PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kris Savage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Savage
vs
Sakuraba

185 cm
23
175 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

187 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kris Savage!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Wagner Zegers and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savage circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sakuraba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakuraba tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Savage defends it nicely.
Sakuraba moves in looking to clinch but Savage pushes him off.
Savage avoids a kick to the body.
Sakuraba is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sakuraba tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Savage paws at him with a jab and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch.
Sakuraba misses the shot to the body.
Savage will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Savage avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Sakuraba.

Sakuraba clinches.
Sakuraba can't get the takedown.

Savage pulls guard.
Savage bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sakuraba's guard.
Sakuraba is trying to keep Savage in close.
Sakuraba is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Savage drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sakuraba looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sakuraba looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sakuraba!
Savage sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Savage actively working from the bottom here.
Savage tries to roll over but Sakuraba keeps him under control.

Savage looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Savage wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping busy.

Savage kicks Sakuraba off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savage avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba looks gassed!

Sakuraba gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Savage is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sakuraba is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sakuraba has escaped and now he's on top!
Sakuraba with a flurry of punches that miss.

Savage looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sakuraba passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Savage to regain full guard.

Savage is looking for a triangle but Sakuraba pushes his legs off easily.

Savage looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Savage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Savage is looking for a triangle but Sakuraba pushes his legs off easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Savage has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakuraba can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Savage is retaining full guard.
Savage controls Sakuraba momentarily but Sakuraba frees himself.
Sakuraba trying to control but Savage is working from the bottom.

That's six 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 missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Savage throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Savage is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Savage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Savage has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Sakuraba manages to get his head free but now Savage has transitioned to an armbar! Sakuraba grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Savage! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 7:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kris Savage!