PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jose Greco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gillbert Sakurai (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.

Greco
vs
Sakurai

170 cm
20
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
23
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Greco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gillbert Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Greco fails with a takedown attempt.

Sakurai gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sakurai is pressed up against the cage. Greco 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.
Sakurai fails with the takedown.
Sakurai is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Sakurai is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Greco's half guard.
Sakurai keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Greco pushes Sakurai off looking to stand but Sakurai dives back in and keeps control.
Greco tries to get to full guard but Sakurai has control of the leg.
Sakurai drops an elbow to the side of Greco's head.
Greco slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Greco has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakurai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
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!

Greco has his foot on Sakurai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurai works his way back into a safe position though.
Sakurai working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Sakurai is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakurai stands up and waves to Greco to follow him.

Sakurai closes the distance and clinches.
Greco tries to pull guard but Sakurai won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Greco. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Sakurai jumps guard and drags Greco to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sakurai tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Greco is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Greco is breathing heavily.

Greco drops back looking for a leg! Sakurai is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sakurai manages to kick Greco off! Greco jumps back into Sakurai's guard.
Greco stopping the sweep attempt from Sakurai.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Greco is controlling him.
Sakurai manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Greco tries to reverse the position but Sakurai maintains control.
Sakurai content just to control the position here.
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!
Greco wants to hold on but Sakurai pushes him away.
Sakurai controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai unloading with bombs!
Greco might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sakurai content just to control the position here.
Sakurai lands a nice shot to the head.
Sakurai content just to control the position here.
Greco bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Sakurai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Greco. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Greco is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sakurai is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sakurai has escaped and now he's on top!

Greco looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sakurai stands up and waves to Greco to follow him.

Sakurai shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sakurai is nestled in close to Greco, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sakurai is taking a breather. Greco says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakurai passes to side control.
You can see the frustration on Greco's face as Sakurai controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sakurai shoots in and bounces Greco off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Greco throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sakurai working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sakurai loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakurai landing with the ground and pound.
Greco keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.
Sakurai with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sakurai sitting in guard here, content to control.

Greco has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakurai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakurai content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Greco is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Sakurai is aware though and is defending well.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Greco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Greco is looking for a triangle but Sakurai pushes his legs off easily.
Sakurai is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sakurai won't allow Greco to sweep him here.
Sakurai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Greco throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sakurai with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sakurai engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sakurai must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sakurai chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Sakurai working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gillbert Sakurai has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sakurai controls from within his opponent's guard.
Sakurai postures up and lands a big shot to Greco's brow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sakurai got a little sloppy there for a moment and Greco has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sakurai has managed to get both his arms back between Greco's legs - danger averted.
Sakurai is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Greco is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sakurai seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Sakurai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sakurai content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Greco can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sakurai controls the pace.
Sakurai postures up and lands a big shot to Greco's brow.

Greco throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sakurai postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sakurai lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Greco has his foot on Sakurai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurai works his way back into a safe position though.

Greco 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.

Greco is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sakurai defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Greco working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sakurai doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sakurai manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Sakurai landing with the ground and pound.
Sakurai makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sakurai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakurai's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gillbert Sakurai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

No luck for Greco with that takedown attempt.
Sakurai is looking to clinch but Greco is avoiding it.
Sakurai throws a head kick but Greco moves out of range.

Greco gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sakurai to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Greco 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.
Sakurai missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sakurai stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Sakurai forces Greco back against the cage and clinches.
Sakurai scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Jose Greco has been cut.
Greco fails to pull guard.
Greco tries to pull guard but Sakurai holds him up against the cage and eventually Greco drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jose Greco. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sakurai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sakurai.

Sakurai dives in and scores a takedown into Greco's guard.

Sakurai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Greco is looking for a triangle but Sakurai pushes his legs off easily.
Sakurai cracks Greco with a solid left hand.
Sakurai is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakurai slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sakurai trying to control but Greco is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai connects with a couple of short punches.

Greco working for a triangle but Sakurai defends it easily.
Sakurai controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sakurai stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Sakurai closes the distance and clinches.

Sakurai breaks the clinch.

Greco tries to keep at a distance but Sakurai has taken the fight into the clinch.

Sakurai pulls guard.
Sakurai controlling Greco's posture.

Greco postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sakurai is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Greco, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Greco looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sakurai is in close to Greco's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sakurai with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sakurai engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Greco throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sakurai lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai distracts Greco with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sakurai postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sakurai controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sakurai throwing strikes from guard but Greco blocks nicely.
Jose Greco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Greco had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakurai defends it easily.

Sakurai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sakurai working some strikes from top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakurai looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Gillbert Sakurai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

And that's the end of the fight!
Gillbert Sakurai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sakurai 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 27:30
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gillbert Sakurai!
Gillbert Sakurai bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.