PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Masa Sanada (ranked 2269 p4p, 1893 weight class) and Zenzo Rai (ranked 289 p4p, 246 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sanada
vs
Rai

180 cm
40
174
38 - 21 - 4

183 cm
32
180
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 38 - 21 - 4, fighting out of London, Masa Sanada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zenzo Rai!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sanada throwing a counter right hand but Rai manages to avoid it.
Sanada lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Masa Sanada seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rai ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Rai slips under a jab.
Rai tries to clinch up but Sanada circles away and keeps his distance.
Rai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sanada throws out the jab.
Sanada connects with a right hand. Rai shakes it off.
Rai dives in and grabs Sanada's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sanada pushes down on Rai's head and hops out.
Rai slips a straight right by Sanada.
Sanada jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rai throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Sanada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rai tries to clinch but Sanada moves out of range.
Sanada throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A big left from Sanada misses.
Rai steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Sanada.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rai closes the distance and clinches up with Sanada, looking for a takedown. Rai pushes Sanada against the cage but Sanada circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rai drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sanada defends it well.
Sanada jabs Rai to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sanada throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rai takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Rai dives in for a single leg takedown but Sanada sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Masa Sanada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zenzo Rai.
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
Rai unleashes a big counter combination but Sanada bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Rai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sanada throws a hook but Rai blocks it.
A big left from Sanada misses.

Rai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sanada wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rai taking a breather.

Rai pulls guard effortlessly.
Sanada pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rai is keeping the position for now.
Sanada stopping the sweep attempt from Rai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanada trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rai is trying to control the position but Sanada postures up.
Sanada wants to pass the guard but Rai is keeping the position.
Rai is adopting a defensive guard.
Rai keeping moving, preventing Sanada from controlling successfully.

Sanada decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Rai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanada swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rai ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Rai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rai scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rai slips a straight right by Sanada.
Sanada missing with a left hand there. Rai was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Rai has closed the distance and engaged Sanada in a clinch.

Sanada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sanada connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A head kick from Rai lands but Sanada takes it in his stride.
Sanada misses with a hook.
Sanada waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rai.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rai! But no joy.
Rai defending well as Sanada loads up on a big left hand.
Sanada misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rai.
Rai changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sanada bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rai's head backwards.
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!
Sanada misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rai shoots in looking for a takedown but Sanada manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Masa Sanada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sanada looks to land a combination but Rai avoids it well.
Rai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rai tries to clinch but Sanada moves out of range.
Rai walks into a stiff left hand from Sanada.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rai.
It looked like Sanada was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Rai.
Sanada scores with a nice right hand.
A big left from Sanada misses.
Rai is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Sanada lands with a shot to the body.
Sanada throws a right hand that misses
and Rai counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rai lands a high kick!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Sanada dominated that round.
That's time! Sanada's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sanada slaps away a takedown attempt from Rai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sanada misses with a looping right.

Rai closes the distance and clinches.
Rai lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sanada backwards.
Sanada is trying to break free.
Sanada tries to circle away but Rai has him pinned against the cage.
Sanada tries to break free but Rai pushes him back against the cage.
Rai is trying to pull guard but Sanada has him pressed against the cage.

Sanada breaks the clinch.
Sanada has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Sanada digs a good hook to Rai's body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rai shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sanada defends it nicely.
Masa Sanada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zenzo Rai.
Sanada lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sanada is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rai can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada throws a lazy right hand but Rai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rai shoots in looking for a takedown but Sanada manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sanada throws a body shot but no joy.
Despite the aggression on Rai's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Sanada jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Sanada throws a looping overhand right but Rai ducks down to avoid it.
Sanada lands a jab to the nose.
Rai wants to clinch up but Sanada keeps it at a distance.
Sanada throws a shot from downtown. Rai moves away and avoids it.
Rai staying out of range there.
Sanada swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Rai.
Sanada stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sanada wants it to stay on the feet.
Sanada looks to throw the jab but Rai is out of range.
Sanada throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanada misses with a looping right.

Rai moves into the clinch successfully.

Sanada breaks the clinch.

Rai moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rai tries to pull guard but Sanada holds him up against the cage and eventually Rai drops back down to his feet.
Rai tries to pull guard but Sanada holds him up against the cage and eventually Rai drops back down to his feet.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Sanada breaks from the clinch.
Sanada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sanada paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A jab from Sanada misses.
Rai takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanada tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rai was well out of range. Poor timing from Sanada.
Sanada throws a jab but it's blocked by Rai.
Rai unleashes a big counter combination but Sanada bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Sanada cracks Rai with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sanada will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sanada.
A big left from Sanada misses.
Rai ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
Rai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Masa Sanada is winning the standup battle so far.
Rai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sanada looks to throw the jab but Rai is out of range.
Rai dives in for a single leg takedown but Sanada sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rai ducks under a wild hook from Sanada.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rai.
Rai steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sanada.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanada throws a series of punches but Rai moves out of range.
Rai changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Rai tries to clinch up but Sanada circles away and keeps his distance.
Sanada misses with a hook.
Sanada looks to throw the jab but Rai is out of range.
Rai takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sanada pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sanada throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sanada scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rai doesn't seem bothered though.
Sanada misses the jab.
Rai tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sanada swivels and escapes.
Rai defending well as Sanada loads up on a big left hand.

Rai closes the distance and clinches.
Rai keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sanada's efforts to push away.

Sanada breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Masa Sanada dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A slow jab from Sanada misses its intended target.

Rai closes the distance and clinches.
Rai looking to stall.
Rai tries to pull guard but Sanada forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Sanada wants to break free but Rai has control.
Sanada has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Rai decides to pull guard.
Rai being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanada wants to pass the guard but Rai is keeping the position.

Sanada decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rai, up you get!
Rai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sanada bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sanada misses with a hook
and Rai makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sanada lands with a shot to the body.
Rai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Sanada misses the target.
A big right from Sanada misses.
Sanada misses with an uppercut. Rai saw that one coming.
Rai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanada swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rai fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sanada, pushing him back against the cage.
Rai content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Rai breaks from the clinch.
Rai misses with a head kick.
Sanada with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sanada connects with a right hand. Rai shakes it off.
Rai moves out of range of the strikes.
Rai throws out a counter right but Sanada avoids it with no problem.
Rai fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sanada swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rai defending well as Sanada loads up on a big left hand.
Sanada misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by Rai.
Rai tries to counter by closing the distance.
Sanada looks to score with a jab to the body but Rai is just out of range.
A big left from Sanada misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rai plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rai moves away from the strike by Sanada.
Zenzo Rai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A cross from Sanada lands.

Rai pushes Sanada up against the cage in a clinch.
Rai can't get the takedown.
Masa Sanada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zenzo Rai.

Rai breaks from the clinch.
Sanada with a nice cross.
Zenzo Rai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rai shoots in looking for a takedown. Sanada tries to sprawl out of it but Rai keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sanada manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rai tries to clinch but Sanada is having none of it.
Rai fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sanada throws a big shot that misses.
Rai tries to counter by closing the distance.
Rai tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanada swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rai darts in looking for a takedown but Sanada gets double underhooks and turns Rai into the cage.
Sanada scores with a nice right hand.
Rai moves out of range as Sanada strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rai.
Rai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sanada throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rai throws a counter combo.
A big left from Sanada misses.
Rai tries to counter with a clinch but Sanada shakes him off and moves away.
Sanada keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Sanada swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sanada is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Sanada lands with an uppercut that bounces Rai off the cage and back into range.
Sanada lands a right hook to the body.
Masa Sanada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rai on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masa Sanada showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sanada, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Masa Sanada!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Masa Sanada made sure he mentioned Conviction, along with how happy he was to win his fight.