PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mana Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julian Donnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Sato
vs
Donnell

195 cm
24
285 lbs
9 - 13 - 0

189 cm
26
280 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Heavy handed

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

Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mana Sato!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Julian Donnell!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Shigeki Fujiwara and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donnell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sato shoots in looking for a takedown. Donnell tries to sprawl out of it but Sato keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Donnell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sato shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Donnell as he jumps to the side.
Sato doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Donnell counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Sato's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mana Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Donnell passes Sato's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sato is looking to escape.
Sato has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Donnell is working away from the top position though.
Sato taking some punishment here, with Donnell in his half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Donnell seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sato is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Donnell blocks the strikes from Sato.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Donnell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donnell wants to control but Sato is keeping him busy.
Sato misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Sato wants to get back to his feet.
Well, if Donnell 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.
Donnell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sato does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Julian Donnell has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Donnell's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Donnell duly obliges.
Sloppy strikes from Sato. Those never looked like landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Donnell forces Sato back against the ropes and clinches.
Sato is looking for a takedown.
Sato is looking for a takedown.
Sato tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Donnell smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donnell scores with a one two! Sato had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Mana Sato has been cut.

Donnell drives through and clinches with Sato against the ropes.

Donnell works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Sato is trying to control the position but Donnell postures up.
Sato doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Donnell is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Donnell postures up in Sato's guard and throws a big left but Sato blocks it.
Donnell slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Julian Donnell hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Donnell stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato with a poor takedown

so Donnell counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Sato trying to control the position.

Donnell decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Donnell defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sato.
Sato has his takedown stuffed
and Donnell makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Sato is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donnell stalks Sato and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sato's face. Sato staggers backwards, shaken.

Donnell is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sato's half guard.
Well, if Donnell 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donnell works his way into side control.
Sato throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Donnell working the ground and pound.
Donnell scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Sato to see if he's OK.

Donnell decides to stand up, so the ref orders Sato to his feet.
Sato fails with the takedown
enabling Donnell to counter with a crisp jab.

Donnell dives in and scores a takedown into Sato's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Donnell trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sato's guard.
Donnell trying to control the position from guard on top but Sato is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sato has a closed guard, preventing Donnell from standing up.

Sato has his foot on Donnell's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Donnell works his way back into a safe position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Donnell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mana Sato's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sato misses with a takedown attempt
and Donnell counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
A shot to the liver by Donnell. Beautiful body shot.
Sato shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Donnell sprawls well. Donnell wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sato gets slowly back to his feet.
Donnell throws a one two combo.
Donnell lands with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Donnell is working for takedown but Sato is calmly controlling the position for now.

Donnell manages to break the clinch.
Sato fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mana Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Donnell clinches up with Sato and pushes him back against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Donnell pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mana Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sato walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice body kick there by Donnell.
Donnell fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sato looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Julian Donnell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Donnell shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Donnell in particular looking to stall.
Sato on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sato tries to get out of the position.
Sato keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sato wants to get back to full guard.
Donnell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donnell wants to take a breather but Sato is having none of it.

Donnell decides to stand up.
Sato changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Donnell tries to avoid it but Sato manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Donnell to the ground. Donnell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Donnell instigates a clinch.
Donnell lands a shot to the body.
Donnell misses with an elbow over the top.

Donnell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Donnell moves into the clinch successfully.

Donnell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Donnell shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sato is staying active underneath Donnell, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sato tries to roll over but Donnell keeps him under control.
Julian Donnell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sato missing with punches from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Donnell scores with a couple of nice shots.
Donnell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sato gets full guard.
Donnell stands up over Sato, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Donnell wants to stand but Sato has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Sato tries to strike from the bottom.
Donnell slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Donnell wants to control from the top but Sato keeps moving.
Donnell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sato swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sato is looking for a triangle but Donnell pushes his legs off easily.
Donnell is looking to work some ground and pound but Sato has wrist control.

Sato is working an open guard so Donnell takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Donnell keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
No luck for Sato with that takedown attempt.
Sato changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Donnell tries to avoid it but Sato manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Donnell to the ground. Donnell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Donnell connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sato. Sato circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Donnell throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Sato shoots and misses
and Donnell counters with an inside leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Donnell scores with a sloppy right hand. Sato should have avoided that one.

Donnell has closed the distance and engaged Sato in a clinch.

Donnell breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julian Donnell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mana Sato's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Donnell throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Sato tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Donnell is in Sato's guard.
Sato is striking off his back. Donnell thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Donnell is pressing down on Sato's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sato is holding on for now.
Donnell scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sato trying to control but Donnell postures up.

Donnell decides to stand and escape the position.
Donnell's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Donnell duly obliges.
Sato shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Donnell but Donnell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sato shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Donnell pinned against the ropes. Donnell gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sato misses with a takedown attempt - Donnell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mana Sato. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato looks for the body kick but Donnell saw that one coming.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Donnell keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Donnell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sato circles away.
Donnell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Donnell clinches.

Donnell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sato will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice shot by Donnell.

Donnell has Sato up against the ropes in a clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Donnell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donnell prevents a takedown attempt there.

Donnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Oooh a lovely combination from Donnell sends Sato down but not out. Donnell dives into side control looking to finish.

Sato is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sato is trying to control Donnell's posture but Donnell avoids it.
Donnell has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Donnell decides to stand back up.

Donnell rushes Sato and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Donnell stalls.
Donnell throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Donnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Donnell darts in and clinches Sato up against the ropes.
Sato is trying to drag Donnell to the mat but Donnell just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Julian Donnell is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Donnell landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Julian Donnell seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Donnell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Donnell gets a clinch.
Donnell working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Sato pulls guard successfully.
Donnell preventing the sweep.

Donnell stands and steps away. Sato gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Donnell gets a takedown into half guard.
Donnell tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sato looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mana Sato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sato punching from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Julian Donnell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Donnell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Julian Donnell!
Our winner, Julian Donnell, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.