PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Legionarivs Sakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roger Sheck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakara's entrance music is The Rise of Sakara. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sakara
vs
Sheck

185 cm
37
200 lbs
27 - 18 - 1

178 cm
27
205 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Legionarivs Sakara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Roger Sheck!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Steve Erwin and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sheck bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sheck ducks under a wild hook from Sakara.
Sakara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sheck manages to avoid it.
Sheck tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sakara misses with a straight right.
Sheck feints the counter takedown.
Sakara looks to throw the jab but Sheck is out of range.
Sakara lands a right hook to the body.
Sakara misses with a hook

and Sheck counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sheck.
Sheck stopping the sweep attempt from Sakara.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakara controlling Sheck's posture.
Sakara not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sheck being controlled here momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sheck is one step ahead there.
Sakara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sakara has momentary wrist control but Sheck slips an elbow through the middle.
Sakara keeping full guard, as Sheck tries to pass.
Sakara keeping moving, preventing Sheck from controlling successfully.
Sheck trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakara looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakara, not yet.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sheck engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sheck stopping the sweep attempt from Sakara.
Sheck pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakara is keeping the position for now.
Sheck trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sakara looks to land a right hand but Sheck moved out of range.
Sheck avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sheck feints the counter takedown.
Sheck staying out of range there.
Sakara scores with a jab. Sheck acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakara jabs Sheck to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sakara lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sakara throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sheck changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sakara misses with a jab to the body

and Sheck counters with a shoot takedown. Sakara fights it but they end up in guard.
Sakara is pulling down on Sheck's head to control his posture.
Sakara is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sheck trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sheck throwing strikes from guard but Sakara blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakara has control of Sheck's left arm, preventing Sheck from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sheck wants to pass the guard but Sakara is keeping the position.
Sheck has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sheck wants to control from the top but Sakara keeps moving.
Sheck postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Sheck working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Sheck is looking to advance position but Sakara has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Sakara controlling his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sheck wants to hold on but Sakara pushes him away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakara tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Sheck tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Legionarivs Sakara dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sakara misses with a wild body shot.
Sheck changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Legionarivs Sakara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sheck takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sheck tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Sakara lands a lovely overhand right.
Sheck slips a jab from Sakara.
Sakara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sheck with the counter takedown but Sakara avoids it easily.
Sakara misses with a body punch

and Sheck counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Sakara!
Sakara avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sheck.
Sakara is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Sheck's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Sakara works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sheck trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sheck is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sheck drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sakara looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sakara looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sakara!

Sheck seems a little lost for a moment, as Sakara dominates the positioning.
Sheck wants to control but Sakara postures up.
Sakara is looking to take a break and control but Sheck is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sakara is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Sheck's shoulder. That is not cool.
Sheck is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheck keeps trying to improve his position.
Sheck manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Sheck tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sheck is looking to improve his position.
Sheck won't allow Sakara to pass to mount.

Sheck looking for a kimura from the bottom but Sakara passes into side control!
Sakara wants to control but Sheck is keeping him busy.
Sakara takes a little break here. Sheck wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Sakara is looking to take a break and control but Sheck is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakara staying calm.
Sheck is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sakara moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Sakara is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sheck can do to turn this around?
Sakara wants to control but Sheck is keeping him busy.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sheck tries to buck Sakara off but Sakara is having none of it.
Sakara blocks the strikes from Sheck.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sakara misses with a head kick.
Sakara looks for the body kick but Sheck saw that one coming.
Sakara lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sakara loads up on a big right hand but Sheck slips the punch.
And Sheck tries to counter it with a takedown but Sakara pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Legionarivs Sakara is winning the standup battle so far.
Sakara throws a poor cross that misses

and Sheck counters with a shoot takedown. Sakara fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sheck throwing strikes but missing.
Sheck is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakara has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Legionarivs Sakara will probably get the nod.
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!

Sakara tests Sheck's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sakara rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Sheck counters with a single leg into guard. Sakara didn't expect that.
Sheck missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sakara keeping moving, preventing Sheck from controlling successfully.
Sakara is trying to keep Sheck in close.
Sakara looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakara, not yet.
Sheck trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheck with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sheck wants to pass the guard but Sakara is keeping the position.
Sheck landing with the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheck slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sheck working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sheck is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Sheck trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakara is adopting a defensive guard.
Legionarivs Sakara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sheck trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sheck connects with a couple of short punches.
Sakara controlling Sheck's posture.
Sakara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Sheck is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sakara is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sakara has escaped and now he's on top!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakara advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakara is keen to just control but Sheck is a slippery customer.
Sheck tries to roll over but Sakara keeps him under control.
Sakara is controlling the pace.
Sheck tries to roll over but Sakara keeps him under control.
Sheck gets full guard.
Sakara is stalling in the full guard.
Sakara continues to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sakara prevents Sheck from getting back to his feet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Sheck working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sakara has passed into half guard!
Sheck flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Sakara slows the pace down in half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sakara is thwarting Sheck's attempts to control the position.
Roger Sheck has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sakara wants to free his trapped foot but Sheck is holding on for dear life with his legs.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Roger Sheck.
I think Sakara has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ben Watson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Legionarivs Sakara!
Legionarivs Sakara seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.