PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Julius Lew (ranked 18 p4p, 36 weight class) and Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 2 p4p, 6 weight class). Nakagawa has chosen Koto - CloZee as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Lew
vs
Nakagawa

185 cm
31
185
19 - 5 - 0

190 cm
33
190
30 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

UNSTOPPABLE NUTRITION
Northern Zombie

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Julius Lew!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lew misses with a head kick.
Nakagawa connects with a body shot.
Lew moves forwards but Nakagawa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Lew ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nakagawa moves away.
Julius Lew seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakagawa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lew moves away.
Lew throws a leg kick

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Lew is controlling Nakagawa's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Nakagawa trying to control the action but Lew is working from the bottom.
Lew wants to improve his position but Nakagawa is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lew is doing well to control the position and prevent Nakagawa from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lew trying to control from the bottom.
Lew controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lew looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lew keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The fighters circling - Lew throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Nakagawa closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lew quickly recovers to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa trying to pass the guard but Lew defending well.
Nakagawa working the head and body with strikes.
Lew holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lew defends it well.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakagawa wants to take a breather but Lew is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lew has his hands clasped together around Nakagawa's back. He's all about the action.
Lew is looking to improve his position.
Lew trying to hold on to Nakagawa's head to control him but Nakagawa postures up.
Nakagawa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Nakagawa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Lew to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Lew shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Lew looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Lew knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nakagawa on the ground.

Lew defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Nakagawa is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lew is in bad spot here.
Nakagawa is not going to allow Lew to sit and survive in this position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lew throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nakagawa staying out of range there.
Lew swings for the body but Nakagawa moves out of range.
Lew bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nakagawa's head backwards.
Lew throws a lazy right hand but Nakagawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lew scores with a sloppy right hand. Nakagawa should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa blocks a jab.
And Nakagawa tries to counter it with a takedown but Lew pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Jab by Lew.
Nakagawa checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa moves in looking to clinch but Lew pushes him off.
A little feinted left hand from Lew on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Nakagawa cracks Lew with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lew uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakagawa.
Lew is looking to counter punch.
Lew throws a right hand that misses

and Nakagawa counters with a shoot takedown. Lew fights it but they end up in guard.
Nakagawa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lew swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lew is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nakagawa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakagawa stays in close to Lew's body and controls the position.
Nakagawa looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lew is trying to control the position but Nakagawa postures up.
Lew is controlling Nakagawa's posture.
Lew has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Nakagawa wants to pass the guard but Lew is keeping the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lew throws a low kick but Nakagawa avoids it.
Lew swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa dives in for a single leg takedown but Lew sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nakagawa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nakagawa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lew finds it's way round the side to connect with Nakagawa's head.
Lew lands a nice shot that snaps Nakagawa's head back.
Lew throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nakagawa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lew is fending him off so far but Nakagawa persists. Nope, Lew circles away and we're back to standing.
A big right from Lew misses.
Nakagawa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lew throws a leg kick

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Lew won't be happy with that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lew is looking to reverse the position.
Nakagawa wants to control but Lew is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lew is looking for a sweep.

Nakagawa tries for a kimura but Lew is defending well.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lew has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nakagawa throws a strike aimed at the side of Lew's head but Lew avoids it well.

Nakagawa swings around for an armbar but Lew sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Nakagawa's guard.
Lew trying to control but Nakagawa is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Lew dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nakagawa slips a jab from Lew.
A jab from Lew misses.
Nakagawa scores with a nice head shot.
Lew tries to clinch but Nakagawa moves away

and Nakagawa counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Lew!
Lew is trying to get back to half guard.
Lew can't do much from the bottom here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Nakagawa working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa trying to control the action but Lew is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lew manages to get back to half guard.

Nakagawa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lew has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lew is looking to improve his position.
Nakagawa thows a huge punch but Lew dodges it nicely.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Nakagawa is looking for a kimura but Lew is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Nakagawa to get the leverage.
Lew wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lew keeping control of the position.
Nakagawa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lew's head.

Nakagawa wants to work for an arm triangle but Lew is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nakagawa wants to control but Lew is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Lew keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Nakagawa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lew defending well though.
Nakagawa is thwarting Lew's attempts to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Nakagawa misses with a takedown attempt - Lew sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nakagawa connects with a nice looking jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Lew.
Nakagawa is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Nakagawa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nakagawa working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lew wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lew trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Lew tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa really dominated that round.
That's time! Lew's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lew walks into a jab.
Nakagawa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lew.
Lew throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nakagawa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Lew ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nakagawa moves away.
And Nakagawa tries to counter it with a takedown but Lew pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nakagawa doesn't manage to clinch there - Lew circles away.
Lew misses with a head kick.
Nakagawa takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa shoots in but no luck this time.
Nakagawa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lew finds it's way round the side to connect with Nakagawa's head.

It looks like Shinnosuke Nakagawa has been cut.

Nakagawa closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lew gets through Nakagawa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nakagawa takes a shot to the head.
Lew misses with a body punch.
Lew tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nakagawa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Lew tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lew misses with some punches.
Nakagawa jumps guard but Lew turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lew doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nakagawa misses with a short punch on the inside.

Lew's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nakagawa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Lew.
Lew scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nakagawa in his tracks.
Nakagawa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lew swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lew takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa jabs at Lew's body.
Lew misses with the combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nakagawa checks a leg kick.
Nakagawa lands a lovely overhand right.
A telegraphed right hand from Nakagawa misses the target.
Lew takes a swing at Nakagawa's ribcage but misses.
Nakagawa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lew just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa throws the left hand but Lew avoids the punch easily.
Lew throws a head kick but Nakagawa moves out of range.
Lew takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lew scores with a leg kick.
Nice cross by Nakagawa.
Nakagawa walks into a left hand.
Lew keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lew is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nakagawa.
Julius Lew is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lew displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nakagawa throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lew tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Lew has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lew lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nakagawa backwards.
Lew lands a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nakagawa tries to throw a body punch but Lew avoids it by throwing Nakagawa back against the cage.
Nakagawa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lew walks away with a smile on his face. Nakagawa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Julius Lew has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shinnosuke Nakagawa.
Lew takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lew swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nakagawa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Lew throws a push kick but Nakagawa slaps the foot to one side.
Lew throws a body kick that misses

and Nakagawa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nakagawa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Julius Lew had his way with Shinnosuke Nakagawa in that round.
The cut man is working on Shinnosuke Nakagawa's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Lew with a jab.
Lew misses the shot to the body.
And Nakagawa tries to counter it with a takedown but Lew pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nakagawa lands a slapping body shot.
Lew misses with an uppercut

and Nakagawa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lew's guard.
Lew keeping moving, preventing Nakagawa from controlling successfully.
Lew tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa wants to pass the guard but Lew is keeping the position.
Lew working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa pushing down on Lew's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Nakagawa trying to control the action but Lew is working from the bottom.
Nakagawa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lew knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lew trying to control here.
Nakagawa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Lew wants to control but Nakagawa is keeping busy.
Lew controlling the position well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lew wants to get back to full guard but Nakagawa has passed into side control.
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Lew is looking to regain half guard here but Nakagawa keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakagawa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lew is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Lew taking a bit of punishment here - Nakagawa scoring with strikes.
Nakagawa wants to control but Lew is keeping him busy.
Lew manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nakagawa's best efforts.
Lew wants to improve his position but Nakagawa is controlling well.
Nakagawa passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lew has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Nakagawa is hanging on to Lew's back as he tries to escape.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Nakagawa.
Nakagawa is not going to allow Lew to sit and survive in this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nakagawa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 47:48
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa is the new middleweight champion!
A victorious Shinnosuke Nakagawa thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.