PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kaoklai Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Branko Popovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Popovic's choice of entrance music: None. Branko Popovic has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sakuraba
vs
Popovic

180 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

193 cm
25
217 lbs
9 - 9 - 1

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kaoklai Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 1, fighting out of New York, Branko Popovic!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sakuraba.

Popovic closes the distance and clinches.

Popovic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Popovic shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sakuraba napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Sakuraba is trying to control Popovic's posture but Popovic avoids it.
Sakuraba is looking for a sweep.
Popovic connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Sakuraba some visible discomfort.
Popovic working the ground and pound.

It looks like Kaoklai Sakuraba has been cut.
Popovic creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sakuraba is working to avoid the ground and pound but Popovic connects with a decent elbow.

Sakuraba is rocked!

Kaoklai Sakuraba's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Kaoklai Sakuraba's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Branko Popovic!