PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mister Hands (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuri Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazuri Sakuraba is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Hands
vs
Sakuraba

150 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
23
183 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Prefers ground

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mister Hands!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kazuri Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Thiago Cunha and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hands misses with a looping left.

Sakuraba closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sakuraba throws a strike aimed at the side of Hands's head but Hands avoids it well.
Hands is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hands parries the strikes from Sakuraba easily there. Sakuraba is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Hands to escape.
Sakuraba landing strikes.
Hands taking a bit of punishment here - Sakuraba scoring with strikes.
Sakuraba is working Hands over with some ground and pound from side control.
Hands is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sakuraba off and has taken his back!
Hands landing with strikes.
Sakuraba breaks Hands's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Hands looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sakuraba landing with the ground and pound.
Hands wants to sweep here but Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Hands manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sakuraba manages to get himself to full guard.
Hands might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuraba striking off his back but it's not causing Hands any problems.
Sakuraba will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Sakuraba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hands is one step ahead there.
Hands has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hands with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sakuraba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hands manages to get himself to full guard.
Sakuraba landing with the ground and pound.

Hands 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.
Hands working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is looking to work some ground and pound but Hands has wrist control.
Hands on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hands tries to get out of the position.
Hands looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sakuraba advances to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba looks gassed!
Hands works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sakuraba thows a big elbow that misses.
Sakuraba missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hands throws a couple of heel strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hands controls Sakuraba momentarily but Sakuraba frees himself.
Hands punching from the bottom.
Hands lands an upkick as Sakuraba stands over him.
Sakuraba is looking to work some ground and pound but Hands has wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hands is on top in guard.
Sakuraba tries to strike from the bottom.
Hands pushing down on Sakuraba's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sakuraba is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hands is trying to control the action in half guard but Sakuraba is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sakuraba moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sakuraba lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hands!
Sakuraba with a couple of short strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hands bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hands connects with a couple of short punches.
Hands won't allow Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Hands trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakuraba tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hands works over Sakuraba with some ground and pound from guard.
Hands forces his way into half guard.
Sakuraba is staying active underneath Hands, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hands trying to pass the guard but Sakuraba defending well.
Sakuraba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hands's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hands's back!
I really don't envy Hands right now.
Sakuraba throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hands rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Sakuraba thows a huge punch but Hands dodges it nicely.
Hands is looking for a sweep. Sakuraba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hands trying to control but Sakuraba postures up.
Hands is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A swing and a miss from Hands.
Sakuraba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sakuraba fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hands swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Sakuraba decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Sakuraba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazuri Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sakuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hands throws out the jab.

Sakuraba feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hands working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakuraba.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakuraba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kazuri Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sakuraba loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hands lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sakuraba!
Hands with good strikes from the mount here!
Hands breaks from Sakuraba's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hands landing strikes from the mount and Sakuraba is in trouble!
Hands is landing with some decent strikes but Sakuraba is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
A nice elbow there by Hands.
Hands landing strikes from the mount and Sakuraba is in trouble!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hands putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Sakuraba keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Sakuraba is desperately trying to improve his position but Hands has a good base and remains in mount.
Hands fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hands is landing with some decent strikes but Sakuraba is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hands with good strikes from the mount here!
Hands working the ground and pound effectively.
Sakuraba is trying desperately to improve position.
Sakuraba is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hands fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Sakuraba throwing hammer fists to the chest of Hands. What's that going to do exactly?
Hands is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sakuraba can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Hands connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Hands postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sakuraba looks a forlorn figure.
Hands is landing with some decent strikes but Sakuraba is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Sakuraba regains half guard.
Sakuraba wants to improve his position but Hands is controlling well.
Hands is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sakuraba!
Hands working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hands working Sakuraba over with strikes here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee warns Sakuraba that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Sakuraba can't escape the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hands putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Sakuraba is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hands with shots to the head and body - Sakuraba looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hands lands a big shot there that rocks Sakuraba but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hands postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sakuraba looks a forlorn figure.
Sakuraba is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hands looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Sakuraba is desperately trying to improve his position but Hands has a good base and remains in mount.
Sakuraba is in a horrible position here. Hands smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Sakuraba takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Sakuraba tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sakuraba taking shots to the head.
Hands looking to finish Sakuraba with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sakuraba!
Hands with shots to the head and body - Sakuraba looks very uncomfortable down there.
Hands is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sakuraba can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hands lands a heavy elbow.
Sakuraba tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hands blocks Sakuraba's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Hands looking to control but Sakuraba is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sakuraba keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A nice elbow there by Hands.
Hands is landing with some decent strikes but Sakuraba is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hands cracks Sakuraba with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mister Hands dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sakuraba feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hands looking to control.
Sakuraba passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hands tries to improve position but can't.
Sakuraba looks up at the clock and then as Hands takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sakuraba smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Sakuraba creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hands sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hands throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Hands is looking to regain half guard here but Sakuraba keeps moving and retains side control.
Hands striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Sakuraba closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hands to the mat! Hands manages to get full guard.
Hands thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Sakuraba is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Sakuraba postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hands is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba gets full guard.
Hands landing some decent shots from guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sakuraba is on top in guard.
Hands lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sakuraba!
Hands with the ground and pound from mount.
Sakuraba is trying to escape the mount.
Hands landing shots from mount.
Sakuraba tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hands lands a big shot there that rocks Sakuraba but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hands postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Sakuraba looks a forlorn figure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hands working Sakuraba over with strikes here.
Sakuraba sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Hands's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sakuraba is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hands stopping the sweep attempt from Sakuraba.

Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hands gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sakuraba throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Hands trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hands avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sakuraba raining down shots from the mount!
Hands regains half guard.
Hands trying to control here.
Hands regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hands wants to sweep but no luck.
Sakuraba lands a couple of digs.
Hands keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
Sakuraba is looking to work some ground and pound but Hands has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hands 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 looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hands slips a nice elbow through Sakuraba's hands, connecting with Sakuraba's forehead.
Hands winds up and cracks Sakuraba with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ground and pound from Hands.
Sakuraba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hands's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hands's back!
Sakuraba scores with punches from the back.
Sakuraba connects with a big shot to the side of Hands's head.
Hands tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sakuraba lands a nice shot to the head.
Hands slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuri Sakuraba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sakuraba has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Kazuri Sakuraba!