PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robbi Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Robbi Nakamura is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Smith
vs
Nakamura

176 cm
25
168 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
22
170 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Absolute Clothing
Absolute Clothing

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Robbi Nakamura!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith closes the distance and clinches up with Nakamura, looking for a takedown. Smith pushes Nakamura against the cage but Nakamura circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Smith misses with a low kick.

Nakamura shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nakamura throwing strikes but missing.
Smith controls Nakamura momentarily but Nakamura frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nakamura avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Smith pulls Nakamura in close to his closed guard and prevents Nakamura from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nakamura trying to control but Smith is working from the bottom.
Nakamura not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Smith looking to control.
Smith being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Robbi Nakamura.
Smith misses with a takedown

and Nakamura counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Smith avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nakamura stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smith swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nakamura throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smith wants to sweep here but Nakamura controlling him for the moment.

Smith working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nakamura doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nakamura manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nakamura is looking to work some ground and pound but Smith has wrist control.
Nakamura loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith working a defensive guard here.
Smith 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith controls Nakamura momentarily but Nakamura frees himself.
Nakamura has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Smith pulls Nakamura in close to his closed guard and prevents Nakamura from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Steve Smith just wasn't active enough.
Nakamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Nakamura counters with a shoot takedown. Smith fights it but they end up in guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Smith. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Nakamura avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nakamura with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nakamura postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Smith keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Smith looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Nakamura throwing strikes from guard but Smith blocks nicely.

Smith is looking for a triangle here but Nakamura uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Smith manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nakamura's best efforts.

Nakamura is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Smith doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nakamura.
Smith keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura prevents Smith from improving his position.
Nakamura sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Smith defending well though.
Nakamura passes the guard and advances to mount!

Nakamura is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Smith is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Smith flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Nakamura anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Smith and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Nakamura slips an arm under Smith chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Nakamura has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Nakamura is squeezing on Smith like an anaconda would it's prey. Smith fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Robbi Nakamura!