PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sakuraba
vs
Sakuraba

182 cm
23
183 lbs
14 - 12 - 0

183 cm
23
183 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 14 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kazushi Sakuraba slips a jab and a cross from Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba misses with a head kick.
Kazushi Sakuraba stuffs the takedown attempt from Kazushi Sakuraba. Kazushi Sakuraba gets slowly back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kazushi Sakuraba is defended easily by Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kazushi Sakuraba. Kazushi Sakuraba does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Kazushi Sakuraba to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazushi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot by Kazushi Sakuraba.

Kazushi Sakuraba darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but Kazushi Sakuraba defending well.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to control but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Kazushi 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.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Kazushi Sakuraba is retaining full guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kazushi Sakuraba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kazushi Sakuraba has managed to get both his arms back between Kazushi Sakuraba's legs - danger averted.

Kazushi Sakuraba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kazushi Sakuraba can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kazushi Sakuraba is working hard here to advance position.
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazushi Sakuraba to get back to his feet.

Kazushi Sakuraba is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kazushi Sakuraba is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kazushi Sakuraba has escaped and now he's on top!
Kazushi Sakuraba stands up over Kazushi Sakuraba, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Kazushi Sakuraba from controlling successfully.

Kazushi Sakuraba drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kazushi Sakuraba manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kazushi Sakuraba has Kazushi Sakuraba in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazushi Sakuraba is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kazushi Sakuraba forces his way into half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to improve his position but Kazushi Sakuraba is controlling well.
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazushi Sakuraba to pass to mount.
Kazushi Sakuraba is pressing down on Kazushi Sakuraba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Kazushi Sakuraba is retaining full guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kazushi Sakuraba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kazushi Sakuraba is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kazushi Sakuraba passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to regain half guard here but Kazushi Sakuraba keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba taking punishment in the form of punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kazushi Sakuraba has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kazushi Sakuraba knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kazushi Sakuraba manages to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazushi Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
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.

Kazushi Sakuraba lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kazushi Sakuraba lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kazushi Sakuraba takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice shot by Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kazushi Sakuraba looks to land a combination but Kazushi Sakuraba avoids it well.
Kazushi Sakuraba throws a left and a right that both miss

and Kazushi Sakuraba counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kazushi Sakuraba's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to get to full guard but Kazushi Sakuraba has control of the leg.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to pass to full mount but Kazushi Sakuraba defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kazushi Sakuraba manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Kazushi Sakuraba is retaining full guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba wriggles free and stands up.
Kazushi Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. Kazushi Sakuraba tries to sprawl out of it but Kazushi Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kazushi Sakuraba manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kazushi Sakuraba throws a one two combo.
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kazushi Sakuraba misses with an uppercut

and Kazushi Sakuraba counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kazushi Sakuraba!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kazushi Sakuraba slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to pass to full mount but Kazushi Sakuraba defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kazushi Sakuraba passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kazushi Sakuraba working to try and regain half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to get to half guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kazushi Sakuraba is surviving well by controlling Kazushi Sakuraba's body position as best he can.
Kazushi Sakuraba takes Kazushi Sakuraba's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazushi Sakuraba working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to break free.
Kazushi Sakuraba doesn't have the hooks in and Kazushi Sakuraba manages to turn into his guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has a closed guard, preventing Kazushi Sakuraba from standing up.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to control the position from guard on top but Kazushi Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kazushi Sakuraba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kazushi Sakuraba is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to keep Kazushi Sakuraba in close.

Kazushi Sakuraba looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba passes Kazushi Sakuraba's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to pass to full mount but Kazushi Sakuraba defends it.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to control but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping busy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for a sweep. Kazushi Sakuraba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be working for a kimura but Kazushi Sakuraba defends the submission attempt.
Kazushi Sakuraba has hold of Kazushi Sakuraba's hands but Kazushi Sakuraba slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kazushi Sakuraba is in trouble now - Kazushi Sakuraba has advanced to mount!
Kazushi Sakuraba lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kazushi Sakuraba pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Kazushi Sakuraba is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Kazushi Sakuraba has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kazushi Sakuraba can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kazushi Sakuraba will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kazushi Sakuraba avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kazushi Sakuraba throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kazushi Sakuraba waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kazushi Sakuraba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Jab, jab by Kazushi Sakuraba - just one landing.

Kazushi Sakuraba changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kazushi Sakuraba looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kazushi Sakuraba prevents Kazushi Sakuraba from moving into mount.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kazushi Sakuraba is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to get back to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Kazushi Sakuraba is defending well.

Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for a kimura but Kazushi Sakuraba is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kazushi Sakuraba to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to hold on to Kazushi Sakuraba's head to control him but Kazushi Sakuraba postures up.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to stand but Kazushi Sakuraba has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Kazushi Sakuraba is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to take a breather but Kazushi Sakuraba is having none of it.
Kazushi Sakuraba gets back to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba slips nicely into half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba misses with a head shot. Kazushi Sakuraba uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazushi Sakuraba has his foot on Kazushi Sakuraba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kazushi Sakuraba works his way back into a safe position though.
Kazushi Sakuraba forces his way into half guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba wants to work for an arm triangle but Kazushi Sakuraba is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kazushi Sakuraba is pressing down on Kazushi Sakuraba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kazushi Sakuraba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kazushi Sakuraba manages to get himself to full guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to sweep here but Kazushi Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to sweep but no luck.
Kazushi Sakuraba pushing down on Kazushi Sakuraba's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kazushi Sakuraba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
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!

Kazushi Sakuraba avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kazushi Sakuraba passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kazushi Sakuraba manages to get back to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kazushi Sakuraba is working for a submission of some sort.
Kazushi Sakuraba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kazushi Sakuraba manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking for a sweep. Not yet Kazushi Sakuraba, not yet.
Kazushi Sakuraba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Sakuraba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kazushi Sakuraba 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Kazushi Sakuraba waved his t-shirt featuring Valhalla Fight Wear's logo in front of the cameras.