PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hideo Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tendai Mtariwa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hideo Sakurai could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tendai Mtariwa's chin.

Sakurai
vs
Mtariwa

192 cm
22
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
255 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hideo Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tendai Mtariwa!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Sakurai does no damage.
Mtariwa tries for a takedown but Sakurai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakurai throws a right and a left that both miss.

Mtariwa drives through and clinches with Sakurai against the cage.
Mtariwa keeps control of Sakurai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mtariwa swings wildly with an uppercut but Sakurai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mtariwa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sakurai is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mtariwa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sakurai pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hideo Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tendai Mtariwa.
Sakurai swinging wilding here.
Sakurai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mtariwa slips a jab from Sakurai.
Mtariwa moves away from the strike by Sakurai.
Mtariwa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mtariwa ducks under a wild hook from Sakurai.
Mtariwa fails to land the takedown.
Mtariwa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sakurai's hands.
Mtariwa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakurai throws a big shot that misses.
Mtariwa moves out of range of the strikes.

Mtariwa drives through and clinches with Sakurai against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Mtariwa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sakurai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mtariwa keeps control of Sakurai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mtariwa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sakurai smiles and moves away.
Sakurai throws a hook to the side of Mtariwa's head but Mtariwa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mtariwa slips under a jab from Sakurai.
Sakurai tries to bum rush Mtariwa with a series of wild strikes but Mtariwa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mtariwa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sakurai tries to avoid it but Mtariwa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sakurai to the ground. Sakurai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hideo Sakurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mtariwa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sakurai swinging wilding here.
A combination from Sakurai does no damage.
Sakurai drops Mtariwa with a left right combo! Sakurai follows him down to the ground into side control.

Mtariwa is rocked!
Mtariwa looks gassed!
Mtariwa gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Mtariwa is still in real trouble! Can Sakurai finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai trying to control the pace.
Mtariwa moves into full guard.
Mtariwa seems to have recovered his senses.
Sakurai postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Mtariwa can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakurai is looking to stand up but Mtariwa won't let him.
Mtariwa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sakurai wants to control from the top but Mtariwa keeps moving.

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.
Mtariwa wants to sweep here but Sakurai controlling him for the moment.
Sakurai is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Sakurai stands and steps away. Mtariwa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Some wild striking there from Sakurai.
Mtariwa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakurai fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sakurai throws a hook but Mtariwa blocks it.
Mtariwa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakurai lands a slapping body shot.
Sakurai just misses with a punch to the body.
Mtariwa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sakurai swivels and escapes.
Sakurai throws out a loose jab but Mtariwa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sakurai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mtariwa momentarily.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Mtariwa avoids them all with ease.
Sakurai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Mtariwa forces Sakurai back against the cage and clinches.
Sakurai can't break the clinch.
Sakurai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sakurai wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Sakurai is fighting off a takedown attempt but Mtariwa is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Sakurai to the mat. Sakurai regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mtariwa trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sakurai is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Sakurai wants to break free but Mtariwa has control.
Sakurai stops a takedown attempt from Mtariwa.
Mtariwa leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mtariwa scores with a hook to the body.
Sakurai is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mtariwa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two 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.
Nice defenses there by Mtariwa.
Sakurai getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice defenses there by Mtariwa.
Mtariwa throws a push kick but Sakurai slaps the foot to one side.
Sakurai misses with a hook
and Mtariwa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Sakurai gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Mtariwa controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mtariwa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Mtariwa trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai trying to keep a closed guard but Mtariwa is proving a slippery customer.
Mtariwa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakurai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mtariwa trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakurai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sakurai stuffs the takedown attempt from Mtariwa. Mtariwa gets slowly back to his feet.
Hideo Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tendai Mtariwa.
Mtariwa slips a jab from Sakurai.

That's four 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.
Sakurai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Mtariwa moves into the clinch.
Sakurai has had enough of the clinch but Mtariwa keeps him there for the moment.
Sakurai is trying to break free.
Mtariwa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mtariwa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sakurai fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sakurai misses with a combination

and Mtariwa counters with a shoot takedown. Sakurai fights it but they end up in guard.
Mtariwa controlling from the top position.
Mtariwa tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakurai is retaining full guard.
Sakurai looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mtariwa prevents Sakurai from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tendai Mtariwa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mtariwa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sakurai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sakurai lands a nice shot to the body.
Mtariwa keeps control of Sakurai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Mtariwa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sakurai has had enough of the clinch but Mtariwa keeps him there for the moment.
Mtariwa tries to score a body lock takedown but Sakurai shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Sakurai is trying to break the clinch but Mtariwa has him pressed against the cage.
Mtariwa has a couple of punches blocked by Sakurai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mtariwa tries to pull guard but Sakurai holds him up against the cage and eventually Mtariwa drops back down to his feet.
Sakurai tries to stall but Mtariwa uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mtariwa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sakurai wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mtariwa has him pressed against the cage.
Sakurai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mtariwa looking for a takedown.
Hideo Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tendai Mtariwa.
Mtariwa prevents Sakurai from breaking the clinch.
Sakurai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mtariwa is stalling here.
Sakurai is trying to break free.

Sakurai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sakurai throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakurai will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mtariwa avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two 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.
Sakurai throws an overhand right from the outside, which connects and sends Mtariwa stumbling backwards into the cage! Mtariwa bounces back off the cage towards Sakurai, who cracks him with a two punch combination that drops him to his knees! Sakurai lands two more shots before the referee has chance to intervene - what a finish! Sakurai celebrates with his corner as the crowd cheer loudly.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:12 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Hideo Sakurai!