PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hajime Nakamura (ranked 1677 p4p, 2584 weight class) and Christian Zayer Jr (ranked 148 p4p, 201 weight class). Nakamura's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Soldier of Fortune - Loudness. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nakamura
vs
Zayer Jr

174 cm
26
145
5 - 3 - 0

183 cm
26
155
4 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hajime Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Christian Zayer Jr!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakamura avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nakamura appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Zayer Jr misses with a takedown

and Nakamura counters with a single leg into guard. Zayer Jr didn't expect that.
Zayer Jr wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Nakamura manages to pass to side control.

Nakamura is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zayer Jr has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamura not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Still in half guard, Nakamura seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zayer Jr defending well though.
Nakamura controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nakamura has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Nakamura won't let Zayer Jr get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Nakamura looking to ground and pound but Zayer Jr is blocking nicely.
Zayer Jr avoids a series of strikes thrown by Nakamura.
Nakamura punching from mount but Zayer Jr doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Nakamura unloads with some shots from mount but Zayer Jr bucks and avoids them well.
Nakamura trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nakamura dominating with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zayer Jr avoids a strike by Nakamura and manages to complete a very nice reversal in the process, to end up in Nakamura's guard! Fantastic escape!
Nakamura working a defensive guard here.

Zayer Jr avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nakamura definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nakamura tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zayer Jr in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zayer Jr wants to stand and escape but instead Nakamura has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Nakamura forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zayer Jr taking some punishment here, with Nakamura in his half guard.
Nakamura seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Zayer Jr is trying to stand.
Nakamura performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakamura lands with a punch from half guard.
Zayer Jr won't allow Nakamura to pass to mount.
Zayer Jr tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura controlling the action here.
Zayer Jr is trying to get back to full guard.
Nakamura thows a huge punch but Zayer Jr dodges it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zayer Jr has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nakamura is working away from the top position though.
Well, if Nakamura is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Hajime Nakamura dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Zayer Jr is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nakamura sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nakamura drops down looking for a counter takedown but Zayer Jr sprawls and moves away.
Zayer Jr fails with the takedown

and Nakamura counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nakamura.
Zayer Jr wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Zayer Jr tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nakamura just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hajime Nakamura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christian Zayer Jr.
Zayer Jr drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nakamura pulls his leg out and moves away.
Zayer Jr throws a lazy head kick

and Nakamura decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Zayer Jr's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zayer Jr preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nakamura working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Zayer Jr can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nakamura controls the pace.
Nakamura seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Zayer Jr for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura pushing down on Zayer Jr's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Nakamura sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zayer Jr defending well though.

Nakamura is working for a submission of some sort.
Nakamura is taking a breather. Zayer Jr 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.
Nakamura missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nakamura thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nakamura moves into full mount! Zayer Jr won't be happy about that!
Nakamura thowing shots but they're missing.
Poor strikes thrown by Nakamura there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Nakamura avoids the attempt from Zayer Jr to control.
Nakamura controlling from mount.
Nakamura scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Zayer Jr?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zayer Jr really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Nakamura looking to finish Zayer Jr with some ground and pound. This is bad for Zayer Jr!

Zayer Jr is rocked!
Nakamura unloading with bombs!
Zayer Jr is still in real trouble! Can Nakamura finish him?

It looks like Christian Zayer Jr has been cut.
Nakamura tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nakamura drops a big elbow. That's hurt Zayer Jr! More shots from Nakamura and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hajime Nakamura!
Hajime Nakamura thanked the fans post fight for their support.