PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Al Tree (ranked 4324 p4p, 4508 weight class) and Ciel Sakuyayo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tree
vs
Sakuyayo

170 cm
18
135
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
130
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Al Tree!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ciel Sakuyayo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuyayo has a takedown stuffed.
Tree changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Sakuyayo shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Tree is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sakuyayo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tree wants to control but Sakuyayo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuyayo wants to stand but Tree has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Sakuyayo is trying to control. Tree wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tree trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuyayo is trying to control the action in half guard but Tree is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sakuyayo is controlling the pace.

Sakuyayo is looking for a kimura here.
Tree on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tree manages to get to full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Tree holds on and takes a little breather.
Tree manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sakuyayo manages to get himself to full guard.

Tree pushing down on Sakuyayo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Sakuyayo wants to get back to his feet.
Tree prevents Sakuyayo from improving his position.
Tree performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Tree passes to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Tree is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Sakuyayo defending against the ground and pound.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sakuyayo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakuyayo trying to remain calm as Tree controls from the top position.
Tree creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sakuyayo sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sakuyayo gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Sakuyayo looks winded!
Tree sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Al Tree will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tree connects with a high kick.
Sakuyayo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sakuyayo fails to land the takedown.
Sakuyayo fails with the takedown.
Al Tree has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ciel Sakuyayo.
Sakuyayo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tree tries to counter with a takedown but Sakuyayo is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuyayo with a poor takedown
and Tree counters with a head kick.
Sakuyayo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tree's waist but Tree gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakuyayo off to one side.
Tree connects with a high kick.
Tree plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Sakuyayo is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tree digs a good hook to Sakuyayo's body.
Tree scores with a head kick. Sakuyayo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
No luck for Sakuyayo with that takedown attempt.
Tree changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tree scores with a head kick.

Tree gets a clinch.
Tree wants to break free but Sakuyayo has control.
Tree comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Sakuyayo tries to break free but Tree pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from Tree.
Stalling in the clinch from Tree.
Tree connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sakuyayo's face.
Sakuyayo keeps control of Tree as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tree wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakuyayo won't allow it.
Tree is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sakuyayo can do to turn this around?
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Tree content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tree tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sakuyayo's elbow.
Tree is looking to break free of the clinch but Sakuyayo has double underhooks.
A knee to the head by Tree.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Tree.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tree crunches a lovely knee into Sakuyayo's ribcage.
Tree landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Sakuyayo prevents Tree from breaking the clinch.
Tree lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sakuyayo backwards.
Tree lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sakuyayo backwards.
Tree stalling.
Sakuyayo tries to pull guard but Tree holds him up against the cage and eventually Sakuyayo drops back down to his feet.
Tree scores a nice knee to the body.
Tree is trying to break free.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Tree.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuyayo prevents a body shot from Tree.
Sakuyayo jumps guard but Tree turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Sakuyayo tries to pull guard but Tree holds him up against the cage and eventually Sakuyayo drops back down to his feet.
Tree lands a knee to the head.
Tree misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tree slowing the pace effectively.
Tree lands a nice knee to the body.
Tree lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sakuyayo backwards.
Tree can't get the takedown.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Al Tree 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sakuyayo crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tree - the referee stops the clock and Sakuyayo gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tree. Sakuyayo manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sakuyayo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sakuyayo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuyayo misses with a takedown attempt
and Tree counters with a head kick.
Sakuyayo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tree throws a head kick that half lands.
A lazy left from Tree finds it's target.

Tree rushes Sakuyayo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tree.
Tree goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Tree breaks from the clinch.
Tree defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakuyayo.
Al Tree has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ciel Sakuyayo.
Sakuyayo walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tree.
Tree lands a high kick!
A head kick from Tree lands but Sakuyayo takes it in his stride.
Sakuyayo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sakuyayo goes for a double leg but Tree avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tree continues to drive forward.
Sakuyayo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tree tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sakuyayo swivels and escapes.
Al Tree is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tree lands with a good body shot.
Tree scores with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sakuyayo gets tackled into the cage by Tree. Tree maintains the clinch.
Tree misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A knee to the head by Tree.
Tree leaning against his opponent.
Sakuyayo fails to pull guard.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tree obliges.

Tree breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tree moves into range and clinches up with Sakuyayo.
Sakuyayo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tree smiles and moves away.
Tree connects with a high kick.
Tree lands a high kick!
Sakuyayo takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Tree plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Tree closes the distance and pushes Sakuyayo back into the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tree drags the fight down to the ground.
Sakuyayo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tree pulls Sakuyayo in close to his closed guard and prevents Sakuyayo from doing any damage or advancing position.
Sakuyayo wants to get up but he can't break Tree's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Tree is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tree bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sakuyayo's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Al Tree showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Tree 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al Tree!