PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anakin Skywalker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenshiro Nakahara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Skywalker
vs
Nakahara

188 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Anakin Skywalker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenshiro Nakahara!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakahara dodges the punch combination from Skywalker.
Nakahara checks a low kick from Skywalker.
Skywalker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nakahara as he jumps to the side.
Skywalker tries for a takedown but Nakahara sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Skywalker shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anakin Skywalker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Skywalker shoots in but no luck this time.
Skywalker shoots in for a takedown but Nakahara shows good takedown defense.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skywalker fails with the takedown.
Skywalker tries for a takedown but Nakahara sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Skywalker fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakahara is looking to clinch.
Skywalker throws a low kick but Nakahara avoids it.
Skywalker fails with a takedown attempt.
Skywalker fails with a takedown attempt.

Nakahara clinches.
Nakahara slows down the pace here.
Skywalker fails to pull guard.

That's two 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.
Nakahara pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nice elbow from Nakahara.

It looks like Anakin Skywalker has been cut.

Nakahara has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Skywalker regains guard immediately.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Skywalker trying to control the position.
Skywalker is really struggling to control Nakahara but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Skywalker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nakahara can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Skywalker is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker wants to sweep but no luck.

Skywalker looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nakahara throwing strikes but missing.
Skywalker trying to control the position.
Skywalker wants to sweep here but Nakahara controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nakahara throwing strikes from guard but Skywalker blocks nicely.

Skywalker has an active guard here but Nakahara has managed to pass into half guard.
Ground and pound from Nakahara.
Skywalker trying to hold on to Nakahara's head to control him but Nakahara postures up.
Skywalker trying to get back to full guard but Nakahara takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakahara looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenshiro Nakahara dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Anakin Skywalker's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nakahara clinches with his opponent.
Nakahara with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Skywalker is fighting off a takedown attempt but Nakahara is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Skywalker to the mat. Skywalker regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nakahara connects with a couple of short punches.
Skywalker is trying to hold Nakahara in close to prevent damage but Nakahara has managed to pass into half guard.
Skywalker makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Skywalker.

Skywalker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nakahara can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nakahara wants to stand but Skywalker has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Skywalker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Skywalker is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nakahara must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Skywalker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nakahara is one step ahead there.
Nakahara wants to control from the top but Skywalker keeps moving.
Nakahara makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Skywalker working for a triangle but Nakahara defends it easily.
Nakahara tries to free his leg and advance position but Skywalker is retaining full guard.
Nakahara wanted to stand there but Skywalker had control of the position.

Nakahara stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Skywalker looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Nakahara shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nakahara was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakahara looking to control but Skywalker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Skywalker really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Nakahara landing punches.
Skywalker in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Skywalker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Skywalker slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Skywalker manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Skywalker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Skywalker looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Skywalker is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Skywalker is just content to waste time from the top position. Nakahara takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Anakin Skywalker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Skywalker is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nakahara is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nakahara has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anakin Skywalker dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Anakin Skywalker's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Skywalker has his takedown stuffed

and Nakahara counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nakahara.
Nakahara softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nakahara leaning against his opponent.
Nakahara stops a takedown attempt from Skywalker.
Nakahara lands a nice elbow.
Skywalker jumps guard but Nakahara stands there with Skywalker around his waist. Skywalker gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anakin Skywalker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakahara wants a takedown.
Skywalker is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nakahara gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nakahara leaning against his opponent.

Nakahara breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nakahara counters by moving into the clinch.
Skywalker jumps guard but Nakahara stands there with Skywalker around his waist. Skywalker gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakahara lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nakahara landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Skywalker tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nakahara just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nakahara is working for takedown but Skywalker is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nakahara avoiding damage.

Nakahara turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Nakahara manages to end up in side control.
Skywalker is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nakahara off and has taken his back!
Skywalker missing with strikes from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Skywalker looking for the choke from the back.
Nakahara has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Skywalker tries to get the hooks in deep but Nakahara pushed the leg off.

Skywalker is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Nakahara is defending well though. Skywalker let's go of the attempt for now.Nakahara has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Nakahara really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Skywalker. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakahara is trying to defend against the choke here but Skywalker has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Skywalker Tightens the hold and Nakahara taps out furiously! Skywalker displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Anakin Skywalker!