PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sid DiBiase (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

DiBiase
vs
Sakuraba

182 cm
25
196 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
186 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Sid DiBiase!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
DiBiase moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

DiBiase gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Sakuraba has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics DiBiase uses from the top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
DiBiase wants to get up but he can't break Sakuraba's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Sakuraba pushes DiBiase off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Sakuraba walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
DiBiase works Sakuraba's body with a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
DiBiase fails to land with a series of punches.
DiBiase looks to land a left hand but Sakuraba moved out of range nicely.
DiBiase moves out of range of the strikes.
Sakuraba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sid DiBiase seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DiBiase looks to land a right hand but Sakuraba moved out of range.
Sakuraba looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sakuraba walks into a straight right hand from DiBiase.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by DiBiase.
DiBiase throws a nice looking combination but Sakuraba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DiBiase scores with a jab.
DiBiase shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba shows good takedown defense.

DiBiase looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Sakuraba looks gassed!

Sakuraba actively working from the bottom here.
Sakuraba is pressing down on DiBiase's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
DiBiase tries to stand but Sakuraba is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

DiBiase decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Sakuraba, up you get!
DiBiase throws a combination. Sakuraba tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
DiBiase thumps Sakuraba with a low kick.
Sakuraba takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
DiBiase scores with the left hand. Sakuraba knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DiBiase scores with a leg kick.

DiBiase clinches up with Sakuraba and pushes him back against the cage.
DiBiase lands a nice knee to the body.
DiBiase is leaning against Sakuraba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

DiBiase pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
DiBiase shoots for a takedown but Sakuraba saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
DiBiase connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
DiBiase lunges at Sakuraba with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sakuraba's hand.
Sakuraba takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
DiBiase lands a jab to the head.
DiBiase scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

DiBiase moves into the clinch.
DiBiase unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DiBiase tries a body shot but Sakuraba blocks it.
DiBiase is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sakuraba pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sid DiBiase. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba drops down looking for an ankle pick but DiBiase pulls his leg out and moves away.
DiBiase connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sakuraba. Sakuraba circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

DiBiase drives through and clinches with Sakuraba against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for DiBiase.

DiBiase breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by DiBiase.
DiBiase is looking to clinch but Sakuraba is avoiding it.
DiBiase is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Sakuraba with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling DiBiase to score with a decent uppercut.
DiBiase throws a head kick that misses.
DiBiase lands with a slapping head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DiBiase tries to clinch up.
A combination from DiBiase does no damage.

Sakuraba has taken the fight to the clinch.
DiBiase landing knees to the head.
DiBiase misses with a knee to the head.
Sakuraba has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. DiBiase is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sakuraba takes a knee to the side of the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
DiBiase presses Sakuraba against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Knees to the body from DiBiase.
Sakuraba misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
DiBiase lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Sakuraba.
DiBiase struggles to land a body shot inside as Sakuraba controls his hands.
DiBiase taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
DiBiase scores a nice knee to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sid DiBiase dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

DiBiase fails in his attempt to clinch.
DiBiase misses with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - DiBiase looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Sakuraba moves out of range of the leg kick from DiBiase.
A punch lands to the side of Sakuraba 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sid DiBiase is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
DiBiase ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Sakuraba instigates a clinch.

DiBiase breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
DiBiase defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
DiBiase shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Sakuraba decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
DiBiase is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sakuraba is trying to control. DiBiase wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba prevents DiBiase from improving his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sakuraba is keen to just control but DiBiase is a slippery customer.
DiBiase looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sakuraba with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sakuraba dodges the punch combination from DiBiase.
No luck for DiBiase with that takedown attempt.

Sakuraba decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Sakuraba 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.
DiBiase wants to improve his position but Sakuraba is controlling well.
Still in half guard, Sakuraba seems content to control.
DiBiase tries to get to full guard but Sakuraba has control of the leg.
DiBiase is looking to escape.
Sakuraba controlling the action here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kazushi Sakuraba hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Good leg kick by DiBiase there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

DiBiase drives through and clinches with Sakuraba against the cage.
DiBiase connects with a knee to the head.
DiBiase working Sakuraba over with knees to the body.
Sakuraba fails to pull the fight into his guard.

DiBiase manages to break the clinch.
DiBiase cracks the inside of Sakuraba's front leg.

Sakuraba clinches up against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. DiBiase obliges.

Sakuraba jumps guard.
DiBiase trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sakuraba's guard.

Sakuraba pushes DiBiase off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by DiBiase. That's going to slow Sakuraba down.

Sakuraba clinches up with DiBiase and pushes him back against the cage.
DiBiase using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by DiBiase after a bit of a struggle.
Sid DiBiase has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.

DiBiase manages to pull guard.
DiBiase wants to get back to his feet but Sakuraba is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
DiBiase wants to hit a switch here but Sakuraba passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for DiBiase there!
Kazushi Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.
DiBiase tries to buck Sakuraba off but he can't manage it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba landing punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sid DiBiase will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A solid leg kick lands there for DiBiase.
DiBiase slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sid DiBiase is winning the standup battle so far.
DiBiase lands a nice shot that snaps Sakuraba's head back.
Sakuraba blocks a low kick nicely.

Sakuraba has managed to clinch.
DiBiase is pressed up against the cage. Sakuraba has hold of a leg and is looking to drag DiBiase down to the mat. DiBiase avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
DiBiase tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuraba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sakuraba stuffs the takedown.
DiBiase pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sakuraba is out of range and DiBiase settles back down.
Sakuraba swats away the attempt to clinch by DiBiase.
DiBiase looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Sakuraba has taken the fight to the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
DiBiase is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakuraba is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws an elbow but it misses.
Sakuraba takes a knee to the side of the body.
DiBiase landing knees to the body.
DiBiase unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sakuraba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
DiBiase connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sakuraba's face.
Sakuraba on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
DiBiase lands a body shot.
Sakuraba is working for takedown but DiBiase is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sid DiBiase has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.

DiBiase pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
DiBiase defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba checks a leg kick.
DiBiase scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jab from DiBiase.

Sakuraba closes the distance and pushes DiBiase back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DiBiase misses with an elbow over the top.
DiBiase digs a right hand into Sakuraba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Sakuraba's gas tank.
A knee to the head by DiBiase.
DiBiase crunches a lovely knee into Sakuraba's ribcage.
Sakuraba working hard to break the clinch.
Sakuraba wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
DiBiase pushes Sakuraba back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
DiBiase landing some nice looking knees to the body.
DiBiase is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakuraba is defending well for now.
DiBiase unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sakuraba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
DiBiase drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sakuraba gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Sakuraba wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees to the body from DiBiase.
DiBiase unloads a knee to the mid-section.
DiBiase scores a nice knee to the body.
Sid DiBiase has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sakuraba avoiding damage as DiBiase throws knees to the body.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but DiBiase forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
DiBiase scores a nice knee to the body.

DiBiase manages to break the clinch.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sakuraba's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Sakuraba has closed the distance and engaged DiBiase in a clinch.
Sakuraba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. DiBiase gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
DiBiase connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sakuraba's face.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Sakuraba turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Sakuraba manages to end up in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba tries to move to mount but DiBiase blocks the move with his legs.
DiBiase is trying to get back to half guard.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Let's hope that Sakuraba has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
DiBiase is looking for a sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt DiBiase will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
DiBiase gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sid DiBiase showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for DiBiase, 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 William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sid DiBiase!
Sid DiBiase seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.