PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shinnosuke Nakagawa (ranked 27 p4p, 73 weight class) and Principo Adam (ranked 4 p4p, 7 weight class). Nakagawa's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Koto - CloZee. The crowd seem to be enjoying Adam's choice of entrance music: Dona Eis Requiem. Shinnosuke Nakagawa is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Nakagawa
vs
Adam

190 cm
30
190
19 - 8 - 0

185 cm
31
188
21 - 8 - 1

Great wrestler
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

New Standard (for sale)
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Principo Adam!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for Nakagawa.
We've been hearing reports that Nakagawa has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Adam is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nakagawa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Adam getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Adam misses with a looping left.
Nakagawa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Nakagawa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nakagawa is looking to take a break and control but Adam is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Adam is trying to improve his position.
Adam felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Nakagawa landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Adam tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Nakagawa working the ground and pound.

Nakagawa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nakagawa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa lands a few punches from side control.
Adam is looking to reverse the position.
Adam seems a little lost for a moment, as Nakagawa dominates the positioning.
Adam manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Adam is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nakagawa defends it well.
Nakagawa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nakagawa gets full guard.
Adam preventing the sweep.
Adam stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakagawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Adam missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nakagawa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Adam is one step ahead there.

Nakagawa looking for a guillotine here but Adam defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adam pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nakagawa is keeping the position for now.
Adam postures up in Nakagawa's guard and throws a big left but Nakagawa blocks it.
Adam landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Adam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nakagawa keeping full guard, as Adam tries to pass.
Adam is working Nakagawa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nakagawa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nakagawa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Adam stopping the sweep attempt from Nakagawa.
Adam tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakagawa is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adam is looking to work some ground and pound but Nakagawa has wrist control.
Adam stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nakagawa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Adam's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Adam is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Adam scoring with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Adam accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nakagawa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Nakagawa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Adam defends well.
Adam must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Adam postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nakagawa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Adam, into his guard.

Nakagawa 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.
Nakagawa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Adam swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Adam looking for a guillotine here but Nakagawa defends easily.
Adam is looking to sweep but instead, Nakagawa has passed into half guard.
Nakagawa scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Nakagawa is working for a submission of some sort.
Adam moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Adam has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nakagawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Adam looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nakagawa passes into side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Adam throws an off balance right hand

and Nakagawa decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Adam's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Adam is on top in guard.

Nakagawa looking to control.
Adam looking to pass the guard.
Nakagawa is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Adam throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakagawa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Adam missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Adam landing some decent shots from guard.

Nakagawa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Adam doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Adam manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adam pushing down on Nakagawa's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Adam lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nakagawa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nakagawa wants to sweep but no luck.
Adam landing some decent shots from guard.
Nakagawa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nakagawa working the head and body with strikes.
Adam moves into full guard.
Nakagawa stands and throws Adam's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Adam is looking to reverse the position.

Nakagawa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nakagawa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Adam tries to bench press Nakagawa off him but Nakagawa keeps the position.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nakagawa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nakagawa wants to control but Adam is keeping him busy.
Adam is looking to regain half guard here but Nakagawa keeps moving and retains side control.
Adam is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nakagawa's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Adam is pressing down on Nakagawa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Adam throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Adam is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nakagawa works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Adam tries to roll over but Nakagawa keeps him under control.
Adam wants to get back to full guard but Nakagawa has passed into side control.
Adam gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Nakagawa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nakagawa lands with a punch from half guard.
Nakagawa is pressing down on Adam's thigh, looking to free his foot. Adam is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adam gets full guard.

Adam looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Adam looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Adam looking for subs off his back but Nakagawa has passed one foot through into half guard.

Adam looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Adam tries to get to full guard but Nakagawa has control of the leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakagawa lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Adam is looking to improve his position.
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 Shinnosuke Nakagawa will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Adam shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Adam loads up on a big right hand but Nakagawa slips the punch.
Nakagawa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Adam lands a glancing blow to the side of Nakagawa's head.
Adam missing with a left hand there. Nakagawa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Adam throws a looping overhand right but Nakagawa ducks down to avoid it.
Nakagawa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Adam fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nakagawa misses with a straight right.
Adam is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nakagawa with a body shot.
A jab from Nakagawa misses.
Nakagawa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Adam.
Nakagawa staying out of range there.
Nakagawa misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Adam but Adam pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nakagawa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Adam.
Adam scores with a sloppy right hand. Nakagawa should have avoided that one.
Adam looks to land a right hand but Nakagawa moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa checks the leg kick nicely there.
Adam might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nakagawa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Adam tries to avoid it but Nakagawa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Adam to the ground. Adam escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Principo Adam seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nakagawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Adam was well out of range. Poor timing from Nakagawa.
Adam throws out a loose jab but Nakagawa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Adam bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nakagawa's head backwards.
Nakagawa defending well as Adam loads up on a big left hand.
A big right from Nakagawa misses.
Adam misses with a straight right.
Nakagawa slips a jab from Adam.
Nakagawa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Adam scores with a sloppy right hand. Nakagawa should have avoided that one.
Adam throws an off balance right hand

and Nakagawa counters with a shoot takedown. Adam fights it but they end up in guard.
Nakagawa wants to control from the top but Adam keeps moving.
Nakagawa is pushing down on Adam's leg trying to pass to half guard. Adam is fighting to maintain full guard but Nakagawa has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adam wants to improve his position but Nakagawa is controlling well.
Nakagawa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Adam is in all sorts of trouble here.
Nakagawa trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nakagawa with a couple of short strikes.
Adam gets back to half guard.

Adam looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Adam gets back to full guard.

Adam has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nakagawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Adam takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Adam looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Nakagawa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Nakagawa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Adam is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nakagawa working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adam is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nakagawa off and has taken his back!
Adam controlling well, preventing Nakagawa from escaping the position.
Adam scores with punches to the body.

Adam looking for the choke but no joy.
Adam has the hooks in. Nakagawa is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Adam has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Nakagawa rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Adam winds up and cracks Nakagawa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
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!
Nakagawa manages to get to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Principo Adam really dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nakagawa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nice uppercut lands for Adam. That snapped Nakagawa's head back.
Nakagawa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nakagawa checks a low kick from Adam.
Nakagawa feinted with a counter takedown.
Adam misses with a hook

and Nakagawa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Nakagawa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Adam keeps working.
Adam is looking for a sweep. Nakagawa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakagawa is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nakagawa lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Adam looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakagawa prevents Adam from improving his position.
Nakagawa winds up and cracks Adam with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Nakagawa perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Adam manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nakagawa won't allow Adam to sweep him here.
Adam keeping moving, preventing Nakagawa from controlling successfully.

Nakagawa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Adam has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nakagawa has managed to get both his arms back between Adam's legs - danger averted.

Adam has his foot on Nakagawa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nakagawa works his way back into a safe position though.
Adam is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Nakagawa passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Nakagawa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Adam knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Adam keeps working.
Adam manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Nakagawa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Adam does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nakagawa is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Adam is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Nakagawa prevents Adam from improving his position.

Adam is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakagawa pulls his head out easily.
Nakagawa keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Adam is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Nakagawa is trying to work for a kimura but Adam is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa is keen to just control but Adam is a slippery customer.
Adam is trying to get back to full guard.

Adam with the active half guard here but Nakagawa passes nicely into side control.

Nakagawa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Adam knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Adam tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nakagawa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Adam gets back to half guard.
Nakagawa wants to control but Adam is keeping him busy.
Nakagawa lands with a punch from half guard.

Adam looking for submissions off his back.
Adam is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nakagawa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Shinnosuke Nakagawa had his way with Principo Adam in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Adam swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nakagawa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nakagawa walks into a left hand.
Adam uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A big left from Adam misses.
Adam with a nice cross.
Adam connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Adam throws a jab but it's blocked by Nakagawa.
Principo Adam seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nakagawa closes the distance and clinches up with Adam, looking for a takedown. Nakagawa pushes Adam against the cage but Adam circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nakagawa just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Adam misses.
Adam misses with a straight right.
Good standup being displayed there by Adam as he connects with a hook.
Adam throws a lazy right hand but Nakagawa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nakagawa has closed the distance and engaged Adam in a clinch.
Adam lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Nakagawa backwards.
Adam makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Adam is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Adam tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nakagawa's elbow.
Adam tries to pull guard but Nakagawa forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Nakagawa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Adam's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nakagawa.
Adam lands an uppercut.
Adam lands a nice shot to the body.
Nakagawa misses with a body punch.
Adam lands a body shot.
Nakagawa jumps guard but Adam stands there with Nakagawa around his waist. Nakagawa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A head punch on the inside from Nakagawa fails to land.
Nakagawa prevents a body shot from Adam.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakagawa wants to take the fight to the mat but Adam manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shinnosuke Nakagawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Adam misses with a body punch.

Nakagawa manages to pull guard.

Adam avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nakagawa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Adam is one step ahead there.
Adam wants to pass the guard but Nakagawa is keeping the position.
Principo Adam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Adam landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Nakagawa has his foot on Adam's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Adam works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adam looking to pass the guard.
Adam missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nakagawa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Adam wants to get back to full guard.
Shinnosuke Nakagawa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Adam tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Adam tries to roll over but Nakagawa keeps him under control.
Nakagawa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Adam is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nakagawa pulls his head out easily.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nakagawa in particular looking to stall.
Nakagawa wants to take a breather but Adam is having none of it.

Adam looking for submissions off his back.

Adam looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Adam wants to get back to full guard but Nakagawa has mounted him!

And that's the end of the fight!
Principo Adam comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nakagawa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shinnosuke Nakagawa!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa retains his middleweight title!
Shinnosuke Nakagawa decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.