PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Ellis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ellis has chosen Dude looks like a lady! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Chris Ellis will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Nakamura
vs
Ellis

165 cm
26
135 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

158 cm
22
138 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kazushi Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Chris Ellis!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakamura blocks a head kick by Ellis.
Nakamura throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ellis slips a jab and a cross from Nakamura.
A punch lands to the side of Nakamura 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A combination from Ellis does no damage.
Nakamura ducks under a wild hook from Ellis.
Nakamura lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ellis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakamura pinned against the cage. Nakamura gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ellis misses with a head kick.
Ellis connects with a body shot.
Nakamura throws a good cross that connects.

Ellis drives through and clinches with Nakamura against the cage.
Ellis throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nakamura takes a knee to the side of the body.
Ellis is trying to drag Nakamura to the mat but Nakamura just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nakamura is pressed up against the cage. Ellis has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nakamura down to the mat. Nakamura avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kazushi Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Ellis.
Ellis takes a swing at Nakamura's ribcage but misses.
Nakamura throws a right and a left that Ellis avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura throws a lazy head kick
and Ellis counters with a nice uppercut.
Ellis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nakamura tries to avoid it but Ellis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nakamura to the ground. Nakamura escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Chris Ellis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ellis fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nakamura on the side of the head.
Ellis misses with a body kick.
Ellis has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nakamura finds it's way round the side to connect with Ellis's head.
Nakamura defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ellis.

Ellis moves into the clinch.
Ellis tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nakamura working hard to break the clinch.

Ellis breaks from the clinch.
Nakamura lands with a right hand.
Ellis blocks a head kick by Nakamura.
Nakamura throws the left hand but Ellis avoids the punch easily.
Nakamura throws a right and a left that both miss.

Ellis has closed the distance and engaged Nakamura in a clinch.

Ellis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Nakamura throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ellis was covering up waiting for the punch and Nakamura finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Nakamura won't allow Ellis to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nakamura drops back looking for a leg! Ellis is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ellis manages to kick Nakamura off! Nakamura jumps back into Ellis's guard.

Ellis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ellis keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura passes into half guard.

Nakamura seems to be working for a kimura but Ellis defends the submission attempt.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ellis is defending against the submission attempts here by Nakamura.
Ellis is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Ellis actively working from the bottom here.

Ellis looking for submissions off his back.
Ellis slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chris Ellis will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ellis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nakamura is fending him off so far but Ellis persists. Nope, Nakamura circles away and we're back to standing.
Ellis stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ellis wants it to stay on the feet.
Nakamura tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Ellis counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ellis.
Ellis avoiding damage.
Ellis scores a nice knee to the body.

Ellis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ellis tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nakamura manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kazushi Nakamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakamura takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nakamura tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ellis paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ellis lands a head kick!
Ellis lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nakamura at a distance.
Ellis connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ellis feints and then cracks Nakamura's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nakamura down.
Nice cross by Ellis.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A solid body kick from Ellis.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakamura tries to keep at a distance but Ellis has taken the fight into the clinch.
Come on Ellis - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ellis tries to score a body lock takedown but Nakamura shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ellis lands an elbow that stopped Nakamura in his tracks for a moment.

Ellis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ellis tries for a takedown but Nakamura circles away easily
and Nakamura cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kazushi Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Ellis.
Ellis lands a head kick!
Ellis throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nakamura's head.
Ellis fakes the leg kick and cracks Nakamura in the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Nakamura misses the target.
Ellis throws a nice head kick!
Nakamura tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ellis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nakamura somewhat.
Ellis scores with a spinning back kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura moves out of range of the body kick.
Ellis throws a series of punches but Nakamura moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Nakamura. Those never looked like landing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ellis.
Ellis lands with a kick to the temple. Nakamura shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Ellis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nakamura, pushing him back against the cage.

Ellis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ellis.
Ellis cracks Nakamura with a good jab.
Ellis scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nakamura looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ellis connects with a right hand. Nakamura shakes it off.
Ellis changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nakamura tries to avoid it but Ellis manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nakamura to the ground. Nakamura escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Chris Ellis seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura looks to land a combination but Ellis avoids it well.
Ellis cracks Nakamura with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nakamura lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nice defenses there by Nakamura.

Ellis gets a takedown into half guard.

Ellis is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nakamura is just riding it out for now. Ellis eventually gives up the hold.
Nakamura works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellis advances position into side control!
Ellis prevents Nakamura from escaping the position.

Ellis looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Ellis tries for a kimura but Nakamura is defending well.
Ellis tries to advance to mount but Nakamura denies him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nakamura is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ellis's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Ellis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ellis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Nakamura counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ellis's guard now.

Ellis is looking for a triangle but Nakamura pushes his legs off easily.

Ellis had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nakamura defends it easily.
Nakamura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ellis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Nakamura drops back looking for a leg! Ellis is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ellis manages to kick Nakamura off! Nakamura jumps back into Ellis's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura distracts Ellis with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ellis trying to keep a closed guard but Nakamura is proving a slippery customer.
Ellis manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kazushi Nakamura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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 escape the mount.
Ellis pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Ellis goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Nakamura is on top in guard.
Chris Ellis has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ellis is looking for a triangle but Nakamura pushes his legs off easily.

Ellis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nakamura defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Ellis keeps moving.

Ellis is looking for a triangle here but Nakamura uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Ellis takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

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.

Nakamura is trying to get an arm triangle but Ellis is defending well.
Ellis is looking for a sweep.
Ellis tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Nakamura presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Ellis tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ellis manages to regain half guard. Good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Nakamura showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ellis 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chris Ellis!