PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Chris Benoit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinji Nakahara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Benoit
vs
Nakahara

196 cm
20
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
184 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Attliction

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chris Benoit!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shinji Nakahara!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Benoit fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nakahara sprawls well initially but Benoit persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nakahara looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Nakahara has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Benoit is working away from the top position though.
Benoit wants to free his trapped foot but Nakahara is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Nakahara looking for submissions off his back.
Benoit is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit is nestled in close to Nakahara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

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.
Benoit trying to pass the guard but Nakahara defending well.
Benoit lands strikes from half guard.
Benoit is taking a breather. Nakahara 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.
Benoit lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Nakahara is not content to let Benoit control the position.

Benoit is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Nakahara is looking to control Benoit's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nakahara avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Benoit trying to mount his opponent but Nakahara defends it.
Nakahara is pressing down on Benoit's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Benoit will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nakahara is on top in guard.
Benoit on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Benoit tries to get out of the position.
Benoit wants to stand but Nakahara is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Benoit dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nakahara closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nakahara lands in his opponent's guard.
Benoit working a defensive guard here.
Benoit striking off his back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Benoit throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nakahara manages to get himself to full guard.
Benoit slips nicely into half guard.
Benoit blocks the strikes from Nakahara.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nakahara trying to control from the bottom.
Benoit sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Benoit seems to be looking for submissions.
Benoit prevents Nakahara from improving his position.

Benoit decides to return to a standing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Benoit gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nakahara decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Benoit's guard.
Benoit is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Benoit tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Benoit not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakahara wants to pass the guard but Benoit is keeping the position.
Benoit wants to control the position but Nakahara says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Benoit is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nakahara's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nakahara's back!
Benoit lands a shot to the head.
Benoit is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Benoit keeps control of the position as Nakahara tries to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Shinji Nakahara will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Benoit fails with a takedown attempt.
Benoit is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Benoit misses with a takedown attempt - Nakahara sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Benoit doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakahara circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Benoit tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Nakahara counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nakahara.
Benoit is controlling Nakahara's posture.
Benoit looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Nakahara puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Nakahara not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nakahara blocks the strikes from Benoit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Benoit is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nakahara tries to pass to full mount but Benoit defends it.
Nakahara looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Benoit with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Nakahara decides to stand and escape the position.
Benoit just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nakahara drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Benoit regains half guard.
Benoit is looking to control Nakahara's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Benoit avoid being mounted?
Benoit is controlling Nakahara's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Benoit is looking for a sweep. Nakahara is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Benoit works his way to full guard. Good work.
Shinji Nakahara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Benoit lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nakahara!
Benoit looking to finish Nakahara with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nakahara!
Benoit scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Benoit controlling from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shinji Nakahara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nakahara 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinji Nakahara!