PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazushi Sakuraba is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Saunders
vs
Sakuraba

191 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ben Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Saam Ante and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saunders darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Sakuraba looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Saunders is working for a submission of some sort.
Sakuraba trying to control but Saunders postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Saunders is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sakuraba sees it coming and defends easily.

Saunders seems to be working for a kimura but Sakuraba defends the submission attempt.

Saunders is working for a submission of some sort.

Saunders 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saunders is looking for a kimura here.
Sakuraba is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Saunders is pressing down on Sakuraba's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sakuraba is holding on for now.
Sakuraba slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Saunders drops back looking for a leg! Sakuraba is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sakuraba manages to kick Saunders off! Saunders jumps back into Sakuraba's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saunders is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Sakuraba looking for a guillotine here but Saunders defends easily.

Saunders 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.

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

Sakuraba is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Saunders is aware though and is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Saunders moves out of range of the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch.
Sakuraba with a lazy takedown attempt

and Saunders counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Saunders drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sakuraba looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sakuraba looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sakuraba!
Saunders tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Sakuraba presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Saunders really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Saunders is trying to reverse the position but instead Sakuraba has taken his back - oops!
Sakuraba wants to control but Saunders is keeping busy.
Saunders tries to break free.
Saunders is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Saunders is defending well though. Sakuraba let's go of the attempt for now.
I really don't envy Saunders right now.
Sakuraba trying to control momentarily.
Sakuraba loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Saunders hold on?
Sakuraba throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Saunders rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Saunders is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sakuraba's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sakuraba's back!

Saunders is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Sakuraba is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ben Saunders!