Rin Nakai gets a big win over Sarah D'alelio at PANCRASE 258

Rin Nakai got what was probably the biggest win of her career with a dominant win over Strikeforce and Invicta veteran Sarah D'Alelio at PANCRASE 258 at Differ Ariake. FYI, as of this show, PANCRASE shows are now in a cage. No more ring. And I think that will help Rin who always seemed comfortable when she fought in a cage for VALKYRIE. For the last couple of years, Rin has been very tentative at the start of fights to the point where she was admonished by refs for inactivity. And it was getting worse. Rin has the physical gifts to be a dominant fighter. But this was a mental problem that was putting her behind the eight ball early in fights and then she had to pick up the slack in later rounds. If she had been fighting in DEEP JEWELS where most fights are two five minute rounds, this problem could have lost her fights. Now it appears her trainer has gotten through to Rin. In round one of this fight, Rin came out and took Sarah down and tried to submit her with a kimura. Rin did the same thing in the second round and she just couldn't get a submission. She even asked the ref if he was going to stop the fight. I don't know if the rules are the same in Japan. But here there can be a verbal submission if the victim cries out. I mention that because that's how Sarah lost to Ronda Rousey a few years ago. I don't think Sarah would ever tap out. Rin needs to understand US fighters are stubborn like that. If she can't get the submission, pound her for a while. Then the ref will have to stop it. I guess I'll have to see the video to see what happened. Rin continued to dominate in round three and won by unanimous decision. All three judges scored it 30-26. As usual, Rin celebrated with her trademark flips which fans call air dancing.