PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Claudio Popeye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuraba is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Ski Beatz Ft Jim Jones & Curren$y - Go. Popeye has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Popeye
vs
Sakuraba

184 cm
21
182 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
20
176 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Claudio Popeye!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Popeye misses with a hook. Sakuraba ducked under it nicely.

Sakuraba drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Popeye keeps moving.
Popeye wants to stand but Sakuraba is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Popeye is breathing heavily.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Popeye keeps moving.
Popeye can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sakuraba controls the pace.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sakuraba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Sakuraba is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kazuushi Sakuraba was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sakuraba lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Sakuraba misses with an attempted mid kick.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Popeye shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakuraba misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popeye blocks a head kick by Sakuraba.
Popeye throws a series of punches but Sakuraba avoids them all with ease.
Sakuraba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popeye keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakuraba shoots in but no luck this time.

Popeye tries to keep at a distance but Sakuraba has taken the fight into the clinch.
Popeye wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sakuraba has him pressed against the cage.
Sakuraba has Popeye pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Popeye manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Claudio Popeye has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuushi Sakuraba.

Sakuraba breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakuraba misses with a double jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Popeye checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Popeye lands a body shot.
Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Popeye.
Nice defenses there by Sakuraba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a body shot
and Popeye connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Claudio Popeye seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuraba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sakuraba staying out of range there.
Sakuraba throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Popeye.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Sakuraba gets the takedown into side control.
Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Popeye is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Popeye sneaks out the side door and pushes Sakuraba away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Popeye throws an overhand right that lands on Sakuraba's shoulder, as Sakuraba tries to avoid the shot.
Sakuraba shoots in but no luck this time.
Popeye keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Sakuraba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Popeye blocks a jab.
Sakuraba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Popeye circles away.
The fighters circling - Popeye throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sakuraba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Popeye was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Popeye sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Popeye missing with a left hand there. Sakuraba was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sakuraba shoots in for a double leg but Popeye sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sakuraba takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Popeye lands a right hook to the body.
A lazy left from Popeye finds it's target.
Popeye scores with a nice strike.
Popeye misses with an uppercut. Sakuraba saw that one coming.
Sakuraba misses with a head kick.
Sakuraba is looking to clinch but Popeye is avoiding it.
Popeye paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Sakuraba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuraba wants to clinch up but Popeye keeps it at a distance.
Popeye waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sakuraba.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Popeye throws an overhand right that lands on Sakuraba's shoulder, as Sakuraba tries to avoid the shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazuushi Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sakuraba tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Popeye blocks a jab.
Sakuraba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Popeye defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Popeye misses with an uppercut.
A solid body kick from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba needs to keep his hands up - Popeye had a free shot at his head there.
Sakuraba looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakuraba has a takedown stuffed.
A big left from Popeye misses.
Popeye moves out of range of the strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popeye is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sakuraba.
Popeye throws a big shot that misses.
Sakuraba fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakuraba takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sakuraba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Popeye missing with a left hand there. Sakuraba was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sakuraba pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Sakuraba fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Popeye sprawls well initially but Sakuraba persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sakuraba sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Popeye defending well though.
Popeye wants to stand back up but Sakuraba manages to pass into side control.
Sakuraba wants to control but Popeye is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Popeye being controlled for a moment.
Popeye is trying to buck Sakuraba off.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kazuushi Sakuraba hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sakuraba misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a series of punches but Popeye avoids them all with ease.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Popeye moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Popeye.
Sakuraba gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Popeye connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Popeye circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sakuraba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Popeye uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba pushes Popeye away with a front kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sakuraba.
Claudio Popeye has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Popeye shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Popeye misses the jab.
Sakuraba blocks a jab.

Sakuraba darts in and clinches Popeye up against the cage.

Popeye escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Claudio Popeye is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the side of Popeye's head but Popeye sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Popeye misses the shot to the body.
Popeye looks to throw the jab but Sakuraba is out of range.
Sakuraba dives in and grabs Popeye's left leg, looking for a takedown. Popeye pushes down on Sakuraba's head and hops out.
Nice uppercut lands for Popeye. That snapped Sakuraba's head back.
Sakuraba staying out of range there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Popeye keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Popeye looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuushi Sakuraba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Sakuraba shoots for a takedown but Popeye saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sakuraba throws out a leg kick but Popeye moves out of range and Sakuraba only half commits.
Sakuraba throws a lazy head kick
and Popeye counters with a straight right hand.
Sakuraba throws a sloppy head kick and Popeye moves out of range easily.

Sakuraba forces Popeye back against the cage and clinches.
Popeye looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Popeye is trying to break the clinch but Sakuraba is controlling him.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown. No joy.
Popeye is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Popeye wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Sakuraba pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sakuraba closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Popeye quickly recovers to half guard.
Sakuraba throwing shots but Popeye is blocking nicely.
Sakuraba trying to control the action but Popeye is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakuraba tries to pass the half guard into mount. Popeye knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Popeye is trying to stand.
Sakuraba working the head and body with strikes.
Popeye is trying to stand back up but Sakuraba is controlling him
Sakuraba not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Well, if Sakuraba is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Popeye wants to get back to his feet.
Sakuraba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakuraba wants to pass to mount but Popeye is defending 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.
Popeye looks like he's trying to stand up.
Popeye is refusing to be controlled, as Sakuraba sits in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Popeye is trying to stand.
Sakuraba missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Popeye is trying to stand up here but Sakuraba is controlling him well.
Sakuraba trying to mount his opponent but Popeye defends it.
Popeye is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sakuraba sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Popeye throws out a powerful jab.
Sakuraba moves in looking to clinch but Popeye pushes him off.
Popeye lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Popeye lands with a hook. Sakuraba tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Popeye throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Popeye throws a predictable looking body shot

and Sakuraba counters with a takedown into side control.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Popeye is trying to get back to his feet.
Claudio Popeye has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Popeye keeps working.
Popeye wants to get back to his feet but Sakuraba drags him back down.
Sakuraba trying to control the position but Popeye is working away.
Sakuraba scoring with punches and elbows.
Popeye wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Popeye keeps working.
Popeye pushes Sakuraba away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sakuraba gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Popeye is being controlled here.
Popeye is trying to buck Sakuraba off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazuushi Sakuraba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Sakuraba winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazuushi Sakuraba!