PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuri Smchalenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sakuraba
vs
Smchalenko

188 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Brandon Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuri Smchalenko!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Smchalenko feints and as Sakuraba raises his hands in defense, Smchalenko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Smchalenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakuraba swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smchalenko advances position into side control!

Smchalenko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Sakuraba, who protects the arm well.
Smchalenko working away.

Smchalenko tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smchalenko content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Sakuraba is trying to control Smchalenko's posture but Smchalenko avoids it.
Sakuraba is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smchalenko is trying to get an arm triangle but Sakuraba is defending well.
Smchalenko wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
Sakuraba sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sakuraba manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sakuraba knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smchalenko on the ground.
Sakuraba is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Sakuraba is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sakuraba is wriggling around but Smchalenko manages to pass to half guard.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smchalenko seems to be looking for submissions.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Smchalenko in particular looking to stall.
Smchalenko trying to control the action but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
Smchalenko passes to side control.
Sakuraba wants to control but Smchalenko postures up.

Smchalenko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Sakuraba has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Smchalenko but great work by Sakuraba.
Smchalenko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Sakuraba is going to stand back up.
Sakuraba is looking to advance position but Smchalenko won't allow it.
Smchalenko makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Smchalenko.

Smchalenko is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Sakuraba has his hands clasped together but Smchalenko extends an breaks Sakuraba's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Smchalenko.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yuri Smchalenko!