PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Junichi Sasai (ranked 7426 p4p, 6636 weight class) and John Jeffery (ranked 662 p4p, 626 weight class). Sasai comes to the cage accompanied by I Love Trash. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sasai
vs
Jeffery

188 cm
18
194
3 - 4 - 0

187 cm
18
195
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Junichi Sasai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Jeffery!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sasai gets the takedown into side control.
Sasai creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jeffery sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sasai working the head and body with strikes.
Sasai trying to control the position but Jeffery is working away.
Jeffery taking a bit of punishment here - Sasai scoring with strikes.
Sasai landing a few strikes.
Sasai looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Jeffery is avoiding damage well.
Jeffery parries the strikes from Sasai easily there. Sasai is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Jeffery to escape.
Sasai throws a strike aimed at the side of Jeffery's head but Jeffery avoids it well.
Jeffery avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sasai.
Sasai in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sloppy strikes there by Sasai.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sasai works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasai postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Jeffery being controlled for a moment.
Jeffery is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sasai connects with a decent elbow.
Sasai throws an elbow but Jeffery slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sasai grinds an elbow into Jeffery's temple.
An elbow from Sasai crashes against the mat.
Sasai in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
An elbow from Sasai crashes against the mat.
Sasai in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
An elbow from Sasai crashes against the mat.
Jeffery tries to improve position but can't.
Jeffery looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jeffery takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Jeffery takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The strikes coming from Sasai are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Jeffery is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Sasai creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Jeffery sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sasai looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Jeffery is avoiding damage well.
Sasai looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Sasai lands some shots froms side control.
Sasai is putting a hurting on Jeffery here, landing some big shots from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sasai 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 Jeffery's shoulder. That is not cool.
Sasai throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Sasai cracks Jeffery with a big right hand but Jeffery just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Jeffery managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sasai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jeffery avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Sasai.
Sasai landing a few strikes.
Sasai looks up at the clock and then as Jeffery takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sasai smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Jeffery parries the strikes from Sasai easily there. Sasai is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Jeffery to escape.
Sasai postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Sasai is looking to take a break and control but Jeffery is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Sasai throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Sasai throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sasai scoring with punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jeffery is not content to let Sasai control the position.
Sasai working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sasai creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Sasai lands an elbow.
Sloppy strikes there by Sasai.
Sasai tries to score with some ground and pound. Jeffery controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Sasai landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sasai scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Jeffery to see if he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sasai landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sasai tries to stand but Jeffery is controlling his head.
An elbow from Sasai crashes against the mat.
Jeffery parries the strikes from Sasai easily there. Sasai is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Jeffery to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Sasai 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.

Jeffery takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jeffery takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sasai punishes Jeffery's body with a nice straight punch.
Sasai listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sasai lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Jeffery takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sasai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Jeffery counters with an inside leg kick.
Sasai fails with a takedown attempt.
Sasai misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sasai sets himself, and Jeffery steps forward looking for the clinch! Sasai avoids it this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junichi Sasai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sasai slips a straight right by Jeffery.
Sasai lands a nice shot to the body.
Sasai is looking to wear down Jeffery with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sasai feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Jefferys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jeffery uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sasai.
Sasai cracks Jeffery with a good jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sasai is defended easily by Jeffery.
Jeffery displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sasai.
Sasai shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sasai shoots for a takedown but Jeffery saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sasai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sasai avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sasai lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sasai digs a good body shot into Jeffery's ribs.
Sasai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jeffery tries to avoid it but Sasai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jeffery to the ground. Jeffery escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jeffery takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jeffery avoids the body shot from Sasai.
Sasai tries for a takedown but Jeffery sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Junichi Sasai is winning the standup battle so far.
Sasai misses with a hook to the body
and Jeffery counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sasai ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jeffery moves away.
Sasai misses the shot to the body.
Jeffery is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sasai scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sasai tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jeffery sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sasai somewhat.
Sasai misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
John Jeffery is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jeffery misses with a wild body shot.
Sasai cracks Jeffery with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sasai swings for the body but Jeffery moves out of range.
Jeffery throws a counter combo.
Sasai tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jeffery sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sasai somewhat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jeffery takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sasai shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jeffery but Jeffery pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sasai.
Sasai shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jeffery sprawls well. Jeffery wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sasai gets slowly back to his feet.
Jeffery uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sasai.
Sasai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sasai shoots in but Jeffery avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sasai jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sasai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jeffery.

Sasai fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Jeffery to the ground. Sasai is now in Jeffery's guard.
Sasai loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Jeffery is breathing heavily.
Sasai trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sasai trying to control the position from guard on top but Jeffery is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sasai tries to stand but Jeffery is controlling from the bottom.
Sasai trying to control the position from guard on top but Jeffery is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sasai postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Sasai dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sasai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jeffery is fending him off so far but Sasai persists. Nope, Jeffery circles away and we're back to standing.
Jeffery takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sasai fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sasai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jeffery takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sasai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Jeffery pinned against the cage. Jeffery gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Junichi Sasai. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jeffery stuffs the takedown.
Sasai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jeffery can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sasai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jeffery manages to avoid it.
Jeffery looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sasai scores with a crisp jab that stopped Jeffery in his tracks.
Sasai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sasai paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasai swings for the body but Jeffery moves out of range.
Sasai takes a swing at Jeffery's ribcage but misses.
Jeffery leaves Sasai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A shot to the liver by Sasai. Beautiful body shot.
Jeffery throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sasai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sasai jabs Jeffery to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jeffery takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jeffery leaves Sasai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Despite the aggression on Jeffery's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nice uppercut lands for Sasai. That snapped Jeffery's head back.
Jeffery on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Jeffery slaps away a takedown attempt from Sasai, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sasai shoots in looking for a takedown but Jeffery manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sasai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sasai is defended easily by Jeffery.
Jeffery throws a body shot but no joy.
Sasai swings for the body but Jeffery moves out of range.
Sasai digs a good body shot into Jeffery's ribs.
Jeffery throws a low kick but it's checked well by Sasai.
Sasai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jeffery is fending him off so far but Sasai persists. Nope, Jeffery circles away and we're back to standing.
Jeffery throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jeffery keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sasai shoots in and drives through. Jeffery sprawls well.
Sasai goes for a double leg but Jeffery avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jeffery continues to drive forward.
Sasai circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sasai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jeffery takes one to the side of the head.
Sasai shoots in looking for a takedown. Jeffery tries to sprawl out of it but Sasai keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Jeffery manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sasai throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jeffery stuffs the takedown attempt from Sasai. Sasai gets slowly back to his feet.
Junichi Sasai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jeffery throws out a loose jab but Sasai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sasai shoots and misses
and Jeffery counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sasai shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jeffery but Jeffery pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sasai dives in and grabs Jeffery's left leg, looking for a takedown. Jeffery pushes down on Sasai's head and hops out.
Jeffery looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Jeffery lands a jab to Sasai's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sasai dives in for a single leg takedown but Jeffery sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sasai sets himself, and Jeffery steps forward looking for the clinch! Sasai avoids it this time.
Jeffery slaps away a takedown attempt from Sasai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sasai darts in looking for a takedown but Jeffery gets double underhooks and turns Sasai into the cage.
Jeffery swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sasai swings for the body but Jeffery moves out of range.
No luck for Sasai with that takedown attempt.
Jeffery is looking to slow Sasai down with leg kicks.
John Jeffery has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sasai paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jeffery will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sasai misses with a takedown attempt - Jeffery sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The fighters circling - Jeffery throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John Jeffery.
Well Sasai has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:27

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