PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Yuu Saga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Bozo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saga
vs
Bozo

174 cm
26
159 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Defiance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yuu Saga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ricardo Bozo!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saga shoots in and bounces Bozo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bozo wants to sweep here but Saga controlling him for the moment.
Saga with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saga content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bozo wants to sweep but no luck.
Bozo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Saga tries to roll over but Bozo keeps him under control.
Bozo trying to control the action but Saga is working from the bottom.

Bozo wants to work for an arm triangle but Saga is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Saga is looking for a sweep. Bozo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saga is trying to maintain the position but Bozo is very close to passing his half guard.

Bozo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Saga doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bozo.
Saga wants to improve his position but Bozo is controlling well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bozo misses the shot to the body.
Ricardo Bozo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bozo loads up on a big right hand but Saga slips the punch.

Saga shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Saga showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bozo is staying active underneath Saga, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozo wants to get back to his feet.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Saga is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bozo defends it well.
Saga scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Saga wants to work for an arm triangle but Bozo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saga is breathing heavily.
Bozo moves into full guard.
Saga postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Saga throwing strikes but missing.
Saga trying to control the position from guard on top but Bozo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bozo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Saga is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saga with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saga pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bozo is keeping the position for now.

Bozo is looking for a triangle but Saga pushes his legs off easily.
Bozo wants to sweep but no luck.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Saga looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Saga seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bozo wants to improve his position but Saga is controlling well.
Saga has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Saga has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bozo's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Saga.
Saga wants to control the pace but Bozo is squirming around nicely.

Saga working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Saga with a couple of short strikes.
Saga working Bozo over with strikes here.
Bozo can't escape the position.

Saga is working for a guillotine from mount but Bozo frees his head quite easily.
Bozo is trying desperately to improve position.

Saga working for a submission but Bozo is keeping him at bay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuu Saga dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bozo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bozo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saga was well out of range. Poor timing from Bozo.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saga.
Bozo swings for the body but Saga moves out of range.
Bozo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saga shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bozo but Bozo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuu Saga. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Bozo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Saga ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Saga shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bozo as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saga fails with the takedown.
Saga blocks a jab.
Bozo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A combination from Bozo does no damage.
Ricardo Bozo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bozo throws a right hand that Saga ducks under and follows up with a left that Saga also avoids with ease.
Bozo throws a lazy right hand but Saga sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Saga feints and as Bozo raises his hands in defense, Saga changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saga landing with the ground and pound.
Bozo wants to sweep here but Saga controlling him for the moment.
Saga landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saga throwing strikes from guard but Bozo blocks nicely.
Saga is working Bozo over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Saga works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Bozo has one foot on Saga's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Ricardo Bozo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saga slips a jab from Bozo.
Bozo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Saga misses with a body shot.
Bozo slips a jab and a cross from Saga.
Bozo throws the left hand but Saga avoids the punch easily.
Bozo slaps away a takedown attempt from Saga, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bozo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Saga decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bozo's guard.
Saga stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bozo swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saga passes Bozo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Saga seems to be working for a kimura but Bozo defends the submission attempt.
Bozo is trying to stand up here but Saga is controlling him well.
Bozo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Saga looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bozo tries to get to full guard but Saga has control of the leg.

That's four 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.
Saga thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bozo's head.

Saga is trying to work for a kimura but Bozo is defending well.
Saga stops Bozo from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bozo throws a hook to the side of Saga's head but Saga sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Saga will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Saga closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Saga lands in his opponent's guard.

Saga thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Saga avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuu Saga dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Saga shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bozo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bozo keeping moving, preventing Saga from controlling successfully.

Saga drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Bozo manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Saga has Bozo in his guard.
Bozo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Saga is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bozo trying to control but Saga is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Saga has his foot on Bozo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bozo works his way back into a safe position though.
Bozo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Bozo 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.
Bozo sitting in guard here, content to control.

Saga has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bozo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Saga looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Saga keeping moving, preventing Bozo from controlling successfully.
Bozo won't allow Saga to sweep him here.
Saga keeping moving, preventing Bozo from controlling successfully.

Saga working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bozo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bozo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bozo trying to control the position from guard on top but Saga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saga is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bozo chips away with some ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Saga shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Bozo is trying to defend but Saga finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozo is looking for a sweep. Saga is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bozo is not content to let Saga control the position.
Bozo wants to improve his position but Saga is controlling well.
Saga wants to control but Bozo is keeping him busy.
Yuu Saga is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bozo won't allow Saga to pass to mount.
Saga is looking to take a break and control but Bozo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bozo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bozo.
Bozo tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four 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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Saga gets the takedown into side control.
Saga is looking to take a break and control but Bozo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ricardo Bozo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bozo is trying to improve his position.
Bozo tries to escape but Saga is in control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Saga seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bozo for as long as he can get away with.
Bozo tries to buck Saga off but Saga is having none of it.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuu Saga showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Saga, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuu Saga!