PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aki Nakatani (ranked 25177 p4p, 25209 weight class) and Shane Fergusson (ranked 692 p4p, 725 weight class). Fergusson has chosen Scotland the brave as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Nakatani
vs
Fergusson

186 cm
19
200
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
189
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Kore Fight Nutrition

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Aki Nakatani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Shane Fergusson!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fergusson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A bone on bone clash there as Fergusson blocks the leg kick.
Fergusson swats away the attempt to clinch by Nakatani.
Fergusson avoids a kick to the body.
Fergusson scores with a decent looking hook.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fergusson misses with a straight right.
Fergusson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nakatani circles away quickly and effectively.
Good work by Nakatani as he checks the leg kick.
Nakatani throws a big shot that misses.
Nakatani is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fergusson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fergusson takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Fergusson has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakatani is looking to clinch.
Fergusson follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Fergusson throws a head kick that half lands.
Fergusson throws a sloppy head kick and Nakatani moves out of range easily.
Fergusson looks to land a right hand but Nakatani moved out of range.
Fergusson throws a hook but Nakatani blocks it.

Fergusson gets tackled into the cage by Nakatani. Nakatani maintains the clinch.
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!
Nakatani misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fergusson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Fergusson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fergusson avoids a kick to the body.
Fergusson blocks a head kick by Nakatani.
Nakatani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nakatani looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fergusson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nakatani blocks a jab.
Nakatani staying out of range there.
Nakatani is looking to counter the offense by Fergusson and move into the clinch.
Nakatani bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nakatani fires out a quick counter leg kick but Fergusson just manages to avoid it.
Fergusson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Fergusson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Fergusson crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nakatani - the referee stops the clock and Fergusson gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nakatani. Fergusson manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nakatani tries to clinch there but Fergusson circles away.
Fergusson throws a leg kick but Nakatani checks it.
Nakatani looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fergusson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nakatani checks it well.
Fergusson with a nice calf kick.
Nakatani throws a head kick but Fergusson moves out of range.
Nakatani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakatani moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fergusson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nakatani throws a leg kick but Fergusson checks it.
Fergusson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nakatani doesn't manage to clinch there - Fergusson circles away.
Fergusson lunges at Nakatani with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nakatani's hand.
Nakatani blocks a head kick by Fergusson.
Fergusson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nakatani tries to score with a low kick but Fergusson moves his leg out of the way.
Fergusson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nakatani jabs at Fergusson's body.
Nakatani uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fergusson.
Nakatani is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Fergusson.
Nakatani lands a leg kick that knocks Fergusson off balance momentarily.

Nakatani rushes Fergusson and presses him up against the cage.
Nakatani is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Fergusson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fergusson is trying to push Nakatani away but Nakatani has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Fergusson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fergusson lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nakatani with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fergusson working aggressively here.
Nakatani misses with a knee strike.
Nakatani looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Nakatani blocks an uppercut.
Fergusson misses with a punch on the inside.
Nakatani tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fergusson avoids it.
Fergusson avoiding damage as Nakatani throws knees to the body.
Nakatani misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fergusson.
Nakatani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nakatani blocking some punches.
Nakatani blocking some punches.
Fergusson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nakatani throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fergusson blocks it with crossed arms.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Fergusson.
Fergusson misses with some punches.
Nakatani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fergusson misses with a punch on the inside.
Nakatani tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fergusson misses with a body punch.
Fergusson scores with a shot to the side of Nakatani's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fergusson blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fergusson trying to control the position but instead, Nakatani has worked for underhooks and has pushed Fergusson into the cage.
Nakatani using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fergusson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Fergusson managing to block the knees to the body from Nakatani.
Nakatani tries to land knees in the clinch but Fergusson avoids the damage to the body.

Fergusson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Aki Nakatani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fergusson on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nakatani. Nakatani obviously looking to wear him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nakatani keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nakatani moves out of range of the body kick.
Nakatani throws a leg kick but Fergusson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Fergusson. That snapped Nakatani's head back.
Fergusson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nakatani. Nakatani circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nakatani.
Fergusson cracks Nakatani with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nakatani throws a leg kick but Fergusson checks it.
Nakatani throws a sloppy head kick and Fergusson moves out of range easily.
Fergusson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Fergusson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nakatani moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shane Fergusson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Fergusson misses with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Fergusson.
Nakatani avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fergusson moves out of range of the body kick.
Good work by Fergusson as he checks the leg kick.
Fergusson connects with a crisp jab.
Nakatani throws a sloppy head kick and Fergusson moves out of range easily.
Fergusson misses the shot to the body.
Nakatani moves out of range of the body kick.
Nakatani wants to slow Fergusson down by chopping away at his legs.
Nakatani defending well as Fergusson loads up on a big left hand.
Crunch! Nakatani slams his shin into Fergusson's torso.
Shane Fergusson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fergusson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nakatani can pounce on him.
Fergusson avoids a kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakatani uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fergusson.
Fergusson misses with a wild body shot.
Fergusson missing with a left hand there. Nakatani was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fergusson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fergusson counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakatani misses with a body kick.
Nakatani looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Nakatani has closed the distance and engaged Fergusson in a clinch.
Fergusson misses with some punches.
Nakatani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fergusson tries to throw a body punch but Nakatani avoids it by throwing Fergusson back against the cage.
A short right from Fergusson on the inside.
Fergusson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nakatani tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nakatani is working Fergusson over against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nakatani.
Nakatani can't find room to land a body shot as Fergusson controls the action.
Nakatani tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fergusson avoids it.
Fergusson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nakatani misses with a knee strike.
Nakatani with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nakatani misses with a knee to the head.
Nakatani tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nakatani tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fergusson avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fergusson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nakatani walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Fergusson checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Fergusson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fergusson misses with a body kick.
Fergusson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fergusson takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nakatani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick from Nakatani lands but Fergusson takes it in his stride.
Nakatani misses with a low kick.
Nakatani throws a low kick but it's checked well by Fergusson.
Fergusson avoids the head kick by Nakatani.
Fergusson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nakatani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nakatani misses with a body kick.
Nakatani wants to clinch.

Nakatani moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fergusson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fergusson throws a head kick but Nakatani moves out of range.
Fergusson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nakatani is out of range and Fergusson settles back down.
A slow jab from Fergusson misses its intended target.

Nakatani gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nakatani trying to land knees to the body.

Fergusson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fergusson throws a push kick but Nakatani slaps the foot to one side.
Fergusson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nakatani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fergusson throws a hook to the side of Nakatani's head but Nakatani sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nakatani crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Fergusson - the referee stops the clock and Nakatani gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Fergusson. Nakatani manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nakatani looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nakatani misses with a low kick.
Nakatani scores with a kick to the body.
Crunch! Nakatani slams his shin into Fergusson's torso.
Fergusson throws a head kick but Nakatani moves out of range.
Nakatani looks to land a body kick but Fergusson moved away.
A slapping body kick lands there for Nakatani.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakatani goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Despite the aggression on Fergusson's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fergusson swings for the body but Nakatani moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Nakatani misses the target.
Fergusson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fergusson throws a sloppy head kick and Nakatani moves out of range easily.
Fergusson avoids the head kick by Nakatani.
Nakatani misses with a head kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nakatani.
Fergusson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fergusson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nakatani misses with a kick to the body.
Fergusson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Nakatani throws a sloppy head kick and Fergusson moves out of range easily.
Fergusson tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nakatani looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Fergusson blocks a leg kick.
Fergusson tries a quick counter leg kick but Nakatani is wise to it.
Nakatani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fergusson.
Nakatani looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fergusson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nakatani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fergusson cracks Nakatani with a good jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aki Nakatani will probably get the nod.
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!

Nakatani fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nakatani doesn't manage to clinch there - Fergusson circles away.
Fergusson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fergusson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nakatani's sensitive parts.
Fergusson has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nakatani.
Fergusson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Fergusson throws a head kick that misses.
Nakatani avoids the head kick by Fergusson.
An inside leg kick from Fergusson misses.
Fergusson misses with a kick to the body.
Good work by Nakatani as he checks the leg kick.
Fergusson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Nakatani tries to counter by clinching up but Fergusson breaks away and moves out of range.
Fergusson checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nakatani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakatani misses with a low kick.

Nakatani instigates a clinch.
A short uppercut from Fergusson.
Nakatani misses with a knee to the head.
Fergusson tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fergusson is looking to control Nakatani's arms but Nakatani gets an underhook and turns him. Now Fergusson has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakatani throws an elbow but it misses.
Fergusson tries to stall but Nakatani uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fergusson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fergusson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A body shot lands from Fergusson.

Fergusson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nakatani dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fergusson. That did some damage!
Fergusson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nakatani takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fergusson throws a leg kick but Nakatani checks it.
Nakatani throws a leg kick but Fergusson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fergusson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nakatani's head backwards.
Nakatani checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nakatani tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakatani tries to clinch up but Fergusson circles away and keeps his distance.
Nakatani tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fergusson avoids the head kick by Nakatani.
Nakatani tries to land a front kick but Fergusson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fergusson misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakatani misses with a kick to the body.
Fergusson throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nakatani seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Fergusson looks to throw the jab but Nakatani is out of range.
Nakatani avoids the head kick by Fergusson.
Fergusson looks to land a body kick but Nakatani moved away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nakatani moves into the clinch.
Fergusson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nakatani backwards.
Nakatani looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fergusson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nakatani is keeping busy.
A short right from Fergusson on the inside.
Nakatani tries to land a knee to the head but Fergusson blocks with his arms.
Nakatani tries to land a knee to the head but Fergusson blocks with his arms.
Nakatani misses with a knee to the head.
Fergusson managing to block the knees to the body from Nakatani.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Good body shot from Fergusson.
Fergusson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Fergusson lands a shoulder strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fergusson lands a hook that snaps the head of Nakatani backwards.
Nakatani tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Fergusson manages to break the clinch.
Fergusson throws a wild body kick that Nakatani sees coming a mile off.
Fergusson misses with a body shot.
Nakatani takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nakatani throws a wild body kick that Fergusson sees coming a mile off.
Fergusson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Fergusson throws a lazy right hand but Nakatani sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fergusson throws a big shot that misses.
Fergusson throws out a loose jab but Nakatani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nakatani tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fergusson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nakatani throws a low kick but Fergusson moves out of range easily.
Fergusson doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Fergusson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nakatani checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Nakatani darts in and clinches Fergusson up against the cage.
Nakatani tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fergusson avoids it.
Fergusson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nakatani misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakatani blocks an uppercut.

Fergusson breaks the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nakatani is looking to land body kicks.
Fergusson misses with a head kick.
A head kick from Fergusson lands but Nakatani takes it in his stride.
Nakatani lands a leg kick that knocks Fergusson off balance momentarily.
Nakatani misses with a body kick.
Nakatani goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nakatani lets loose with a powerful body kick. Fergusson will feel that in the morning.
Fergusson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fergusson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakatani manages to avoid it.
Fergusson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nakatani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fergusson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fergusson blocks a head kick by Nakatani.
Nakatani attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Fergusson connects with a leg kick.
Fergusson will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shane Fergusson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fergusson 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shane Fergusson!
A very excited looking Shane Fergusson made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.