PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Richard Nixon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nixon comes to the cage accompanied by The Upsetters - Dread Lion. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Nixon
vs
Sakurai

170 cm
21
175 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
180 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Richard Nixon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kazushi Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sakurai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nixon pinned against the cage. Nixon gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sakurai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sakurai fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nixon missing with a left hand there. Sakurai was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Richard Nixon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nixon lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Nixon gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sakurai to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Sakurai trying to control but Nixon is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai looking to pass the guard.

Sakurai has gone for a leg lock! Nixon slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sakurai's guard.
Nixon wants to stand but Sakurai has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sakurai manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Nixon tries to hold on but Sakurai postures up.

Sakurai is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Sakurai throws a lazy uppercut
and Nixon counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Nixon shows good takedown defense.
Richard Nixon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakurai.
Nixon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sakurai misses with a left hand
and Nixon counters with a two punch combo.
Sakurai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nixon.
Sakurai throws an off balance right hand
and Nixon counters with a nice body kick.
Sakurai shoots in but no luck this time.
Sakurai misses with an uppercut. Nixon saw that one coming.
Nixon lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sakurai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nixon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nixon missing with a left hand there. Sakurai was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nixon lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nixon misses with a hook. Sakurai ducked under it nicely.
Sakurai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nixon connects with a looping right hand.
A slow jab from Nixon misses its intended target.
Nixon misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakurai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nixon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nixon lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Nixon dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakurai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nixon sprawls well. Nixon wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sakurai gets slowly back to his feet.
Richard Nixon is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice defenses there by Sakurai.
Sakurai fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Richard Nixon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakurai.
Donk. Nixon catches Sakurai right on the button with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nixon as he avoids it easily.
Sakurai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nixon misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nixon. That's going to slow Sakurai down.
Sakurai is breathing heavily.
Sakurai chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nixon can pounce on him.
Sakurai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nixon tests Sakurai's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nixon lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Good standup being displayed there by Nixon as he connects with a hook.
Sakurai takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nixon throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nixon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nixon swings widly with a right hand
enabling Sakurai to counter with a crisp jab.
Good leg kick by Nixon there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sakurai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sakurai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nixon counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nixon scores with a punch to the head.
Sakurai on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sakurai fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nixon on the side of the head.
Sakurai keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nixon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nixon takes a swing at Sakurai's ribcage but misses.
Sakurai is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nixon.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nixon, right into the meat.
Nixon scores with a leg kick.
Nixon throws the left hand but Sakurai avoids the punch easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nixon.
Nixon lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sakurai's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sakurai defending well as Nixon loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Nixon.
Nixon lands a leg kick that knocks Sakurai off balance momentarily.
Sakurai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A shot to the body from Sakurai misses
and Nixon counters with a thumping low kick.
Nixon misses with a looping right.
Sakurai misses with a lunging right hand
and Nixon cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nixon dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakurai. That did some damage!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nixon moves into range and connects with a jab.

Sakurai is rocked!
Nixon ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Nixon dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nixon scores with a one two! Sakurai had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sakurai is still on wobbly legs! Can Nixon finish him?
Sakurai has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nixon connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sakurai momentarily.

Nixon lands a big uppercut and Sakurai crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Sakurai looks OK. Nixon waves Sakurai back to his feet!

Nixon drops Sakurai with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Sakurai looks back up at him and smiles so Nixon waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
Sakurai tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nixon as he avoids it easily.
Sakurai on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sakurai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nixon lands with a good body shot.
Sakurai seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nixon changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nixon scores with a jab to the body.
Nixon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakurai manages to avoid it.
Sakurai on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nixon lands with a slapping head kick.
Nixon throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Sakurai on the side of the head.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nixon.
Nixon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sakurai.
Nixon lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Nixon both land. Nice combination.
Sakurai takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nixon scores with a hook.
Nixon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nixon misses the shot to the body.
Nixon looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakurai is just out of range.
Sakurai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nixon is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sakurai can do to turn this around?
Nixon scores with a jab.
Sakurai connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Nixon momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nixon connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A jab from Nixon misses.
Sakurai misses with a hook. Nixon ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Nixon misses.
Nixon lands a nice looking body shot.
Richard Nixon is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nixon throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Sakurai counters with a shoot takedown. Nixon fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakurai trying to control the position from guard on top but Nixon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nixon is looking to stand up but Sakurai isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nixon is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nixon keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.
Sakurai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nixon wants to stand up but Sakurai is controlling him.
Nixon can't keep his opponent in guard - Sakurai advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Nixon clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

An inside leg kick lands from Nixon.
Nixon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakurai manages to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nixon, as that shot connected.
Nixon throws a jab when Sakurai was well out of range.
Nixon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakurai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nixon is fending him off so far but Sakurai persists. Nope, Nixon circles away and we're back to standing.
Nixon with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nixon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sakurai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nixon. Nixon circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nixon tries to move into range but Sakurai moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nixon misses the shot to the body.
Sakurai throws a nice looking combination but Nixon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakurai takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sakurai drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Sakurai throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nixon counters with a stiff right hand.
Nixon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sakurai is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nixon stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakurai. Sakurai gets slowly back to his feet.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nixon.
Nixon connects with a crisp jab.
Sakurai throws a right hand that misses
and Nixon counters with a good low kick that Sakurai was not able to check.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nixon.
Nixon connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakurai has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nixon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Nixon counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nice body kick from Nixon.
Sakurai shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Nixon is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Sakurai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd cheers as Nixon lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sakurai doesn't seem phased though.
Nixon throws a shot to the body.
Sakurai might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nixon lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nixon bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sakurai's head backwards.
Nixon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A telegraphed right hand from Nixon misses the target.
Nixon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sakurai's sensitive parts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nixon misses the jab.
Nixon lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakurai's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nixon throws out a loose jab but Sakurai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nixon connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sakurai momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Nixon had his way with Kazushi Sakurai in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Nixon throws a poor cross that misses
and Sakurai cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A punch lands to the side of Sakurai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sakurai ducks under a wild hook from Nixon.
Sakurai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nixon.
Sakurai takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nixon misses with a looping right.
Sakurai blocks a leg kick.
Sakurai takes one to the side of the head.
Nixon lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakurai's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nixon throws a jab but it's blocked by Sakurai.
Sakurai throws a poor cross that misses
and Nixon counters with a nice uppercut.
Nixon throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sakurai's head.
Nixon throws a body punch but Sakurai moves out of range.
Sakurai is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nixon sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nixon looks to land a right hand but Sakurai moved out of range.
Sakurai shoots in and drives through. Nixon sprawls well.
Sakurai is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Nixon scores with a decent looking hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nixon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nixon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nixon fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nixon jabs at Sakurai's body.
Sakurai ducks under a wild hook from Nixon.
Sakurai takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nixon circles to his right before unloading a perfect head kick! Sakurai drops to the canvas, hurt badly! Nixon follows Sakurai to the ground and unloads with a series of strikes that force the referee to step in and end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Richard Nixon!
Richard Nixon retains his welterweight title!