PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shani Sakuri (ranked 5952 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luc Kleynen (ranked 23654 p4p, 355 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kleynen's choice of entrance music: Best UFC entrance of all time!!!. Luc Kleynen is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sakuri
vs
Kleynen

172 cm
24
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

164 cm
20
130 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 Sydney, Shani Sakuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Luc Kleynen!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Ben Hemmingworth and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kleynen throws a lazy right hand but Sakuri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kleynen tries to clinch up but Sakuri circles away and keeps his distance.

Kleynen rushes Sakuri and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sakuri lands a hook that snaps the head of Kleynen backwards.

Kleynen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kleynen looks to land a combination but Sakuri avoids it well.
Sakuri fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Sakuri fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kleynen sprawls well initially but Sakuri persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kleynen tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Sakuri manages to move to mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kleynen really wants to buck Sakuri off and get back to his feet.
Sakuri looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sakuri unloading with bombs!
Sakuri has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kleynen is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
The referee warns Kleynen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kleynen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Kleynen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sakuri. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuri lands a big elbow.
Sakuri looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Sakuri content just to control the position here.
Sakuri looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Sakuri tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kleynen is trying to stand.
Sakuri with a couple of short strikes.
Sakuri trying to control but Kleynen is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kleynen tries to buck Sakuri off but he can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuri content just to control the position here.
Sakuri lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Kleynen in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Kleynen defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sakuri.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kleynen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sakuri cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Sakuri with good strikes from the mount here!
Sakuri can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kleynen is looking to escape.
Sakuri controlling the pace for now.
Sakuri can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kleynen is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuri working Kleynen over with strikes here.
Kleynen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Sakuri looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kleynen is in a horrible position here. Sakuri smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kleynen is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Sakuri controlling from mount.
Kleynen is trying to stand.
Sakuri trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kleynen is trying to stand up.

Sakuri with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kleynen somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Luc Kleynen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kleynen gets tackled into the cage by Sakuri. Sakuri maintains the clinch.
Kleynen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kleynen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kleynen lands the left hand.
Sloppy strikes from Kleynen. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sakuri takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sakuri moves out of range as Kleynen strikes.
Sakuri tries to close the distance and clinch but Kleynen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kleynen throws a right and a left that Sakuri avoids nicely.
Kleynen fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakuri shoots in for a takedown but Kleynen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kleynen lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakuri's head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kleynen wants to break free but Sakuri has control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sakuri steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kleynen.
Kleynen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sakuri fails with a takedown attempt.

Sakuri drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kleynen pushes Sakuri off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kleynen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kleynen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
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!
Sakuri goes for a double leg but Kleynen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kleynen continues to drive forward.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kleynen! But no joy.
Kleynen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Sakuri rushes Kleynen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kleynen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sakuri looks to land a body kick but Kleynen moved away.
Kleynen misses with a double jab.
Kleynen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuri slips a jab and a cross from Kleynen.
Sakuri appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kleynen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Danga de danga de dang - Kleynen scores with a four punch combination!
Kleynen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kleynen moves forwards but Sakuri connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kleynen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sakuri.
Sakuri looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shani Sakuri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kleynen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kleynen looks to land a right hand but Sakuri moved out of range.

Kleynen pushes Sakuri up against the cage in a clinch.
Kleynen tries to break free but Sakuri pushes him back against the cage.
Kleynen is pressed up against the cage. Sakuri has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kleynen down to the mat. Kleynen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kleynen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kleynen throws a head kick that half lands.
Sakuri walks into a jab.
Shani Sakuri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuri drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kleynen is trying to escape the position but Sakuri is controlling the position.
Sakuri wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kleynen keeps working.
Kleynen is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Sakuri trying to control the action but Kleynen is working from the bottom.
Kleynen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Sakuri asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Sakuri stands up.
Sakuri avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuri shoots in for a takedown but Kleynen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kleynen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sakuri appears to be looking for a big counter.
A punch combination from Kleynen misses.
Kleynen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kleynen stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakuri. Sakuri gets slowly back to his feet.
Kleynen throws a nice looking combination but Sakuri bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kleynen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kleynen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kleynen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sakuri circles away quickly and effectively.
Kleynen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sakuri is defended easily by Kleynen.
Kleynen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Sakuri instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kleynen breaks the clinch.
Kleynen misses with a wild combination.
Luc Kleynen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakuri fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kleynen misses with a head kick.
Sakuri is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kleynen.
Sakuri keeps the fight on the outside.
Sakuri dives in for a single leg takedown but Kleynen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kleynen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kleynen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sakuri doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kleynen throws a head kick that misses.
Sakuri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kleynen's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kleynen duly obliges.
Kleynen swinging wildly here.
Sloppy strikes from Kleynen. Those never looked like landing.
Sakuri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luc Kleynen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kleynen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kleynen.
Sakuri takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
No joy there for Kleynen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sakuri tests Kleynen's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Kleynen gets a clinch.
Kleynen tries to circle away but Sakuri has him pinned against the cage.
Sakuri has Kleynen pressed against the cage, preventing Kleynen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kleynen has had enough of the clinch but Sakuri keeps him there for the moment.
Kleynen tries to break the clinch but Sakuri is controlling the position.
Kleynen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kleynen tries to break free but Sakuri pushes him back against the cage.

Sakuri breaks from the clinch.
Kleynen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kleynen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Luc Kleynen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakuri sizes up Kleynen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kleynen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kleynen wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kleynen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sakuri defending well as Kleynen loads up on a big left hand.

Sakuri instigates a clinch.
Sakuri wants a takedown but no success here.
Kleynen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sakuri is keeping busy.
Kleynen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Kleynen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sakuri shoots in looking for a takedown but Kleynen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sakuri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kleynen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shani Sakuri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kleynen misses with a series of wild punches.
Kleynen misses with a series of wild punches.
Kleynen lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakuri drives through and clinches with Kleynen against the cage.
Kleynen is trying to break the clinch but Sakuri has him pressed against the cage.
Kleynen wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakuri won't allow it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Sakuri breaks the clinch.
Kleynen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sakuri throws a head kick that misses.
Kleynen closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kleynen throws a right hand that Sakuri ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuri also avoids with ease.
Sakuri misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kleynen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sakuri.
Kleynen scores with a hook.
Sakuri wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kleynen tries to clinch but Sakuri is having none of it.
Kleynen connects with a body shot that sends Sakuri's belly button to the back.

Sakuri shoots in and gets a takedown into Kleynen's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Kleynen manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Sakuri pulls Kleynen into guard.
Kleynen tries to stand but Sakuri is controlling from the bottom.

Sakuri manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kleynen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sakuri misses with a takedown attempt - Kleynen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sakuri showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kleynen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Kleynen.
Kleynen throws a series of strikes that have Sakuri backpedaling.
Kleynen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sakuri's head backwards.
A jab from Kleynen does it's job there.
Sakuri avoids the head kick by Kleynen.
Sakuri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kleynen lands a jab to Sakuri's midsection.
Sakuri shoots in but no luck this time.
Kleynen unleashes a big counter combination but Sakuri bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Sakuri looks for a takedown but Kleynen sprawls well.
Kleynen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakuri paws at him with a jab and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luc Kleynen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kleynen 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luc Kleynen!
During a confident post fight interview, Luc Kleynen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.