PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazuushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kazuushi Sakuraba might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Wax Tailor feat. The Others . I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Sakuraba
vs
Sakuraba

175 cm
26
180 lbs
11 - 12 - 1

183 cm
25
175 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Good gas tank

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « NAF↑ TRIPLE 160Q ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazuushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Fujiwara and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Kazushi Sakuraba throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kazuushi Sakuraba throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kazushi Sakuraba.

Kazushi Sakuraba looking to score a takedown here. Kazuushi Sakuraba is defending well but Kazushi Sakuraba drives through and ends up in Kazuushi Sakuraba's guard.
Kazuushi Sakuraba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kazushi Sakuraba is one step ahead there.
Kazushi Sakuraba postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kazushi Sakuraba won't allow Kazuushi Sakuraba to sweep him here.
Kazuushi Sakuraba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kazushi Sakuraba manages to get himself to full guard.

Kazushi Sakuraba isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kazuushi Sakuraba stacks Kazushi Sakuraba on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kazuushi Sakuraba!
Kazuushi Sakuraba is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Kazushi Sakuraba manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kazuushi Sakuraba's best efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to improve his position.
Kazuushi Sakuraba throwing shots but Kazushi Sakuraba is blocking nicely.
Kazuushi Sakuraba looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to control but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is nestled in close to Kazushi Sakuraba, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kazuushi Sakuraba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is keen to just control but Kazushi Sakuraba is a slippery customer.
Kazuushi Sakuraba content to control rather than advance.
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to control but Kazushi Sakuraba is keeping him busy.
Kazuushi Sakuraba not doing much here.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to improve his position but Kazuushi Sakuraba is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kazuushi Sakuraba wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kazushi Sakuraba takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Good exchange - Kazuushi Sakuraba coming out on top.

Kazuushi Sakuraba looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to keep Kazuushi Sakuraba in close.
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Kazushi Sakuraba keeps moving.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kazushi Sakuraba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Kazushi Sakuraba keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazuushi Sakuraba throwing strikes but missing.

Kazushi Sakuraba has his foot on Kazuushi Sakuraba's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kazuushi Sakuraba works his way back into a safe position though.
Kazushi Sakuraba has momentary wrist control but Kazuushi Sakuraba slips an elbow through the middle.

Kazushi Sakuraba is looking for a triangle but Kazuushi Sakuraba pushes his legs off easily.
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Kazushi Sakuraba keeps moving.

Kazushi Sakuraba had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kazuushi Sakuraba defends it easily.
Kazuushi Sakuraba scoring with some ground and pound.
Kazushi Sakuraba avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kazushi Sakuraba manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to hold on but Kazushi Sakuraba pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kazushi Sakuraba cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kazuushi Sakuraba is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kazushi Sakuraba fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Kazuushi Sakuraba gets back to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to pass the guard but Kazuushi Sakuraba is defending well.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to control but Kazuushi Sakuraba is keeping him busy.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to advance position but Kazuushi Sakuraba won't allow it.
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to get back to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba throwing shots but Kazuushi Sakuraba is blocking nicely.

Kazushi Sakuraba is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kazuushi Sakuraba has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kazuushi Sakuraba keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kazushi Sakuraba throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kazuushi Sakuraba trying to control from the bottom.
Kazuushi Sakuraba makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba connects with a couple of short punches.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Kazushi Sakuraba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kazuushi Sakuraba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kazushi Sakuraba has managed to get both his arms back between Kazuushi Sakuraba's legs - danger averted.
Kazuushi Sakuraba wants to sweep here but Kazushi Sakuraba controlling him for the moment.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Kazuushi Sakuraba keeps moving.

Kazushi Sakuraba got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kazuushi Sakuraba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kazushi Sakuraba has managed to get both his arms back between Kazuushi Sakuraba's legs - danger averted.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is trying to control the position but Kazushi Sakuraba postures up.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is looking to stand up but Kazushi Sakuraba isn't so interested in that idea.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba stopping the sweep attempt from Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Kazuushi Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Kazushi Sakuraba tries to pass.
Kazuushi Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Kazushi Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is trying to control the position but Kazushi Sakuraba postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kazuushi Sakuraba.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Kazuushi Sakuraba closes the distance and clinches.
Kazushi Sakuraba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kazuushi Sakuraba fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to clinch.
Kazuushi Sakuraba shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Kazushi Sakuraba closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kazuushi Sakuraba prevents Kazushi Sakuraba from moving into mount.

Kazushi Sakuraba thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kazushi Sakuraba creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to take a breather but Kazuushi Sakuraba manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Kazushi Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kazuushi Sakuraba controls Kazushi Sakuraba momentarily but Kazushi Sakuraba frees himself.
Kazushi Sakuraba has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
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 Kazuushi Sakuraba will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kazuushi Sakuraba. Kazushi Sakuraba shrugs it off though.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Some wild striking there from Kazuushi Sakuraba.
An inside leg kick lands from Kazuushi Sakuraba.
Kazuushi Sakuraba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kazuushi Sakuraba looks for the body kick but Kazushi Sakuraba saw that one coming.
Kazuushi Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazuushi Sakuraba throws a leg kick that misses.

Kazushi Sakuraba scores a takedown into full mount!
Kazuushi Sakuraba is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Poor strikes thrown by Kazushi Sakuraba there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

Kazushi Sakuraba looking to secure an arm triangle but Kazuushi Sakuraba defends it well.
Kazuushi Sakuraba tries to lock up and control but Kazushi Sakuraba gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kazuushi Sakuraba is trying desperately to improve position.
Kazushi Sakuraba landing strikes from the mount and Kazuushi Sakuraba is in trouble!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazushi Sakuraba misses with a head shot.
Kazuushi Sakuraba can't escape the position.
Kazushi Sakuraba looking to control but Kazuushi Sakuraba is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kazushi Sakuraba pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kazushi Sakuraba prevents Kazuushi Sakuraba from getting the reversal.
Kazuushi Sakuraba tries to hold on but Kazushi Sakuraba pushes him away.
Kazushi Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kazushi Sakuraba moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Kazuushi Sakuraba has worked his arm free - good work by Kazuushi Sakuraba!
Kazuushi Sakuraba is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazuushi Sakuraba gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba wants to pass to mount but Kazuushi Sakuraba is defending the position.
Kazushi Sakuraba throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kazushi Sakuraba trying to advance position but Kazuushi Sakuraba counters by regaining guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba tries to free his leg and advance position but Kazuushi Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Kazuushi Sakuraba bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kazushi Sakuraba's guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Kazuushi Sakuraba from controlling successfully.

Kazuushi Sakuraba has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Kazushi Sakuraba to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Kazuushi Sakuraba is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Kazushi Sakuraba pulls down on the head and he's put Kazuushi Sakuraba to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Kazushi Sakuraba!
An out of breath Kazushi Sakuraba thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.