PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nakagome Kakuzo (ranked 843 p4p, 1599 weight class) and Hideo Tokoro (ranked 120 p4p, 203 weight class). Tokoro is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Blksmiith - Gore-Tex Covers my Soul. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kakuzo
vs
Tokoro

185 cm
27
180
17 - 12 - 0

176 cm
22
174
7 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Shadow Realm Apparel

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Nakagome Kakuzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hideo Tokoro!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kakuzo misses with a straight left.
Kakuzo moves out of range as Tokoro strikes.
Kakuzo connects with a leg kick.
Kakuzo takes one on the button.

Kakuzo instigates a clinch.
Good body shot from Tokoro.

Tokoro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nakagome Kakuzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kakuzo moves out of range of the strikes.
Tokoro thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kakuzo moves out of range as Tokoro strikes.
A nice leg kick from Kakuzo, right into the meat of the thigh.
Nice cross by Tokoro.
Tokoro checks a leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Tokoro.
Kakuzo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
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!
Kakuzo bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kakuzo throws a shot from downtown. Tokoro moves away and avoids it.
Kakuzo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokoro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kakuzo throws a combination. Tokoro tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kakuzo looks to land a left hand but Tokoro moved out of range nicely.
Tokoro misses with a few strikes there.

Tokoro gets tackled into the cage by Kakuzo. Kakuzo maintains the clinch.
Kakuzo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kakuzo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Tokoro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
No joy there for Tokoro, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kakuzo takes the fight into the clinch.

Kakuzo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kakuzo takes the fight into the clinch.

Tokoro breaks from the clinch.
Tokoro misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kakuzo tries to clinch but Tokoro is having none of it.

Kakuzo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tokoro, pushing him back against the cage.

Tokoro breaks the clinch.
Tokoro stuffs the takedown.
Tokoro throws a body shot but no joy.
Tokoro cracks Kakuzo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like Nakagome Kakuzo has been cut.
Tokoro throws a hook to the side of Kakuzo's head but Kakuzo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kakuzo went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Tokoro misses with a wild body shot.
Kakuzo tries a low kick but Tokoro avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tokoro. Kakuzo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tokoro scores with a body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kakuzo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kakuzo throws a shot to the body.
Kakuzo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hideo Tokoro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tokoro misses with a straight right.
Kakuzo is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Kakuzo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokoro misses with a hook from the clinch.

Tokoro manages to break the clinch.
Kakuzo throws a good cross that connects.
Kakuzo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tokoro throws out the jab.
Tokoro displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kakuzo takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tokoro throws a big shot that misses.
Tokoro slaps away a takedown attempt from Kakuzo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nakagome Kakuzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kakuzo throws a sloppy head kick and Tokoro moves out of range easily.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but Tokoro moves out of range.
Tokoro scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Kakuzo looking to score a takedown here. Tokoro is defending well but Kakuzo drives through and ends up in Tokoro's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tokoro can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kakuzo wants to control from the top but Tokoro keeps moving.
Tokoro pulls Kakuzo in close to prevent any damage.
Let's hope that Tokoro has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tokoro has momentary wrist control but Kakuzo slips an elbow through the middle.
Kakuzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Tokoro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tokoro trying to control the position here.
Kakuzo is working Tokoro over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kakuzo stands up over Tokoro, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kakuzo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kakuzo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hideo Tokoro will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nakagome Kakuzo's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kakuzo lands a nice looking body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Tokoro misses the target.
Kakuzo is looking to chop away at Tokoro's legs.
Kakuzo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kakuzo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kakuzo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kakuzo throws an elbow but Tokoro slips to the side and avoids it well.
Tokoro wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tokoro wants to control but Kakuzo postures up.
Tokoro is not content to let Kakuzo control the position.
Kakuzo 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kakuzo works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
You can see the frustration on Tokoro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tokoro tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuzo lands a few punches from side control.
Tokoro is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kakuzo off and has taken his back!
Kakuzo is holding onto Tokoro's left hand, preventing any choke attempts.
Tokoro doesn't have the hooks in and Kakuzo manages to turn into his guard.
Kakuzo landing with the ground and pound.
Kakuzo lands a couple of digs.
Kakuzo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kakuzo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kakuzo trying to control but Tokoro is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kakuzo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kakuzo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tokoro controls Kakuzo momentarily but Kakuzo frees himself.
Kakuzo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tokoro is pulling down on Kakuzo's head. It's preventing any offense from Kakuzo, at least for the moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kakuzo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kakuzo passes into half guard.
Tokoro really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kakuzo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kakuzo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Tokoro is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Tokoro has hold of Kakuzo's hands but Kakuzo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kakuzo missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tokoro trying to hold on to Kakuzo's head to control him but Kakuzo postures up.
Tokoro is trying to get back to full guard.
Kakuzo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kakuzo thows a huge punch but Tokoro dodges it nicely.
Tokoro is refusing to be controlled, as Kakuzo sits in half guard.
Kakuzo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo slips a nice elbow through Tokoro's hands, connecting with Tokoro's forehead.
Tokoro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kakuzo is working away from the top position though.
Kakuzo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Kakuzo there.
Nice strikes from Kakuzo there.
Kakuzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tokoro is not content to let Kakuzo control the position.
Tokoro tries to get to full guard but Kakuzo has control of the leg.
Tokoro is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kakuzo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tokoro is concentrating on defense, preventing Kakuzo from advancing position.

Kakuzo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Tokoro sees it coming and defends easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nakagome Kakuzo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nakagome Kakuzo's cut.
That's time! Kakuzo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tokoro throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kakuzo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tokoro. Kakuzo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tokoro looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tokoro wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tokoro misses with a hook.
Kakuzo scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tokoro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kakuzo was well out of range. Poor timing from Tokoro.
Kakuzo throws a hook to the side of Tokoro's head but Tokoro sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kakuzo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kakuzo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tokoro.
Tokoro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tokoro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo connects with a crisp jab.
Tokoro throws a body punch but Kakuzo moves out of range.
Kakuzo is looking to counter with a body kick.

Kakuzo moves into the clinch successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tokoro scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kakuzo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Tokoro up against the cage.
Kakuzo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tokoro pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kakuzo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tokoro can do to turn this around?
Kakuzo fails in his attempt to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Tokoro on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kakuzo throws a head kick but Tokoro moves out of range.
Kakuzo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tokoro manages to avoid it.
Tokoro comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tokoro lunges at Kakuzo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kakuzo's hand.
Tokoro throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Tokoro connects with a crisp jab.
Kakuzo tries to clinch but Tokoro moves out of range.
Tokoro misses with a few strikes there.
Tokoro misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters circling - Tokoro throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tokoro loads up on a big right hand but Kakuzo slips the punch.
As Tokoro tries to get set, Kakuzo tries to push him back and clinch up but Tokoro manages to avoid the attempt.
Kakuzo throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kakuzo lands an overhand right.
Kakuzo throws a right and a left that Tokoro avoids nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kakuzo throws a leg kick but Tokoro moved away.
Tokoro slips a jab and a cross from Kakuzo.
Kakuzo tries to clinch up but Tokoro circles away and keeps his distance.
Kakuzo is looking to land body kicks.
Tokoro let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tokoro misses with a hook. Kakuzo ducked under it nicely.
Tokoro loads up on a big right hand but Kakuzo slips the punch.

Kakuzo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Tokoro has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kakuzo is working away from the top position though.
Kakuzo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Tokoro trying to control but Kakuzo postures up.
Tokoro wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokoro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kakuzo lands with a punch from half guard.
Tokoro wants to control but Kakuzo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kakuzo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Tokoro on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kakuzo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kakuzo working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kakuzo lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kakuzo trying to control the pace.
Kakuzo is nestled in close to Tokoro, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kakuzo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Tokoro's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tokoro wants to control but Kakuzo is keeping busy.
Tokoro is staying active underneath Kakuzo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tokoro is concentrating on defense, preventing Kakuzo from advancing position.
Kakuzo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Tokoro is staying active underneath Kakuzo, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kakuzo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kakuzo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kakuzo is thwarting Tokoro's attempts to control the position.
Kakuzo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kakuzo working the head and body with strikes.
Nakagome Kakuzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kakuzo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nakagome Kakuzo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kakuzo 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nakagome Kakuzo!