PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mark Hamald (ranked 3916 p4p, 3559 weight class) and Sendo Sakuragi (ranked 213 p4p, 343 weight class). Hamald comes to the cage accompanied by Drunken Sailor. Sendo Sakuragi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hamald
vs
Sakuragi

175 cm
25
134
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
145
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mark Hamald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sendo Sakuragi!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Winston Alpacca and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamald throws a jab but it's blocked by Sakuragi.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A frustrated look appears on Hamald's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hamald wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakuragi won't allow it.
Sakuragi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hamald pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sakuragi is working for takedown but Hamald is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sakuragi wants to take the fight to the mat but Hamald manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Mark Hamald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sendo Sakuragi.

Hamald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuragi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hamald sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hamald went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Hamald gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuragi tries for a takedown but Hamald manages to get underhooks.
Sakuragi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hamald is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sakuragi avoids a wild elbow strike from Hamald.
Hamald wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sakuragi has him pressed against the cage.

Sakuragi has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Hamald is trying to keep an underhook but Sakuragi manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Sakuragi slows the pace down in half guard.
Hamald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuragi's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Hamald tries to kick Sakuragi off but Sakuragi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hamald is breathing heavily.

Sakuragi seems to be looking for submissions.
Sakuragi prevents Hamald from standing back up.

That's two 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.
Sakuragi controlling the action here.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sakuragi seems to be working for a kimura but Hamald defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sakuragi in particular looking to stall.

Sakuragi is trying to work for a kimura but Hamald is defending well.
Sakuragi is taking a breather. Hamald says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuragi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hamald has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sakuragi controlling the action here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sakuragi in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Hamald tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Sakuragi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Sendo Sakuragi!
Mark Hamald was interviewed post fight and said 'Time to forget this day happened with a beer or two...or three'.