PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samuel Morris (ranked 4873 p4p, 485 weight class) and Yoshihiro Nakayama (ranked 5011 p4p, 500 weight class). Morris comes into the arena with AWOLNATION - Sail blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Nakayama's choice of entrance music: Destructive Power. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Morris
vs
Nakayama

176 cm
20
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

196 cm
25
275 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Urban Fighter
IniTech Nutrition

Blue Moon

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Samuel Morris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshihiro Nakayama!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Dmitry Maklakov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakayama takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nakayama, as that shot connected.

It looks like Samuel Morris has been cut.

Morris drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Nakayama wants to sweep but no luck.
Morris slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've been hearing that Morris has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Morris works over Nakayama with some ground and pound from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morris looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakayama wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakayama trying to strike off his back.
Morris might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nakayama working a defensive guard here.
Morris working some strikes from top position.
Morris prevents Nakayama from getting back to his feet.
Morris trying to control but Nakayama is working from the bottom.
Nakayama is trying to keep Morris in close.

Morris stands up and waves to Nakayama to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Morris throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A countering left hand to the body from Nakayama misses.

Nakayama gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Morris controlling from the top position.
Nakayama wants to stand up but Morris is controlling him.
Morris controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nakayama has Morris pulled in close to control his posture.
Nakayama looking to control.
Morris trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris working some strikes from top position.
Morris works over Nakayama with some ground and pound from guard.
Morris landing some decent shots from guard.
Morris trying to control the position from guard on top but Nakayama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morris looking to pass the guard.
Nakayama looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've been informed that Nakayama has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Morris stands and throws Nakayama's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Nakayama throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakayama wants to control but Morris postures up.
Nakayama is looking to regain half guard here but Morris keeps moving and retains side control.
Morris works to advance to full mount. Nakayama defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Nakayama tries to lock up and control but Morris gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Morris knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nakayama on the ground.
Nakayama is in all sorts of trouble here.
Nakayama wants to hold on but Morris pushes him away.
Morris wants to control the pace but Nakayama is squirming around nicely.
Morris won't let Nakayama get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakayama tries to hold on but Morris postures up.
Morris tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Morris dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Samuel Morris's cut.
That's time! Morris's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Morris shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Nakayama tries to get to full guard but Morris has control of the leg.
Nakayama is looking to control Morris's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Nakayama avoid being mounted?
Morris is nestled in close to Nakayama, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Nakayama is trying to maintain the position but Morris is very close to passing his half guard.
Still in half guard, Morris seems content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakayama wants to sweep but Morris has passed to side control!
Nakayama struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Nakayama's shoulder. That is not cool.
Morris wants to control but Nakayama is keeping him busy.
Nakayama is trying to get back to half guard.
Morris is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nakayama can do to turn this around?
Nakayama is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Morris moves into full mount! Nakayama won't be happy about that!
Morris controlling the position easily from mount.

Morris jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Nakayama is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Nakayama and Morris has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Nakayama is looking to reverse the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morris swings around for an armbar but Nakayama sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Morris's guard.
Morris keeping full guard, as Nakayama tries to pass.
Morris preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Morris is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nakayama wants to control from the top but Morris keeps moving.
Nakayama is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Morris avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Morris keeping moving, preventing Nakayama from controlling successfully.
Nakayama wants to pass the guard but Morris is keeping the position.
Morris managing to control the position.
Morris on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Morris tries to get out of the position.

Morris looking for a guillotine here but Nakayama defends easily.
Nakayama tries to free his leg and advance position but Morris is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nakayama distracts Morris with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nakayama being controlled here momentarily.
Morris looking for a sweep. Not yet Morris, not yet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Morris darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Morris takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Nakayama trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Morris dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Samuel Morris's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A punch combination from Morris misses.
Morris avoids the head kick by Nakayama.

Nakayama darts in and clinches Morris up against the cage.
Nakayama is trying to drag Morris to the mat but Morris just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Nakayama has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Morris is trying to keep an underhook but Nakayama manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Morris pushes Nakayama off and gets back to his feet.
Nakayama slaps away a takedown attempt from Morris, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nakayama lands a glancing blow to the side of Morris's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A punch combination from Morris misses.
Nakayama fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Morris shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris won't allow Nakayama to sweep him here.
Nakayama looking to control.
Morris is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nakayama has momentary wrist control but Morris slips an elbow through the middle.
Morris seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Nakayama working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Morris doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Morris manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Morris lands a couple of digs.
Morris sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nakayama striking off his back but it's not causing Morris any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nakayama is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Morris postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Morris tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakayama is retaining full guard.
Morris landing with the ground and pound.
Morris passes Nakayama's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nakayama tries to get to full guard but Morris has control of the leg.
Morris with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morris wants to take a breather but Nakayama is having none of it.
Morris scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Morris connects with a nice short shot to Nakayama's temple.
Morris with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Morris is trying to work for a kimura but Nakayama is defending well.
Nakayama trying to control but Morris postures up.
Nakayama tries to get to full guard but Morris has control of the leg.
Yoshihiro Nakayama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Nakayama manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Samuel Morris is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Morris tests Nakayama's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Morris changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nakayama looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Nakayama trying to remain calm as Morris controls from the top position.
You can see the frustration on Nakayama's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nakayama regains half guard.
Morris content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Nakayama is defending against the submission attempts here by Morris.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Morris showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Morris, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Morris!
A relieved looking Samuel Morris thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.