PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Takeshi Nanahara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kelvin Poon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Poon is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Wavin' Flags. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Nanahara
vs
Poon

180 cm
19
155 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
165 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takeshi Nanahara!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kelvin Poon!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nanahara lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nanahara slaps away a takedown attempt from Poon, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nanahara throws the left hand but Poon avoids the punch easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nanahara blocks an elbow strike from Poon.
Poon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Poon just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nanahara's brow.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Poon looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Poon misses with a punch on the inside.
Poon taking a breather.
Nanahara dodges an elbow strike from Poon.
Nanahara is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Poon pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Poon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nanahara just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Nanahara on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nanahara is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Poon pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Poon putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nanahara in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nanahara blocks an elbow strike.
Poon throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nanahara blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanahara avoiding damage as Poon throws knees to the body.
Poon lands an elbow inside that Nanahara shrugs off.
Poon comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Poon trying to land knees to the body.

Nanahara has clasped his hands together around Poon's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Poon wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
An elbow from Nanahara crashes against the mat.
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.
The strikes coming from Nanahara are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Nanahara tries for a kimura but Poon is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poon managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Nanahara.
Nanahara trying to control the action but Poon is working from the bottom.
Nanahara working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nanahara in side control, throwing shots but Poon defends.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Poon closes the distance and pushes Nanahara back into the ropes.
Nanahara tries to score a body lock takedown but Poon shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takeshi Nanahara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nanahara is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Poon is keeping busy.
Poon throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nanahara blocks it with crossed arms.
Nanahara managing to block the knees to the body from Poon.
Nanahara is pressed up against the ropes. Poon has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nanahara down to the mat. Nanahara avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nanahara.
Poon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nanahara defends it nicely.
Kelvin Poon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Poon changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nanahara looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Poon looks gassed!
Poon wants to stand but Nanahara is controlling his arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poon trying to control the action but Nanahara is working from the bottom.
Nanahara can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Nanahara dominated that round.
That's time! Nanahara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nanahara darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Poon looks for a takedown but Nanahara sprawls well.
Nanahara misses with a double jab.
Nanahara jabs at Poon's body.
Poon shoots for a takedown but Nanahara saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Poon fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Takeshi Nanahara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kelvin Poon.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Poon.
Nanahara throws a series of punches but Poon moves out of range.
Nanahara lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Nanahara drops Poon with a right and a left! Nanahara comes rushing in but Poon regains his composure and manages to keep Nanahara in guard.

Poon is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nanahara lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Poon is still in real trouble! Can Nanahara finish him?
Nanahara landing with the ground and pound.
Poon is breathing heavily.
Nanahara thows a big elbow that misses.
Poon seems to have recovered his senses.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanahara connects with a couple of short punches.
Nanahara is in close to Poon's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nanahara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nanahara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nanahara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nanahara trying to control but Poon is working from the bottom.

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.
Nanahara with a nice head shot there.
Poon wants to stand but Nanahara is controlling the position.
Nanahara stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Poon swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nanahara trying to control but Poon is working from the bottom.
Nanahara has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nanahara lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nanahara.

Poon gets a takedown into half guard.
Nanahara tries to kick Poon off but Poon keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nanahara tries to roll over but Poon keeps him under control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Poon is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Nanahara reverses the position - he's now on top in Poon's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Poon trying to keep a closed guard but Nanahara is proving a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nanahara closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nanahara lands in his opponent's guard.

Poon pushes Nanahara off and gets back to his feet.

Nanahara darts in and clinches Poon up against the ropes.
Poon misses with an elbow strike.
Nanahara dodges an elbow strike from Poon.
A looping hook to the body misses from Poon. Nanahara does a little dance to reset his feet.
Poon with a poor takedown

and Nanahara counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Poon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nanahara prevents Poon from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanahara trying to control the action but Poon is working from the bottom.
Poon tries to roll over but Nanahara keeps him under control.
Nanahara not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nanahara slips a nice elbow through Poon's hands, connecting with Poon's forehead.
Nanahara not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Poon desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Nanahara is trying to control the action in half guard but Poon is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Nanahara lands strikes from half guard.
Nanahara missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Takeshi Nanahara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poon looks like he's trying to stand up.
Poon regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Nanahara.
Nanahara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nanahara throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nanahara is looking to work some ground and pound but Poon has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nanahara won't allow Poon to get back to his feet.
Nanahara postures up in Poon's guard and throws a big left but Poon blocks it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nanahara swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Poon tries for a takedown but Nanahara circles away easily
and Nanahara counters with a nice body kick.
No joy there for Nanahara, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nanahara throws a nice looking combination but Poon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Nanahara shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nanahara was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nanahara throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Nanahara clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Poon avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nanahara throws a series of punches but Poon avoids them all with ease.
Poon shoots and misses
and Poon takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Poon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nanahara counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Poon is looking to get back to is feet but Nanahara passes into side control.
Nanahara taking a breather here.
Nanahara is working Poon over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanahara landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Poon is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Nanahara lands an elbow.
Nanahara sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Poon is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Nanahara wants to lay and pray for a moment but Poon keeps working.
Nanahara lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nanahara scoring with punches from side control.
Nanahara wants to lay and pray for a moment but Poon keeps working.
Nanahara connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Poon some visible discomfort.

Nanahara decides to stand back up. Nanahara steps back and let's Poon get back to his feet.
Nanahara misses with a jab, cross combination.
Poon tries for a takedown but Nanahara circles away easily
and Nanahara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Takeshi Nanahara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kelvin Poon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nanahara misses with a two punch combination.
Poon gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nanahara counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Nanahara shoots in and bounces Poon off the ropes to secure the takedown into guard.
Nanahara loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nanahara is looking to work some ground and pound but Poon has wrist control.
Nanahara trying to control but Poon is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nanahara throws and elbow that misses. Poon uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nanahara's guard. Nice move by Poon!
Poon wants to control from the top but Nanahara keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Takeshi Nanahara had his way with Kelvin Poon in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nanahara throws a right and a left that both miss.
Poon tries for a takedown but Nanahara circles away easily

and Nanahara counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nanahara throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nanahara accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nanahara loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nanahara with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nanahara in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Poon is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanahara stops Poon from standing up.
Nanahara would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Poon avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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

and Nanahara counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Poon's guard now.
Nanahara throws a big right hand that misses.
Nanahara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poon works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kelvin Poon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nanahara works over Poon with some ground and pound from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nanahara's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nanahara throws a strike but Poon rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Nanahara can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Poon controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nanahara kicks Poon off and gets to his feet.

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.
Nanahara fails to land with a series of punches.

Poon throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nanahara was covering up waiting for the punch and Poon finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Poon throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nanahara works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Takeshi Nanahara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nanahara wants to stand up but Poon is controlling him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takeshi Nanahara showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nanahara, 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 50:45
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 50:45
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takeshi Nanahara!
Takeshi Nanahara retains his lightweight title!