PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gouki Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and The Elite (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Sakuraba
vs
Elite

177 cm
22
170 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

178 cm
22
171 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gouki Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, The Elite!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Sakuraba duly obliges.

It looks like The Elite has been cut.
Sakuraba throws a left and a right that both miss

and Elite counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Elite drops an elbow to the side of Sakuraba's head.
Elite stops Sakuraba from getting back to his feet.
Sakuraba on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Elite not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Elite seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Elite has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Elite throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elite wants to free his trapped foot but Sakuraba is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sakuraba tries to kick Elite off but Elite keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Elite tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sakuraba knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Elite not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sakuraba wants to get back to his feet.
Elite thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sakuraba's head.
Elite not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is in trouble now - Elite has advanced to mount!
Elite controlling the pace for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Elite punching from mount but Sakuraba doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Elite dominating with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elite raining down hammerfists from mount.
Elite lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sakuraba hang on?
The referee warns Sakuraba that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Elite lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sakuraba hang on?
Elite scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Sakuraba is rocked!
Elite cracks Sakuraba with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). The Elite!