PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Koji Kenjahara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shiro Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenjahara's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Roll wit Uz by Thai. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Kenjahara
vs
Nakamura

161 cm
18
135 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Top MMA Nutrition
Mustang Fight Food

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Koji Kenjahara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shiro Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakamura shoots in but no luck this time.

Kenjahara closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nakamura is looking to reverse the position.
Nakamura wants to control but Kenjahara postures up.
Nakamura tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kenjahara wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
A lull in the action here.

Kenjahara working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Kenjahara thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Kenjahara is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nakamura has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kenjahara goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Nakamura rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kenjahara's guard! Nice work there by Nakamura!

Kenjahara looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kenjahara is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura tries to stand but Kenjahara is controlling from the bottom.
Nakamura is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kenjahara looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Nakamura puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Kenjahara wants to get back to full guard.
Kenjahara keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kenjahara knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nakamura on the ground.

Kenjahara is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Nakamura pulls his head out easily.
Kenjahara is staying active underneath Nakamura, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Nakamura with a poor takedown

and Kenjahara counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kenjahara.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Kenjahara from controlling successfully.

Kenjahara thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kenjahara has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kenjahara tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakamura is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenjahara wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Nakamura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kenjahara lands a couple of digs.
Kenjahara stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakamura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kenjahara wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kenjahara closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Nakamura to the mat! Nakamura manages to get full guard.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Kenjahara from controlling successfully.
Kenjahara might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Kenjahara stands and steps away. Nakamura gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Kenjahara shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nakamura's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Kenjahara drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kenjahara jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kenjahara trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nakamura looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kenjahara postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Nakamura controls Kenjahara momentarily but Kenjahara frees himself.
Nakamura keeping full guard, as Kenjahara tries to pass.

Kenjahara drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kenjahara jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kenjahara drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Nakamura dives on top into guard.

Kenjahara working for a triangle but Nakamura defends it easily.
Kenjahara is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kenjahara wants to work for an arm triangle but Nakamura is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kenjahara works his way into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenjahara cracks Nakamura with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Kenjahara looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Kenjahara wants to control the pace but Nakamura is squirming around nicely.
Kenjahara with the ground and pound from mount.
Kenjahara unloads with some shots from mount but Nakamura bucks and avoids them well.

Kenjahara swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Nakamura is now in Kenjahara's guard. A big mistake from Kenjahara there, giving up the dominant position!
Nakamura works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakamura wants to control but Kenjahara is keeping him busy.

Kenjahara looking for submissions off his back.

Nakamura is working for a kimura but Kenjahara is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koji Kenjahara dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kenjahara feints and as Nakamura raises his hands in defense, Kenjahara changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kenjahara drops back looking for a leg! Nakamura is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nakamura manages to kick Kenjahara off! Kenjahara jumps back into Nakamura's guard.
Koji Kenjahara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kenjahara with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Nakamura trying to control the position.
Kenjahara postures up in Nakamura's guard and throws a big left but Nakamura blocks it.

Kenjahara drops back looking for a leg! Nakamura is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nakamura manages to kick Kenjahara off! Kenjahara jumps back into Nakamura's guard.

Kenjahara postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nakamura is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kenjahara, into his guard.
Nakamura trying to control the position from guard on top but Kenjahara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura advances position into side control!
Nakamura is breathing heavily.
Kenjahara tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Kenjahara explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Nakamura doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kenjahara counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nakamura has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kenjahara is working away from the top position though.
Kenjahara is looking to advance position but Nakamura won't allow it.

Kenjahara decides to return to a standing position.

Nakamura gets caught flat footed, as Kenjahara shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kenjahara manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nakamura manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nakamura working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kenjahara doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kenjahara manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nakamura keeping full guard, as Kenjahara tries to pass.
Nakamura is trying to control the position but Kenjahara postures up.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Kenjahara from controlling successfully.
Kenjahara trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nakamura is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kenjahara stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakamura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nakamura is trying to keep Kenjahara in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kenjahara gets to his feet. Nakamura looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Nakamura scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nakamura with a poor takedown

and Kenjahara counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Nakamura trying to hold on to Kenjahara's head to control him but Kenjahara postures up.
Kenjahara throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kenjahara trying to control the action but Nakamura is working from the bottom.
Nakamura is pressing down on Kenjahara's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nakamura is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kenjahara postures up.
Kenjahara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakamura is keeping the position for now.
Kenjahara slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kenjahara wants to stand but Nakamura is controlling his arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura gets back to half guard.
Nakamura won't allow Kenjahara to pass to mount.
Kenjahara works his foot free and advances to mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kenjahara is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Nakamura can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Kenjahara with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Kenjahara working for a guillotine from mount but Nakamura is in no mood to give up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kenjahara working for a guillotine from mount but Nakamura is in no mood to give up.
Nakamura tries to lock up and control but Kenjahara gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koji Kenjahara dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nakamura fails with the takedown

and Kenjahara counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kenjahara is keen to just control but Nakamura is a slippery customer.

Kenjahara is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Nakamura has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nakamura is trying to control but can't.
Kenjahara tries to pass the half guard into mount. Nakamura knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Nakamura has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kenjahara is working away from the top position though.

Kenjahara is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Nakamura has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nakamura manages to get to full guard.
Nakamura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Kenjahara from controlling successfully.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Kenjahara shoots in and bounces Nakamura off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kenjahara passes into half guard.
Kenjahara seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nakamura does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Kenjahara is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kenjahara looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kenjahara thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kenjahara working the head and body with strikes.

Kenjahara is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nakamura is just riding it out for now. Kenjahara eventually gives up the hold.
Nakamura is looking to control Kenjahara's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nakamura avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Nakamura actively working from the bottom here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kenjahara shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nakamura's guard.

Nakamura looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kenjahara passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Kenjahara wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nakamura, who protects the arm well.
Nakamura tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nakamura wants to control but Kenjahara postures up.
Kenjahara tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kenjahara tries to move to mount but Nakamura blocks the move with his legs.

Kenjahara tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kenjahara's best efforts.
Kenjahara trying to pass the guard but Nakamura defending well.

Kenjahara is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nakamura is just riding it out for now. Kenjahara eventually gives up the hold.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kenjahara fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Nakamura drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Kenjahara's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kenjahara tries to bench press Nakamura off him but Nakamura keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kenjahara sneaks back into half guard.

Kenjahara is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Nakamura pulls his head out easily.
Nakamura prevents Kenjahara from improving his position.
Kenjahara is working hard here to advance position.
Nakamura wants to pass to mount but Kenjahara is defending the position.
Kenjahara is trying to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kenjahara looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nakamura gets back to full guard.
Shiro Nakamura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Nakamura looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

And that's the end of the fight!
Koji Kenjahara showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kenjahara, 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Koji Kenjahara!