PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Hershey (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hanamichi Sakuragi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hershey comes to the cage accompanied by dumpy whumpy. Steve Hershey could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Hanamichi Sakuragi's chin.

Hershey
vs
Sakuragi

169 cm
19
176 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

200 cm
19
170 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Hershey!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hanamichi Sakuragi!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuragi throws a sloppy head kick and Hershey moves out of range easily.
Sakuragi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hershey tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuragi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hershey is out of range and Sakuragi settles back down.
Hershey lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sakuragi throws a body punch but Hershey moves out of range.
Sakuragi throws a head kick but Hershey moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Sakuragi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hershey throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sakuragi's head.
Sakuragi tries a low kick but Hershey avoids it.
Sakuragi thows a leg kick but Hershey checks it
and Hershey counters with an outside leg kick.
Sakuragi throws the kick towards the body but Hershey avoids it.
A low kick from Sakuragi misses
and Hershey counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Sakuragi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Sakuragi misses with a body shot

and Hershey counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sakuragi!
The referee warns Sakuragi that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Sakuragi is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hershey sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sakuragi is trying to escape the mount.
Sakuragi wants to control but Hershey is having none of it.
Sakuragi is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Hershey is staying active.
Sakuragi can't escape the position.
Sakuragi tries to hold on but Hershey pushes him away.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Sakuragi wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hershey.
Sakuragi sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Sakuragi is holding on to half guard well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Hanamichi Sakuragi wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sakuragi throws a head kick but Hershey moves out of range.
Hershey throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuragi.
Hershey tries to clinch but Sakuragi moves out of range.
Hershey checks a leg kick.
Sakuragi throws a sloppy body shot
and Hershey counters with a good low kick that Sakuragi was not able to check.
Sakuragi misses with a combination
and Hershey counters with a low kick, right behind Sakuragi 's knee.
Hershey throws a head kick but Sakuragi moves out of range.
Hershey throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuragi moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hershey manages to avoid it.
Sakuragi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Sakuragi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuragi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hershey.
Hershey is breathing heavily.
Sakuragi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hershey counters with a one-two to the body.
Sakuragi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakuragi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sakuragi misses with a wild body shot.
Hershey shoots for a takedown but Sakuragi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sakuragi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sakuragi looks to score with a jab to the body but Hershey is just out of range.

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.
Sakuragi misses with a double jab
and Hershey counters with an inside leg kick.
Sakuragi misses with a combination

and Hershey counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Sakuragi controlling the position well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuragi wants to improve his position but Hershey is controlling well.
Sakuragi is pressing down on Hershey's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuragi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sakuragi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Hershey dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sakuragi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hershey moves in looking to clinch but Sakuragi pushes him off.
Sakuragi misses with a double jab
and Hershey counters with a nice body kick.
Hanamichi Sakuragi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuragi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hershey counters with a series of strikes. Sakuragi will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sakuragi misses with a few strikes there.
Hershey tries for a takedown but Sakuragi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakuragi throws a head kick but Hershey moves out of range.
Sakuragi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakuragi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hershey rather than just go for the knockout.
Hershey misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuragi throws a leg kick
and Hershey counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hershey blocks the body kick.
Sakuragi throws a series of punches but Hershey moves out of range.
Sakuragi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hershey.
Sakuragi throws a head kick but Hershey moves out of range.
Hershey avoids the body shot from Sakuragi.
Sakuragi throws a head kick that misses.
Hershey blocks a head kick by Sakuragi.
Hershey avoids the head kick by Sakuragi.
Sakuragi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hershey.
Sakuragi throws a low kick, looking for Hershey's leg but Hershey calmly moves out of range.
A low kick from Sakuragi is predictable there
and Hershey counters with a left and a right that stings Sakuragi.

That's two 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.
Sakuragi looks to throw the jab but Hershey is out of range.
Hershey fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuragi manages to avoid it.
Sakuragi wants to slow Hershey down by chopping away at his legs.
Hershey throws a head kick but Sakuragi moves out of range.
Sakuragi throws a right and a left that Hershey avoids nicely.
Sakuragi thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakuragi throws a sloppy head kick and Hershey moves out of range easily.
Sakuragi throws a head kick but Hershey moves out of range.
Hanamichi Sakuragi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakuragi throws a head kick but Hershey moves out of range.
Sakuragi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hershey counters with a left and a right that stings Sakuragi.
Sakuragi tries to land a body kick
and Hershey counters with a head kick. That will keep Sakuragi thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Sakuragi throws a low kick but Hershey moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi takes a swing at Hershey's ribcage but misses.
Sakuragi moves out of range of the strikes.
Sakuragi throws a sloppy head kick
and Hershey counters with a good low kick that Sakuragi was not able to check.
Sakuragi misses with a double jab.
Sakuragi misses with a double jab
and Hershey counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Sakuragi is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Hershey closes the distance and clinches up with Sakuragi, looking for a takedown. Hershey pushes Sakuragi against the cage but Sakuragi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Hershey. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuragi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hershey blocks a head kick by Sakuragi.
Hershey showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuragi.
Hershey blocks the body kick.

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.
Sakuragi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Sakuragi misses.
Sakuragi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakuragi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hershey dodges the punch combination from Sakuragi.
Hershey is looking to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hershey shoots for a double leg takedown but Sakuragi sprawls well. He's pushed Hershey's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sakuragi throws a leg kick

and Hershey counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hershey.
Sakuragi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Hershey dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sakuragi misses with a two punch combination.
Sakuragi throws a jab but it's blocked by Hershey.
Hershey avoids the head kick by Sakuragi.
Sakuragi throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hershey is defended easily by Sakuragi.
Steve Hershey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hershey blocks a head kick by Sakuragi.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuragi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sakuragi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch combination from Sakuragi misses.
Sakuragi tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuragi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
No joy there for Sakuragi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A punch combination from Sakuragi misses.
Hershey shoots in for a takedown but Sakuragi shows good takedown defense.
Sakuragi misses the shot to the body.
Sakuragi looks to land a body kick but Hershey moved away.
Sakuragi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A slow jab from Sakuragi misses its intended target.
Hershey uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sakuragi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sakuragi wants to slow Hershey down by chopping away at his legs.
Sakuragi misses with a straight left.
Hershey tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sakuragi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Sakuragi tries a head kick but it misses.
Hershey moves out of range of the strikes.

Hershey takes the fight into the clinch.
Hershey tries to break the clinch but Sakuragi is controlling the position.
Sakuragi is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuragi gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Sakuragi lands with a punch from half guard.
Sakuragi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hershey does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sakuragi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hershey taking some punishment here, with Sakuragi in his half guard.
Sakuragi lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Sakuragi throwing shots but Hershey is blocking nicely.
Steve Hershey overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sakuragi trying to control the pace.
Sakuragi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi working Hershey over with strikes.
Sakuragi working Hershey over with strikes.
Sakuragi lands strikes from half guard.
Sakuragi is looking to take a break and control but Hershey is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hershey might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sakuragi looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Sakuragi working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sakuragi lands a nice short elbow.
Sakuragi slips a nice elbow through Hershey's hands, connecting with Hershey's forehead.
Sakuragi scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Sakuragi connects with a nice short shot to Hershey's temple.
Hanamichi Sakuragi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Hershey is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sakuragi landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hanamichi Sakuragi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hershey has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Hershey!