PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Youshi Nakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toby Flenderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Youshi Nakuraba has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Nakuraba
vs
Flenderson

210 cm
19
300 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
274 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Londons Best Nutrition
Vandal fight Boutique -ACME-

Crashforce Voodoo Labs
•‡• LION Clothing •‡•

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Youshi Nakuraba!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Toby Flenderson!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakuraba stuffs the takedown.
Flenderson closes the distance and clinches up with Nakuraba, looking for a takedown. Flenderson pushes Nakuraba against the cage but Nakuraba circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Flenderson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nakuraba's guard.
Flenderson wants to pass the guard but Nakuraba is keeping the position.

Flenderson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Nakuraba looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Nakuraba looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Nakuraba!
Flenderson is looking for a sweep.
Flenderson struggling a bit here.
Flenderson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Nakuraba decides to stand up, so the ref orders Flenderson to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakuraba stuffs the takedown attempt from Flenderson. Flenderson gets slowly back to his feet.
Youshi Nakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toby Flenderson.

Flenderson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Flenderson won't allow Nakuraba to get back to his feet.
Flenderson slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Flenderson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Nakuraba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Flenderson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakuraba is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Flenderson's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Flenderson wants to advance to full mount but Nakuraba doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Flenderson wants to control from the top but Nakuraba keeps moving.

Flenderson drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Nakuraba manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Flenderson has Nakuraba in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba wants to get up but he can't break Flenderson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Flenderson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Flenderson looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Nakuraba puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Flenderson gets back to full guard.
Flenderson is trying to keep Nakuraba in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Flenderson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nakuraba is aware though and is defending well.
Nakuraba passes Flenderson's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Flenderson is trying to get back to full guard.
Flenderson trying to hold on to Nakuraba's head to control him but Nakuraba postures up.

Nakuraba stands up out of the half guard.
Flenderson is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nakuraba sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Flenderson looks gassed!
Flenderson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Youshi Nakuraba will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Flenderson fails with a takedown attempt.
Flenderson dives in and grabs Nakuraba's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nakuraba pushes down on Flenderson's head and hops out.
Flenderson shoots in but no luck this time.
Youshi Nakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toby Flenderson.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Nakuraba as Flenderson shoots in.
Flenderson shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nakuraba sprawls well. Nakuraba wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Flenderson gets slowly back to his feet.
Nakuraba slaps away a takedown attempt from Flenderson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Flenderson is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Nakuraba.
Flenderson tries to clinch up but Nakuraba circles away and keeps his distance.
Flenderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nakuraba's waist but Nakuraba gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Flenderson off to one side.

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.
Flenderson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Flenderson blocks a head kick by Nakuraba.
Flenderson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nakuraba as he jumps to the side.
Nakuraba defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Flenderson.
Flenderson tries for a takedown but Nakuraba sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nakuraba with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flenderson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakuraba pinned against the cage. Nakuraba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nakuraba cracks the inside of Flenderson's front leg.
Flenderson takes one to the side of the head.
Flenderson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakuraba pinned against the cage. Nakuraba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nakuraba throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Flenderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A punch combination from Nakuraba misses.
Flenderson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakuraba scores with a jab to the head.
Nakuraba lands with a nice combination. Flenderson backs away looking to recover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Youshi Nakuraba dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nakuraba throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Toby Flenderson has been cut.
Toby Flenderson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Flenderson shoots in but no luck this time.
Nakuraba tries to close the distance and clinch up but Flenderson swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Flenderson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nakuraba tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Flenderson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nakuraba is pushing Flenderson's head away, looking to escape. Flenderson manages to hold on to the position though.
Flenderson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Flenderson throws an elbow but Nakuraba slips to the side and avoids it well.
Nakuraba tries to buck Flenderson off but Flenderson is having none of it.
Flenderson advances to full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Flenderson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Nakuraba has worked his arm free - good work by Nakuraba!

Flenderson tries for a kimura but Nakuraba is defending well.

Flenderson swings around for an armbar but Nakuraba sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Flenderson's guard.
Nakuraba has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakuraba has taken the fight to the clinch.
Flenderson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Nakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Flenderson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Youshi Nakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toby Flenderson.
Nakuraba moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nakuraba is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Nakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nakuraba turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba thumps Flenderson with a low kick.
Flenderson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nakuraba defends it nicely.
Nakuraba throws a good cross that connects.
Nakuraba jabs at Flenderson's body.
Flenderson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nakuraba is fending him off so far but Flenderson persists. Nope, Nakuraba circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nakuraba connects with a single shot there.
Nakuraba stuffs the takedown.
Nakuraba misses with a head kick.

Flenderson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Flenderson is looking for a kimura here.

Flenderson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Youshi Nakuraba clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Toby Flenderson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nakuraba moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Flenderson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Nakuraba counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flenderson looking for a takedown.
Flenderson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nakuraba wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nakuraba prevents the takedown attempt.
Youshi Nakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toby Flenderson.
Flenderson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nakuraba fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Flenderson is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Flenderson tries for a takedown but Nakuraba circles away easily
and Nakuraba counters with a nice low kick that buckles Flenderson's knee momentarily.
Nakuraba lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nakuraba.
Flenderson fails with the takedown
and Nakuraba counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba lands a nice looking body shot.
Flenderson misses with a takedown
enabling Nakuraba to counter with a crisp jab.
Flenderson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nakuraba thumps Flenderson with a low kick.
Flenderson misses with a takedown
and Nakuraba counters with a body kick.
Nakuraba is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flenderson takes a jab right on the kisser.
A head kick by Flenderson misses

and Nakuraba holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Nakuraba breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Flenderson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nakuraba counters by clinching up.
Nakuraba is trying to break free.
Nakuraba is trying to force a seperation but Flenderson has the dominant position.
Nakuraba is trying to break the clinch but Flenderson is controlling him.
Nakuraba working hard to break the clinch.
Flenderson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nakuraba prevents it.

Nakuraba breaks the clinch.
Youshi Nakuraba is winning the standup battle so far.
Nakuraba connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flenderson misses with a takedown

and Nakuraba counters by clinching up.

Nakuraba breaks the clinch.
Nakuraba wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nakuraba buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Flenderson doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nakuraba counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Youshi Nakuraba had his way with Toby Flenderson in that round.
The cut man is working on Toby Flenderson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nakuraba throws a nice outside leg kick.
Flenderson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nakuraba counters with a left to the body.
Flenderson tries for a takedown but Nakuraba circles away easily
and Nakuraba counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
No joy there for Nakuraba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Flenderson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nakuraba counters with a series of strikes. Flenderson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Youshi Nakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toby Flenderson.
Flenderson is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Nakuraba drives through and clinches with Flenderson against the cage.
Flenderson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakuraba's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Flenderson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Flenderson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nakuraba counters with a big head kick but Flenderson shrugs it off.
Nakuraba pushes Flenderson away with a front kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Nakuraba.
Nakuraba throws a head kick that Flenderson semi-blocks.
Flenderson tries for a takedown but Nakuraba circles away easily
and Nakuraba counters with a three punch combo that has Flenderson backing up. Flenderson nods at Nakuraba to acknowledge the strikes.
Youshi Nakuraba is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba punishes Flenderson's body with a nice straight punch.
Nakuraba throws a series of strikes that have Flenderson backpedaling.
Nakuraba thows a body kick. Flenderson tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Youshi Nakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakuraba lands a right hook to the body.
Flenderson is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nakuraba.
Nakuraba scores with a hook to the body. Flenderson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba scores with the left hand. Flenderson knows he should have avoided that one.
Flenderson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Flenderson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nakuraba.
Flenderson with a poor takedown

and Nakuraba counters by clinching up.
Nakuraba wants to break free but Flenderson has control.
Flenderson has Nakuraba pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nakuraba manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Nakuraba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakuraba thuds his shin into the meat of Flenderson's side.
Nakuraba tries to clinch but Flenderson is having none of it.
Toby Flenderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Flenderson fails with the takedown
and Nakuraba makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Flenderson really felt that one!
Nakuraba throws a combination. Flenderson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Flenderson has his takedown stuffed
and Nakuraba counters with a nice body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Youshi Nakuraba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nakuraba, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Youshi Nakuraba!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Youshi Nakuraba!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Youshi Nakuraba!

Youshi Nakuraba wins by unanimous decision!
Youshi Nakuraba is the new super heavyweight champion!