PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hayato Sakuraba (ranked 2169 p4p, 256 weight class) and Tyson Pearson (ranked 4837 p4p, 462 weight class). Sakuraba comes to the cage accompanied by Deetox - Headknocker. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sakuraba
vs
Pearson

185 cm
24
177 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

180 cm
27
185 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hayato Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tyson Pearson!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
We've been told by Sakuraba's head coaches at 3Band MMA ($700/week) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Sakuraba with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pearson to score with a decent uppercut.
Pearson just misses with a punch to the body.
Pearson misses with a hook
and Sakuraba counters with a stiff right hand.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pearson.
Sakuraba takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Pearson throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Pearson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuraba.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pearson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sakuraba has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sakuraba and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Sakuraba was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A punch lands to the side of Pearson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sakuraba scores with a nice strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba misses with a two punch combination.
Pearson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sakuraba under the eye.
Pearson connects with the punch.
Pearson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pearson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Sakuraba doesn't seem bothered though.
Pearson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba ducks under a wild hook from Pearson.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Pearson moves out of range.
Pearson throws a head kick but Sakuraba moves out of range.
Pearson misses with a head kick.
Pearson scores with a decent looking hook.
Sakuraba lands a jab to Pearson's midsection.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sakuraba darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Pearson thows a leg kick but Sakuraba checks it
and Pearson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pearson looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.
It looked like Sakuraba was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Sakuraba lands with a shot to the body.
Pearson lands with a right hand.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pearson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pearson! But no joy.
Pearson has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Pearson is looking to score with low kicks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pearson thumps Sakuraba with a low kick.
Pearson throws a half hearted mid kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pearson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pearson throws out a powerful jab.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pearson throws a good cross that connects.
Pearson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sakuraba.
Pearson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pearson jabs at Sakuraba's body.
Pearson misses with a wild combination.
Sakuraba misses with a straight right.
Pearson scores with a head kick. Sakuraba tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pearson moves away.
Pearson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pearson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
It looked like Sakuraba wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sakuraba throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pearson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
It looked like Sakuraba was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Pearson.
Pearson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from Pearson tenderised Sakuraba's leg. Sakuraba is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice uppercut lands for Pearson. That snapped Sakuraba's head back.
Pearson needs to keep his hands up - Sakuraba had a free shot at his head there.

Pearson is rocked!
Pearson circles to his right, straight into a beautiful hook by Sakuraba. Pearson falls face first into the canvas - great knockout victory for Sakuraba!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Hayato Sakuraba!
A relieved looking Hayato Sakuraba thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.