PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Magne Bruno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Magne Bruno could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Hiro Sakurai's chin.

Bruno
vs
Sakurai

185 cm
24
215 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
203 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

:: Happy Pills ::

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Magne Bruno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Hiro Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bruno leaves Sakurai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bruno stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bruno wants it to stay on the feet.
A punch combination from Bruno misses.
A jab from Bruno misses.
Bruno bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bruno fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bruno throws a body punch but Sakurai moves out of range.
Bruno fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sakurai shoots in and drives through. Bruno sprawls well.
Magne Bruno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Sakurai.
Bruno throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Bruno does no damage.
Sakurai fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bruno avoids it really well and circles away.
Bruno misses the jab.
Sakurai with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bruno counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bruno's corner calls for a 1-2. Bruno obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sakurai has his takedown stuffed
and Bruno cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sakurai uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bruno.
Sakurai shoots in looking for a takedown but Bruno manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sakurai's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Bruno shows good takedown defense.
Bruno swings away with a body shot that misses

and Sakurai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Bruno won't be happy with that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakurai looks gassed!
Bruno pushes Sakurai away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Sakurai gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bruno is trying to improve his position.
Bruno knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sakurai on the ground.
Bruno regains half guard.
Sakurai wants to advance to full mount but Bruno doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Bruno keeping moving, preventing Sakurai from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruno wants to sweep but no luck.
Sakurai is fighting to break Bruno's control of his arms but Bruno is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sakurai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakurai is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakurai tries for a takedown but Bruno sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Bruno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakurai manages to avoid it.
Bruno throws a hook but Sakurai avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruno rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakurai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sakurai fails with a takedown attempt.
Magne Bruno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bruno sizes up Sakurai with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Bruno lands a nice shot that snaps Sakurai's head back.
Bruno scores with a sloppy right hand. Sakurai should have avoided that one.
Sakurai tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bruno sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sakurai somewhat.
Bruno throws a hook to the side of Sakurai's head but Sakurai sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Bruno shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakurai bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bruno stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bruno just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bruno with a hook.
Sakurai tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bruno sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sakurai somewhat.
Bruno defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakurai.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Bruno shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bruno is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Bruno throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sakurai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sakurai closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bruno circles away.
Bruno digs a good body shot into Sakurai's ribs.
A big right from Bruno misses.
Bruno scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bruno connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bruno lands with a right hand.
Sakurai fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bruno avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bruno throws a one two combo.
Bruno throws a good cross that connects.
Bruno fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakurai with a poor takedown
and Bruno counters with a stiff right hand.
Sakurai looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bruno is fending him off so far but Sakurai persists. Nope, Bruno circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakurai takes one to the side of the head.
Sakurai fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Magne Bruno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Sakurai.
Sakurai defending well as Bruno loads up on a big left hand.
Sakurai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bruno tries to avoid it but Sakurai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bruno to the ground. Bruno escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sakurai is breathing heavily.
Sakurai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bruno.
Bruno throws out a powerful jab.
Bruno wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
No joy there for Bruno, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Bruno misses.
Bruno looks to land a left hand but Sakurai moved out of range nicely.
Bruno dips to his left and cracks Sakurai with an uppercut!
Bruno slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakurai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bruno fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Bruno lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sakurai at a distance.
Bruno ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bruno scores with a jab.
Bruno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sakurai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bruno closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nice defenses there by Sakurai.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai blocks a jab.
Bruno scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sakurai gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bruno lands with a cross.
Bruno jabs at Sakurai's body.
Sakurai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A jab lands there for Bruno.
Sakurai takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bruno rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakurai moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bruno misses with a left hand

and Sakurai counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Sakurai being controlled here momentarily.
Sakurai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bruno is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruno working a defensive guard here.
Bruno wants to sweep here but Sakurai controlling him for the moment.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Bruno is keeping the position.
Sakurai content to stall in guard here.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bruno lands with a good body shot.
Sakurai has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Sakurai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bruno.
Jab, jab by Bruno - just one landing.
Bruno fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sakurai is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bruno sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sakurai takes one to the chin there.
Sakurai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Sakurai shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bruno looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Bruno's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magne Bruno dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bruno lands a nice shot to the body.
Bruno swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Sakurai 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Bruno misses with a right hand
and Sakurai counters with a one-two to the body.
Good exchange - Bruno coming out on top.
A jab lands there for Bruno.
A slow jab from Bruno misses its intended target.
Sakurai gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bruno counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sakurai fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sakurai looks for a takedown but Bruno sprawls well.
Magne Bruno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hiro Sakurai.
Bruno tests Sakurai's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sakurai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown but Bruno shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bruno looks to land a combination but Sakurai avoids it well.
Sakurai closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bruno circles away.
Jab from Bruno.
Bruno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bruno lands a head shot.
Bruno lands a right hook to the body.
Bruno throws the left hand but Sakurai avoids the punch easily.
A shot to the body from Bruno misses
and Sakurai counters with an outside leg kick.
Bruno throws out a loose jab but Sakurai uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bruno lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bruno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sakurai fails with the takedown
and Bruno counters with a left and a right that stings Sakurai.
Bruno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sakurai fails with the takedown
and Bruno counters with a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bruno. Sakurai does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fighters circling - Bruno throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice shot by Bruno.
Bruno moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bruno misses with a jab to the body

and Sakurai counters with a single leg into guard. Bruno didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakurai wants to control from the top but Bruno keeps moving.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Bruno is keeping the position.
Hiro Sakurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bruno tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bruno looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Sakurai trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bruno looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sakurai is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakurai fails with a takedown attempt.

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.
Sakurai fails with the takedown
letting Bruno counter with a right hand.
Magne Bruno is winning the standup battle so far.
Bruno lands with a shot to the body.
Sakurai moves out of range of the strikes.
Bruno throws an overhand right that lands on Sakurai's shoulder, as Sakurai tries to avoid the shot.
Bruno stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bruno wants it to stay on the feet.
Bruno connects with a body shot.
Sakurai with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bruno counters with a left and a right that stings Sakurai.
Magne Bruno is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice jab there from Bruno.
Bruno misses with a hook.
Bruno thuds his right hand into Sakurai's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Magne Bruno.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bruno, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Magne Bruno!