PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Quinton Kabanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shunsuke Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kabanov
vs
Nakamura

182 cm
23
170 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

182 cm
20
174 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Quinton Kabanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shunsuke Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kabanov scores with a leg kick.
Quinton Kabanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kabanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nakamura looks to land a combination but Kabanov avoids it well.
A head kick by Nakamura misses
and Kabanov counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Nakamura is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kabanov moves in looking to clinch but Nakamura pushes him off.
Kabanov tries to clinch up.
Kabanov shoots in but no luck this time.
Nakamura throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kabanov counters with a slapping leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakamura throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kabanov counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Nakamura looks gassed!
Kabanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nakamura looks to land a right hand but Kabanov moved out of range.
Nakamura circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice uppercut there from Kabanov.
Kabanov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kabanov shoots for a takedown but Nakamura saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kabanov.

It looks like Shunsuke Nakamura has been cut.
Kabanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakamura circles away.
Kabanov jabs at Nakamura's body.
Kabanov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A nice combination there by Kabanov.
Kabanov shoots in but Nakamura avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quinton Kabanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kabanov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nakamura as he jumps to the side.
Kabanov misses with a double jab
and Nakamura counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakamura throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kabanov.
Nakamura lands a jab to the head.

Nakamura clinches.
Nakamura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kabanov jumps guard but Nakamura stands there with Kabanov around his waist. Kabanov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Nakamura successfully pulls guard.
Kabanov wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.
Nakamura is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabanov stops Nakamura from standing up.
Kabanov wants to control from the top but Nakamura keeps moving.

Nakamura pushes Kabanov off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Nakamura throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

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

Nakamura moves into the clinch.
Kabanov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakamura smiles and moves away.
Nakamura lands a two punch combo.
Nakamura fails to land with a series of punches.
Kabanov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nakamura lands a really nice looking cross but Kabanov seems unphased.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice shot lands for Nakamura.
Nakamura throws a combination that misses
and Kabanov counters with a thumping low kick.
Kabanov dodges the punch combination from Nakamura.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Quinton Kabanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shunsuke Nakamura's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nakamura lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kabanov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kabanov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kabanov tries to clinch up

and Nakamura counters by clinching up.
Nakamura wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kabanov has him pressed against the cage.
Nakamura tries to break free but Kabanov pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kabanov jumps guard but Nakamura stands there with Kabanov around his waist. Kabanov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kabanov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nakamura is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kabanov tries to break the clinch but Nakamura is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabanov has Nakamura pressed against the cage, preventing Nakamura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kabanov looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quinton Kabanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kabanov has Nakamura pressed against the cage, preventing Nakamura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nakamura lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kabanov backwards.
Nakamura wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nakamura is looking to break free of the clinch but Kabanov has double underhooks.
Kabanov keeps control of Nakamura as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nakamura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Nakamura's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kabanov prevents Nakamura from breaking the clinch.
Kabanov has Nakamura pressed against the cage, preventing Nakamura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nakamura tries to break free but Kabanov pushes him back against the cage.

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.
Nakamura is trying to break the clinch but Kabanov has him pressed against the cage.
Nakamura working hard to break the clinch.
Nakamura tries to circle away but Kabanov has him pinned against the cage.
Nakamura can't break the clinch.
Nakamura lands a nice uppercut.
Nakamura looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nakamura is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nakamura tries to circle away but Kabanov has him pinned against the cage.
Kabanov has Nakamura pressed against the cage, preventing Nakamura from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kabanov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nakamura's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura tries to break free but Kabanov pushes him back against the cage.
Nakamura tries to break free but Kabanov pushes him back against the cage.
Nakamura's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Nakamura lands a left hand.
Come on Nakamura - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nakamura is trying to force a seperation but Kabanov has the dominant position.
Nakamura wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

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.
Nakamura is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kabanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nakamura is trying to break free.

Nakamura drags the fight down to the ground.
Kabanov looking to pass the guard.
Nakamura is controlling Kabanov's posture.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kabanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shunsuke Nakamura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shunsuke Nakamura's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nakamura moves into the clinch.
Kabanov keeps control of Nakamura as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nakamura wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nakamura drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kabanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nakamura tries to circle away but Kabanov has him pinned against the cage.
Kabanov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nakamura gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kabanov has Nakamura pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nakamura manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nakamura has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kabanov up against the cage.
Nakamura prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Quinton Kabanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nakamura breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nakamura fails to land with a series of punches.
Nakamura scores with a jab.
Nakamura scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kabanov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Nakamura pushes Kabanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kabanov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakamura smiles and moves away.

Nakamura gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura working hard to break the clinch.
Nakamura drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kabanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nakamura has had enough of the clinch but Kabanov keeps him there for the moment.

Nakamura's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Nakamura has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kabanov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nakamura can't break the clinch.
Nakamura has had enough of the clinch but Kabanov keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakamura manages to break the clinch.

Nakamura has Kabanov up against the cage in a clinch.
Nakamura slowing the pace effectively.
Nakamura wants to get back to striking at distance but Kabanov won't allow it.
Kabanov prevents Nakamura from breaking the clinch.

Nakamura pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nakamura slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nakamura looks to land a combination. Kabanov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nakamura misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nakamura throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kabanov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kabanov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nakamura!

Nakamura gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nakamura wants to break free but Kabanov has control.
Kabanov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakamura smiles and moves away.
A jab lands there for Nakamura.
Quinton Kabanov is winning the standup battle so far.
Kabanov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kabanov misses with a double jab
and Nakamura counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shunsuke Nakamura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nakamura has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

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