PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazuo Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julian Valdez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Valdez's choice of entrance music: so amazing. Kazuo Nakamura had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Nakamura
vs
Valdez

178 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

187 cm
26
185 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good in bed

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuo Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Julian Valdez!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nakamura drives through with a takedown into Valdez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Nakamura cracks Valdez with a solid left hand.

Valdez is looking for a triangle but Nakamura pushes his legs off easily.
Valdez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Valdez looking for a sweep. Not yet Valdez, not yet.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Valdez has wrist control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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

Valdez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nakamura doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nakamura manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Valdez has his foot on Nakamura's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nakamura works his way back into a safe position though.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nakamura's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nakamura with a nice head shot there.
Nakamura scoring with punches to the head and body.

Valdez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nakamura is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakamura lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Nakamura working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Valdez's head.
Nakamura throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Valdez looking for a guillotine here but Nakamura defends easily.
Nakamura wants to stand but Valdez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura landing some decent shots from guard.
Nakamura makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nakamura keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Valdez's head.
Nakamura tries to stand but Valdez is controlling from the bottom.

Valdez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Valdez looks gassed!

Valdez is working an open guard so Nakamura takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Valdez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nakamura.
Nakamura scores with a three punch combo!
Valdez gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nakamura counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakamura decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Valdez shoots and misses

and Nakamura counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakamura working the body and head with strikes.
Nakamura scoring with punches from side control.
Nakamura scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Valdez to see if he's OK.
Nakamura scores with punches from side control.
Nakamura lands an elbow.
Nakamura landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Valdez taking a bit of punishment here - Nakamura scoring with strikes.
Nakamura cracks Valdez with a big right hand but Valdez just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Valdez is looking to reverse the position.
Valdez taking a bit of punishment here - Nakamura scoring with strikes.
Nakamura working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Valdez is looking for a sweep.
Valdez takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nakamura working the ground and pound.
Valdez is working to avoid the ground and pound but Nakamura connects with a decent elbow.
Valdez is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura cracks Valdez with a big elbow.
Valdez tries to improve position but can't.
Nakamura landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Valdez is looking to reverse the position.
Nakamura scores with punches from side control.
Valdez on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Check out the look on Nakamura's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Valdez is looking for a sweep.
Nakamura scoring with punches and elbows.
Valdez on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Nakamura working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Nakamura scoring with punches and elbows.
Valdez is working to avoid the ground and pound but Nakamura connects with a decent elbow.
Nakamura working the ground and pound.
Valdez is trying to improve his position.
Valdez takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura working the body and head with strikes.

Nakamura decides to stand back up. Nakamura steps back and let's Valdez get back to his feet.

Nakamura dives in and scores a takedown into Valdez's guard.
Nakamura scoring with punches to the head and body.

Valdez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nakamura is working Valdez over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Nakamura working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nakamura trying to stand up but can't free himself from Valdez's guard.
Nakamura working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Valdez's head.
Nakamura distracts Valdez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nakamura distracts Valdez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Valdez looking for a sweep. Not yet Valdez, not yet.
Nakamura works over Valdez with some ground and pound from guard.
Nakamura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakamura content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuo Nakamura dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nakamura moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nakamura misses with the combination.
Valdez slips a straight right by Nakamura.

Valdez fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nakamura sprawls well initially but Valdez persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Valdez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nakamura slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Valdez throwing strikes but missing.
Nakamura is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nakamura wants to pass the guard but Valdez is defending well.
Nakamura scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Nakamura is nestled in close to Valdez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Valdez is breathing heavily.

Nakamura stands up and beckons Valdez to join him on the feet.
Nakamura lands a glancing blow to the side of Valdez's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakamura scores a takedown into full mount!
Nakamura scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nakamura raining down hammerfists from mount.
Nakamura landing strikes from the mount.
Nakamura breaks from Valdez's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Valdez is in a horrible position here. Nakamura smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kazuo Nakamura overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nakamura lands a big shot there that rocks Valdez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
BOOM! Nakamura connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Valdez is trying to escape the mount.
Nakamura landing strikes from the mount and Valdez is in trouble!
Nakamura landing strikes from the mount and Valdez is in trouble!
Nakamura with the ground and pound from mount.
Nakamura looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Valdez in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Nakamura knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Valdez on the ground.
Nakamura lands a heavy elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Nakamura scoring with strikes but Valdez is staying in there.
Nakamura landing strikes from the mount.
Nakamura with the ground and pound from mount.
Nakamura lands a big shot there that rocks Valdez but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Nakamura postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Valdez looks a forlorn figure.
Valdez regains half guard.

Nakamura decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nakamura cracks Valdez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nakamura keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Nakamura decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Valdez actively working from the bottom here.
Valdez on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Valdez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valdez actively working from the bottom here.

Valdez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nakamura tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Valdez.
Ground and pound from Nakamura.
Nakamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Valdez is trying to get back to full guard.

Valdez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nakamura working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Valdez wants to improve his position but Nakamura is controlling well.
Nakamura working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Nakamura lands a nice short elbow.
Nakamura lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nakamura looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Valdez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nakamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Valdez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nakamura working over Valdez with some ground and pound. Valdez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nakamura tries to stand but can't do so whilst Valdez controls his leg.
Nakamura winds up and cracks Valdez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Valdez on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nakamura scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nakamura is nestled in close to Valdez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nakamura lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuo Nakamura dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nakamura shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Valdez's guard.
Valdez manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Nakamura tries to hold on but Valdez pushes him away.
Nakamura working to try and regain half guard.
Valdez putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nakamura's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Poor strikes thrown by Valdez there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Nakamura is working to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valdez scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Valdez looking to ground and pound but Nakamura is blocking nicely.
Nakamura manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Valdez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Nakamura is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nakamura keeping hold of Valdez's head, controlling as best he can.
Nakamura regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nakamura wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kazuo Nakamura just wasn't active enough.

Nakamura closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Valdez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Valdez looking for submissions off his back.

Valdez is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakamura pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valdez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Valdez taking some punishment here, with Nakamura in his half guard.
Nakamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Valdez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Valdez taking some punishment here, with Nakamura in his half guard.
Nakamura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nakamura seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nakamura lands strikes from half guard.
Nakamura tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Nakamura is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Valdez taking some punishment here, with Nakamura in his half guard.
Valdez has hold of Nakamura's hands but Nakamura slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valdez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nakamura has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nakamura working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Valdez's head.
Nakamura in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nakamura postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nakamura postures up and lands a big shot to Valdez's brow.

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

Valdez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nakamura postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nakamura's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nakamura postures up and lands a big shot to Valdez's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura connects with a couple of short punches.
Nakamura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Valdez is keeping the position for now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nakamura's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Nakamura got a little sloppy there for a moment and Valdez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakamura has managed to get both his arms back between Valdez's legs - danger averted.

Nakamura stands up and waves to Valdez to follow him.
Valdez misses with a takedown attempt

and Nakamura counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Valdez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nakamura landing some decent shots from guard.
Nakamura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Nakamura stands up from Valdez's guard - Nakamura perhaps looking for a knockout.
Valdez shoots and misses

and Nakamura counters with a single leg into guard. Valdez didn't expect that.
Julian Valdez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kazuo Nakamura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Valdez pushes a forearm under Nakamura's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Nakamura is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Julian Valdez!