PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joe Rogan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hanzo Sasori Hasashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sasori Hasashi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Scorpion kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Rogan
vs
Sasori Hasashi

185 cm
22
180 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

186 cm
21
182 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joe Rogan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Hanzo Sasori Hasashi!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sasori Hasashi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rogan in his tracks.
Joe Rogan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sasori Hasashi tries to bum rush Rogan with a series of wild strikes but Rogan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rogan misses with a takedown attempt - Sasori Hasashi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sasori Hasashi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rogan misses with a low kick.
Rogan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rogan throws a head kick that misses.
Sasori Hasashi blocks a jab.
Rogan walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Rogan misses with a low kick.
Sasori Hasashi staying out of range there.
Sasori Hasashi lands with a slapping head kick.

Rogan clinches with his opponent.
Sasori Hasashi blocking some punches.
Sasori Hasashi gets underhooks to prevent Rogan's takedown attempt.
Sasori Hasashi taking a breather.
Sasori Hasashi effectively controlling the action here.
Sasori Hasashi is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rogan trying to land knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Rogan.
Rogan tries to break free but Sasori Hasashi pushes him back against the cage.
Sasori Hasashi stalls.
Rogan throws a punch but it's blocked by Sasori Hasashi.
A nice left hand lands by Rogan.
Rogan misses with a knee to the head.
A short left from Sasori Hasashi.
Sasori Hasashi has Rogan pressed against the cage, preventing Rogan from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Sasori Hasashi tries to throw a body punch but Rogan avoids it by throwing Sasori Hasashi back against the cage.
Sasori Hasashi throws a punch but it's blocked by Rogan.
Sasori Hasashi blocks an elbow strike from Rogan.
Rogan lands a hook that snaps the head of Sasori Hasashi backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogan blocking some punches.

Rogan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rogan lands a right hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rogan misses with an uppercut. Sasori Hasashi saw that one coming.
Sasori Hasashi looks to land a body kick but Rogan moved away.
Rogan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sasori Hasashi finds it's way round the side to connect with Rogan's head.
Rogan throws a hook to the side of Sasori Hasashi's head but Sasori Hasashi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rogan throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rogan tries to close the distance and clinch but Sasori Hasashi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rogan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rogan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sasori Hasashi.
Rogan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sasori Hasashi can pounce on him.
Sasori Hasashi throws a big shot that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sasori Hasashi.
Rogan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rogan tries to score with a low kick but Sasori Hasashi moves his leg out of the way.
Sasori Hasashi feints and then cracks Rogan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rogan down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Sasori Hasashi.
Sasori Hasashi lands a nice hook to Rogan's body. Rogan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rogan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rogan throws a leg kick but Sasori Hasashi checks it.
Sasori Hasashi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sasori Hasashi lands with an uppercut that bounces Rogan off the cage and back into range.
Sasori Hasashi misses with a low kick.
Rogan throws a lazy body kick

and Sasori Hasashi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Rogan lands a body shot in the clinch.
Rogan being controlled against the cage.
Rogan misses with a body punch.
Sasori Hasashi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rogan working aggressively here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogan works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rogan can't find room to land a body shot as Sasori Hasashi controls the action.
Sasori Hasashi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rogan misses with the head strike.
Sasori Hasashi keeps control of Rogan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rogan tries to land a knee to the head but Sasori Hasashi blocks with his arms.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Rogan is working for takedown but Sasori Hasashi is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Rogan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sasori Hasashi is working Rogan over against the cage.
Sasori Hasashi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rogan throws an elbow that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rogan lands a nice knee to the body.
Sasori Hasashi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sasori Hasashi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rogan scores with a nice hook to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hanzo Sasori Hasashi will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sasori Hasashi.
Hanzo Sasori Hasashi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rogan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rogan throws a looping overhand right but Sasori Hasashi ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Rogan misses.
Sasori Hasashi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Rogan closes the distance and pushes Sasori Hasashi back into the cage.
Rogan lands with a right to the head.

Rogan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sasori Hasashi.

It looks like Joe Rogan has been cut.
Rogan tries to land a leg kick but Sasori Hasashi saw it coming and moves away.
Sasori Hasashi needs to keep his hands up - Rogan had a free shot at his head there.
Sasori Hasashi sizes up Rogan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A head kick misses from Rogan.
Rogan works over Sasori Hasashi's head and body with a nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rogan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd cheers as Rogan lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sasori Hasashi doesn't seem phased though.
Rogan takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sasori Hasashi sizes up Rogan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rogan has a takedown stuffed.
Rogan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Rogan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rogan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sasori Hasashi misses with a punch to the body.
Rogan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Sasori Hasashi has him pressed against the cage.
Sasori Hasashi prevents the takedown attempt.
Sasori Hasashi stalling in the clinch but Rogan improves position.
Rogan tries to throw a body punch but Sasori Hasashi avoids it by throwing Rogan back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Sasori Hasashi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Rogan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rogan wants a takedown.
Rogan misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi lands a left hand.
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!
Sasori Hasashi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Sasori Hasashi lands a shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Sasori Hasashi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Rogan cracks Sasori Hasashi with a nice body shot.
Sasori Hasashi prevents Rogan from breaking the clinch.
Sasori Hasashi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rogan backwards.
Sasori Hasashi taking a breather.
Sasori Hasashi avoiding damage.
Rogan is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nice body punch from Rogan - that landed with a thud.

Rogan tightens his grip and picks Sasori Hasashi up, before dumping him to the ground. Sasori Hasashi manages to land in guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Rogan postures up in Sasori Hasashi's guard and throws a big left but Sasori Hasashi blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rogan trying to control but Sasori Hasashi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rogan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rogan scoring with some ground and pound.
Sasori Hasashi wants to stand but Rogan is controlling the position.
Sasori Hasashi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sasori Hasashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rogan trying to control the position from guard on top but Sasori Hasashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rogan looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogan with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sasori Hasashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rogan.
Sasori Hasashi keeping moving, preventing Rogan from controlling successfully.
Rogan tries to free his leg and advance position but Sasori Hasashi is retaining full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rogan wants to get up but he can't break Sasori Hasashi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Rogan wants to control from the top but Sasori Hasashi keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Rogan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Rogan's cut.
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.

Rogan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sasori Hasashi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rogan swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Sasori Hasashi counters with a nice body shot.
Sasori Hasashi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rogan gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Sasori Hasashi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rogan misses with a head kick.
Rogan circles away from the clinch attempt.

Rogan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sasori Hasashi napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Rogan is trying to ground and pound but Sasori Hasashi uses the momentary lack of control by Rogan to regain half guard.
Rogan thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sasori Hasashi's head.
Sasori Hasashi is not content to let Rogan control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rogan missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rogan is trying to control. Sasori Hasashi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rogan stops Sasori Hasashi from getting back to his feet.
Rogan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rogan thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sasori Hasashi works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogan trying to control the position from guard on top but Sasori Hasashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rogan drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sasori Hasashi looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sasori Hasashi looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sasori Hasashi!

Sasori Hasashi stands up.
Sasori Hasashi goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rogan jabs at Sasori Hasashi's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sasori Hasashi throws a hook but Rogan blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sasori Hasashi moves out of range of the strikes.
Rogan thumps Sasori Hasashi with a low kick.
Rogan throws a head kick that misses.
Sasori Hasashi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rogan is looking to clinch.
Sasori Hasashi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rogan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rogan wants to clinch up but Sasori Hasashi keeps it at a distance.
Rogan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sasori Hasashi but Sasori Hasashi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rogan missing with a left hand there. Sasori Hasashi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hanzo Sasori Hasashi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Rogan fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Sasori Hasashi to the ground. Rogan is now in Sasori Hasashi's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sasori Hasashi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sasori Hasashi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi looking to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Hanzo Sasori Hasashi wasn't active enough on the ground.
Rogan throws the kick towards the body but Sasori Hasashi avoids it.
Sasori Hasashi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rogan's calf.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rogan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Sasori Hasashi but Sasori Hasashi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rogan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sasori Hasashi throws a big shot that misses.
Rogan tries a head kick but it misses.
Rogan misses with an uppercut. Sasori Hasashi saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Rogan clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Rogan's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rogan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rogan throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sasori Hasashi misses the shot to the body.
Rogan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rogan looks to land a left hand but Sasori Hasashi moved out of range nicely.
Rogan throws a head kick that misses.
Rogan misses with a body kick.
Rogan moves out of range as Sasori Hasashi strikes.
Sasori Hasashi fails to land with a series of punches.
Sasori Hasashi throws a nice head kick!
Rogan throws an off balance right hand
and Sasori Hasashi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sasori Hasashi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rogan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sasori Hasashi slips under a jab from Rogan.
Sasori Hasashi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Sasori Hasashi swats away the attempt to clinch by Rogan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi scores with a punch to the head.
Sasori Hasashi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sasori Hasashi scores with a decent looking hook.
Sasori Hasashi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rogan's head.
Sasori Hasashi takes a swing at Rogan's ribcage but misses.
Rogan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sasori Hasashi lands a body shot.
Sasori Hasashi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice straight punches there by Rogan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rogan.
Sasori Hasashi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A good leg kick by Sasori Hasashi.
Rogan shoots in but Sasori Hasashi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rogan wants to land a leg kick but Sasori Hasashi is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogan tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Sasori Hasashi looks for the body kick but Rogan saw that one coming.
Rogan misses with a leg kick
and Sasori Hasashi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sasori Hasashi connects with a looping right hand.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rogan.
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!
Sasori Hasashi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jab by Sasori Hasashi.
Rogan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sasori Hasashi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rogan lands with a kick to the temple. Sasori Hasashi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Rogan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Rogan misses with a wild body shot.
Sasori Hasashi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rogan doesn't manage to clinch there - Sasori Hasashi circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rogan scores with a takedown into Sasori Hasashi's guard.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Sasori Hasashi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rogan landing some decent shots from guard.
Sasori Hasashi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sasori Hasashi prevents Rogan from improving his position.
Sasori Hasashi trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Rogan is trying to control but can't.

Sasori Hasashi decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Sasori Hasashi stuffs the takedown attempt from Rogan. Rogan gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rogan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sasori Hasashi blocks a head kick by Rogan.
Sasori Hasashi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rogan's sensitive parts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hanzo Sasori Hasashi dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Joe Rogan's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sasori Hasashi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Both fighters circling a little - Rogan finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Sasori Hasashi avoids the body shot from Rogan.
Sasori Hasashi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rogan's sensitive parts.
Rogan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rogan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rogan throws a leg kick but Sasori Hasashi sees it coming and checks it nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rogan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Good work by Sasori Hasashi as he checks the leg kick.
Sasori Hasashi slips under a jab.
Rogan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sasori Hasashi.
Rogan lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rogan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rogan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sasori Hasashi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rogan.

Rogan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Rogan postures up in Sasori Hasashi's guard and throws a big left but Sasori Hasashi blocks it.
Rogan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rogan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rogan working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rogan has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rogan throwing strikes from guard but Sasori Hasashi blocks nicely.
Sasori Hasashi pulls Rogan in close to his closed guard and prevents Rogan from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rogan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rogan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rogan postures up.
Sasori Hasashi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rogan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sasori Hasashi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rogan!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rogan is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sasori Hasashi controlling from mount.
Rogan tries to hold on but Sasori Hasashi postures up.
Rogan is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rogan is working hard here to advance position.
Rogan manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rogan kicks Sasori Hasashi off and gets back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Rogan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rogan 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 48:47
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 48:47
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Joe Rogan!
Joe Rogan retains his welterweight title!
Joe Rogan thanked the fans post fight for their support.