PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryu Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cheng Gong Desheng (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Sakurai
vs
Gong Desheng

173 cm
22
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
163 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

Boomerang! Costume Shop ($12 Fun Gear)

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryu Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cheng Gong Desheng!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Skip Squint and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Desheng is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Sakurai.
Desheng is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sakurai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Desheng shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Sakurai is trying to escape the mount.
Desheng unloads with some shots from mount but Sakurai bucks and avoids them well.
Sakurai is trying to reverse the position but instead Desheng has taken his back - oops!
Desheng throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Sakurai tries to roll but Desheng sticks to his back.
Sakurai just trying to survive but Desheng is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Desheng looking for the RNC.

Desheng looking for the choke but no joy.

Desheng looking for the RNC.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Sakurai has hold of Desheng's arm. He needs to escape this position sooner or later but for now he's happy enough to control the position and prevent the submission attempts.
Sakurai rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Sakurai is looking for a sweep. Desheng is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Desheng is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Desheng throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakurai is trying to control but can't.
Sakurai controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Desheng is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Desheng looks gassed!

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

Sakurai is defending against the submission attempts here by Desheng.
Sakurai is looking to control Desheng's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sakurai avoid being mounted?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Desheng gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sakurai.
Desheng with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Desheng misses with a looping right.
Desheng moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Desheng fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai avoids it really well and circles away.
Sakurai throws a right hand that Desheng ducks under and follows up with a left that Desheng also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Desheng is in close to Sakurai's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sakurai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Desheng won't allow Sakurai to sweep him here.
Sakurai pulls Desheng in close to prevent any damage.
Sakurai wants to sweep but no luck.
Sakurai is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Desheng is fighting to break Sakurai's control of his arms but Sakurai is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sakurai keeping full guard, as Desheng tries to pass.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Desheng tries to clinch up but Sakurai circles away and keeps his distance.
Sakurai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Desheng is looking to clinch.

Desheng gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sakurai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Desheng utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Desheng tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sakurai tries to circle away but Desheng has him pinned against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Desheng.
A short right from Desheng.
Desheng wants a takedown but no success here.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cheng Gong Desheng.

Desheng jumps guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Desheng keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.
Sakurai is looking to stand up but Desheng won't let him.
Sakurai stays in close to Desheng's body and controls the position.
Sakurai has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Desheng is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sakurai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cheng Gong Desheng dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Desheng looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakurai is fending him off so far but Desheng persists. Nope, Sakurai circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakurai takes a jab right on the kisser.
Desheng shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sakurai sprawls well. Sakurai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Desheng gets slowly back to his feet.
Cheng Gong Desheng seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Desheng moves in looking to clinch but Sakurai pushes him off.
Sakurai misses with a two punch combination.
Ryu Sakurai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice shot lands for Sakurai.
Desheng tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Desheng closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sakurai to the mat! Sakurai manages to get full guard.
Desheng has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Desheng slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Desheng thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Desheng is breathing heavily.
Sakurai pushes Desheng away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Desheng gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sakurai's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sakurai on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sakurai tries to get out of the position.
Sakurai tries to escape but Desheng is in control.
Sakurai defending against the ground and pound.

Desheng working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Desheng looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakurai digs a good hook to Desheng's body.
Sakurai tries to bum rush Desheng with a series of wild strikes but Desheng uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Desheng tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakurai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sakurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Desheng misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cheng Gong Desheng.
Desheng avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sakurai takes a swing at Desheng's ribcage but misses.
Desheng tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Desheng takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Sakurai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Desheng takes a jab right on the kisser.
Desheng slips a jab from Sakurai.
Sakurai with a hook.

Desheng has managed to clinch.
Sakurai is trying to force a seperation but Desheng has the dominant position.
Sakurai wants to get back to striking at distance but Desheng won't allow it.
Sakurai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sakurai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Desheng has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Desheng to work.
A right handed body shot lands from Desheng.
Sakurai tries to break free but Desheng pushes him back against the cage.
Sakurai is trying to break the clinch but Desheng has him pressed against the cage.
Desheng misses with a body punch.

Sakurai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Desheng has a takedown stuffed.
Sakurai fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice takedown defense from Sakurai. No joy for Desheng on that attempt.
The fighters circling - Sakurai throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sakurai misses with a wild body shot.
Sakurai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Desheng.
Desheng tries to clinch but Sakurai is having none of it.
Desheng fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Desheng dodges the punch combination from Sakurai.

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.
Sakurai with a nice cross.
Sakurai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakurai lands the left hand.
Sakurai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Desheng's head backwards.
Sakurai scores with a one two! Desheng had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Desheng misses with a looping right.
Nice takedown defense from Sakurai. No joy for Desheng on that attempt.
Sakurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A big right from Desheng misses.
Sakurai misses with the combination.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Desheng fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai avoids it really well and circles away.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sakurai.
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 Ryu Sakurai will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Desheng is looking to clinch but Sakurai is avoiding it.
Desheng keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Desheng gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Desheng wants to clinch up but Sakurai keeps it at a distance.
Desheng looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakurai is fending him off so far but Desheng persists. Nope, Sakurai circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakurai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Desheng.
Desheng closes the distance and clinches up with Sakurai, looking for a takedown. Desheng pushes Sakurai against the cage but Sakurai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Desheng wants to clinch up but Sakurai keeps it at a distance.
Sakurai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakurai throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Desheng tries to clinch but Sakurai is having none of it.
Sakurai lands a nice hook to Desheng's body. Desheng takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakurai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Desheng backs up against the cage.
Sakurai keeps the fight on the outside.
Desheng takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Desheng tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakurai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Desheng tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakurai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sakurai scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Desheng changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sakurai tries to avoid it but Desheng manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sakurai to the ground. Sakurai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cheng Gong Desheng.
Desheng throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sakurai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice cross by Sakurai.
Sakurai connects with a single shot there.
Sakurai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Desheng.
Sakurai scores with a one two! Desheng had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sakurai lands with a good body shot.
Desheng takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Desheng walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sakurai lands a jab to Desheng's midsection.
Sakurai misses with a few strikes there.
Sakurai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Desheng. Desheng circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Desheng moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai tests Desheng's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Desheng has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sakurai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Desheng tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakurai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Desheng looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sakurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sakurai.
Sakurai swinging wildly here.
Desheng shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakurai pinned against the cage. Sakurai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Desheng shoots in but no luck this time.
Sakurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Desheng shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sakurai but Sakurai pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sakurai scores with a body shot.
Sakurai fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Desheng on the side of the head.
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Desheng tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakurai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sakurai lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Desheng shoots in but no luck this time.
Sakurai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sakurai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakurai takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sakurai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sakurai lands a body shot.
Sakurai jabs at Desheng's body.
Sakurai swinging wildly here.
Sakurai thows a body shot but no joy.
Desheng throws a looping overhand right but Sakurai ducks down to avoid it.
Desheng throws a shot from downtown. Sakurai moves away and avoids it.
Sakurai throws a nice looking combination but Desheng bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai misses the shot to the body.
Sakurai misses with a body shot.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Desheng moves out of range.
Sakurai misses with a few strikes there.
Sakurai scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Desheng doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakurai circles away.
Desheng has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Desheng there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sakurai swings for the body but Desheng moves out of range.
Desheng fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sakurai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Desheng tries to clinch up but Sakurai circles away and keeps his distance.
Desheng is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sakurai.
Desheng wants to clinch up but Sakurai keeps it at a distance.
Sakurai tries to bum rush Desheng with a series of wild strikes but Desheng uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Sakurai showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sakurai 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ryu Sakurai!