PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyoto Machdoor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machdoor comes into a darkened arena with his song building. AVICI - LEVELS kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sakuraba
vs
Machdoor

182 cm
24
183 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

180 cm
29
184 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ganja's Warehouse

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 15 - 14 - 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, Lyoto Machdoor!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machdoor scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Machdoor is looking to take a break and control but Sakuraba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sakuraba is looking to improve his position.
Machdoor slips a nice elbow through Sakuraba's hands, connecting with Sakuraba's forehead.
Sakuraba keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Machdoor thows a huge punch but Sakuraba dodges it nicely.
Sakuraba trying to control from the bottom.
Machdoor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sakuraba is looking to improve his position.
Sakuraba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Machdoor's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Machdoor's back!
Sakuraba misses with punches from the back.

Sakuraba is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Machdoor defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Machdoor defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machdoor trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machdoor is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Sakuraba keeps control of the position as Machdoor tries to break free.
Machdoor breaks Sakuraba's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Machdoor scoring with punches to the head and body.

Sakuraba looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Machdoor passes into half guard.
Machdoor 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 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. Machdoor connects with a nice short shot to Sakuraba's temple.
Sakuraba is looking to get back to full guard here but Machdoor has managed to pass to side control instead.
Machdoor working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Machdoor presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Machdoor landing strikes from the mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Machdoor lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Machdoor jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Sakuraba manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Machdoor just content to control the position.
Sakuraba tries to buck Machdoor off but Machdoor is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba manages to work his way to half guard, despite Machdoor's best efforts.

Machdoor is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Machdoor is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Sakuraba on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sakuraba wants to get back to full guard.
Machdoor looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sakuraba with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Machdoor is looking for a kimura but Sakuraba is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Machdoor to get the leverage.
Sakuraba wants to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba gets back to full guard.
Machdoor wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.
Machdoor stands up over Sakuraba, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Machdoor has passed into half guard!
Machdoor throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Sakuraba looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakuraba is looking to get back to full guard here but Machdoor has managed to pass to side control instead.
Machdoor working the ground and pound.
Sakuraba is working to avoid the ground and pound but Machdoor connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Machdoor trying to control the position but Sakuraba is working away.
Sakuraba tries to bench press Machdoor off him but Machdoor keeps the position.
Machdoor lands a decent elbow from side control.
Machdoor lands some shots froms side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyoto Machdoor 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 gets caught flat footed, as Machdoor shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Machdoor won't allow Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Sakuraba is working hard here to advance position.
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.
Machdoor wants to improve his position but Sakuraba is controlling well.
Machdoor is pressing down on Sakuraba's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Machdoor is on top in guard.
Machdoor won't allow Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Machdoor lands a couple of elbows.
Sakuraba looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakuraba, not yet.

Sakuraba looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Machdoor passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machdoor trying to control the action but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
Sakuraba makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sakuraba.

Machdoor drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Machdoor jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Sakuraba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lyoto Machdoor has got the better of the ground game so far.
Machdoor working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Machdoor postures up and lands a big shot to Sakuraba's brow.
Machdoor trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Machdoor slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sakuraba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Machdoor manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machdoor has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Machdoor looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakuraba is one step ahead there.
Sakuraba advances position into side control!
Machdoor regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Machdoor defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to pass to full mount but Machdoor defends it.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Machdoor defends it well.
Machdoor gets full guard.
Machdoor 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 is looking for a sweep. Machdoor is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba taking some punishment here, with Machdoor in his half guard.
Still in half guard, Machdoor seems content to control.

Machdoor 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.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Machdoor's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sakuraba is trying to control the position from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Machdoor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Machdoor wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lyoto Machdoor will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Machdoor works the jab nicely.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Machdoor lands a jab to the head.
Machdoor catches Sakuraba with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Machdoor takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A swing and a miss from Sakuraba.
Machdoor fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.

Machdoor looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sakuraba!
Sakuraba is in all sorts of trouble here.
Machdoor landing strikes from the mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machdoor working the ground and pound effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba working to try and regain half guard.
Machdoor landing shots from mount.
Sakuraba is in a horrible position here. Machdoor smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sakuraba in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Machdoor lands a big shot there that rocks Sakuraba but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Sakuraba is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Machdoor cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machdoor is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sakuraba can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Machdoor lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Sakuraba is looking to improve his position but Machdoor isn't that keen on the idea.
Machdoor postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sakuraba looks a forlorn figure.
Machdoor landing strikes, looking to finish!
Machdoor landing strikes, looking to finish!
Machdoor is landing with some decent strikes but Sakuraba is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Machdoor can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sakuraba is looking to escape.
Sakuraba tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Machdoor scoring with strikes but Sakuraba is staying in there.

Machdoor jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Sakuraba manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Machdoor lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is trying to get back to half guard.
Machdoor has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Machdoor is chipping away with strikes.
Sakuraba takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sakuraba is looking for a sweep.
Sakuraba is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Sakuraba takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Machdoor working the ground and pound from side control.
Sakuraba tries to buck Machdoor off but Machdoor is having none of it.
Sakuraba regains half guard.
Sakuraba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Machdoor from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Machdoor slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Machdoor working some strikes from top position.
Machdoor makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Machdoor engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Machdoor.

Sakuraba working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Machdoor doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Machdoor manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lyoto Machdoor comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Machdoor 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lyoto Machdoor!
An out of breath Lyoto Machdoor thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.