PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Herr Mann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sakuraba
vs
Mann

200 cm
23
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

189 cm
25
105 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ethan Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Herr Mann!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba looks to land a body kick but Mann moved away.
Sakuraba looks to land a left hand but Mann moved out of range nicely.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Mann moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Sakuraba.
Mann ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Mann throws a leg kick which misses Sakuraba's front leg but catches the back leg as Sakuraba tries to avoid it.
Sakuraba really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mann.
A swing and a miss from Sakuraba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses the shot to the body.
Sakuraba thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba misses the jab.
Sakuraba throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A head kick misses from Sakuraba.
Mann blocks a head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Mann decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Mann is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mann is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sakuraba is just riding it out for now. Mann eventually gives up the hold.

Mann wants to work for an arm triangle but Sakuraba is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Mann is working for a kimura but Sakuraba is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mann works his foot free and advances to mount.

Mann is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sakuraba is surviving well by controlling Mann's body position as best he can.
Mann working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Sakuraba slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mann is working for an americana but Sakuraba has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Mann was thinking about the submission.
Mann stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakuraba swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mann forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Mann's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Mann tries to pass.
Mann in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Herr Mann dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sakuraba avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sakuraba throws a jab but it's blocked by Mann.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sakuraba throws a series of punches but Mann avoids them all with ease.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses.
Sakuraba checks a low kick from Mann.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Mann avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a double jab.

Mann clinches up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sakuraba as Mann tries to tie him up.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but Mann won't allow it.
Mann manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but Mann holds him up against the cage and eventually Sakuraba drops back down to his feet.

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

Mann escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba throws and low kick but Mann moves out of range easily.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ethan Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mann is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sakuraba sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakuraba misses with a straight right.
Ethan Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sakuraba. Mann does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses.
Sakuraba attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuraba throws a leg kick that misses.
Sakuraba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mann moves away.
Mann bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

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.
Sakuraba swats away the attempt to clinch by Mann.
Sakuraba misses with a body kick.
Mann blocks the body kick.
Mann avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries to land a leg kick but Mann saw it coming and moves away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sakuraba misses with a body shot.
Sakuraba misses with a series of wild punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ethan Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuraba misses with a head kick.
Sakuraba misses with a straight right.
Mann throws a leg kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sakuraba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mann shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sakuraba sprawls well. Sakuraba wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mann gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mann avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a two punch combination.
Mann blocks a head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mann moves away.
Sakuraba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mann.
Sakuraba misses with a leg kick

and Mann counters with a shoot takedown. Sakuraba fights it but they end up in guard.
Mann looking to pass the guard.

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

Mann 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.

Mann drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Sakuraba manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mann has Sakuraba in his guard.
Mann looking for a sweep. Not yet Mann, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mann has an active guard here but Sakuraba has managed to pass into half guard.
Sakuraba tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Mann.

Mann looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Sakuraba pushes past his half guard into mount!
Mann takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mann working to try and regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sakuraba sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Sakuraba will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Herr Mann.
I think Mann has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Herr Mann!