PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Talib Kweli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Omi Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kweli
vs
Sakurai

176 cm
25
160 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
167 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Talib Kweli!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Omi Sakurai!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shigeki Sano and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Kweli misses.
Kweli bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Omi Sakurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakurai misses with a left hand
and Kweli makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Sakurai is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kweli's half guard.
Kweli wants to get back to full guard.
Sakurai performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Sakurai wants to pass the guard but Kweli is defending well.
Kweli keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Sakurai thows a huge punch but Kweli dodges it nicely.
Kweli controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kweli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Sakurai is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sakurai dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kweli misses with a wild body shot.
Kweli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sakurai moves away.
Sakurai throws a combination that misses
and Kweli counters with a nice body shot.
Sakurai misses with the body kick

and Kweli counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A right hand to the body from Kweli.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sakurai tries to land knees in the clinch but Kweli avoids the damage to the body.
Kweli misses with the head strike.

Kweli breaks the clinch.
Kweli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sakurai moves away.
A shot to the body from Sakurai misses
and Kweli counters with a one-two to the body.
Talib Kweli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakurai swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kweli counters with an outside leg kick.
Kweli walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Sakurai checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kweli is looking to slow Sakurai down with leg kicks.
Sakurai swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kweli counters by moving into the clinch.
Kweli tries to circle away but Sakurai has him pinned against the cage.
Sakurai is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kweli is defending well for now.
Sakurai lands a knee to the body.
Sakurai tries to land a knee to the head but Kweli blocks with his arms.

Sakurai successfully pulls guard.
Sakurai working a defensive guard but Kweli passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai is trying to maintain the position but Kweli is very close to passing his half guard.
Sakurai slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Sakurai looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kweli is one step ahead there.
Kweli slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sakurai holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Sakurai working for a triangle but Kweli defends it easily.
Sakurai managing to control the position.
Sakurai keeping moving, preventing Kweli from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Omi Sakurai will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sakurai throws a head kick that misses.
Sakurai fails with the takedown.
Kweli stuffs the takedown attempt from Sakurai. Sakurai gets slowly back to his feet.

Sakurai instigates a clinch.
Kweli misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kweli is looking to control Sakurai's arms but Sakurai gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kweli has his back to the cage.
Kweli avoiding damage as Sakurai throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kweli misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kweli takes a knee right on the jaw!
Sakurai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Talib Kweli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Omi Sakurai.

Sakurai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kweli misses with a body shot.
Sakurai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kweli pinned against the cage. Kweli gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Sakurai is breathing heavily.

Kweli tries to keep at a distance but Sakurai has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kweli.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kweli.
Kweli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kweli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sakurai's elbow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sakurai cracks Kweli with a nice body shot.
Kweli stalls.
Kweli on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sakurai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kweli avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai struggles to land a body shot inside as Kweli controls his hands.
Sakurai stalls.
Sakurai misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sakurai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kweli digs a right hand underneath Sakurai's ribcage. Sakurai let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Sakurai tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sakurai throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kweli trying to control the position but instead, Sakurai has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kweli into the cage.
Kweli on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sakurai using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sakurai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sakurai tries a knee to the head but Kweli blocks it.
Sakurai taking a breather.
Sakurai tries to land knees in the clinch but Kweli avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kweli avoids a wild elbow strike from Sakurai.
Kweli digs a right hand into Sakurai's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sakurai's gas tank.
Sakurai's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kweli is struggling to control the position.
Kweli takes an elbow to the forehead.
Sakurai prevents a body shot from Kweli.
Sakurai tries to pull guard but Kweli won't allow it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Sakurai obliges.

Kweli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sakurai fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kweli lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakurai on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kweli fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakurai shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kweli pinned against the cage. Kweli gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kweli thuds a left hand into Sakurai's body.
Omi Sakurai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakurai throws a poor cross that misses
and Kweli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kweli connects with a looping right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kweli looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kweli is looking to wear down Sakurai with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Kweli gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sakurai tries to land a knee to the head but Kweli blocks with his arms.
Kweli throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Sakurai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sakurai with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kweli blocks the elbow strike.
Kweli on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kweli is looking to clinch.
Sakurai throws a combination that misses
and Kweli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kweli throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kweli moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sakurai moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sakurai walks into a straight right hand from Kweli.
Sakurai throws a leg kick that is checked

and Kweli counters by moving into the clinch.
Kweli lands a body shot.
Sakurai will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kweli up against the cage.
Kweli is working Sakurai over against the cage.
Sakurai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kweli effectively controlling the action here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Kweli for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Kweli taking a breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai is looking to control Kweli's arms but Kweli gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sakurai has his back to the cage.
Sakurai throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kwelis head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kweli takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A head punch on the inside from Sakurai fails to land.
Kweli is trying to maintain a safe position but Sakurai gets an underhook and turns Kweli into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Talib Kweli.
Kweli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sakurai moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kweli digs a good hook to Sakurai's body.
Kweli scores with a shot to the body.
Kweli connects with a single shot there.
Sakurai throws a lazy head kick
and Kweli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Sakurai misses
and Kweli counters with an inside leg kick.
Sakurai lands a jab-cross combination.
Kweli is looking to slow Sakurai down with leg kicks.
A cross from Kweli lands.
Kweli ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Kweli clinches up against the cage.
Kweli is trying to stall.
Stalling in the clinch from Kweli.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Sakurai tries to land a knee to the head but Kweli blocks with his arms.
Kweli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Sakurai tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kweli avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kweli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kweli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kweli cracks Sakurai with a nice body shot.
Kweli blocks an uppercut.
Sakurai tries to land a knee to the head but Kweli blocks with his arms.
Sakurai prevents a body shot from Kweli.
Kweli wants to stall.
Sakurai's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kweli throws a head punch that misses.
Sakurai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sakurai pressing his opponent against the cage.
Sakurai looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sakurai prevents a body shot from Kweli.
Kweli slowing the pace effectively.
Kweli misses with a body punch.
Sakurai prevents a body shot from Kweli.

Sakurai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakurai throws a sloppy head kick
and Kweli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sakurai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kweli counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kweli looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sakurai misses with the body kick
and Kweli counters with a nice uppercut.
Kweli moves in looking to clinch but Sakurai pushes him off.
Kweli tries to clinch but Sakurai is having none of it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sakurai.
Kweli scores with a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Talib Kweli clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Sakurai throws a sloppy head kick

and Kweli holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Sakurai wants to stall.
Kweli struggles to land a body shot inside as Sakurai controls his hands.
Sakurai will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kweli up against the cage.
Kweli on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sakurai tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kweli's elbow.
Kweli blocks the elbow strike.
Kweli stops a takedown attempt from Sakurai.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right hook to the body lands for Kweli.
Kweli lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Sakurai or not.
A frustrated look appears on Kweli's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sakurai is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Kweli avoids a wild elbow strike from Sakurai.
Sakurai looking to stall.

Kweli manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Sakurai moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Sakurai looks to throw a body kick
and Kweli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Talib Kweli is winning the standup battle so far.
Kweli tries to clinch but Sakurai is having none of it.
Kweli lands an overhand right.
Sakurai on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kweli tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sakurai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sakurai misses with an uppercut
and Kweli counters with an inside leg kick.
Kweli throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sakurai swats away the attempt to clinch by Kweli.
Sakurai takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kweli dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kweli lands with a good body shot.
Sakurai is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nice uppercut lands for Kweli. That snapped Sakurai's head back.
Kweli tries to clinch up.
Nice body punch from Kweli.
Kweli cracks a nice hook into Sakurai's ribs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kweli.
Kweli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakurai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
An inside leg kick lands from Kweli.
Sakurai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kweli.
Kweli throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kweli lands with a shot to the body.
Sakurai takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sakurai takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kweli bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Sakurai's head backwards.
Kweli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakurai was well out of range. Poor timing from Kweli.
The crowd cheers as Kweli lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sakurai doesn't seem phased though.
Sakurai connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kweli's hands.
Sakurai misses with a shot to the body
and Kweli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Sakurai closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kweli is looking to control Sakurai's arms but Sakurai gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kweli has his back to the cage.
Sakurai creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kweli wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kweli taking a breather.
Kweli is leaning against Sakurai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kweli is trying to stall.
Sakurai prevents a body shot from Kweli.
Kweli trying to stall but Sakurai improves his position.
Sakurai looking to stall.
Kweli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kweli swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Sakurai - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kweli avoiding damage as Sakurai throws knees to the body.
Sakurai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Talib Kweli had his way with Omi Sakurai in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sakurai misses with a double jab
and Kweli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kweli with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sakurai throws a poor cross that misses
and Kweli counters with a left to the body.
Kweli throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Sakurai moves into range and clinches up with Kweli.
Sakurai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kweli working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sakurai tries to land knees in the clinch but Kweli avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Sakurai is pushing Kweli up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kweli cracks Sakurai with a nice body shot.
Sakurai is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kweli lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kweli effectively controlling the action here.
Sakurai tries to land knees in the clinch but Kweli avoids the damage to the body.
Sakurai misses with an elbow over the top.
Kweli tries to throw a body punch but Sakurai avoids it by throwing Kweli back against the cage.
Kweli blocking some punches.
Sakurai is trying to maintain a safe position but Kweli gets an underhook and turns Sakurai into the cage.
Kweli lands a hook that snaps the head of Sakurai backwards.
Sakurai changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kweli fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A head kick by Sakurai misses
and Kweli counters with a nice uppercut.
Kweli lands a nice looking body shot.
Sakurai takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Sakurai swings widly with a right hand
and Kweli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kweli throws out a powerful jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kweli throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kweli throws a head kick that Sakurai semi-blocks.
Kweli misses with a jab to the body
and Sakurai counters with a nice body shot.
Kweli lands with a shot to the body.
Kweli swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sakurai.
Kweli jabs Sakurai right on the nose. Sakurai blinks but takes it well.
Kweli tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakurai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kweli tries to clinch but Sakurai is having none of it.
Omi Sakurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kweli misses with a wild body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kweli looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sakurai falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kweli counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kweli lands a jab to Sakurai's midsection.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kweli looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kweli scores with a nice right hand.
Sakurai has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kweli connects with a jab.
Kweli slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kweli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sakurai moves away.
Sakurai avoids the body shot from Kweli.
Talib Kweli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kweli throws a sloppy head kick and Sakurai moves out of range easily.
Sakurai cracks Kweli with a good jab.
Sakurai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kweli's waist but Kweli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakurai off to one side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kweli throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sakurai stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kweli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A low kick from Kweli is predictable there
and Sakurai counters with a series of strikes. Kweli will be more careful next time no doubt.
Sakurai throws a lazy uppercut
and Kweli counters with a left to the body.
Kweli fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakurai manages to avoid it.

Sakurai darts in and clinches Kweli up against the cage.
Talib Kweli has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kweli leaning against his opponent.
Kweli avoiding damage as Sakurai throws knees to the body.
Sakurai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sakurai looking to slow down the pace here.
Sakurai trying to land knees to the body.
Sakurai letting Kweli take a breather here.
Sakurai throws a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Talib Kweli showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kweli has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 50:46
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Talib Kweli!
Talib Kweli retains his lightweight title!