PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hayato Sakuraba (ranked 3346 p4p, 2935 weight class) and Clive Hansen (ranked 485 p4p, 439 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Sakuraba
vs
Hansen

180 cm
26
190
2 - 1 - 0

179 cm
26
190
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite 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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hayato Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Clive Hansen!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Sandra Marshall and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hansen scores with a jab. Sakuraba acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Hansen connects with a solid leg kick.
Hansen throws a push kick but Sakuraba slaps the foot to one side.
Sakuraba tries to counter with a takedown but Hansen is quick to defend against it.
We've been hearing reports that Sakuraba has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hansen tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuraba drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hansen sprawls and moves away.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hansen.
A low kick lands for Hansen.
Hansen is looking to clinch but Sakuraba is avoiding it.
Hansen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakuraba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A lazy body kick from Hansen

and Sakuraba counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hansen is looking to escape.
Hansen trying to hold on to Sakuraba's head to control him but Sakuraba postures up.
Sakuraba is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sakuraba lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hansen can do anything to dispel that myth.

Sakuraba is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sakuraba working the head and body with strikes.
Sakuraba content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuraba is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sakuraba working over Hansen with some ground and pound. Hansen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Sakuraba prevents Hansen from improving his position.

Sakuraba is trying for a kimura here. Hansen looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Sakuraba wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Hayato Sakuraba!