PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Phantom Assasin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kazushi Sakuraba has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Assasin
vs
Sakuraba

185 cm
25
175 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

182 cm
21
183 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Phantom Assasin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Yuuki Gou and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba misses with the combination.
Assasin throws a hook but Sakuraba avoids it easily.
Assasin looks to land a right hand but Sakuraba moved out of range.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Assasin is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, Assasin circles away and we're back to standing.
Assasin throws a lazy right hand but Sakuraba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Phantom Assasin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Assasin scores with a one two! Sakuraba had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Assasin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Assasin.
Assasin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sakuraba counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assasin looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
No joy there for Assasin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Assasin drives through and clinches with Sakuraba against the cage.
Assasin lands a left hand.
Assasin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Assasin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Assasin misses with a short punch on the inside.
Assasin throws a head punch that misses.
Sakuraba is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Phantom Assasin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba being controlled against the cage.
Assasin tries to throw a body punch but Sakuraba avoids it by throwing Assasin back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Assasin stalls.
Assasin lands a nice uppercut.
Sakuraba wants to take the fight to the mat but Assasin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sakuraba drops down looking for an ankle pick but Assasin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Assasin lands a really nice looking cross but Sakuraba seems unphased.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assasin looks to throw the jab but Sakuraba is out of range.

Assasin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sakuraba to score an easy takedown into full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Assasin keeps moving.
Assasin looking for a sweep. Not yet Assasin, not yet.
Sakuraba throwing strikes from guard but Assasin blocks nicely.
Assasin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Assasin working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sakuraba advances to half guard.
Assasin is trying to stand up here but Sakuraba is controlling him well.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura but Assasin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sakuraba to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Assasin is defending well.
Assasin is trying to control but can't.
Sakuraba not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura but Assasin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sakuraba to get the leverage.
Sakuraba trying to control the pace.
Assasin is holding on to half guard well.
Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sakuraba passes to full mount!
Sakuraba wants to control the pace but Assasin is squirming around nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba fails to take his opponent's back.
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 Phantom Assasin will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Assasin.
Assasin misses with a right hand

and Sakuraba counters with a single leg into guard. Assasin didn't expect that.
Assasin is pulling down on Sakuraba's head. It's preventing any offense from Sakuraba, at least for the moment.
Assasin keeping full guard, as Sakuraba tries to pass.
Sakuraba is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Assasin controlling the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Phantom Assasin wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sakuraba swings for the body but Assasin moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Assasin.
Sakuraba doesn't manage to clinch there - Assasin circles away.
Sakuraba throws a right and a left that Assasin avoids nicely.
Phantom Assasin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Sakuraba shoots in and gets a takedown into Assasin's guard.
Sakuraba prevents Assasin from getting back to his feet.
Sakuraba won't allow Assasin to sweep him here.
Sakuraba slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sakuraba creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Assasin sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Assasin is looking for a sweep.
Assasin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Assasin wants to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Assasin is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assasin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Assasin tries to kick Sakuraba off but Sakuraba keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sakuraba seems to be working for a kimura but Assasin defends the submission attempt.
Sakuraba trying to control from half guard but Assasin is working away.
Sakuraba prevents Assasin from improving his position.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Assasin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Assasin is holding on for now.
Assasin trying to control but Sakuraba postures up.
Assasin is refusing to be controlled, as Sakuraba sits in half guard.

Sakuraba is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba prevents Assasin from improving his position.
Assasin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sakuraba frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Sakuraba throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Assasin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Sakuraba wants to finish this one by submission but Assasin is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Assasin because Sakuraba loaded up on that one.
Sakuraba lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Sakuraba with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Assasin stops Sakuraba from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

Sakuraba working for a guillotine from mount but Assasin is in no mood to give up.
Sakuraba is looking to work his way around to Assasin's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
Assasin wants to control but Sakuraba is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Assasin is looking to escape.
Sakuraba fails to take his opponent's back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba 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!

Sakuraba shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Assasin's guard.
Assasin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Assasin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sakuraba tries to get to full guard but Assasin has control of the leg.
Assasin is thwarting Sakuraba's attempts to control the position.
Assasin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Assasin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sakuraba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Assasin manages to get himself to full guard.
Assasin controlling Sakuraba's posture.
Sakuraba stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Assasin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throwing strikes from guard but Assasin blocks nicely.
Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Assasin is keeping the position.

Sakuraba drops back looking for a leg! Assasin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Assasin manages to kick Sakuraba off! Sakuraba jumps back into Assasin's guard.
Assasin looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sakuraba puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Assasin won't allow Sakuraba to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Assasin is trying to get back to full guard.
Sakuraba slows the pace down in half guard.
Assasin wants to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assasin is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Assasin works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Assasin is retaining full guard.
Sakuraba throws a big elbow that misses.
Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sakuraba forces his way into half guard.
Sakuraba is looking to take a break and control but Assasin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Assasin is looking to control Sakuraba's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Assasin avoid being mounted?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakuraba throwing shots but Assasin is blocking nicely.
Assasin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sakuraba on the ground.
Assasin wants to get back to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sakuraba moves nicely into side control.
Sakuraba prevents Assasin from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Assasin, who protects the arm well.

Sakuraba is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Assasin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Sakuraba working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Sakuraba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Assasin keeps working.
Assasin is trying to improve his position.
Assasin on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Sakuraba tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sakuraba is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Assasin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakuraba misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Sakuraba tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Sakuraba has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Assasin 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 wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Assasin, who protects the arm well.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Assasin has escaped the position, nice work there.

Sakuraba is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Assasin has escaped the position, nice work there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Sakuraba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sakuraba 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
A victorious Kazushi Sakuraba thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.