PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Messi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Nakamura
vs
Messi

166 cm
26
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

181 cm
20
146 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Kobra Clothing Inc.

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vladimir Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lionel Messi!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Messi - that will leave a mark!
Nakamura takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Vladimir Nakamura has been cut.
Nakamura swinging wildly here.
Nakamura will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A head kick by Nakamura misses
and Messi counters with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Messi connects with a high kick.
Nakamura swinging wildly here.

Messi lands a big head kick that sends Nakamura tumbling to the mat! Messi takes a step backwards and waves Nakamura back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Nakamura is rocked!
Messi connects with a solid leg kick.
Messi throws a head kick but Nakamura moves out of range.
Messi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nakamura.
Nakamura tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses.
Messi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nakamura's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messi lands a head kick!
Messi lands with a nice body kick.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses
and Messi counters with a low kick, right behind Nakamura 's knee.
Nakamura misses with the combination.
Some wild striking there from Nakamura.
Nakamura misses with a double jab.
Messi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nakamura's head.
Both fighters circling a little - Messi finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Messi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nakamura.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Messi tries a head kick but it misses.
Messi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nakamura's head.

Vladimir Nakamura's cut is getting worse.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura misses with a leg kick
and Messi counters with a nice kick to the body.
Nakamura takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Messi looks gassed!
Messi delivers a nice body kick.
Messi scores with a head kick. Nakamura tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Vladimir Nakamura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Messi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nakamura throws a leg kick but Messi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Nakamura lands a two punch combo.
Nakamura misses with a head kick.
Nice body kick from Messi.
Nakamura misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nakamura takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses.
Nakamura will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Nakamura avoids the head kick by Messi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Messi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nakamura.
Nakamura misses with a series of wild punches.
Messi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nakamura throws a series of punches but Messi moves out of range.
Nakamura avoids the head kick by Messi.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses
and Messi counters with a body kick.
No joy there for Nakamura, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Messi throws a nice head kick!
Messi lands a front kick.
Messi lands with a slapping head kick.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Nakamura falls off balance throwing a combination
and Messi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Messi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nakamura misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Messi keeps Nakamura at a distance using the push kick.
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!
Messi throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Messi fakes the leg kick and cracks Nakamura in the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Messi, right into the meat.
Nakamura throws a shot from downtown. Messi moves away and avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Messi blocks a head kick by Nakamura.
Messi ducks under a wild hook from Nakamura.
Messi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nakamura will feel that in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Nakamura's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice body kick from Messi.
Messi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Messi throws a nice head kick!
Nakamura throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Messi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Messi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakamura.
Messi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nakamura.
Nakamura swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nakamura misses with a head kick.
Nakamura stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Messi.
Messi pushes Nakamura away with a front kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A good leg kick by Messi.
Messi throws a head kick that Nakamura semi-blocks.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Nakamura might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Messi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Vladimir Nakamura's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura throws a series of punches but Messi moves out of range.
Messi scores with a head kick. Nakamura tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Nakamura stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Messi.
A slapping leg kick lands for Messi.
Messi connects with a solid leg kick.
Messi thows a body kick. Nakamura tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Messi explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Messi throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nakamura.
Nakamura swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Messi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Messi goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Messi throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nakamura's head.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nakamura crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Messi - the referee stops the clock and Nakamura gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Messi. Nakamura manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A head kick from Messi lands but Nakamura takes it in his stride.

Jeez, Vladimir Nakamura's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Nakamura walks forward, straight into a front kick from Messi.
Nakamura misses with a head kick.
Messi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nakamura. Messi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Messi thuds his shin into the meat of Nakamura's side.
Nakamura throws a sloppy head kick and Messi moves out of range easily.
Nakamura misses with a few strikes there.
Messi scores with a nice body kick.
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Nakamura fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Messi blocks a head kick by Nakamura.
Messi throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Messi thows a body kick. Nakamura tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Messi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Nakamura if he has to take too many more of those.
Messi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Messi thows a body kick. Nakamura tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Messi lands a head kick!
Messi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Messi.
Nakamura misses with a low kick as Messi jumps back.
A combination from Nakamura does no damage.
Nakamura looks to land a left hand but Messi moved out of range nicely.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Messi - that will leave a mark!
Vladimir Nakamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakamura throws a nice looking combination but Messi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nakamura takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Messi lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Nakamura is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Messi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Nakamura misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Messi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nakamura.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Messi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Nakamura's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

A head kick from Messi lands but Nakamura takes it in his stride.
Nakamura swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nakamura throws a low kick, looking for Messi's leg but Messi calmly moves out of range.
Messi misses with a double jab.
Messi throws a sloppy head kick and Nakamura moves out of range easily.
Messi avoids the head kick by Nakamura.
Nakamura scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nakamura looks to land a combination but Messi avoids it well.
Messi throws a head kick that Nakamura semi-blocks.
Nakamura fails to land with a series of punches.
Nakamura throws a nice looking combination but Messi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Messi scores with a kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakamura takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura throws a right and a left that both miss.
Messi connects with a high kick.
Messi lands a nice looking body kick.
Messi thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Nakamura if he has to take too many more of those.
Nakamura throws a left and a right that both miss
and Messi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Messi scoring well with a low kick there.
Nakamura wants to land a leg kick but Messi is out of range.
Nakamura sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Messi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nakamura throws a sloppy head kick and Messi moves out of range easily.
Nakamura misses with a double jab.
Messi lands with a slapping head kick.
Vladimir Nakamura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nakamura takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A head kick misses from Nakamura.
Nakamura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nakamura takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nakamura tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
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!
Messi feints and then cracks Nakamura's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nakamura down.
Messi delivers a nice body kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Messi.
Messi connects with a high kick.
Messi goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nakamura throws a right hand that Messi ducks under and follows up with a left that Messi also avoids with ease.
Nakamura is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Messi's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura misses with a looping left.
Messi lands a front kick.
Nakamura throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nakamura misses with a two punch combination.
Messi lands a head kick. Nakamura smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Messi connects with a high kick.
Nakamura misses with a body kick.
Messi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Lionel Messi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses.
A left and a right from Nakamura both land. Nice combination.
Messi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nakamura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Messi.
Messi scores with a head kick.
Messi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nakamura misses with a head kick.
Nakamura tries to bum rush Messi with a series of wild strikes but Messi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Messi lands a high kick!
Nakamura misses with a jab, cross combination.
Messi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice inside leg kick there by Messi. That's going to slow Nakamura down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left and a right from Nakamura both land. Nice combination.
Nakamura ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Messi moves away.
Nice body kick there by Messi.
Nakamura throws a leg kick
and Messi counters with a nice body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lionel Messi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Messi has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight for Lionel Messi!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Lionel Messi!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Lionel Messi!

Lionel Messi wins by unanimous decision!
A pretty intense looking Lionel Messi took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.