PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Takeshi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Von Lydeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Takeshi Sakuraba has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Takeshi Sakuraba seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Sakuraba
vs
Von Lydeman

182 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
26
220 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
World class MT
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeshi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jack Von Lydeman!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Columbo Gatti and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Von Lydeman displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sakuraba.
Von Lydeman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Von Lydeman tries to clinch up.

Sakuraba scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sakuraba scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sakuraba scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Sakuraba looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Von Lydeman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sakuraba is working away from the top position though.
Von Lydeman tries to kick Sakuraba off but Sakuraba keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Von Lydeman wants to control but Sakuraba is keeping busy.
Sakuraba is trying to control the action in half guard but Von Lydeman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sakuraba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Von Lydeman pinned against the cage. Von Lydeman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sakuraba shoots in but Von Lydeman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takeshi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Von Lydeman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Von Lydeman circles away easily
and Von Lydeman counters with a low kick, right behind Sakuraba 's knee.
Von Lydeman throws a leg kick that misses.
Sakuraba dives in and grabs Von Lydeman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Von Lydeman pushes down on Sakuraba's head and hops out.
Nice sprawl there from Von Lydeman as Sakuraba shoots in.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Von Lydeman is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, Von Lydeman circles away and we're back to standing.
Von Lydeman fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.

Sakuraba shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Von Lydeman manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sakuraba has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Von Lydeman is on top in guard.
Von Lydeman trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sakuraba's guard.

Von Lydeman decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Takeshi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Lydeman stuffs the takedown.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt

and Von Lydeman counters with a head kick that drops Sakuraba to the mat! Sakuraba scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Von Lydeman shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sakuraba as he jumps to the side.
Von Lydeman feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sakuraba's calf.
Sakuraba stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Von Lydeman.
Von Lydeman shoots in and drives through. Sakuraba sprawls well.
Von Lydeman shoots in and drives through. Sakuraba sprawls well.
Von Lydeman fails with the takedown.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Von Lydeman is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, Von Lydeman circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba blocks a low kick nicely.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Von Lydeman shows good takedown defense.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Von Lydeman, right into the meat.
Nice sprawl there from Sakuraba as Von Lydeman shoots in.
Von Lydeman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Sakuraba scores with a takedown into Von Lydeman's guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Von Lydeman has his feet on Sakuraba's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Sakuraba chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Von Lydeman can pounce on him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Von Lydeman dominated that round.
That's time! Sakuraba's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Von Lydeman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sakuraba circles away.
Von Lydeman leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takeshi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Von Lydeman misses with a wild combination.

Von Lydeman gets caught napping as Sakuraba dives in and scores a takedown. Von Lydeman manages to retain guard.
Von Lydeman pulls Sakuraba in close to prevent any damage.
Sakuraba trying to control but Von Lydeman is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba won't allow Von Lydeman to sweep him here.
Sakuraba won't allow Von Lydeman to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba trying to control but Von Lydeman is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Takeshi Sakuraba wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sakuraba swats away the attempt to clinch by Von Lydeman.
Jack Von Lydeman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Von Lydeman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sakuraba crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Von Lydeman - the referee stops the clock and Sakuraba gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Von Lydeman. Sakuraba manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Von Lydeman stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown but Von Lydeman manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sakuraba's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Von Lydeman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Von Lydeman swivels and escapes.
Von Lydeman lands a leg kick that knocks Sakuraba off balance momentarily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Von Lydeman, right into the meat.
Von Lydeman moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba stuffs the takedown.
Von Lydeman scores with a leg kick.
Sakuraba is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Von Lydeman lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt - Von Lydeman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Von Lydeman is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sakuraba's half guard.
Von Lydeman tries to stand but can't do so whilst Sakuraba controls his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sakuraba tries to get out of the position.
Sakuraba is controlling Von Lydeman's trapped leg to prevent Von Lydeman from advancing to side control.

Von Lydeman stands up from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Von Lydeman.
Von Lydeman tries a head kick but it misses.

Sakuraba drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Von Lydeman is trying to escape the position but Sakuraba is controlling the position.
Takeshi Sakuraba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sakuraba lands a nice forearm strike.
Von Lydeman is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Sakuraba has just dragged him back down to the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Von Lydeman tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sakuraba wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Von Lydeman is trying to control Sakuraba's posture but Sakuraba avoids it.
Sakuraba working the body and head with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Von Lydeman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sakuraba has a takedown stuffed.
Von Lydeman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakuraba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Von Lydeman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown but Von Lydeman sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takeshi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Von Lydeman takes a swing at Sakuraba's ribcage but misses.
Sakuraba has a takedown stuffed.
Sakuraba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Von Lydeman. Von Lydeman obviously looking to wear him down.
Von Lydeman throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Von Lydeman misses.
Von Lydeman leaves Sakuraba with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Von Lydeman scores with a head kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Von Lydeman.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Von Lydeman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sakuraba tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sakuraba has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Von Lydeman drives through with a takedown into guard.
Von Lydeman wanted to stand there but Sakuraba had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Lydeman preventing the sweep.
Sakuraba has a closed guard, preventing Von Lydeman from standing up.
Sakuraba pulls Von Lydeman in close to his closed guard and prevents Von Lydeman from doing any damage or advancing position.

Von Lydeman decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Lydeman lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sakuraba backs up against the cage.
Nice sprawl there from Sakuraba as Von Lydeman shoots in.
Sakuraba checks the leg kick.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Von Lydeman is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, Von Lydeman circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakuraba stuffs the takedown.
Sakuraba fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jack Von Lydeman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Von Lydeman throws the kick towards the body but Sakuraba avoids it.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Von Lydeman but Von Lydeman pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sakuraba with a lazy takedown attempt

and Von Lydeman counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Von Lydeman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Von Lydeman.
Von Lydeman scores with a knee to the head.
Von Lydeman landing knees to the body.
Jack Von Lydeman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Von Lydeman tries for a takedown. No joy.
Sakuraba takes a shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Von Lydeman tries a knee to the head but Sakuraba blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Von Lydeman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Von Lydeman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Von Lydeman!