PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leland Palmer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (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.

Palmer
vs
Sakuraba

175 cm
19
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Fight Club Clothing™

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 Rio de Janeiro, Leland Palmer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Daniel Cesar and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Palmer gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Palmer keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
Sakuraba trying to stand up but can't free himself from Palmer's guard.

Sakuraba drops back, looking for a kneebar! Palmer looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Palmer looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Palmer!
Palmer tries to stand but Sakuraba is controlling his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to control but Palmer postures up.
Sakuraba tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Palmer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Palmer tries to get to his feet but Sakuraba is in the middle of advancing position himself and ends up with Palmer in his guard.

Sakuraba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Palmer can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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.
Sakuraba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Sakuraba had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Palmer is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sakuraba Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Palmer's back instead.
Even with his hooks in, Sakuraba manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Palmer knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sakuraba on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palmer defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Sakuraba thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Sakuraba has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Palmer is in a bad position with Sakuraba working for a choke. Palmer manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Palmer could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Sakuraba looks gassed!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Palmer gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Palmer preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Sakuraba has his foot on Palmer's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Palmer works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Palmer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Palmer ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A punch lands to the side of Sakuraba 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Palmer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sakuraba goes for a takedown in the clinch but Palmer prevents it.
Palmer prevents the takedown attempt.
Palmer scores with a hook to the body.
Palmer throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Palmer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sakuraba takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Leland Palmer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Palmer lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Palmer lands a body shot.

Palmer darts in and clinches Sakuraba up against the cage.

Palmer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuraba drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Palmer cracks Sakuraba with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Palmer has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Sakuraba to stand back up!

Sakuraba is rocked!
Leland Palmer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palmer feints a kick and comes over the top with a right hand, followed by a left hook - both land, sending Sakuraba crashing to the mat! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Leland Palmer!