PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Takanori Sakurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Neo Nova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakurai comes to the cage accompanied by number girl syndrome. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sakurai
vs
Nova

176 cm
26
147 lbs
10 - 12 - 0

171 cm
25
137 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Firebird Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Takanori Sakurai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Neo Nova!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakurai shoots in looking for a takedown but Nova manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sakurai 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Sakurai looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Nova!
Sakurai prevents Nova from getting the reversal.
Nova wants to control but Sakurai is having none of it.
Nova really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sakurai thowing shots but they're missing.
Nova tries to lock up and control but Sakurai gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Nova prevents Sakurai from taking his back.
Nova wants to hold on but Sakurai pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Sakurai there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Nova is trying desperately to improve position.
Sakurai throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Nova because Sakurai loaded up on that one.
Nova wants to control but Sakurai is having none of it.

Sakurai is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Nova is surviving well by controlling Sakurai 's body position as best he can.
Sakurai wants to control the pace but Nova is squirming around nicely.
Nova can't escape the position.

Sakurai working for a guillotine from mount but Nova is in no mood to give up.

That's two 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.

Sakurai moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Nova has worked his arm free - good work by Nova!
Sakurai moves into full mount!
Nova is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Sakurai is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Nova can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nova is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai looking to control but Nova is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Sakurai has control of Nova's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Nova regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Sakurai is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Nova has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Nova!
Nova advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nova stands up.
Takanori Sakurai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nova throws the left hand but Sakurai avoids the punch easily.
Sakurai lands a lovely overhand right.
A head kick by Sakurai misses
and Nova counters with a series of strikes. Sakurai will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Takanori 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 misses with a takedown
and Nova counters with a nice uppercut.
Nova looks to land a left hand but Sakurai moved out of range nicely.
Sakurai throws a jab when Nova was well out of range.
Sakurai fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nova will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai blocks a head kick by Nova.
Sakurai moves away from the strike by Nova.
A telegraphed right hand from Nova misses the target.
Nova scores with a body shot.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Nice uppercut lands for Nova. That snapped Sakurai 's head back.
Nova buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nova scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Sakurai misses
and Sakurai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sakurai throws an off balance right hand
and Nova connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Sakurai checks a leg kick.
Nova blocks a head kick by Sakurai .
Sakurai scores with a jab to the head.
Sakurai fails with the takedown
and Nova counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takanori Sakurai . That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Nova is predictable there
and Sakurai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nova throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nova with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sakurai to score with a decent uppercut.
Nova misses with a head kick.
Nova throws a lazy head kick
enabling Sakurai to counter with a crisp jab.
Sakurai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

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.
Sakurai cracks Nova with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nova throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Sakurai counters with a straight right hand.
A head kick by Sakurai misses
and Nova counters with a stiff right hand.
A punch combination from Sakurai misses.
A head kick by Sakurai misses
and Nova counters with a one-two to the body.
Nova checks a leg kick nicely.
Nova does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Neo Nova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nova throws a leg kick but Sakurai sees it coming and moves out of range.
Nova throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sakurai takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nova looks to land a left hand but Sakurai moved out of range nicely.
Nova throws a sloppy head kick and Sakurai moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nova slips a jab from Sakurai .
Nova looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakurai is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakurai misses with a straight right.
Sakurai fails with the takedown.
Nova with a jab.
Nice defenses there by Sakurai .
Neo Nova is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nova ducks under a wild hook from Sakurai .
Nova slips a jab from Sakurai .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nova throws a head kick that misses.
Nova throws an off balance right hand
and Sakurai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakurai falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nova finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Nova misses with a wild body shot.
Nova connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakurai dives in and grabs Nova's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nova pushes down on Sakurai 's head and hops out.
Sakurai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nova as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takanori Sakurai . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakurai throws a head kick that misses.
Sakurai takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sakurai slips a jab from Nova.
Sakurai throws a sloppy head kick and Nova moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nova throws a lazy uppercut
and Sakurai counters with a head kick.
Nova lands the left hand.
Nova throws a head kick that misses.
Nova scores with a push kick.
Nova throws a series of punches but Sakurai avoids them all with ease.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nova slips under a jab from Sakurai .

And that's the end of the fight!
Neo Nova comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nova has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Neo Nova!