PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryu Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George St Piere (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sakurai
vs
St Piere

173 cm
23
160 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

184 cm
25
161 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 6 - 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, George St Piere!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

St Piere looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sakurai!
St Piere won't let Sakurai get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Sakurai tries to hold on but St Piere postures up.
Sakurai is trying to escape the mount.
Sakurai might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sakurai is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
St Piere lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

St Piere looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

St Piere is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Sakurai can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Sakurai tries to lock up and control but St Piere gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Sakurai is trying to escape the mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

St Piere is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Sakurai has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Sakurai wants to try and get back to his feet.
Sakurai is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sakurai is looking to get to half guard.
Sakurai regains half guard.

St Piere is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
St Piere looks gassed!
Sakurai wants to get back to full guard.
Sakurai looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sakurai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

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.
Sakurai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

St Piere wants to work for an arm triangle but Sakurai is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

St Piere seems to be working for a kimura but Sakurai defends the submission attempt.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakurai lands a jab-cross combination.
Sakurai scores with a shot to the body.
St Piere tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakurai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten St Piere somewhat.
Danga de danga de dang - Sakurai scores with a four punch combination!
Sakurai stuns St Piere with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
St Piere takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sakurai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
St Piere ducks right into an uppercut from Sakurai.
St Piere takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai jabs at St Piere's body.
Sakurai scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A right-left combo lands from Sakurai.
Sakurai scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sakurai wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
St Piere takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sakurai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Good shot there by Sakurai.
Sakurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sakurai.
Sakurai lands with a good body shot.
Sakurai with a jab.
St Piere doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sakurai throws a right hand that St Piere ducks under and follows up with a left that St Piere also avoids with ease.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but St Piere moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai lands a right hook to the body.
Sakurai throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent St Piere stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sakurai fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakurai connects with a body shot.
George St Piere seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Danga de danga de dang - Sakurai scores with a four punch combination!
A cross from Sakurai lands.
Sakurai lands with a good body shot.
Sakurai is working the combinations to good effect here.
Sakurai lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
St Piere takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Sakurai ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but St Piere avoids them all with ease.
Sakurai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. St Piere doesn't seem bothered though.
Sakurai throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sakurai is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Sakurai scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. St Piere doesn't seem bothered though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
St Piere looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sakurai stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sakurai wants it to stay on the feet.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George St Piere.
Sakurai lands a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Sakurai dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sakurai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. St Piere looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sakurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sakurai digs a good hook to St Piere's body.
Sakurai scores with a three punch combo!
Sakurai lands a jab-cross combination.
Sakurai misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from St Piere.
Sakurai scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
St Piere walks into a straight right hand from Sakurai.
St Piere tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakurai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten St Piere somewhat.
St Piere fails with a takedown attempt.
Sakurai lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Sakurai.
St Piere is breathing heavily.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but St Piere avoids them all with ease.
Sakurai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
St Piere shoots for a takedown but Sakurai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George St Piere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai swinging wildly here.
St Piere takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sakurai scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Sakurai throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent St Piere stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sakurai cracks a nice hook into St Piere's ribs.
Sakurai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
St Piere on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sakurai misses with a few strikes there.
St Piere drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sakurai stuns St Piere with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sakurai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by St Piere.
A shot to the liver by Sakurai. Beautiful body shot.
Sakurai lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sakurai misses with a wild combination.
Sakurai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps St Piere's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Piere shoots in for a double leg but Sakurai sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sakurai lands a nice hook to St Piere's body. St Piere takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sakurai cracks a nice hook into St Piere's ribs.
St Piere on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ryu Sakurai is winning the standup battle so far.
Sakurai throws a combination. St Piere tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
St Piere has a takedown stuffed.
Sakurai's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Sakurai duly obliges.
Sakurai with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakurai is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sakurai ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ryu Sakurai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
St Piere with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sakurai to score with a decent uppercut.
Sakurai lands a nice looking body shot.
St Piere shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
St Piere takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ryu Sakurai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai sizes up St Piere with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
St Piere has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
St Piere dodges the punch combination from Sakurai.
St Piere shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Sakurai throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sakurai looks to land a combination. St Piere sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sakurai lands a nice shot to the body.
St Piere has a takedown stuffed.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice body punch from Sakurai.
St Piere walks into a straight right hand from Sakurai.
Sakurai lands with a good body shot.
Sakurai lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
St Piere 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 St Piere off to one side.
St Piere is trying hard to land a takedown here. Sakurai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Sakurai as he connects with a hook.
Sakurai is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that St Piere can do to turn this around?
Sakurai connects with a good right hand that stumbles St Piere. St Piere circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sakurai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
St Piere on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sakurai punishes St Piere's body with a nice straight punch.
Sakurai clobbers St Piere with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sakurai scores with a crisp jab that stopped St Piere in his tracks.
St Piere shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakurai lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sakurai is looking to wear down St Piere with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakurai ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sakurai moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
St Piere fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sakurai avoids it really well and circles away.
Sakurai lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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! This is the final round!

St Piere looks for a takedown but Sakurai sprawls well.
Sakurai digs a good hook to St Piere's body.
Sakurai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
St Piere takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sakurai thuds his right hand into St Piere's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sakurai darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sakurai fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. St Piere looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
St Piere takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sakurai fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sakurai scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Sakurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sakurai scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A jab from Sakurai finds it's way through St Piere's defenses.
Sakurai jabs at St Piere's body.
Sakurai lands a glancing blow to the side of St Piere's head.
Sakurai works over St Piere's head and body with a nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai lands a jab to the head.
Sakurai tests St Piere's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sakurai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by St Piere.
Sakurai lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but St Piere moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sakurai tries to bum rush St Piere with a series of wild strikes but St Piere uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakurai lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but St Piere circles away quickly and effectively.
Sakurai just misses with a punch to the body.
Sakurai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed St Piere momentarily.
St Piere tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Sakurai swivels and escapes.
Sakurai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as St Piere backs up against the cage.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
St Piere misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ryu Sakurai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of George St Piere.
St Piere gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sakurai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai digs a good body shot into St Piere's ribs.
Sakurai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
St Piere fails with the takedown.
Nice shot by Sakurai.
Sakurai lands a two punch combo.
A nice combination there by Sakurai.
St Piere doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but St Piere avoids them all with ease.
St Piere shoots in looking for a takedown. Sakurai tries to sprawl out of it but St Piere 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 cracks St Piere with a good jab.
St Piere slips a jab and a cross from Sakurai.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Piere tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakurai sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten St Piere somewhat.
St Piere takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sakurai with a hook.
St Piere fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sakurai lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ryu Sakurai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sakurai lands the left hand.
Decent striking displayed by Sakurai there.
Sakurai stuffs the takedown.
Sakurai lands with a nice combination. St Piere backs away looking to recover.
Sakurai swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sakurai.
St Piere shoots in looking for a takedown. Sakurai tries to sprawl out of it but St Piere 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 misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
St Piere fails to land the takedown.
Sakurai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
St Piere misses with a takedown attempt - Sakurai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
St Piere is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sakurai.
St Piere has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sakurai scores with a shot to the body.
Sakurai scores with a hook to the body. St Piere takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sakurai scores with a three punch combo!
Sakurai cracks St Piere with an open hand slap.
A nice combination there by Sakurai.
George St Piere has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sakurai throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:25
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:25
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:25

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