PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raviel Mutoh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mutoh
vs
Nelson

195 cm
20
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

No Limits

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raviel Mutoh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryan Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nelson moves into the clinch successfully.
Nelson will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Mutoh up against the cage.

Mutoh manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Mutoh is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Nelson is aware though and is defending well.
Nelson wants to stand but Mutoh is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mutoh looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nelson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mutoh is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nelson is controlling him.
Mutoh controls Nelson momentarily but Nelson frees himself.
Mutoh looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Raviel Mutoh just wasn't active enough.
Nelson wants to clinch but Mutoh slips to the side

and Mutoh counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mutoh escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nelson tries to clinch but Mutoh moves away

and Mutoh counters with a takedown into side control.
Nelson is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Mutoh is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Mutoh unloading with bombs!
Mutoh trying to control but Nelson is having none of it.
Mutoh throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nelson because Mutoh loaded up on that one.
Nelson tries to hold on but Mutoh postures up.
Nelson working to try and regain half guard.
Mutoh looking to finish Nelson with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nelson!

It looks like Ryan Nelson has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nelson is squirming around, avoiding Mutoh's attempts to control the action.
Nelson is looking to improve his position but Mutoh isn't that keen on the idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mutoh controlling the pace for now.
Mutoh has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Mutoh jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Nelson manages to avoid the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson trying to control but Mutoh flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Nelson wants to get back to his feet.

Nelson showing good submission defense here.

Nelson is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Mutoh off. It looks like it's working - Mutoh slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Nelson displaying calm under pressure there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson darts in trying to clinch

and Mutoh counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nelson!

Mutoh with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Mutoh trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mutoh dominating with strikes here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nelson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raviel Mutoh dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Nelson'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.

Nelson looks to clinch

and Mutoh counters with a shoot takedown. Nelson fights it but they end up in guard.
Mutoh trying to control the position from guard on top but Nelson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nelson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mutoh is fighting to break Nelson's control of his arms but Nelson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Nelson trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nelson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Mutoh counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nelson!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutoh trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mutoh takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Mutoh working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Nelson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Mutoh is taking a breather. Nelson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Nelson trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Raviel Mutoh wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Nelson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nelson tries to clinch

and Mutoh counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mutoh.
Mutoh is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nelson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nelson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Mutoh manages to pull guard.
Nelson throws a big elbow that misses.
Mutoh is trying to keep Nelson in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutoh working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nelson.
Raviel Mutoh overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nelson trying to control the position from guard on top but Mutoh is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mutoh trying to control the position.
Nelson distracts Mutoh with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nelson wants to control from the top but Mutoh keeps moving.
Mutoh is trying to keep Nelson in close.
Mutoh wants to sweep here but Nelson controlling him for the moment.
Nelson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutoh is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Mutoh wants to pass to mount but Nelson is defending the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nelson tries to roll over but Mutoh keeps him under control.
Mutoh wants to take a breather but Nelson is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mutoh missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nelson tries to roll over but Mutoh keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raviel Mutoh dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ryan Nelson's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nelson wants to clinch

and Mutoh counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nelson!
Mutoh looking to control and managing it successfully.
Mutoh wants to control the pace but Nelson is squirming around nicely.
Mutoh is stalling here but it's allowed Nelson to get half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutoh is looking to advance position but Nelson won't allow it.
Nelson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mutoh is working away from the top position though.
Mutoh not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nelson tries to get to full guard but Mutoh has control of the leg.
Mutoh is looking to take a break and control but Nelson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Raviel Mutoh has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nelson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mutoh paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mutoh swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mutoh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nelson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mutoh somewhat.
Nelson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nelson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mutoh shoots in for a takedown but Nelson shows good takedown defense.
Nelson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Mutoh counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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!
Nelson is pulling down on Mutoh's head to control his posture.
Mutoh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutoh wants to control from the top but Nelson keeps moving.
Nelson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Raviel Mutoh just wasn't active enough.
Mutoh misses with a takedown

and Nelson counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nelson.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raviel Mutoh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nelson with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nelson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nelson gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nelson with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson looking to throw knees to the head but Mutoh is blocking nicely.
Nelson throws a knee to the head but misses.

Nelson has Mutoh pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Nelson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mutoh tumbling to the mat - Nelson dives into Mutoh's guard.
Mutoh wants to sweep but no luck.

Mutoh manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mutoh throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nelson's waist but Nelson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mutoh off to one side.
Nelson stuffs the takedown attempt from Mutoh. Mutoh gets slowly back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nelson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ryan Nelson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raviel Mutoh is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nelson lands a head kick. Mutoh smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Raviel Mutoh.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mutoh, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raviel Mutoh!