PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hiro Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiro Sakurai has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sakurai
vs
Emelianenko

185 cm
25
203 lbs
15 - 5 - 0

170 cm
26
185 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Hiro Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Ivan Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab lands there for Sakurai.
Sakurai misses with a hook. Emelianenko ducked under it nicely.
Sakurai throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Sakurai throws an off balance right hand
and Emelianenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Emelianenko avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Sakurai misses with a straight right.
Sakurai lands with an uppercut that bounces Emelianenko off the cage and back into rage.
Sakurai swings widly with a right hand

and Emelianenko counters with a shoot takedown. Sakurai fights it but they end up in guard.
Emelianenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko throwing strikes from guard but Sakurai blocks nicely.
Emelianenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Emelianenko stands up over Sakurai, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Emelianenko trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sakurai kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Sakurai looking for a guillotine here but Emelianenko defends easily.
Emelianenko is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Emelianenko won't allow Sakurai to sweep him here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sakurai is working hard here to advance position.
Emelianenko trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.

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.
Sakurai seems keen to control Emelianenko's posture.
Emelianenko throws and elbow that misses. Sakurai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Emelianenko's guard. Nice move by Sakurai!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakurai trying to control but Emelianenko is working from the bottom.
Emelianenko bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sakurai's guard.
Emelianenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakurai is keeping the position for now.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Emelianenko showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko postures up in Sakurai's guard and throws a big left but Sakurai blocks it.

Sakurai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Emelianenko wants to control from the top but Sakurai keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Emelianenko's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sakurai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Emelianenko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sakurai wants to sweep but no luck.
Emelianenko trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sakurai wants to sweep but no luck.

Sakurai is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Emelianenko defends well.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko preventing the sweep.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ivan Emelianenko.
Emelianenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Sakurai counters with a good low kick that Emelianenko was not able to check.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Emelianenko dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakurai feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Emelianenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Sakurai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

It looks like Ivan Emelianenko has been cut.
Emelianenko scores with a jab to the jaw.
Emelianenko misses with a hook
and Sakurai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sakurai thows a left - swing and a miss!
Emelianenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakurai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Emelianenko somewhat.
Emelianenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakurai defends it nicely.
Sakurai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Emelianenko counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Sakurai!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelianenko slips a nice elbow through Sakurai's hands, connecting with Sakurai's forehead.
Emelianenko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sakurai trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai is pressing down on Emelianenko's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sakurai working a defensive guard but Emelianenko manages to pass into side control anyway.
Emelianenko trying to control the action but Sakurai is working from the bottom.
Sakurai tries to bench press Emelianenko off him but Emelianenko keeps the position.
Sakurai struggling a bit here.
Sakurai is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Sakurai sneaks back into half guard.
Sakurai trying to hold on to Emelianenko's head to control him but Emelianenko postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Emelianenko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Emelianenko trying to control from Sakurai's half guard. Sakurai has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Emelianenko not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Emelianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Emelianenko looking to sit in guard and control but Sakurai gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Emelianenko wants to sweep here but Sakurai controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Emelianenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Emelianenko is keeping the position.

Emelianenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakurai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Emelianenko 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sakurai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Emelianenko is keeping the position for now.
Sakurai pushing down on Emelianenko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sakurai wants to free his trapped foot but Emelianenko is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Emelianenko is not content to let Sakurai control the position.
Emelianenko gets full guard.
Emelianenko keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.

Sakurai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Emelianenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sakurai has managed to get both his arms back between Emelianenko's legs - danger averted.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Emelianenko manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Emelianenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Emelianenko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Sakurai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Emelianenko.
Sakurai throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Emelianenko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Emelianenko swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sakurai counters with a stiff right hand.
Sakurai throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Emelianenko counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sakurai misses with an uppercut
and Emelianenko counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ivan Emelianenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakurai throws a low kick, looking for Emelianenko's leg but Emelianenko calmly moves out of range.
Emelianenko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Sakurai sprawls well. Sakurai wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Emelianenko gets slowly back to his feet.
Hiro Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Emelianenko.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakurai looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai throws a lazy uppercut
and Emelianenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Emelianenko scores with a jab. Sakurai acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Sakurai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Emelianenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sakurai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Emelianenko lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sakurai swings for the body but Emelianenko moves out of range.
Sakurai with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jab by Sakurai.
Sakurai loads up on a big right hand but Emelianenko slips the punch.
Hiro Sakurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Emelianenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sakurai.
Emelianenko scores with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai misses with a body punch
and Emelianenko counters with a left and a right that stings Sakurai.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakurai misses with an uppercut
enabling Emelianenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Sakurai slips a jab from Emelianenko.
Jab, jab by Sakurai - just one landing.
Sakurai finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Emelianenko looks to throw the jab but Sakurai is out of range.
Emelianenko lands a jab.
Sakurai closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Emelianenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakurai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Emelianenko on the side of the head.
Sakurai throws a right hand that misses
and Emelianenko counters with a nice body shot.
Hiro Sakurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sakurai has time to react.
Emelianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakurai blocks a jab.
Sakurai misses with a straight left.
Sakurai misses with a hook
and Emelianenko counters with a nice body shot.
A jab from Emelianenko finds it's way through Sakurai's defenses.
Sakurai throws a solid leg kick but Emelianenko takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sakurai.

Emelianenko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sakurai napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sakurai on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Emelianenko cracks Sakurai with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Emelianenko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sakurai has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emelianenko landing strikes.
Emelianenko grinds an elbow into Sakurai's temple.
Sakurai tries to buck Emelianenko off but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Sakurai struggling a bit here.
The referee asks Emelianenko politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Emelianenko prefers to stall for the moment though.
Emelianenko in side control lands a decent elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakurai tries to buck Emelianenko off but Emelianenko is having none of it.
Emelianenko tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Sakurai is trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Emelianenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Emelianenko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Emelianenko!