PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lyoto Machdoor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Machdoor's entrance music is AVICI - LEVELS. A fine choice. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Machdoor
vs
Sakuraba

180 cm
29
184 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

183 cm
24
183 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ultimate Fighting Gear
Ganja's Warehouse

ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 (5% Laundry SALE)
Ultimate Fighting Gear

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lyoto Machdoor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Hirohito Nitta and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Machdoor tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuraba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Machdoor shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Machdoor throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakuraba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sakuraba throws a series of punches but Machdoor avoids them all with ease.
Nice sprawl there from Machdoor as Sakuraba shoots in.
Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches up with Machdoor, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes Machdoor against the cage but Machdoor circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Machdoor.

Machdoor clinches with his opponent.
Machdoor working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Machdoor works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
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 regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
Machdoor wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakuraba avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Machdoor controls Sakuraba momentarily but Sakuraba frees himself.
Machdoor seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

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

Machdoor 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.
Machdoor utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Machdoor controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Machdoor is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machdoor is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Machdoor is trying to control the position but Sakuraba postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba preventing the sweep.
Machdoor is trying to keep Sakuraba in close.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Machdoor is on top in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakuraba wants to sweep but no luck.

Sakuraba has his feet on Machdoor's thighs here. He's pushed Machdoor off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Machdoor screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kazushi Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Valhalla Fight Wear for their support in the buildup to the fight.