PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Santosh Nagasaki (ranked 393 p4p, 12 weight class) and Samak Ruenroeng (ranked 895 p4p, 38 weight class). Nagasaki comes into the arena with Execute Plan: Spinal Extraction blaring out of the sound system. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Nagasaki
vs
Ruenroeng

170 cm
23
136 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

170 cm
23
144 lbs
8 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Blue Moon
Urban Fighter

IniTech Nutrition

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Santosh Nagasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Samak Ruenroeng!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nagasaki tries a low kick but Ruenroeng avoids it.
Nagasaki takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ruenroeng tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've been informed that Ruenroeng has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Ruenroeng moves in looking to clinch but Nagasaki pushes him off.
Nagasaki is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ruenroeng misses with the body kick

and Nagasaki counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ruenroeng blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ruenroeng does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ruenroeng makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ruenroeng.
Nagasaki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruenroeng is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ruenroeng avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nagasaki has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ruenroeng is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nagasaki scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ruenroeng really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nagasaki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagasaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruenroeng is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nagasaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ruenroeng works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ruenroeng is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nagasaki is controlling him.
Ruenroeng wants to sweep but no luck.
Ruenroeng keeping moving, preventing Nagasaki from controlling successfully.
Nagasaki scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nagasaki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Ruenroeng keeping moving, preventing Nagasaki from controlling successfully.
Nagasaki throwing strikes from guard but Ruenroeng blocks nicely.
Nagasaki preventing the sweep.
Nagasaki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ruenroeng wants to sweep here but Nagasaki controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruenroeng is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ruenroeng has Nagasaki pulled in close to control his posture.
Ruenroeng is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nagasaki's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ruenroeng has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Nagasaki trying to control but Ruenroeng is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Nagasaki misses the target.
Nagasaki stuns Ruenroeng with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Nagasaki moves out of range of the leg kick from Ruenroeng.
Nagasaki changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ruenroeng fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nagasaki jabs Ruenroeng right on the nose. Ruenroeng blinks but takes it well.
Nagasaki misses the shot to the body.
Samak Ruenroeng is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruenroeng slips a straight right by Nagasaki.
Ruenroeng keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nagasaki.
Ruenroeng flicks out a counter leg kick but Nagasaki steps away.
Ruenroeng takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick but Nagasaki moves out of range.
Nagasaki throws a right hand that Ruenroeng ducks under and follows up with a left that Ruenroeng also avoids with ease.
Ruenroeng swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ruenroeng ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki lands a nice shot that snaps Ruenroeng's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nagasaki walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ruenroeng.
Nagasaki blocks a head kick by Ruenroeng.
Nagasaki is looking to counter punch.
Ruenroeng wants to clinch.
Nagasaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nagasaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ruenroeng tries a head kick but it misses.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch there but Nagasaki circles away.
Ruenroeng scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santosh Nagasaki dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ruenroeng takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ruenroeng misses with a wild body shot.
Ruenroeng scoring well with a low kick there.
Nagasaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruenroeng manages to avoid it.
Ruenroeng lunges at Nagasaki with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nagasaki's hand.
Ruenroeng dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nagasaki. That did some damage!
Nagasaki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ruenroeng can do to turn this around?
Nagasaki misses the shot to the body.
Ruenroeng pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nagasaki is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ruenroeng throws a body shot but no joy.
Santosh Nagasaki is winning the standup battle so far.
Nagasaki misses with a wild body shot.
Ruenroeng throws a sloppy head kick and Nagasaki moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Nagasaki misses.
Nagasaki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruenroeng looks to land a right hand but Nagasaki moved out of range.
A shot to the body from Nagasaki misses
letting Ruenroeng counter with a right hand.
Ruenroeng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nagasaki is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ruenroeng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nagasaki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch but Nagasaki moves out of range.
Nagasaki was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nagasaki stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ruenroeng.
Nagasaki takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ruenroeng tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nagasaki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Samak Ruenroeng seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruenroeng throws a sloppy head kick and Nagasaki moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Ruenroeng moves into the clinch.
Ruenroeng working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruenroeng misses with an elbow strike.
Ruenroeng tries to throw a body punch but Nagasaki avoids it by throwing Ruenroeng back against the cage.
Nagasaki jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ruenroeng walks away with a smile on his face. Nagasaki gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nice cross by Nagasaki.
Ruenroeng throws a low kick, looking for Nagasaki's leg but Nagasaki calmly moves out of range.
A jab lands there for Nagasaki.
Nagasaki throws an overhand right that lands on Ruenroeng's shoulder, as Ruenroeng tries to avoid the shot.
Ruenroeng is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nagasaki scores with a jab.
Nagasaki misses with a hook. Ruenroeng ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nagasakis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nagasaki throws an overhand right that lands on Ruenroeng's shoulder, as Ruenroeng tries to avoid the shot.
Ruenroeng tries a head kick but it misses.
Nagasaki lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ruenroeng backs up against the cage.
Ruenroeng uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nagasaki.
Ruenroeng counters with a body kick.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick by Ruenroeng misses

and Nagasaki counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nagasaki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ruenroeng can do anything to dispel that myth.
Nagasaki trying to control but Ruenroeng is working from the bottom.
Ruenroeng looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Santosh Nagasaki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nagasaki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki wants to control from the top but Ruenroeng keeps moving.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nagasaki throwing strikes from guard but Ruenroeng blocks nicely.
Ruenroeng can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nagasaki controls the pace.
Ruenroeng pulls Nagasaki in close to his closed guard and prevents Nagasaki from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ruenroeng looking for a sweep. Not yet Ruenroeng, not yet.
Ruenroeng pulls Nagasaki in close to prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Santosh Nagasaki will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nagasaki bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ruenroeng's head.
Ruenroeng looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ruenroeng scores with a hook.

Ruenroeng clinches with his opponent.
Ruenroeng missing with knees to the body.
Nagasaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruenroeng gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ruenroeng can't find room to land a body shot as Nagasaki controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruenroeng keeps control of Nagasaki as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nagasaki looking for a takedown.
Ruenroeng is pressed up against the cage. Nagasaki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ruenroeng down to the mat. Ruenroeng avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Santosh Nagasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nagasaki, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagasaki blocks a head kick by Ruenroeng.
An attempted straight right counter from Nagasaki misses the target.
Ruenroeng throws a sloppy head kick
and Nagasaki counters with a straight right hand.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that misses
and Nagasaki counters with a left to the body.
A head kick misses from Ruenroeng.
Nagasaki misses the shot to the body.
Nagasaki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ruenroeng lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Nagasaki has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Nagasaki and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A jab from Nagasaki misses.
Nagasaki looks to land a right hand but Ruenroeng moved out of range.
Ruenroeng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nagasaki attempts a counter takedown but Ruenroeng avoids it well and moves away.
Ruenroeng throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ruenroeng swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruenroeng throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ruenroeng tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nagasaki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nagasaki throws a body shot but no joy.
Ruenroeng scores with a head kick. Nagasaki tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Nagasaki blocks a head kick by Ruenroeng.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nagasaki avoids the head kick by Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ruenroeng pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nagasaki throws out a loose jab but Ruenroeng uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ruenroeng steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Nagasaki.
Ruenroeng throws a leg kick which misses Nagasaki's front leg but catches the back leg as Nagasaki tries to avoid it.
Nagasaki lands with a good body shot.
Nagasaki moves out of range of the strikes.
A lazy left from Nagasaki finds it's target.
Nagasaki keeps the fight on the outside.
Nagasaki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ruenroeng looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ruenroeng misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nagasaki half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nagasaki works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ruenroeng slips under a jab from Nagasaki.
Nagasaki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nagasaki lands a nice hook to Ruenroeng's body. Ruenroeng takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nagasaki. Ruenroeng does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ruenroeng throws a shot from downtown. Nagasaki moves away and avoids it.
Ruenroeng blocks a leg kick.
Nagasaki works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Nagasaki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ruenroeng sprawls well initially but Nagasaki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Samak Ruenroeng has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ruenroeng tries to get to full guard but Nagasaki has control of the leg.
Nagasaki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nagasaki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nagasaki is keen to just control but Ruenroeng is a slippery customer.

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 Santosh Nagasaki.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nagasaki, 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santosh Nagasaki!
In his post fight interview, Santosh Nagasaki started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.