PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Angel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roberto Saki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Angel
vs
Saki

200 cm
20
283 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

200 cm
21
286 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Cobra Kai Nutrition (St. Pete's Best)

Pure Strength, 142+ for 40$

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Angel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Roberto Saki!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Angel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Saki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Saki gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saki tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Angel is working for takedown but Saki is calmly controlling the position for now.
Angel throws a punch but it's blocked by Saki.
Angel tries for a takedown. No joy.
Saki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Saki blocking some punches.
Saki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Angel avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Angel manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saki is looking to stand up but Angel won't let him.
Saki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Saki trying to stand up but can't free himself from Angel's guard.
Saki trying to control but Angel is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Angel fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Angel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Angel scores with a punch to the head.
Saki scores with a body shot.
Angel throws a leg kick which misses Saki's front leg but catches the back leg as Saki tries to avoid it.
No luck for Angel with that takedown attempt.
Saki stuffs the takedown.
Saki connects with a right hand. Angel shakes it off.
A jab from Saki misses.
Saki lands a lovely overhand right.
Angel on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Angel looks for a takedown but Saki sprawls well.
Saki scores with a nice strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saki closes the distance and clinches.
Angel has Saki pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Saki manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Saki tries for a takedown but Angel manages to get underhooks.
Saki stops a takedown attempt from Angel.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saki blocking some punches.
Angel tries to pull guard but Saki holds him up against the cage and eventually Angel drops back down to his feet.
Angel misses with a punch on the inside.
Angel misses with a short punch on the inside.

Angel ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Angel no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Angel wants to sweep here but Saki controlling him for the moment.
Angel is breathing heavily.
Angel being controlled here, momentarily.

Saki stands up and waves to Angel to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Angel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saki tries to clinch there but Angel circles away.
Saki lands a nice shot that snaps Angel's head back.
Angel on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Saki rushes Angel and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Angel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Saki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Saki blocks an uppercut.

Angel wants the takedown. Saki is fighting it off but Angel persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Saki's guard against the cage.

Saki is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Angel is aware though and is defending well.
Angel looking to pass the guard.
Saki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saki looking for a guillotine from mount but Angel is having none of it.

Saki has control of Angel's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Angel regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Angel gets back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saki trying to control from half guard but Angel is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Saki dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Saki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Angel wants to clinch but Saki slips to the side
and Saki counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Saki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Angel. Angel circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Saki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Angel.
Angel throws a head kick but Saki moves out of range.
Saki wants to clinch.
Angel tries for a takedown but Saki circles away easily
and Saki counters with a left to the body.
Saki punishes Angel's body with a nice straight punch.
Angel takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Angel closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Saki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Angel. Angel circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saki cracks Angel with a right hand to the side of the head.
Michael Angel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saki scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Saki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
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!
Saki lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Angel at a distance.
Saki's corner calls for a 1-2. Saki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saki getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Angel is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Angel shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Saki cracks a nice hook into Angel's ribs.
Angel shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Saki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Angel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saki lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Saki digs a good hook to Angel's body.
Saki lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Saki lands a lovely overhand right.
Angel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
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!

Saki rushes Angel and presses him up against the cage.
Saki tries to score a body lock takedown but Angel shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Saki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Saki moves into the clinch successfully.
Saki tries to break the clinch but Angel is controlling the position.
Angel swings wildly with an uppercut but Saki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Angel is pressed up against the cage. Saki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Angel down to the mat. Angel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saki thows a body shot but no joy.
Roberto Saki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saki lands an overhand right.
Angel with a lazy takedown attempt
and Angel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Saki works Angel's body with a nice hook.
Saki avoids a kick to the body.
Saki fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Saki scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Angel doesn't seem bothered though.

Saki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Angel, pushing him back against the cage.
Angel is pressed up against the cage. Saki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Angel down to the mat. Angel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Saki jabs Angel right on the nose. Angel blinks but takes it well.
Saki scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Saki clinches up against the cage.

Angel is fighting off a takedown attempt but Saki is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Angel to the mat. Angel regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Saki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Angel is proving hard to escape from.

Angel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Saki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Saki trying to control the position from guard on top but Angel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Saki 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.
Saki preventing the sweep.
Saki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Angel is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Angel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Saki wants to clinch but Angel slips to the side

and Angel counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Angel looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Saki is looking to break free of the clinch but Angel has double underhooks.
Saki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Angel working aggressively here.
Saki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Angel lands a hook to the side of the head.
Saki wants to break free but Angel has control.
Saki tries to break free but Angel pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saki.
Angel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Saki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Angel tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Saki smiles and moves away.
Angel with a poor takedown
letting Saki counter with a right hand.
Saki misses with a wild body shot.
Saki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Saki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Saki dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Saki has managed to clinch.
Angel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Angel jumps guard and drags Saki to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

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

Saki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Angel gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Angel wants to pass the guard but Saki is keeping the position.
Angel trying to control the position from guard on top but Saki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saki looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Angel puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

Saki actively working from the bottom here.
Angel wants to pass the guard but Saki is defending well.
Saki trying to control from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Angel shoots in but Saki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saki throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Angel moves away from the strike by Saki.
Angel lands a two punch combo.
Saki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Saki lands a jab to the head.
Saki throws a body punch but Angel moves out of range.
Angel misses with a takedown attempt - Saki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Saki connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Saki lands with a cross.
Saki throws an overhand right that lands on Angel's shoulder, as Angel tries to avoid the shot.
Angel doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Saki counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michael Angel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Angel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saki swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Saki rushes Angel and presses him up against the cage.

Angel has Saki pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Angel pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Saki tumbling to the mat - Angel dives into Saki's guard.
Saki trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Saki looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Angel has picked Saki up and slammed him! Saki can't keep hold of the triangle and Angel manages to pass to side control!

Angel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Saki pushes Angel away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Angel gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Roberto Saki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Saki can't do much from the bottom here.
Angel is looking to take a break and control but Saki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Saki regains half guard.
Angel prevents Saki from improving his position.
Saki looks like he's trying to stand up.
Angel trying to pass the guard but Saki defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Angel showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saki 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roberto Saki!