PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Takanori Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daiki Hata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Takanori Sakurai could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Daiki Hata's chin.

Sakurai
vs
Hata

176 cm
18
149 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

173 cm
22
151 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Urban Vandal fight gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takanori Sakurai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Daiki Hata!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai tries to clinch but Hata is having none of it.
Sakurai tries to clinch up.
Hata blocks a low kick nicely.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Hata shows good takedown defense.
Sakurai has a takedown stuffed.

Hata shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hata really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sakurai . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Sakurai 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.
Hata is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakurai has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakurai is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hata makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hata sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hata lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai wants to sweep here but Hata controlling him for the moment.
Sakurai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakurai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sakurai preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakurai looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakurai , not yet.
Hata working some strikes from top position.
Sakurai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
No luck for Sakurai with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takanori Sakurai . That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Sakurai , who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick misses from Hata.
Sakurai on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sakurai is breathing heavily.
Hata stuffs the takedown.
Hata cracks Sakurai with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai shoots in and drives through. Hata sprawls well.

Hata scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sakurai trying to control here.
Sakurai wants to get back to his feet.
Sakurai on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hata looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Sakurai wants to improve his position but Hata is controlling well.
Well, if Hata 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hata stops Sakurai from getting back to his feet.
Sakurai trying to control here.
Sakurai wants to get back to full guard.
Sakurai trying to control here.
Hata sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Sakurai actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hata bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sakurai 's head backwards.
Hata lands a body shot.
Sakurai tries to clinch up.
Hata scores with a punch to the head.
Sakurai tries to clinch but Hata moves out of range.
Sakurai misses with a takedown attempt
and Hata counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Hata throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Hata clinches up with Sakurai and pushes him back against the cage.
Hata managing to block the knees to the body from Sakurai .
Sakurai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sakurai misses with a knee strike.
Come on Hata - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hata.
Hata lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sakurai trying to stall but Hata improves his position.

Hata manages to break the clinch.
Sakurai tries for a takedown but Hata sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Hata closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sakurai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sakurai has had enough of the clinch but Hata keeps him there for the moment.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hata prevents the takedown attempt.

Hata escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sakurai fails with the takedown
enabling Hata to counter with a crisp jab.
Sakurai wants to clinch up but Hata keeps it at a distance.
Hata keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Daiki Hata seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakurai misses with a takedown attempt

and Hata counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Hata.
Hata stops a takedown attempt from Sakurai .
Hata blocks an elbow strike from Sakurai .
Hata lands a body punch.
Hata avoiding damage.
Sakurai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sakurai has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hata is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sakurai is looking to break free of the clinch but Hata has double underhooks.
Sakurai tries to stall but Hata uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hata misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sakurai .
Sakurai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hata lands a right hand.
Hata is leaning against Sakurai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hata lands a body shot.
Hata keeps control of Sakurai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hata prevents the takedown attempt.
Hata prevents the takedown attempt.
Hata lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Sakurai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sakurai looking for a takedown.
Hata lands with a short shot to the head.
Sakurai jumps guard but Hata stands there with Sakurai around his waist. Sakurai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sakurai tries for a takedown but Hata manages to get underhooks.

Sakurai decides to pull guard.

Sakurai throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hata trying to control but Sakurai is working from the bottom.
Hata thows a big elbow that misses.
Hata in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hata stops Sakurai from standing up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Hata!
Hata wants to control but Sakurai is having none of it.

Sakurai stands up from mount. Strange move.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hata.
Sakurai tries to control but Hata manages to take his back.
Sakurai trying to control the hands but Hata won't let him.
Sakurai rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hata's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hata's back!
Sakurai not allowing Hata to control his hands.
Hata rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Sakurai trying to control the action but Hata is working from the bottom.
Sakurai stalling away here and it's allowed Hata to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Sakurai drops back looking for a leg! Hata is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hata manages to kick Sakurai off! Sakurai jumps back into Hata's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hata can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hata wants to sweep here but Sakurai controlling him for the moment.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai trying to control but Hata is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakurai passes into half guard.
Sakurai trying to control from half guard but Hata is working away.

Sakurai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Sakurai decides to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daiki Hata dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sakurai looks for a takedown but Hata sprawls well.
Good work by Hata as he checks the leg kick.
Sakurai blocks a head kick by Hata.
Sakurai shoots in and drives through. Hata sprawls well.
Hata jabs at Sakurai 's body.
Hata scores with a head kick.
Sakurai throws a head kick but Hata moves out of range.
Sakurai tries to bum rush Hata with a series of wild strikes but Hata uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hata checks a leg kick nicely.
Sakurai shoots for a double leg takedown but Hata sprawls well. He's pushed Sakurai 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takanori Sakurai . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hata throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sakurai stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hata will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hata throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hata throws a head kick that misses.
Hata looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sakurai tries to clinch but Hata moves away
and Hata counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Hata throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sakurai stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Sakurai 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Hata bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sakurai is not content to let Hata control the position.
Hata lands a nice forearm strike.
Sakurai manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hata tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Sakurai works his way into full mount!
Hata is looking to improve his position but Sakurai isn't that keen on the idea.
Sakurai can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hata is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakurai is working for a guillotine from mount but Hata frees his head quite easily.
Hata working to try and regain half guard.
Hata wants to control but Sakurai is having none of it.
Sakurai looking to control but Hata is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Sakurai looking to finish Hata with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hata!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hata is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hata working to try and regain half guard.
Sakurai throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Hata regains half guard.
Sakurai missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sakurai wants to stand up but Hata is controlling the position.
Sakurai wants to control but Hata is keeping him busy.
Sakurai thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hata's head.

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.
Hata is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sakurai 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sakurai 's back!
Hata lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Sakurai manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hata's guard. Nice work there by Sakurai .
Hata tries to strike from the bottom.
Sakurai stopping the sweep attempt from Hata.
Hata doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hata manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sakurai can't escape the position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hata scoring with strikes but Sakurai is staying in there.
Sakurai tries to lock up and control but Hata gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hata trying to control but Sakurai is having none of it.
Sakurai working to try and regain half guard.
Sakurai tries to hold on but Hata postures up.
Sakurai is wriggling around trying to escape.
BOOM! Hata connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hata pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sakurai is working to get back to half guard.
Hata controlling from the full mount.
Sakurai regains half guard.
Sakurai trying to hold on to Hata's head to control him but Hata postures up.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai gets back to full guard.
Sakurai controls Hata momentarily but Hata frees himself.
Hata stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakurai swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sakurai has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hata can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hata lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sakurai tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Sakurai had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hata is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sakurai Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hata's back instead.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai throwing damaging strikes from the back! Hata could be in trouble here!

Hata preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Sakurai .
Sakurai punches the canvas rather than the man.
A lull in the action here.

Sakurai is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Hata is defending well though. Sakurai let's go of the attempt for now.

Sakurai working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Hata is doing well to defend. Sakurai seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Hata is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:03 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Takanori Sakurai !