PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Akira Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Mason (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakurai's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Pride FC Theme. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Sakurai
vs
Mason

184 cm
24
185 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

178 cm
22
181 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs
Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Firebird Designs

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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Akira Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig Mason!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mason sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sakurai somewhat.
Mason tries to clinch but Sakurai is having none of it.
Mason misses with a looping right.
Mason displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakurai throws out the jab.
Mason sizes up Sakurai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sakurai is defended easily by Mason.
A leg kick checked by Sakurai.
Mason takes a swing at Sakurai's ribcage but misses.
Mason lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakurai circles away quickly and effectively.
Mason throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mason throws an overhand right that lands on Sakurai's shoulder, as Sakurai tries to avoid the shot.
Sakurai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai shoots in looking for a takedown. Mason tries to sprawl out of it but Sakurai keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mason manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Akira Sakurai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakurai blocks a jab.
Mason looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakurai is just out of range.
Sakurai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mason shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sakurai as he avoids it easily.
Sakurai lands with a nice combination. Mason backs away looking to recover.
Mason throws a leg kick but Sakurai sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sakurai shoots in and drives through. Mason sprawls well.
Sakurai misses the shot to the body.
Mason works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sakurai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mason counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheers as Sakurai lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mason doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai pushes Mason up against the cage in a clinch.
Sakurai tries to circle away but Mason has him pinned against the cage.
Sakurai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mason keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sakurai's efforts to push away.
Sakurai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Mason's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Mason dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakurai. That did some damage!
Mason fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sakurai throws a left and a right that both miss

and Mason counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Sakurai pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mason shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sakurai tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Mason decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sakurai, up you get!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakurai checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

Sakurai closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Mason is trying to control Sakurai's posture but Sakurai avoids it.

Sakurai swings around for an armbar but Mason sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sakurai's guard.
Sakurai is breathing heavily.
Mason would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mason is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Mason stands up from Sakurai's guard - Mason perhaps looking for a knockout.
Mason misses with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Mason shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mason stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakurai. Sakurai gets slowly back to his feet.
Mason stuns Sakurai with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mason misses with a low kick.

Sakurai drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sakurai stopping the sweep attempt from Mason.
Mason is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Sakurai scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mason throws the left hand but Sakurai avoids the punch easily.
Sakurai throws a sloppy body shot
and Mason counters with a good low kick that Sakurai was not able to check.

Sakurai gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mason would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Mason postures up.
Mason looking to pass the guard.
Mason looking to sit in guard and control but Sakurai gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Mason avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason striking off his back.
Mason looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakurai is one step ahead there.
Mason avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sakurai wants to clinch up but Mason keeps it at a distance.
Mason uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakurai.
Mason throws a jab when Sakurai was well out of range.
Mason tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakurai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mason misses with a takedown attempt - Sakurai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sakurai uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

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.

Mason looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sakurai!
Sakurai is desperately trying to improve his position but Mason has a good base and remains in mount.
Mason avoids the attempt from Sakurai to control.
Sakurai is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mason forces the positional change into back control.
Sakurai tries to roll but Mason sticks to his back.
Mason scores with punches to the body.
Will Mason go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai turns into Mason and is now in his guard.
Sakurai passes Mason's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakurai prevents Mason from standing back up.
Sakurai throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakurai thows a huge punch but Mason dodges it nicely.
Sakurai not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Mason keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Sakurai is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mason doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sakurai.
Mason tries to roll over but Sakurai keeps him under control.

That's four 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mason circles away from the clinch attempt.

Sakurai changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Mason looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Sakurai working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sakurai tries to score with some ground and pound. Mason controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sakurai is looking to take a break and control but Mason is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Mason showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sakurai misses with an uppercut.
Sakurai shoots in but Mason avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mason thuds a left hand into Sakurai's body.
Sakurai throws a jab but it's blocked by Mason.
Mason lands a nice looking body kick.
Mason throws a jab but it's blocked by Sakurai.
Mason doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakurai circles away.

Mason closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Mason stands up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakurai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mason.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mason shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sakurai but Sakurai pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mason tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sakurai is able to avoid easily.

Mason gets a takedown into half guard.
Mason is looking to take a break and control but Sakurai is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sakurai tries to roll over but Mason keeps him under control.
Sakurai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mason's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mason's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai is looking for a rear naked choke here but Mason reverses the position brilliantly into Sakurai's guard!

Mason gets to his feet. Sakurai looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mason shoots in but no luck this time.
Sakurai blocks a low kick nicely.
Mason throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Sakurai counter with a right hand.
Good work by Mason as he checks the leg kick.
Mason scores with a jab to the body.

Mason throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Sakurai was covering up waiting for the punch and Mason finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mason trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason stopping the sweep attempt from Sakurai.
Akira Sakurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Mason thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Sakurai 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.
Mason is looking to stand up but Sakurai won't let him.
Sakurai lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mason!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sakurai with the ground and pound from mount.
Craig Mason is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Sakurai jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Mason manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Sakurai in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Mason struggling a bit here.

Mason bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
An inside leg kick lands from Mason.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Mason comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mason has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Mason!