PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zeus Mesus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Sakuraba
vs
Mesus

183 cm
21
183 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

184 cm
27
180 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter striker
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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Zeus Mesus!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mesus looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
Mesus slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.
Mesus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakuraba throws out the jab.
Sakuraba with a poor takedown

and Mesus counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sakuraba's guard now.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Mesus trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakuraba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mesus is one step ahead there.

Sakuraba has his feet on Mesus's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazushi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Sakuraba or perhaps it was just good defense by Mesus which made him look bad.
Sakuraba with a lazy takedown attempt

and Mesus counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Sakuraba!
Sakuraba tries to reverse the position but Mesus maintains control.
Mesus tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sakuraba tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sakuraba regains half guard.
Sakuraba gets full guard.

Sakuraba is looking for a triangle but Mesus pushes his legs off easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mesus trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to sweep here but Mesus controlling him for the moment.

Mesus is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mesus won't allow Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Sakuraba is trying to keep Mesus in close.
Sakuraba is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sakuraba gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesus looks to land a right hand but Sakuraba moved out of range.
Sakuraba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mesus throws out the jab.
Sakuraba slips a jab and a cross from Mesus.
Mesus takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sakuraba lands a really nice looking cross but Mesus seems unphased.
Sakuraba shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mesus tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sakuraba is in Mesus's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuraba postures up in Mesus's guard and throws a big left but Mesus blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba is pushing down on Mesus's leg trying to pass to half guard. Mesus is fighting to maintain full guard but Sakuraba has managed to sneak the leg through.

Sakuraba is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mesus is just riding it out for now. Sakuraba eventually gives up the hold.
Mesus is refusing to be controlled, as Sakuraba sits in half guard.
Mesus manages to get to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba tries to stand but Mesus is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sakuraba misses with a jab, cross combination.
Horrible takedown by Sakuraba or perhaps it was just good defense by Mesus which made him look bad.
Mesus has his takedown stuffed

and Sakuraba counters with a single leg into guard. Mesus didn't expect that.
Sakuraba throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Mesus is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sakuraba has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sakuraba gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Sakuraba connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakuraba misses with a two punch combination.
Zeus Mesus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt - Mesus sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mesus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakuraba defends it nicely.
Mesus shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakuraba defends it nicely.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zeus Mesus.
Sakuraba lands with a hook. Mesus tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Mesus did well to prevent Sakuraba getting side control.
Mesus trying to control from the bottom.

Mesus actively working from the bottom here.
Mesus is breathing heavily.
Sakuraba trying to mount his opponent but Mesus defends it.

Mesus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sakuraba works his way into side control.
Sakuraba working the head and body with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sakuraba tries for a kimura but Mesus is defending well.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mesus keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesus gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Mesus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sakuraba works his way into side control.

Sakuraba tries for a kimura but Mesus is defending well.

Sakuraba stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Sakuraba fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands a lovely overhand right.

Sakuraba shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Sakuraba showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Sakuraba decides to stand and escape the position.
Mesus keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sakuraba connects with a single shot there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mesus dodges the punch combination from Sakuraba.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Mesus throws the left hand but Sakuraba avoids the punch easily.
Mesus shoots in and drives through. Sakuraba sprawls well.
Mesus gets cracked there but stands up to it.
No joy there for Sakuraba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Sakuraba drops Mesus with a beautiful combination! Mesus stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Sakuraba is looking for the KO!

Mesus is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mesus avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Mesus is still on wobbly legs! Can Sakuraba finish him?
Horrible takedown by Mesus or perhaps it was just good defense by Sakuraba which made him look bad.
Mesus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kazushi Sakuraba is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mesus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakuraba pinned against the cage. Sakuraba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zeus Mesus.

Mesus gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Mesus is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sakuraba is aware though and is defending well.
Mesus seems to have recovered his senses.
Mesus keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.

Mesus has his foot on Sakuraba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakuraba works his way back into a safe position though.
Sakuraba is looking to work some ground and pound but Mesus has wrist control.

Sakuraba stands and steps away. Mesus gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Mesus avoids the head kick by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba scores with a nice body kick.

Mesus tries to sprawl but Sakuraba drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mesus is staying active underneath Sakuraba, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sakuraba looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Mesus with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Mesus keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sakuraba trying to control from half guard but Mesus is working away.

Sakuraba is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mesus doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sakuraba.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Mesus keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mesus is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sakuraba's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sakuraba's back!
Mesus doesn't have the hooks in and Sakuraba manages to turn into his guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sakuraba pushing down on Mesus's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sakuraba wants to get back to his feet.
Mesus is trying to control but Sakuraba passes into side control!
Kazushi Sakuraba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sakuraba in side control, throwing shots but Mesus defends.

Sakuraba thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Mesus tries to bench press Sakuraba off him but Sakuraba keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to advance to mount but can't.
Zeus Mesus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sakuraba decides to stand back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mesus.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakuraba regains half guard.
Sakuraba is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mesus can do to turn this around?
Sakuraba is pressing down on Mesus's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mesus trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakuraba is trying to control the position but Mesus postures up.
Mesus missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Sakuraba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sakuraba 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
An out of breath and clearly excited Kazushi Sakuraba thanked Valhalla Fight Wear for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).