PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Sakamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samoel Croco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Croco has chosen Bate Pesadão as his entrance music. Paul Sakamoto could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Samoel Croco's chin.

Sakamoto
vs
Croco

180 cm
21
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
24
206 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Sakamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Samoel Croco!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakamoto throws a series of punches but Croco moves out of range.
Sakamoto misses the shot to the body.
Croco dives in and grabs Sakamoto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sakamoto pushes down on Croco's head and hops out.
A punch combination from Sakamoto misses.

Croco closes the distance and clinches.

Croco pulls guard.
Sakamoto would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakamoto's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sakamoto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Croco has control of Sakamoto's left arm, preventing Sakamoto from doing any damage.
Croco wants to sweep but no luck.
Croco has control of Sakamoto's left arm, preventing Sakamoto from doing any damage.
Sakamoto wants to stand but Croco has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Croco is trying to keep Sakamoto in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto tries to stand but Croco is controlling from the bottom.
Croco looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakamoto is one step ahead there.
Sakamoto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sakamoto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Croco.
Sakamoto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Croco.
Paul Sakamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samoel Croco.
Sakamoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Croco decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Croco throwing shots but Sakamoto is blocking nicely.
Croco missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sakamoto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Croco.
Croco not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sakamoto is trying to stand back up but Croco is controlling him
Croco sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sakamoto defending well though.
Croco is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Croco throwing shots but Sakamoto is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sakamoto throws a series of punches but Croco avoids them all with ease.
Croco slips a jab and a cross from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sakamoto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Croco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakamoto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Croco drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sakamoto on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sakamoto tries to get out of the position.
Croco throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Croco controls from within his opponent's guard.
Croco makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Croco thows a big elbow that misses.
Croco trying to control but Sakamoto is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Croco gets to his feet - Sakamoto follows without any prompting.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samoel Croco dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakamoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Croco avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paul Sakamoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Croco is defended easily by Sakamoto.
A punch combination from Sakamoto misses.
Paul Sakamoto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Croco fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sakamoto avoids it really well and circles away.
Croco slips a jab from Sakamoto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Croco dodges the punch combination from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Croco circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakamoto throws a series of punches but Croco avoids them all with ease.
Croco slips a jab and a cross from Sakamoto.
Some wild striking there from Sakamoto.

Croco feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sakamoto keeping moving, preventing Croco from controlling successfully.
Croco missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Croco wants to control from the top but Sakamoto keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Croco postures up in Sakamoto's guard and throws a big left but Sakamoto blocks it.
Croco throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Croco in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Croco wants to control from the top but Sakamoto keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A combination from Sakamoto does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Croco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakamoto leaves Croco with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Paul Sakamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samoel Croco.
Sakamoto displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sakamoto lands a nice hook to Croco's body. Croco takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A combination from Sakamoto does no damage.
Croco slips a jab and a cross from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Croco fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakamoto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Croco.
Sakamoto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sakamoto throws a series of punches but Croco moves out of range.
Sakamoto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Croco shoots in but no luck this time.
Croco is breathing heavily.
Croco tries to clinch there but Sakamoto circles away.
Sakamoto misses with a wild combination.
Sakamoto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Croco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Croco tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakamoto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Croco somewhat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sakamoto throws a series of punches but Croco moves out of range.
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 Paul Sakamoto will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sakamoto stuffs the takedown attempt from Croco. Croco gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakamoto misses with a few strikes there.
Croco fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakamoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Croco manages to avoid it.
Croco showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakamoto.
Croco has a takedown stuffed.
Paul Sakamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samoel Croco.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakamoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sakamoto is looking to wear down Croco with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Croco looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakamoto is fending him off so far but Croco persists. Nope, Sakamoto circles away and we're back to standing.
Croco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Croco tries for a takedown but Sakamoto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Croco avoids a punch combination nicely.
Croco showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakamoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sakamoto throws a one two combo.
Sakamoto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sakamoto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Croco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Some wild striking there from Sakamoto.

That's two 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.
Croco is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sakamoto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Croco shoots in for a double leg but Sakamoto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sakamoto throws a body punch but Croco moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Sakamoto.
Croco slips a jab and a cross from Sakamoto.
Sakamoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Croco circles away quickly and effectively.
Horrible takedown by Croco or perhaps it was just good defense by Sakamoto which made him look bad.
Croco shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakamoto defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sakamoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Croco circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakamoto fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakamoto throws a series of punches but Croco moves out of range.
Sakamoto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Croco avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sakamoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Croco circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakamoto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sakamoto throws a right and a left that Croco avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sakamoto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakamoto misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Sakamoto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sakamoto stuffs the takedown.
Sakamoto moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sakamoto throws a series of punches but Croco avoids them all with ease.
Sakamoto stuffs the takedown attempt from Croco. Croco gets slowly back to his feet.
Sakamoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Good shot there by Sakamoto.
Sakamoto misses with a two punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Sakamoto showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sakamoto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Sakamoto!