PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shinobu Hayabusa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shynia Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hayabusa
vs
Sakuraba

184 cm
28
193 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

180 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shinobu Hayabusa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shynia Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hayabusa tries a head kick but it misses.
Hayabusa lands with a nice combination. Sakuraba backs away looking to recover.
Hayabusa throws a body kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hayabusa.
Hayabusa throws a head kick that misses
enabling Sakuraba to counter with a crisp jab.
Hayabusa throws a series of strikes that have Sakuraba backpedaling.

Hayabusa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Hayabusa manages to get underhooks.
Sakuraba is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Sakuraba drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hayabusa gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Shinobu Hayabusa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shynia Sakuraba.
Sakuraba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hayabusa fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hayabusa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Hayabusa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayabusa keeps Sakuraba at a distance using the push kick.
Shinobu Hayabusa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hayabusa takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hayabusa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hayabusa fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hayabusa throws a sloppy head kick
and Sakuraba counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hayabusa throws a sloppy head kick and Sakuraba moves out of range easily.
Hayabusa works over Sakuraba's head and body with a nice combination.
Hayabusa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hayabusa feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sakuraba's calf.
Hayabusa throws a nice head kick!
Hayabusa misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba dodges the punch combination from Hayabusa.
Hayabusa lands a head kick!
Hayabusa lands with a nice combination. Sakuraba backs away looking to recover.
Sakuraba throws a lazy head kick
and Hayabusa counters with a solid body kick.
A good leg kick by Hayabusa.
A head kick by Sakuraba misses
and Hayabusa counters with a slapping leg kick.

Hayabusa moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakuraba can't get the takedown.
Hayabusa trying to control the position but instead, Sakuraba has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hayabusa into the cage.

Sakuraba has clasped his hands together around Hayabusa's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba working the strikes but Hayabusa uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Hayabusa tries to kick Sakuraba off but Sakuraba keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Sakuraba throws a strike but Hayabusa avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Sakuraba pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hayabusa is keeping the position for now.
Hayabusa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Sakuraba stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Hayabusa has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Sakuraba manages to get his head free but now Hayabusa has transitioned to an armbar! Sakuraba grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Hayabusa! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Shinobu Hayabusa!