PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shunsuke Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jun Akiyama (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.

Nakamura
vs
Akiyama

178 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shunsuke Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jun Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akiyama moves in looking to clinch but Nakamura pushes him off.
Nakamura lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Akiyama gets the takedown into side control.
Akiyama taking a break here but Nakamura is having none of it and regains half guard.
Nakamura is trying to maintain the position but Akiyama is very close to passing his half guard.
Akiyama trying to pass the guard but Nakamura defending well.
Akiyama controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura is looking to improve his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Akiyama in particular looking to stall.
Akiyama is thwarting Nakamura's attempts to control the position.
Akiyama is keen to just control but Nakamura is a slippery customer.
Nakamura tries to roll over but Akiyama keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Akiyama takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Akiyama changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nakamura tries to avoid it but Akiyama manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nakamura to the ground. Nakamura escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nakamura lands with a nice body punch.
Akiyama looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Akiyama takes the fight into the clinch.

Akiyama escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Akiyama takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nakamura scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nakamura defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Akiyama.
Shunsuke Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jun Akiyama.

Nakamura clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Akiyama tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakamura smiles and moves away.
Nakamura lands a jab-cross combination.
Nakamura throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Akiyama looks gassed!
Akiyama walks into a jab.
A left and a right from Nakamura both land. Nice combination.
Akiyama fails with the takedown.
Danga de danga de dang - Nakamura scores with a four punch combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nakamura cracks Akiyama with a good jab.
Akiyama on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nakamura moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Good standup being displayed there by Nakamura as he connects with a hook.
Nakamura is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Akiyama takes one on the button.
Akiyama has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Nakamura scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nakamura scores with a one two! Akiyama had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Jun Akiyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nakamura clinches up against the cage.
Nakamura taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Nakamura gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Akiyama regains guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shunsuke Nakamura dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akiyama throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nakamura counters by moving into the clinch.
Nakamura lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Akiyama is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nakamura gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

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

Nakamura closes the distance and clinches.
Nakamura has Akiyama pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Akiyama manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Akiyama has had enough of the clinch but Nakamura keeps him there for the moment.
Akiyama is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nakamura pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Nakamura stalling in the clinch.
Nakamura has had enough of the clinch but Akiyama keeps him there for the moment.
Nakamura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Akiyama wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nakamura stops a takedown attempt from Akiyama.
Shunsuke Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jun Akiyama.
Nakamura wants a takedown.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.
Nakamura stalling.
Nakamura lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Akiyama or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama is working for takedown but Nakamura is calmly controlling the position for now.

Akiyama is fighting off a takedown attempt but Nakamura is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Akiyama to the mat. Akiyama regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nakamura working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Akiyama's head.
Nakamura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Akiyama is keeping the position for now.
Nakamura controlling from the top position.
Nakamura in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Akiyama not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nakamura is in close to Akiyama's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Nakamura controls from within his opponent's guard.
Akiyama keeping full guard, as Nakamura tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nakamura thows a big elbow that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Akiyama fails with the takedown
and Nakamura counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Akiyama takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nakamura stalks Akiyama and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Akiyama's face. Akiyama staggers backwards, shaken.

Nakamura drives through and clinches with Akiyama against the cage.
Nakamura lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Nakamura is trying to trip Akiyama. He has hold of a leg but Akiyama is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Nakamura persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nakamura wants to pass the guard but Akiyama is keeping the position.
Nakamura throws and elbow that misses. Akiyama uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nakamura's guard. Nice move by Akiyama!
Akiyama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Akiyama must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nakamura is looking to stand up but Akiyama isn't so interested in that idea.
Nakamura keeping moving, preventing Akiyama from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Akiyama preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Akiyama throws a left and a right that both miss

and Nakamura counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nakamura works on Akiyama's body with a couple of short punches.
Nakamura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Akiyama avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Nakamura moves into range and clinches up with Akiyama.
Nakamura is trying to break free.
A shot in the inside from Nakamura.
Nakamura wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akiyama has him pressed against the cage.
Akiyama tries for a takedown but Nakamura manages to get underhooks.
Nakamura is pushing Akiyama up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Nakamura lands a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nakamura manages to break the clinch.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nakamura!
Akiyama takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Akiyama walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama falls off balance throwing a combination

and Nakamura counters by moving into the clinch.
Akiyama takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nakamura taking a breather.
Nakamura wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Akiyama has him pressed against the cage.
Akiyama's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Nakamura manages to break the clinch.
Akiyama tries for a takedown but Nakamura circles away easily
and Nakamura counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Akiyama tries to clinch but Nakamura moves away
and Nakamura counters with a straight right hand.
Nakamura swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Akiyama counters with a shoot takedown. Nakamura fights it but they end up in guard.
Nakamura is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Akiyama is controlling him.
Akiyama wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura wants to sweep but no luck.
Akiyama stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakamura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Akiyama is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakamura has wrist control.
Nakamura looking to hit a scissor sweep but Akiyama is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura controlling the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Akiyama gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nakamura counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Shunsuke Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jun Akiyama.

Nakamura changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Akiyama looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Akiyama is looking to regain half guard here but Nakamura keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura trying to control the position but Akiyama is working away.

Nakamura decides to stand up, so the ref orders Akiyama to his feet.
Akiyama fails with the takedown

and Nakamura counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shunsuke Nakamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akiyama has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nakamura has had enough of the clinch but Akiyama keeps him there for the moment.
Akiyama tries to pull guard but Nakamura won't allow it.
Akiyama can't break the clinch.
Nakamura lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nakamura taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Jun Akiyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Akiyama is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shunsuke Nakamura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nakamura has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shunsuke Nakamura!