kakuzo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zoldyck looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo blocks a low kick nicely.
Killua Zoldyck is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zoldyck fails to land with a series of punches.
Kakuzo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zoldyck tries to counter with a clinch but Kakuzo shakes him off and moves away.
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!
Kakuzo tries to land a body kick
and Zoldyck counters with a series of strikes. Kakuzo will be more careful next time no doubt.

Zoldyck tries to sprawl but Kakuzo drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kakuzo is looking to advance position but Zoldyck won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kakuzo prevents Zoldyck from improving his position.
Kakuzo winds up and cracks Zoldyck with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Zoldyck is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kakuzo is figuring out what he wants to do next.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nakagome Kakuzo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kakuzo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nakagome Kakuzo!