PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jason Cabana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ryu Sakurai is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cabana
vs
Sakurai

177 cm
20
170 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

173 cm
24
160 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jason Cabana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ryu Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Donatello Bradman and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Sakurai finds it's target.
Cabana on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Sakurai closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Cabana is holding on to half guard well.
Sakurai is pressing down on Cabana's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cabana is holding on for now.
Cabana wants to get back to full guard.

Cabana looking for submissions off his back.
Cabana has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sakurai is working away from the top position though.
Cabana wants to control but Sakurai passes into side.
Sakurai trying to control the action but Cabana is working from the bottom.
Cabana gets back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabana trying to hold on to Sakurai's head to control him but Sakurai postures up.
Sakurai is nestled in close to Cabana, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Cabana avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sakurai.
Cabana is positioning himself well to prevent Sakurai advancing to mount.
Cabana is not content to let Sakurai control the position.
Sakurai might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Cabana kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sakurai not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cabana is not content to let Sakurai control the position.
Sakurai really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cabana. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cabana is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Sakurai is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Cabana is looking for a sweep. Sakurai is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Cabana is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sakurai pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Cabana is refusing to be controlled, as Sakurai sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabana tries to get to full guard but Sakurai has control of the leg.
Cabana wants to control but Sakurai is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Cabana actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cabana works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cabana is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sakurai preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cabana keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.
Cabana trying to keep a closed guard but Sakurai is proving a slippery customer.
Cabana wants to sweep but no luck.
Cabana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Cabana is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Cabana wants to improve his position but instead Sakurai has moved into half guard.
Sakurai prevents Cabana from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Sakurai dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sakurai scores with a hook to the body. Cabana takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sakurai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sakurai throws a series of punches but Cabana avoids them all with ease.
Sakurai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Sakurai scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Sakurai shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Sakurai tries to free his leg and advance position but Cabana is retaining full guard.
Sakurai stopping the sweep attempt from Cabana.
Sakurai is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cabana looking for a sweep. Not yet Cabana, not yet.

Cabana looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Cabana keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.
Cabana is trying to keep Sakurai in close.
Sakurai stays in close to Cabana's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ryu Sakurai.
Sakurai with a hook.
A punch combination from Sakurai misses.
Sakurai rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cabana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai lands with a shot to the body.

Sakurai closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sakurai lands in his opponent's guard.

Cabana has his foot on Sakurai's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sakurai works his way back into a safe position though.
Cabana tries to strike from the bottom.
Cabana trying to keep a closed guard but Sakurai is proving a slippery customer.

Cabana escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sakurai gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai passes Cabana's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Cabana is not content to let Sakurai control the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cabana manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sakurai working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Cabana's head.
Cabana looking to control.
Cabana throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Sakurai wants to control from the top but Cabana keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sakurai preventing the sweep.
Sakurai looking to pass the guard.
Cabana looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Cabana is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sakurai defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cabana lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sakurai!
Sakurai is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sakurai is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cabana misses with a head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryu Sakurai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sakurai closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sakurai throws a right hand that Cabana ducks under and follows up with a left that Cabana also avoids with ease.

Sakurai throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cabana tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sakurai is in Cabana's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cabana looking to control.

Cabana working for a triangle but Sakurai defends it easily.
Sakurai slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Sakurai stopping the sweep attempt from Cabana.
Sakurai controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Cabana 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.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Cabana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ryu Sakurai hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Sakurai scores with a punch to the head.

Sakurai shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Cabana tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sakurai avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cabana looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cabana is trying to keep Sakurai in close.

Sakurai is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Sakurai controlling from the top position.
Sakurai tries to free his leg and advance position but Cabana is retaining full guard.
Cabana wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Sakurai is now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cabana is looking to control Sakurai's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cabana avoid being mounted?
Sakurai with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cabana wants to control but Sakurai is keeping busy.
Ryu Sakurai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sakurai trying to control the action but Cabana is working from the bottom.
Cabana is looking for a sweep. Sakurai is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cabana is looking to control Sakurai's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cabana avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Sakurai darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Cabana is looking for a sweep. Sakurai is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Cabana looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cabana won't allow Sakurai to pass to mount.
Cabana gets back to full guard.
Jason Cabana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sakurai wants to control from the top but Cabana keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryu Sakurai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sakurai has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

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