PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brock Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Legionarivs Sakara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ferguson comes to the cage accompanied by POWER. Sakara has chosen The Rise of Sakara as his entrance music. Legionarivs Sakara will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Ferguson
vs
Sakara

173 cm
22
199 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
185 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Global Empire MMA Gear

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!
Global Empire MMA Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Brock Ferguson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Legionarivs Sakara!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ferguson.
Sakara throws a shot to the body.
Sakara misses with a looping right.
Sakara takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sakara scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Sakara ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ferguson moves out of range as Sakara strikes.
Sakara fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ferguson gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Sakara.

It looks like Brock Ferguson has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sakara swings for the body but Ferguson moves out of range.
Ferguson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakara was well out of range. Poor timing from Ferguson.
Ferguson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ferguson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ferguson darts in and clinches Sakara up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Sakara regains guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ferguson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakara swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Sakara looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Ferguson passes into half guard.
Ferguson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sakara keeps working.

Sakara has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Ferguson escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Ferguson!
Ferguson with the ground and pound but Sakara regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Sakara keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Sakara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ferguson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sakara has hold of Ferguson's hands but Ferguson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sakara works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sakara is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ferguson throwing strikes from guard but Sakara blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakara working for a triangle but Ferguson defends it easily.
Sakara wants to improve his position but instead Ferguson has moved into half guard.
Ferguson tries to pass to full mount but Sakara defends it.
Ferguson drops an elbow to the side of Sakara's head.
Ferguson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Sakara is trying to control but can't.
Sakara wants to improve his position but Ferguson is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakara is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ferguson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ground and pound from Ferguson.
Sakara is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ferguson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ferguson's back!

Sakara working for the choke.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakara looking to hold on to the position here but Ferguson rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Ferguson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sakara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ferguson is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakara trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Legionarivs Sakara will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ferguson looks to land a left hand but Sakara moved out of range nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ferguson.
A left lands for Sakara.
Sakara lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ferguson getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice sprawl there from Sakara as Ferguson shoots in.
Sakara slips under a jab.
Sakara misses with a wild body shot.
Ferguson tries to clinch there but Sakara circles away.
Sakara lands a glancing blow to the side of Ferguson's head.
Sakara takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.
Ferguson wants to clinch.
Ferguson throws the left hand but Sakara avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sakara misses with a short punch on the inside.
Sakara prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brock Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice left hand lands by Sakara.
Ferguson misses with the head strike.
Ferguson misses with a hook to the ribs.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sakara tries to stall but Ferguson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short left from Sakara.
Ferguson is looking for a takedown.
Ferguson misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ferguson gets through Sakara's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Sakara prevents a body shot from Ferguson.
Ferguson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson cracks Sakara with a nice body shot.
Sakara trying to stall but Ferguson improves his position.
Ferguson blocking some punches.
Ferguson wants to take the fight to the mat but Sakara manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Sakara misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sakara stalling in the clinch but Ferguson improves position.
Sakara slowing the pace effectively.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Sakara swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ferguson blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakara misses with the head strike.
Ferguson tries to throw a body punch but Sakara avoids it by throwing Ferguson back against the cage.
Ferguson lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ferguson looking for a takedown.
Sakara misses with a punch on the inside.
Sakara fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ferguson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sakara misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ferguson lands a shoulder strike.
Ferguson tries a body shot but Sakara blocks it.
Sakara working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Sakara fails to land.
Ferguson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sakara's elbow.
Sakara holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson has Sakara pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ferguson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Sakara tumbling to the mat - Ferguson dives into Sakara's guard.
Ferguson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakara is keeping the position for now.

Sakara throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakara can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ferguson controls the pace.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ferguson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakara works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ferguson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Ferguson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ferguson with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sakara to score with a decent uppercut.
Sakara connects with the punch.

Ferguson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ferguson struggles to land a body shot inside as Sakara controls his hands.

Ferguson works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Ferguson cracks Sakara with a solid left hand.
Ferguson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sakara swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ferguson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sakara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Sakara is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ferguson defends well.
Sakara controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakara is trying to control the position but Ferguson postures up.
Ferguson throws a big right hand that misses.
Ferguson throws a big elbow that misses.
Ferguson won't allow Sakara to sweep him here.

Ferguson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Sakara dives on top into guard.
Ferguson trying to control the position.
Sakara is fighting to break Ferguson's control of his arms but Ferguson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson working a defensive guard here.

Brock Ferguson has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Sakara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferguson was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakara.
Ferguson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sakara is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Sakara bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sakara throws a combination that misses
and Ferguson counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd cheers as Sakara lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ferguson doesn't seem phased though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakara lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sakara darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ferguson throws a nice looking combination but Sakara bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sakara swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ferguson.
Sakara ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ferguson moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakara throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Legionarivs Sakara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferguson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakara was well out of range. Poor timing from Ferguson.
Ferguson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sakara throws out a loose jab but Ferguson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ferguson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakara.
Sakara misses with a wild body shot.
Ferguson scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ferguson punishes Sakara's body with a nice straight punch.
Sakara tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ferguson is able to avoid easily.
Ferguson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ferguson fails to land with a series of punches.
Ferguson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sakara moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ferguson throws a nice looking combination but Sakara bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakara throws a shot from downtown. Ferguson moves away and avoids it.
A jab lands there for Sakara.
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!
Sakara scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sakara thuds a left hand into Ferguson's body.
Sakara avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The fighters circling - Sakara throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Legionarivs Sakara seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakara throws a looping overhand right but Ferguson ducks down to avoid it.
Legionarivs Sakara is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ferguson.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ferguson tries to clinch up.
Sakara looks to land a combination. Ferguson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Brock Ferguson's cut is getting worse.
Ferguson throws a hook to the side of Sakara's head but Sakara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Legionarivs Sakara really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
That's time! Ferguson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sakara pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Ferguson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sakara is trying to control the position but Ferguson postures up.

Sakara is looking for a triangle but Ferguson pushes his legs off easily.
Sakara working a defensive guard but Ferguson passes into half guard.
Ferguson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sakara wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ferguson is nestled in close to Sakara, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ferguson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ferguson landing strikes from the mount and Sakara is in trouble!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakara sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Ferguson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Sakara with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sakara trying to control from the bottom.

Ferguson is trying to work for a kimura but Sakara is defending well.
Ferguson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sakara manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Sakara had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ferguson defends it easily.
Ferguson is in close to Sakara's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a big right hand that misses.
Ferguson tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakara is retaining full guard.
Ferguson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ferguson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sakara's head.
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!
Fergusonis looking to pass into half guard but Sakara pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Sakara is in guard.

Sakara avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ferguson wants to sweep here but Sakara controlling him for the moment.
Ferguson pulls Sakara in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson wants to sweep here but Sakara controlling him for the moment.
Sakara trying to control the position from guard on top but Ferguson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sakara looking to pass the guard.
Brock Ferguson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ferguson is looking for a triangle but Sakara pushes his legs off easily.
Sakara trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ferguson wants to take a breather but Sakara is having none of it.
Ferguson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ferguson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Sakara is looking to control Ferguson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sakara avoid being mounted?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakara regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ferguson.
Ferguson not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Ferguson had his way with Legionarivs Sakara in that round.
The cut man is working on Brock Ferguson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sakara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferguson was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakara.
Ferguson has a takedown stuffed.
Ferguson misses with a hook to the body
and Sakara counters with a right hand to the body.
Sakara scores with a hook to the body. Ferguson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sakara stuffs the takedown.
Sakara shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ferguson eats them both and turns towards Sakara to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ferguson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ferguson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sakara.
Sakara looks to throw the jab but Ferguson is out of range.
Sakara bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ferguson's head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson throws a looping overhand right but Sakara ducks down to avoid it.
Ferguson moves out of range as Sakara throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakara bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ferguson's head.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sakara.
Sakara swats away the attempt to clinch by Ferguson.
Ferguson misses with a left hand
and Sakara counters with a left and a right that stings Ferguson.
Sakara throws a front kick aimed at Ferguson's knee but Ferguson avoids it well.
A jab from Sakara finds it's way through Ferguson's defenses.

Ferguson is rocked!
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakara misses the target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Sakara does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sakara takes one to the side of the head.

Ferguson forces Sakara back against the cage and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ferguson as Sakara tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sakara.

Sakara breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Sakara moves out of range.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakara paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sakara has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ferguson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ferguson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ferguson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sakara misses with a few strikes there.
Sakara takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nice defenses there by Sakara.
Ferguson misses with a looping left.
Ferguson slips under a jab.
Sakara lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ferguson circles away quickly and effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakara throws a one two combo.
Ferguson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sakara moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Oh Ferguson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Brock Ferguson's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sakara.
Sakara takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A left lands for Sakara.
A slow jab from Sakara misses its intended target.
Sakara throws a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sakara throws a series of punches but Ferguson avoids them all with ease.
Sakara looks to land a left hand but Ferguson moved out of range nicely.
Ferguson seems to have got his legs back now.
Ferguson wants to clinch.
Ferguson walks into a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sakara. Ferguson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sakara throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ferguson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sakara lands a really nice looking cross but Ferguson seems unphased.
Ferguson lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Sakara throws the kick towards the body but Ferguson avoids it.
Ferguson doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakara circles away.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakara swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Legionarivs Sakara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakara scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ferguson wants to clinch.
Ferguson is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Legionarivs Sakara comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sakara 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 47:48
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 48:48
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 48:48

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
Brock Ferguson retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!