PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuji Nagata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Nagata
vs
James

191 cm
20
218 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
20
212 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Likes musicals

Soul Supremacy Nutrition (90% laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yuji Nagata!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex James!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Hugh Johnson and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nagata but Nagata pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Nagata gets caught flat footed, as James shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nagata wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nagata is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nagata working a defensive guard here.
James being controlled here momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nagata is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nagata looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
James wants to control from the top but Nagata keeps moving.
James working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nagata wants to sweep here but James controlling him for the moment.
James postures up in Nagata's guard and throws a big left but Nagata blocks it.
Nagata keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.
Nagata looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

James thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
James stopping the sweep attempt from Nagata.
James scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

James got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nagata has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, James has managed to get both his arms back between Nagata's legs - danger averted.
Nagata avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James wanted to stand there but Nagata had control of the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nagata takes a jab right on the kisser.
James tries for a takedown but Nagata sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nagata throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Alex James has been cut.
Alex James seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James shoots in and drives through. Nagata sprawls well.
Yuji Nagata has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex James.
James moves out of range of the strikes.
James wants to counter the offense by Nagata and move into the clinch position.

James scores with a takedown into Nagata's guard.
James is looking to work some ground and pound but Nagata has wrist control.
James throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Nagata working for a triangle but James defends it easily.
James lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is in close to Nagata's body, working some short punches and elbows.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nagata is on top in guard.

James is trying to control the position but Nagata postures up.
Nagata passes easily into side control. Nice work.
James defending against the ground and pound.
Nagata landing strikes.
Nagata throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagata throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and James works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Nagata with the ground and pound but James uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Nagata tries to free his leg and advance position but James is retaining full guard.
Nagata is working hard here to advance position.
James wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Nagata throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as James works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nagata tries to stand but James is controlling from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nagata with a flurry of punches that miss.
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 Yuji Nagata will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Alex James's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nagata needs to keep his hands up - James had a free shot at his head there.
James wants to clinch up but Nagata keeps it at a distance.
Nagata fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nagata looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Nagata defends well against a solid takedown attempt from James.
Nagata tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and James is able to avoid easily.
Nagata avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nagata is looking for a counter combo.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
James throws a wild hook but Nagata just manages to duck under it and - ooooh! James gets nailed by a brutal uppercut which crumples him back against the cage! The referee jumps in - Nagata raises his hands in celebration and walks away!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Yuji Nagata!