PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Louis Joseph Varrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Joseph Varrera
vs
Sakurai

180 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Louis Joseph Varrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryu Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varrera shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai shows good takedown defense.

Varrera shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sakurai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Varrera is one step ahead there.
Varrera is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Varrera trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.
Sakurai is adopting a defensive guard.
Varrera trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.
Sakurai trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Varrera trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.

Sakurai is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Varrera is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakurai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sakurai has a closed guard, preventing Varrera from standing up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Varrera moves forwards but Sakurai connects with a nice, crisp jab.

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.
Varrera connects with a solid leg kick.
Sakurai stalks Varrera and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Varrera's face. Varrera staggers backwards, shaken.
Varrera takes one on the button.

Varrera feints and as Sakurai raises his hands in defense, Varrera changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Varrera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Varrera won't allow Sakurai to get back to his feet.
Sakurai is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sakurai looks gassed!
Varrera won't allow Sakurai to get back to his feet.
Varrera connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varrera throwing strikes from guard but Sakurai blocks nicely.
Varrera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakurai moves out of range of the body kick from Varrera.
Sakurai stalks Varrera and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Varrera's face. Varrera staggers backwards, shaken.

Varrera drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Varrera decides to stand back up.
Varrera defending well as Sakurai loads up on a big left hand.
Ryu Sakurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Varrera misses with a head kick.
Varrera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varrera shoots in and drives through. Sakurai sprawls well.
Varrera shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sakurai as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Louis Joseph Varrera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Varrera misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakurai scores with a nice head shot.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ryu Sakurai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Varrera looks for a takedown but Sakurai sprawls well.
Sakurai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Good exchange - Sakurai coming out on top.
Sakurai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Varrera fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakurai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Louis Joseph Varrera dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sakurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Varrera closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sakurai circles away.
Sakurai lands a body shot.
Sakurai tries to bum rush Varrera with a series of wild strikes but Varrera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakurai lands an overhand right.
Sakurai throws a shot to the body.
Sakurai keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Sakurai fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Varrera on the side of the head.
Sakurai getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Sakurai sizes up Varrera with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sakurai connects with a body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakurai swinging wildly here.
Varrera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Varrera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai connects with a looping right hand.
Jab, jab by Sakurai - just one landing.
Varrera tries to clinch up.
Varrera looks for a takedown but Sakurai sprawls well.
Louis Joseph Varrera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakurai's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Sakurai duly obliges.
Sakurai throws a right and a left that Varrera avoids nicely.
Varrera avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sakurai keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Varrera doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakurai circles away.
Varrera tries to clinch up but Sakurai circles away and keeps his distance.
Varrera misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Louis Joseph Varrera. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varrera shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sakurai as he jumps to the side.
Sakurai stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Sakurai scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Sakurai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sakurai scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Varrera fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Varrera shoots in but Sakurai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Varrera takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sakurai lands a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varrera is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sakurai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Good shot there by Sakurai.
A combination from Sakurai does no damage.
Varrera tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sakurai swivels and escapes.
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A left and a right from Sakurai both land. Nice combination.
No luck for Varrera with that takedown attempt.
Varrera shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakurai defends it nicely.
Sakurai lands a jab to Varrera's midsection.
A left and a right from Sakurai both land. Nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Varrera moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai connects with a single shot there.
Varrera throws a combination that misses
and Sakurai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice takedown defense from Sakurai. No joy for Varrera on that attempt.
Sakurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Varrera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sakurai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sakurai punishes Varrera's body with a nice straight punch.
Varrera uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sakurai.
Varrera looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Varrera ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Horrible takedown by Varrera or perhaps it was just good defense by Sakurai which made him look bad.
Sakurai lands a nice looking body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Sakurai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Sakurai looks to land a combination but Varrera avoids it well.
Sakurai tests Varrera's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A left and a right from Sakurai both land. Nice combination.
Varrera tries to clinch but Sakurai is having none of it.
Varrera shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakurai pinned against the cage. Sakurai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Varrera keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A combination from Sakurai does no damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varrera shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Sakurai counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Sakurai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Varrera backs up against the cage.
Varrera on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Varrera misses with a takedown
and Sakurai counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Louis Joseph Varrera. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sakurai throws a shot to the body.
Varrera takes one to the side of the head.
Varrera tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Varrera moves out of range.
Sakurai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Varrera shoots and misses
and Sakurai counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A jab from Sakurai finds it's way through Varrera's defenses.
Varrera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sakurai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Varrera takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Varrera lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Sakurai.
Varrera tries for a takedown but Sakurai circles away easily
and Sakurai counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sakurai throws a shot to the body.
Sakurai falls off balance throwing a combination

and Varrera holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Varrera is struggling to control the position.
Varrera keeps control of Sakurai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Varrera tries to pull guard but Sakurai won't allow it.
Varrera prevents Sakurai from breaking the clinch.
Varrera tries to pull guard but Sakurai holds him up against the cage and eventually Varrera drops back down to his feet.
Sakurai tries to break free but Varrera pushes him back against the cage.
Sakurai is trying to break the clinch but Varrera has him pressed against the cage.
Sakurai has had enough of the clinch but Varrera keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is trying to break the clinch but Varrera has him pressed against the cage.
Sakurai prevents the takedown attempt.
Sakurai wants to break free but Varrera has control.
Sakurai is pressed up against the cage. Varrera has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sakurai down to the mat. Sakurai avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Varrera tries to clinch up but Sakurai circles away and keeps his distance.
Sakurai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Varrera slips under a jab.
Horrible takedown by Varrera or perhaps it was just good defense by Sakurai which made him look bad.
Sakurai is working the combinations to good effect here.
Varrera tries to clinch there but Sakurai circles away.
Sakurai bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Varrera's head.
Ryu Sakurai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakurai misses with a wild combination.
Varrera wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Varrera tries for a takedown but Sakurai circles away easily
and Sakurai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Good shot there by Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Varrera ducks under a wild hook from Sakurai.
Varrera throws a series of punches but Sakurai avoids them all with ease.
Varrera takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Varrera takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sakurai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Varrera holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Varrera pulls guard effortlessly.
Varrera wants to sweep here but Sakurai controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sakurai stays in close to Varrera's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Sakurai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sakurai has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:29
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryu Sakurai!