PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Saakuuraabaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Big Stack (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Big Stack enters the cage!

Saakuuraabaa
vs
Stack

185 cm
24
205 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

190 cm
24
215 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kazushi Saakuuraabaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Big Stack!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stack misses with a wild body shot.
Saakuuraabaa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Saakuuraabaa wants it to stay on the feet.
Saakuuraabaa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stack misses with an attempted mid kick.
Saakuuraabaa checks the leg kick nicely there.

Saakuuraabaa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Stack!

Saakuuraabaa looking for a guillotine from mount but Stack is having none of it.

Saakuuraabaa stands up from mount. Strange move.
Saakuuraabaa misses with a takedown

and Stack counters with a takedown into side control.
Stack landing a few strikes.

It looks like Kazushi Saakuuraabaa has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saakuuraabaa is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stack landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Stack is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Saakuuraabaa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Saakuuraabaa tries to buck Stack off but Stack is having none of it.
Saakuuraabaa gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Stack missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Stack thows a huge punch but Saakuuraabaa dodges it nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Saakuuraabaa wants to improve his position but Stack is controlling well.
Saakuuraabaa has a hand on Stack's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Stack takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Stack scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Saakuuraabaa?
Stack working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stack lands a big shot there that rocks Saakuuraabaa but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stack is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Saakuuraabaa can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Stack lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stack lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Kazushi Saakuuraabaa's cut is getting worse.
The referee warns Saakuuraabaa that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Saakuuraabaa is wriggling around trying to escape.
Stack has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Saakuuraabaa's face.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Stack cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Stack looks gassed!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Stack looking to secure an arm triangle but Saakuuraabaa defends it well.
Stack trying to control but Saakuuraabaa is having none of it.
Saakuuraabaa tries to reverse the position but Stack maintains control.
Stack working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Saakuuraabaa keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saakuuraabaa is working hard here to advance position.
Stack lands a big shot there that rocks Saakuuraabaa but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Saakuuraabaa manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Saakuuraabaa has hold of Stack's hands but Stack slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stack landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Saakuuraabaa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Stack's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Stack's back!

Saakuuraabaa is persistently looking for the submission but Stack is defending it well.
Saakuuraabaa is trying to stick to Stack's back but Stack is turning into Saakuuraabaa. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Saakuuraabaa's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Stack.
Saakuuraabaa manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Stack is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stack is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Saakuuraabaa is working for a guillotine from mount but Stack frees his head quite easily.

Saakuuraabaa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Stack turns into him and now he's in Saakuuraabaa's guard.
Stack passes Saakuuraabaa's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stack working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Saakuuraabaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Saakuuraabaa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Stack dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Saakuuraabaa's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stack with a poor takedown

and Saakuuraabaa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Stack won't allow Saakuuraabaa to pass to mount.
Stack makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Stack.

Saakuuraabaa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Stack is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Saakuuraabaa, into his guard.
Stack thows a big elbow that misses.
Stack missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Saakuuraabaa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stack postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stack throws a big right hand that misses.
Stack stopping the sweep attempt from Saakuuraabaa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stack is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Stack got a little sloppy there for a moment and Saakuuraabaa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stack has managed to get both his arms back between Saakuuraabaa's legs - danger averted.
Saakuuraabaa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stack thows a big elbow that misses.
Stack lands a couple of elbows.
Saakuuraabaa looking for a sweep. Not yet Saakuuraabaa, not yet.
Stack trying to control but Saakuuraabaa is working from the bottom.
Stack makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Saakuuraabaa looking for a guillotine here but Stack defends easily.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stack shoots and misses

and Saakuuraabaa counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Stack escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saakuuraabaa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saakuuraabaa slips nicely into half guard.
Stack won't allow Saakuuraabaa to pass to mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stack manages to get to full guard.
Stack wants to sweep but no luck.
Saakuuraabaa tries to free his leg and advance position but Stack is retaining full guard.

Stack escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Saakuuraabaa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stack wants to sweep here but Saakuuraabaa controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stack has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Saakuuraabaa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Saakuuraabaa wants to pass the guard but Stack is keeping the position.
Stack working a defensive guard here.
Saakuuraabaa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stack has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Saakuuraabaa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Saakuuraabaa tries to free his leg and advance position but Stack is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Stack is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Saakuuraabaa wants to pass the guard but Stack is keeping the position.
Stack is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saakuuraabaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stack swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Saakuuraabaa pushing down on Stack's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Stack is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Saakuuraabaa pulls his head out easily.
Stack won't allow Saakuuraabaa to pass to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Big Stack will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kazushi Saakuuraabaa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Stack shoots in and bounces Saakuuraabaa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Saakuuraabaa is on top in guard.
Stack can't keep his opponent in guard - Saakuuraabaa advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stack wants to control but Saakuuraabaa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Saakuuraabaa frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Stack regains half guard.
Stack trying to control from the bottom.

Stack is defending against the submission attempts here by Saakuuraabaa.
Saakuuraabaa working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Stack's thigh. Stack counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stack is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Saakuuraabaa is aware though and is defending well.
Saakuuraabaa advances position into side control!
Stack prevents Saakuuraabaa from improving position.
Saakuuraabaa advances nicely into full mount.
Stack is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Stack is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Saakuuraabaa wants to finish this one by submission but Stack is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Saakuuraabaa.
Kazushi Saakuuraabaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stack gets back to half guard.
Saakuuraabaa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stack knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Big Stack has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stack looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Stack controlling the position well.
Stack is looking to improve his position.
Saakuuraabaa wants to free his trapped foot but Stack is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stack manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Stack had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Saakuuraabaa defends it easily.
Saakuuraabaa sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stack's guard.
Stack is looking to improve his position.
Stack is pressing down on Saakuuraabaa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Saakuuraabaa sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Stack's guard.
Saakuuraabaa wants to pass to mount but Stack is defending the position.
Stack tries to roll over but Saakuuraabaa keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stack actively working from the bottom here.
Saakuuraabaa trying to pass the guard but Stack defending well.
Stack is trying to maintain the position but Saakuuraabaa is very close to passing his half guard.
Saakuuraabaa uses his free foot to push down on Stack's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Stack.

Saakuuraabaa with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Stack tries to lock up and control but Saakuuraabaa gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Saakuuraabaa with shots to the head and body - Stack looks very uncomfortable down there.
Stack sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Big Stack comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stack winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Stack!