PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Biscuit Oliva (ranked 1924 p4p, 1509 weight class) and Hayato Sakuraba (ranked 279 p4p, 218 weight class). Oliva kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Vo Williams - Primal (ft. Vyceroy). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Oliva
vs
Sakuraba

187 cm
31
215
17 - 12 - 2

180 cm
31
202
11 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Conquer
Highland Clothing

Highland Clothing

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 17 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Biscuit Oliva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Hayato Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, William Gold and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oliva fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Sakuraba checks a low kick from Oliva.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Oliva moves out of range.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Oliva.
A jab from Oliva misses.
Oliva tries to clinch up but Sakuraba circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oliva misses with a low kick.
Sakuraba fails with the takedown.
Oliva throws a jab but it's blocked by Sakuraba.
Oliva has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Desert Fitness & Training (14 Elite Coaches) in the buildup to the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Oliva.
Oliva misses with a straight right.
Jab by Oliva.
No joy there for Oliva, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Oliva clinches.
Sakuraba fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Oliva presses Sakuraba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Oliva misses with a punch to the body.

Oliva escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Oliva listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Oliva looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
A slow jab from Oliva misses its intended target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Oliva clinches up against the cage.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Oliva just stands there and leans against the cage.
Biscuit Oliva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hayato Sakuraba.
Oliva can't find room to land a body shot as Sakuraba controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Oliva fails to land.
Sakuraba jumps guard but Oliva stands there with Sakuraba around his waist. Sakuraba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Oliva misses with a body punch.
Sakuraba throws a head punch that misses.
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!

Oliva breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Oliva throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sakuraba on the side of the head.
A left and a right from Oliva both land. Nice combination.
Oliva on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A jab from Sakuraba misses.
Oliva tries to bum rush Sakuraba with a series of wild strikes but Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakuraba changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Sakuraba shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Oliva.
Sakuraba ducks right into an uppercut from Oliva.
Jab by Oliva.
Oliva fails with the takedown.
Oliva just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakuraba feints the counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oliva buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba staying out of range there.
Sakuraba tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Oliva pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sakuraba tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Oliva throws a big shot that misses.
Sakuraba feints the counter takedown.

Oliva closes the distance and clinches.
Sakuraba blocks a body shot from Oliva.

Sakuraba has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Oliva uses from the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Oliva stands and steps away. Sakuraba gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Oliva looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.
Sakuraba waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Oliva.

Oliva darts in and clinches Sakuraba up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Biscuit Oliva dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Oliva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sakuraba tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Oliva works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Oliva scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sakuraba in his tracks.
Biscuit Oliva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oliva throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Oliva throws a shot to the body.
Oliva throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Oliva dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliva connects with a looping right hand.
Oliva ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sakuraba moves away.
Oliva uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sakuraba.
Oliva keeps the fight on the outside.
Oliva paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Sakuraba shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Oliva's guard.
Sakuraba throws a big elbow that misses.
Oliva working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakuraba.
Oliva has his hands on Sakuraba's head, controlling the position.
My spies in London MMA Club inform me that Sakuraba has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Oliva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliva controlling Sakuraba's posture.
Sakuraba trying to control but Oliva is working from the bottom.
Oliva is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Oliva wants to sweep here but Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Sakuraba postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sakuraba keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Oliva's head.
Sakuraba postures up and lands a big shot to Oliva's brow.
Sakuraba throwing strikes from guard but Oliva blocks nicely.
Oliva keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is fighting to break Oliva's control of his arms but Oliva is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sakuraba cracks Oliva with a solid left hand.
Oliva has Sakuraba pulled in close to control his posture.
Sakuraba in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Oliva preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakuraba lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Oliva seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Oliva keeps moving.
Oliva is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sakuraba can do to turn this around?
Oliva is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Oliva has control of Sakuraba's left arm, preventing Sakuraba from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Oliva is wriggling around but Sakuraba manages to pass to half guard.
Oliva moves into full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Oliva is on top in guard.

Oliva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sakuraba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Oliva has managed to get both his arms back between Sakuraba's legs - danger averted.
Oliva in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Oliva slips nicely into half guard.
Sakuraba is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Oliva's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Oliva's back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Biscuit Oliva dominated that second round.
That's time! Oliva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sakuraba cracks Oliva with a good jab.
Oliva looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.
Oliva is looking to clinch.
Oliva thows a left - swing and a miss!
And Sakuraba tries to counter it with a takedown but Oliva pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt
and Oliva counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Oliva lands with a straight right. Sakuraba didn't see that one coming.
Oliva misses with a low kick as Sakuraba jumps back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Oliva motions for Sakuraba to come forward. Oliva throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And Sakuraba tries to counter it with a takedown but Oliva pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sakuraba avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sakuraba staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Oliva connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakuraba needs to keep his hands up - Oliva had a free shot at his head there.
Sakuraba fails with an attempt to clinch.
Oliva swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Oliva lands a slapping body shot.
Oliva moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sakuraba gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Oliva.
Sakuraba takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Oliva ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A quick step to the side and Oliva tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Biscuit Oliva is winning the standup battle so far.
Oliva looks to throw the jab but Sakuraba is out of range.
Sakuraba tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hayato Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliva misses with a body shot.
Sakuraba circles away from the clinch attempt.
Oliva throws out a loose jab but Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sakuraba is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Oliva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oliva takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt
letting Oliva counter with a right hand.
Biscuit Oliva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hayato Sakuraba.
Sakuraba keeps the fight on the outside.
Sakuraba blocks a leg kick.
Oliva fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oliva jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sakuraba changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jab from Oliva.
Oliva connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sakuraba's hands.
Oliva tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sakuraba defends well and Oliva ends up having to push Sakuraba into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sakuraba fails to pull guard.
Sakuraba tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Biscuit Oliva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Sakuraba jumps guard and drags Oliva to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Sakuraba is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Oliva decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sakuraba has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sakuraba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Decent striking displayed by Oliva there.
Oliva works the jab nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oliva lunges at Sakuraba with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sakuraba's hand.
Sakuraba walks into a straight right hand from Oliva.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Oliva drives through and clinches with Sakuraba against the cage.
Oliva blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Oliva fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Oliva scores with a shot to the side of Sakuraba's head.

Oliva's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Oliva connects with the punch.
Oliva catches Sakuraba with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Oliva tests Sakuraba's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Oliva tries to clinch up but Sakuraba circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Biscuit Oliva showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Oliva, 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Biscuit Oliva!
After the big win, Biscuit Oliva made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors KOMBAT KLOTHING and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.