PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hector Batista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hideo Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Batista kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Human Race. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Batista
vs
Sakurai

178 cm
27
160 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
166 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hector Batista!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hideo Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai loads up on a big right hand but Batista slips the punch.
Batista slips under a jab.
Sakurai misses with an uppercut. Batista saw that one coming.
Batista tries to counter with a takedown but Sakurai is quick to defend against it.
Hideo Sakurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batista will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sakurai throws a hook but Batista avoids it easily.
Batista attempts a counter takedown but Sakurai avoids it well and moves away.
Sakurai misses with a straight right.
Batista shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai shows good takedown defense.
Batista displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakurai throws out the jab.
Batista half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Batista slips a straight right by Sakurai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Batista defending well as Sakurai loads up on a big left hand.
Batista tries to counter with a takedown but Sakurai is quick to defend against it.
Sakurai throws a lazy uppercut

and Batista counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sakurai!

Batista working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakurai is not content to let Batista control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Sakurai's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sakurai is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Batista wants to control but Sakurai is keeping him busy.

Batista tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Batista has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Batista working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Batista is working to tighten his grip on Sakurai's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Sakurai has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Batista is really squeezing tight and eventually Sakurai passes out! Batista breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Hector Batista!
Hector Batista retains his lightweight title!
Hector Batista seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.