PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Osada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hanamichi Sakuragi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Osada
vs
Sakuragi

185 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
194 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenichi Osada!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hanamichi Sakuragi!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Sano and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuragi darts in trying to clinch
and Osada counters with a straight right hand.
Sakuragi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sakuragi misses with a takedown
and Osada counters with a nice body kick.
Sakuragi shoots and misses
and Osada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sakuragi misses with a takedown
and Osada counters with a good low kick that Sakuragi was not able to check.
Kenichi Osada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hanamichi Sakuragi.
Osada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sakuragi tries for a takedown but Osada circles away easily
and Osada counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sakuragi looks gassed!

Sakuragi darts in and clinches Osada up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Sakuragi fails to land.
Osada lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Hanamichi Sakuragi has been cut.
Osada gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Sakuragi looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Osada creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sakuragi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Osada fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sakuragi with a poor takedown
and Osada makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
That kick from Osada tenderised Sakuragi's leg. Sakuragi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sakuragi takes a kick to the side of the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Osada. That's going to slow Sakuragi down.
Kenichi Osada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Osada connects with a leg kick. Sakuragi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Osada dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakuragi. That did some damage!
Osada lands a front kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakuragi takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Osada throws a shot to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Osada.
Sakuragi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Osada throws a quick inside leg kick.
Osada scores with a head kick. Sakuragi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Osada. That snapped Sakuragi's head back.

Osada instigates a clinch.
Osada crunches a lovely knee into Sakuragi's ribcage.

Osada breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice jab there from Osada.
Osada is looking to slow Sakuragi down with leg kicks.
Sakuragi fails with the takedown
and Osada counters with a nice low kick that buckles Sakuragi's knee momentarily.
Sakuragi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Osada is looking to slow Sakuragi down with leg kicks.
Osada connects with a high kick.
Osada scores with the left hand. Sakuragi knows he should have avoided that one.
Osada shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Sakuragi eats them both and turns towards Osada to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Osada looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Osada scoring well with a low kick there.
Osada throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sakuragi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Osada throws a nice head kick!
A slapping body kick lands there for Osada.
Osada delivers a nice body kick.
Osada clobbers Sakuragi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Osada sizes up Sakuragi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sakuragi tries to move into range but Osada moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sakuragi has his takedown stuffed
and Osada counters with an inside leg kick.
Sakuragi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Osada is looking to slow Sakuragi down with leg kicks.
Sakuragi is trying desperately to land a takedown but Osada is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Sakuragi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Osada has closed the distance and engaged Sakuragi in a clinch.
Sakuragi blocks the elbow strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Osada obliges.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Osada.
Sakuragi avoiding damage as Osada throws knees to the body.
Osada crunches a lovely knee into Sakuragi's ribcage.
Osada gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Osada lands an elbow inside that Sakuragi shrugs off.
Osada creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Sakuragi goes for a takedown attempt but Osada pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sakuragi wants to clinch but Osada slips to the side
and Osada counters with a slapping leg kick.
Osada lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Osada pushes Sakuragi away with a front kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Osada tests Sakuragi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Osada scoring well with a low kick there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Osada dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hanamichi Sakuragi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sakuragi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Osada. Osada obviously looking to wear him down.
Sakuragi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Osada counters with an inside leg kick.

Sakuragi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Osada was covering up waiting for the punch and Sakuragi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sakuragi is fighting to break Osada's control of his arms but Osada is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sakuragi is breathing heavily.
Osada has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Sakuragi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Osada manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sakuragi manages to get himself to full guard.
Sakuragi keeping moving, preventing Osada from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sakuragi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sakuragi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sakuragi with a poor takedown
and Osada counters with an outside leg kick.
Sakuragi tries for a takedown but Osada circles away easily
and Osada counters with an outside leg kick.
Kenichi Osada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hanamichi Sakuragi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Osada scores with a kick to the body.
Osada is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sakuragi can do to turn this around?
Osada is looking to slow Sakuragi down with leg kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Osada, right into the meat.
Osada chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Good leg kick by Osada there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Osada throws a nice head kick!
Osada lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Osada scores with a head kick.
Osada thuds his shin into the meat of Sakuragi's side.
Sakuragi misses with a takedown
and Osada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Osada listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sakuragi has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Osada.
Sakuragi fails with the takedown
and Osada counters with a slapping leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Osada.
Osada keeps Sakuragi at a distance using the push kick.
Hanamichi Sakuragi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Osada - that will leave a mark!
Osada lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sakuragi will feel that in the morning.
Osada changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Osada.
Osada moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Osada throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Sakuragi's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi tries for a takedown but Osada circles away easily
and Osada counters with a head kick. That will keep Sakuragi thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Osada scores with a leg kick.
Sakuragi tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Good exchange - Osada coming out on top.
Osada lands a head shot.
Osada lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sakuragi tries for a takedown but Osada circles away easily
and Osada counters with a nice body kick.
Osada throws a head kick that half lands.
Sakuragi fails with the takedown
and Osada counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenichi Osada dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Hanamichi Sakuragi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Osada cracks Sakuragi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Sakuragi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Osada counters with a nice leg kick.
Osada dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sakuragi. That did some damage!
Sakuragi has his takedown stuffed
and Osada cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Osada lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Osada throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Osada is looking to slow Sakuragi down with leg kicks.
Osada lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakuragi closes the distance looking to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Osada lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sakuragi has his takedown stuffed
and Osada counters with a nice kick to the body.
Kenichi Osada has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hanamichi Sakuragi.
Osada throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sakuragi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A nice inside leg kick there by Osada. That's going to slow Sakuragi down.
Osada tries to clinch up but Sakuragi circles away and keeps his distance.

Osada has Sakuragi up against the cage in a clinch.
Osada putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Sakuragi in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Osada creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Osada lands an elbow that stopped Sakuragi in his tracks for a moment.
Osada lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Sakuragi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Osada just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sakuragi blocks the elbow strike.
Kenichi Osada is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi managing to block the knees to the body from Osada.
Osada prevents the takedown attempt.
Sakuragi looking for a takedown.
Osada unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Osada.
Osada is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Osada gets underhooks to prevent Sakuragi's takedown attempt.
Sakuragi avoiding damage as Osada throws knees to the body.
Sakuragi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Osada prevents it.
Sakuragi wants a takedown.
Sakuragi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Osada gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Osada scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Osada crunches a lovely knee into Sakuragi's ribcage.
Osada stops a takedown attempt from Sakuragi.
Sakuragi takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Osada obliges.
Sakuragi drops down looking for an ankle pick but Osada pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sakuragi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Osada feints and then cracks Sakuragi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Sakuragi down.
Osada connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Osada connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Osada connects with a single shot there.
Kenichi Osada is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuragi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Osada connects with a leg kick. Sakuragi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Sloppy strikes from Osada. Those never looked like landing.
Osada plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nice body kick there by Osada.
Osada throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Osada scores with a nice right hand.
Sakuragi walks into a left hand.
Osada scores with a push kick.
Osada throws a front kick that sends Sakuragi stumbling back into the cage.
Osada connects with a leg kick. Sakuragi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hanamichi Sakuragi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Osada bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenichi Osada showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Osada, 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:25
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:25
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenichi Osada!