PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shunsuke Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuraba comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Wax Tailor feat. The Others kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Nakamura
vs
Sakuraba

182 cm
24
174 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
180 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Granite chin

[CBK] The Smashwear Corporation

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shunsuke Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot
and Nakamura counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nakamura feints a jab promting Sakuraba to slip. Nakamura then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Sakuraba slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Sakuraba slips a straight right by Nakamura.
Good exchange - Nakamura coming out on top.
Nakamura wants to clinch
and Sakuraba counters with an inside leg kick.
Nakamura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakuraba was well out of range. Poor timing from Nakamura.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sakuraba misses with a low kick.
Sakuraba misses with a low kick.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nakamura crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sakuraba - the referee stops the clock and Nakamura gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sakuraba. Nakamura manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sakuraba moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba circles away from the clinch attempt
and Nakamura takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura fails to land with a series of punches.
A low kick from Sakuraba misses
and Nakamura counters with a straight right hand.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba swinging wildly here.
Nakamura throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nakamura tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuraba swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura swings for the body but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nakamura. That did some damage!
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that misses.
Sakuraba tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Nakamura is able to avoid easily.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Good work by Nakamura as he checks the leg kick.
Nakamura lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Nakamura.
Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
Nakamura lands a jab-cross combination.
Sakuraba moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nakamura.
Nakamura rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sakuraba counters with a slapping leg kick.

Nakamura closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sakuraba to the mat! Sakuraba manages to get full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nakamura trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakuraba tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakuraba is keeping the position for now.
Sakuraba is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.
Nakamura throwing strikes from guard but Sakuraba blocks nicely.
Sakuraba is looking to stand up but Nakamura isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakamura wants to pass the guard but Sakuraba is keeping the position.

Sakuraba is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nakamura is aware though and is defending well.

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

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura wants to pass the guard but Sakuraba is keeping the position.
Sakuraba is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakamura stopping the sweep attempt from Sakuraba.
Nakamura is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Sakuraba is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nakamura defends well.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Nakamura from controlling successfully.
Sakuraba pulls Nakamura in to control the position.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakuraba swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nakamura thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba tries to land a leg kick but Nakamura saw it coming and moves away.
Nakamura throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nakamura swings for the body but Sakuraba moves out of range.
A head kick by Nakamura misses
and Sakuraba counters with a series of strikes. Nakamura will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sakuraba misses with a head kick.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is looking to land body kicks.
Nakamura takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nakamura shoots in looking for a takedown but Sakuraba manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nakamura's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nakamura tests Sakuraba's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nakamura misses with a body shot
and Sakuraba counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sakuraba sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sakuraba motions for Nakamura to come forward. Sakuraba throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura moves out of range as Sakuraba throws a body kick.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nakamura.
Nakamura keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sakuraba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakuraba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nakamura scores with a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuraba swinging wildly here.
Nakamura swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sakuraba.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Shunsuke Nakamura will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nakamura's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sakuraba is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shunsuke Nakamura is winning the standup battle so far.
Nakamura takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Sakuraba walks into a left hand.
Sakuraba tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakamura tries to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sakuraba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nakamura.
Nakamura swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sakuraba counters with a solid body kick.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura moves to clinch but Sakuraba breaks away
and Sakuraba counters with an outside leg kick.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses.
Some wild striking there from Nakamura.
Sakuraba throws out a loose jab but Nakamura uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sakuraba.
Nakamura blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nakamura is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nakamura.
Shunsuke Nakamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba avoids the body shot from Nakamura.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura checks a leg kick.
Nakamura tries to clinch but Sakuraba is having none of it.
Nakamura scores with a hook to the body. Sakuraba takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nakamura fails with a takedown attempt.
Nakamura takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.
Nakamura misses with a body punch
and Sakuraba counters with a low kick, right behind Nakamura 's knee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sakuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that misses.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sakuraba - that will leave a mark!
Nakamura is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nakamura checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sakuraba fails with the takedown.
Sakuraba darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakamura swings for the body but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Sakuraba dodges the punch combination from Nakamura.
A head kick misses from Nakamura.
Nakamura slips a jab and a cross from Sakuraba.
Nakamura throws a jab when Sakuraba was well out of range.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nakamura fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Nakamura showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuraba.
Nakamura throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nakamura looks to clinch
and Sakuraba counters with a body kick that stops Nakamura in his tracks momentarily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura misses with the combination.
Nakamura lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sakuraba connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nakamura momentarily.
Nakamura has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sakuraba.
Nakamura tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nakamura's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Nakamura duly obliges.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakuraba.

Nakamura fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sakuraba, pushing him back against the cage.
Sakuraba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nakamura misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sakuraba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nakamura throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sakurabas head.
Nakamura lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakuraba's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Nakamura fails to land.
Nakamura has Sakuraba pressed against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Shunsuke Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura stops a takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Nakamura misses with a body punch.
A bit of stalling here from Nakamura.
Nakamura tries to stall but Sakuraba uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sakuraba goes for a takedown attempt but Nakamura pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.
Sakuraba misses with a two punch combination.
Nakamura throws a nice looking combination but Sakuraba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nakamura connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Shunsuke Nakamura!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Shunsuke Nakamura!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Shunsuke Nakamura!

Shunsuke Nakamura wins by unanimous decision!