PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stepan Baraban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazuo Sasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sasaki comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Church of Misery - The Gray Man kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Baraban
vs
Sasaki

180 cm
21
175 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

174 cm
25
170 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Stepan Baraban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuo Sasaki!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baraban has his takedown stuffed
and Sasaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Baraban doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Sasaki counter with a right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Sasaki. Those never looked like landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baraban shoots and misses

and Sasaki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stepan Baraban. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baraban taking some punishment here, with Sasaki in his half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasaki is looking to take a break and control but Baraban is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Sasaki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Baraban is trying to stand up here but Sasaki is controlling him well.
Sasaki works his way into full mount!
Baraban is working to get back to half guard.
Sasaki working Baraban over with strikes here.
Baraban is squirming around, avoiding Sasaki's attempts to control the action.
Baraban is trying to stand up.
Baraban gets back to half guard.
Baraban moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Baraban has his foot on Sasaki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sasaki works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sasaki stands up and waves to Baraban to follow him.
Sasaki misses with a few strikes there.
Sasaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Baraban decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sasaki's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baraban postures up.
Baraban trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Baraban stops Sasaki from standing up.
Sasaki looks gassed!

Baraban drops back looking for a leg! Sasaki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sasaki manages to kick Baraban off! Baraban jumps back into Sasaki's guard.

Baraban has gone for a leg lock! Sasaki slips out almost immediately though and dives into Baraban's guard.
Sasaki postures up in Baraban's guard and throws a big left but Baraban blocks it.

That's four 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.

Baraban has his feet on Sasaki's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Baraban showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sasaki.
Baraban tries for a takedown but Sasaki circles away easily
and Sasaki counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazuo Sasaki dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Baraban avoids a punch combination nicely.
Baraban gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Sasaki counters with a three punch combo that has Baraban backing up. Baraban nods at Sasaki to acknowledge the strikes.
Sasaki lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Baraban circles away quickly and effectively.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baraban doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Sasaki decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Baraban's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baraban is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Sasaki rolls with it to try and escape but Baraban cranks on the arm and Sasaki is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Stepan Baraban!