PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Sakamoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Commander Manlove (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sakamoto
vs
Manlove

180 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Sakamoto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Commander Manlove!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Paulo Santos and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakamoto bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sakamoto tries to clinch up but Manlove circles away and keeps his distance.
Manlove fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakamoto moves in looking to clinch but Manlove pushes him off.
Sakamoto scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Manlove doesn't seem bothered though.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Sakamoto 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 Manlove has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Manlove and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Manlove looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakamoto is fending him off so far but Manlove persists. Nope, Sakamoto circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakamoto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sakamoto tries a low kick but Manlove avoids it.
Manlove closes the distance looking to clinch
and Sakamoto counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sakamoto wants to clinch.
Manlove slips under a jab from Sakamoto.
Manlove with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sakamoto counters with a one-two to the body.
Paul Sakamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Commander Manlove.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manlove is looking to clinch.
Sakamoto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Manlove circles away quickly and effectively.

Manlove has managed to clinch.
Sakamoto wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sakamoto working aggressively here.
The referee calls for Manlove to work.
Sakamoto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sakamoto trying to control the position but instead, Manlove has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sakamoto into the cage.
Manlove tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sakamoto just stands there and leans against the cage.
Manlove jumps guard but Sakamoto stands there with Manlove around his waist. Manlove gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sakamoto can't break the clinch.
Sakamoto gets underhooks to prevent Manlove's takedown attempt.
Manlove's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sakamoto is trying to break the clinch but Manlove has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sakamoto has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Manlove tries to pull guard but Sakamoto won't allow it.
Sakamoto working hard to break the clinch.
Manlove jumps guard but Sakamoto stands there with Manlove around his waist. Manlove gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sakamoto throws a punch but it's blocked by Manlove.
Manlove drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sakamoto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Manlove looks gassed!
Sakamoto misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sakamoto trying to stall but Manlove improves his position.
Sakamoto tries to break the clinch but Manlove is controlling the position.
Manlove controlling the action here for a moment.
Manlove prevents Sakamoto from breaking the clinch.
Sakamoto is looking to break free of the clinch but Manlove has double underhooks.
Sakamoto misses with an elbow over the top.
Sakamoto is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Manlove is defending well for now.
Sakamoto tries to circle away but Manlove has him pinned against the cage.
Sakamoto prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manlove is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sakamoto has a couple of punches blocked by Manlove.
Sakamoto working hard to break the clinch.
Manlove goes for a takedown attempt but Sakamoto pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Sakamoto. That snapped Manlove's head back.
Manlove with a poor takedown
and Sakamoto counters with a three punch combo that has Manlove backing up. Manlove nods at Sakamoto to acknowledge the strikes.

Sakamoto clinches up against the cage.
Sakamoto working hard to break the clinch.
Manlove goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sakamoto prevents it.
Manlove blocking some punches.
Manlove keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sakamoto's efforts to push away.
Sakamoto is trying to break the clinch but Manlove has him pressed against the cage.
Sakamoto has had enough of the clinch but Manlove keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto tries to break free but Manlove pushes him back against the cage.
Sakamoto looking to throw knees to the head but Manlove is blocking nicely.
Manlove has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Sakamoto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sakamoto is trying to break free.
Sakamoto tries to throw a body punch but Manlove avoids it by throwing Sakamoto back against the cage.
Manlove prevents Sakamoto from breaking the clinch.
Manlove digs a right hand underneath Sakamoto's ribcage. Sakamoto let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sakamoto with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sakamoto trying to stall but Manlove improves his position.
Manlove tries to work over Sakamoto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sakamoto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sakamoto tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Manlove dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Manlove gets control of Sakamoto's arms and successfully pulls guard. Manlove will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Manlove pulls Sakamoto in close to prevent any damage.
Sakamoto wants to get up but he can't break Manlove's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Sakamoto dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Manlove with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sakamoto counters with a stiff right hand.
Manlove doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sakamoto counters with a straight right hand.
Manlove circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sakamoto throws a head kick that misses.
Paul Sakamoto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakamoto tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Manlove counters by clinching up.
Manlove keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sakamoto's efforts to push away.
A bit of stalling here from Manlove.
Manlove tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sakamoto's elbow.
Manlove is working for takedown but Sakamoto is calmly controlling the position for now.
Paul Sakamoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Commander Manlove.
Manlove lands with a light punch inside.
Sakamoto tries to break free but Manlove pushes him back against the cage.
Manlove is breathing heavily.
Sakamoto trying to control the position but instead, Manlove has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sakamoto into the cage.
Manlove prevents Sakamoto from breaking the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto is trying to break the clinch but Manlove is controlling him.
Sakamoto wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Manlove tries to pull guard but Sakamoto holds him up against the cage and eventually Manlove drops back down to his feet.
Manlove lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakamoto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Manlove working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Sakamoto fails to land.
Manlove jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sakamoto walks away with a smile on his face. Manlove gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Manlove has his takedown stuffed
and Sakamoto makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Manlove really felt that one!
Sakamoto is looking to clinch but Manlove is avoiding it.
Sakamoto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sakamoto tries to close the distance and clinch up but Manlove swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Paul Sakamoto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

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.
A head kick misses from Manlove.
Sakamoto connects with a crisp jab.
Sakamoto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sakamoto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sakamoto looks to land a combination but Manlove avoids it well.

Manlove darts in and clinches Sakamoto up against the cage.
Manlove misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sakamoto missing with knees to the body.
Sakamoto misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Manlove.
Manlove blocks an uppercut.

Manlove jumps guard.
Manlove looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sakamoto wanted to stand there but Manlove had control of the position.
Sakamoto has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakamoto stands up over Manlove, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sakamoto pushing down on Manlove's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sakamoto knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Manlove on the ground.
Manlove is pressing down on Sakamoto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sakamoto looking to pass the guard.
Sakamoto wants to get up but he can't break Manlove's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Manlove is on top in guard.
Manlove is stalling in the full guard.
Sakamoto is looking to stand back up but Manlove counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Sakamoto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Sakamoto dominated that second round.
That's time! Sakamoto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Sakamoto attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Manlove shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakamoto pinned against the cage. Sakamoto gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sakamoto tries to close the distance and clinch but Manlove swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Manlove closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Manlove blocks an uppercut.
Manlove lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short uppercut from Manlove.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Manlove gets control of Sakamoto's arms and successfully pulls guard. Manlove will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Sakamoto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Manlove swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sakamoto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Manlove works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakamoto looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manlove wants to sweep but no luck.

Manlove escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakamoto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sakamoto lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Manlove is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Manlove trying to control the position.

That's two 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.
Sakamoto wants to stand but Manlove is controlling his posture from full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Manlove can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakamoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Manlove is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakamoto trying to stand up but can't free himself from Manlove's guard.
Sakamoto might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sakamoto won't allow Manlove to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manlove controls Sakamoto momentarily but Sakamoto frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Manlove fails with an attempt to clinch.
Manlove tries to clinch but Sakamoto moves out of range.
Sakamoto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Manlove paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Manlove fails in his attempt to clinch.
Manlove doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakamoto circles away.
Sakamoto misses with a head kick.
Sakamoto darts in trying to clinch

and Manlove holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sakamoto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Manlove has him pressed against the cage.
Manlove wants a takedown but no success here.
Sakamoto can't break the clinch.
Manlove swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Manlove drags the fight down to the ground.
Manlove has a closed guard, preventing Sakamoto from standing up.
Sakamoto throwing strikes but missing.
Sakamoto wants to stand but Manlove has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sakamoto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Commander Manlove comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sakamoto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Sakamoto!