PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryu Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerard Mullins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Sakurai
vs
Mullins

173 cm
22
160 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

174 cm
21
168 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryu Sakurai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gerard Mullins!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Winston Howard and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mullins will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mullins slips a jab and a cross from Sakurai.
Mullins drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sakurai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mullins shoots in but Sakurai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mullins closes the distance and clinches up with Sakurai, looking for a takedown. Mullins pushes Sakurai against the cage but Sakurai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerard Mullins.
Mullins avoids the body shot from Sakurai.
Sakurai misses with a wild combination.
Sakurai throws a right and a left that Mullins avoids nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mullins.
Mullins fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mullins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakurai.
Sakurai stuffs the takedown.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Mullins avoids them all with ease.
Sakurai throws a right and a left that Mullins avoids nicely.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakurai clobbers Mullins with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sakurai stalks Mullins and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mullins's face. Mullins staggers backwards, shaken.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mullins shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai shows good takedown defense.
No luck for Mullins with that takedown attempt.
Sakurai with a nice cross.
Sakurai fails to land with a series of punches.
Gerard Mullins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice combination there by Sakurai.
Sakurai lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Some wild striking there from Sakurai.

Mullins closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mullins lands in his opponent's guard.
Mullins stops Sakurai from standing up.
Mullins trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakurai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mullins wants to pass the guard but Sakurai is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mullins throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakurai works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mullins postures up.
Sakurai is looking to stand up but Mullins isn't so interested in that idea.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Mullins is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Mullins avoids them all with ease.
Mullins fails to land the takedown.
Sakurai scores with a hook to the body. Mullins takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sakurai defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mullins.
Mullins looks gassed!

Mullins shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Sakurai tries to roll over but Mullins keeps him under control.
Sakurai is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mullins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mullins's back!
Sakurai doesn't have the hooks in and Mullins manages to turn into his guard.
Mullins scoring with some ground and pound.
Mullins won't allow Sakurai to sweep him here.
Sakurai bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mullins's guard.
Mullins has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Mullins has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakurai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Mullins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sakurai content to stall in guard here.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Mullins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mullins wants to sweep but no luck.
Sakurai is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakurai wants to get up but he can't break Mullins's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Sakurai is stalling in the full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Mullins has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakurai can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mullins tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sakurai trying to control but Mullins is working from the bottom.
Mullins tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Sakurai dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sakurai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mullins circles away quickly and effectively.
Ryu Sakurai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakurai scores with a nice right hand.
Mullins throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
No luck for Mullins with that takedown attempt.
Mullins misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sakurai lands with a hook. Mullins tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Mullins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakurai.
Sakurai scores with a shot to the body.
Sakurai tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mullins was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakurai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mullins is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sakurai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerard Mullins.
Sakurai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sakurai.
Mullins fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakurai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mullins is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai misses with the combination.
Sakurai misses with the combination.
Sakurai misses with the combination.
Mullins shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sakurai as he avoids it easily.
Sakurai lands a body shot.
Sakurai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mullins.
Sakurai punishes Mullins's body with a nice straight punch.
Mullins shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakurai pinned against the cage. Sakurai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sakurai misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sakurai scores with a three punch combo!
Ryu Sakurai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakurai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mullins.
Sakurai scores with a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Mullins has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mullins misses with an uppercut.
Sakurai lands a right hook to the body.
Sakurai lands with a right hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mullins.
A right-left combo lands from Sakurai.
Mullins dives in and grabs Sakurai's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sakurai pushes down on Mullins's head and hops out.
Sakurai misses with a series of wild punches.
Mullins tries for a takedown but Sakurai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakurai scores with a jab to the head.
Mullins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sakurai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mullins circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakurai lands with a good body shot.
Mullins shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sakurai as he avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai throws a one two combo.
Ryu Sakurai is winning the standup battle so far.
Sakurai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mullins doesn't seem bothered though.
Sakurai changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakurai getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Mullins gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sakurai scores with a sloppy right hand. Mullins should have avoided that one.
Mullins shoots in and drives through. Sakurai sprawls well.
Mullins takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sakurai sizes up Mullins with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sakurai throws a series of strikes that have Mullins backpedaling.
Sakurai throws a right hand that Mullins ducks under and follows up with a left that Mullins also avoids with ease.
Mullins moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sakurai misses the shot to the body.
Sakurai lands a nice hook to Mullins's body. Mullins takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sakurai lands a nice shot to the body.
Mullins changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sakurai tries to avoid it but Mullins manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sakurai to the ground. Sakurai escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mullins fails with the takedown.
Mullins dodges the punch combination from Sakurai.
Mullins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakurai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mullins somewhat.
Sakurai jabs Mullins right on the nose. Mullins blinks but takes it well.
Mullins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mullins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sakurai's waist but Sakurai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mullins off to one side.
Sakurai scores with a three punch combo!
Sakurai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Sakurai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sakurai lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mullins walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Sakurai dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Mullins avoids the body shot from Sakurai.
Sakurai scores with a hook.
Mullins takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mullins closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sakurai circles away.
Mullins takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mullins has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Mullins fails with the takedown.
Nice body punch from Sakurai.
Mullins tries to move into range but Sakurai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sakurai throws out a powerful jab.
Mullins tries to move into range but Sakurai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mullins fails to land the takedown.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerard Mullins.
Sakurai lands an overhand right.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mullins fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sakurai!
Sakurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sakurai misses with a wild combination.
Sakurai throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mullins stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sakurai tries to bum rush Mullins with a series of wild strikes but Mullins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mullins has a takedown stuffed.
Sakurai thuds a left hand into Mullins's body.
A right-left combo lands from Sakurai.
Mullins tries to move into range but Sakurai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mullins shoots in for a double leg but Sakurai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sakurai jabs at Mullins's body.
Sakurai is looking to wear down Mullins with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sakurai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sakurai misses with a few strikes there.
Mullins shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakurai pinned against the cage. Sakurai gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mullins looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mullins shoots in looking for a takedown. Sakurai tries to sprawl out of it but Mullins keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sakurai manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakurai connects with a crisp jab.
Nice takedown defense from Sakurai. No joy for Mullins on that attempt.
Mullins walks into a stiff left hand from Sakurai.
Sakurai stalks Mullins and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Mullins's face. Mullins staggers backwards, shaken.
Sakurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sakurai.
Sakurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sakurai.
Mullins takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mullins shoots in but no luck this time.
Sakurai throws a one two combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai looks to land a combination. Mullins sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sakurai keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mullins tries to move into range but Sakurai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mullins looks for a takedown but Sakurai sprawls well.
Sakurai darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mullins showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakurai.
Ryu Sakurai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mullins looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sakurai is fending him off so far but Mullins persists. Nope, Sakurai circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakurai lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Sakurai lands a jab-cross combination.

Mullins scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sakurai is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is looking to regain half guard here but Mullins keeps moving and retains side control.
Mullins has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Mullins working for a submission but Sakurai is keeping him at bay.
Sakurai is trying to escape the mount.
Mullins trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Gerard Mullins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mullins unloading with bombs!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Sakurai showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sakurai, 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:26
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:26
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryu Sakurai!