PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Raider Browne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Raider Browne has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Browne
vs
Sakuraba

180 cm
24
168 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

183 cm
27
175 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ultimate Fighting Gear

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raider Browne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba moves out of range as Browne strikes.
Browne misses the jab.
Browne lands the left hand.
A big right from Browne misses.
Browne moves out of range of the body kick from Sakuraba.
Browne looks to land a combination but Sakuraba avoids it well.
Sakuraba has a takedown stuffed.
Sakuraba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sakuraba tries to clinch up but Browne circles away and keeps his distance.
Browne throws an overhand right that lands on Sakuraba's shoulder, as Sakuraba tries to avoid the shot.
Sakuraba is trying hard to land a takedown here. Browne sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Browne scores with a nice strike.
Sakuraba drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Browne stuffs the takedown.
Raider Browne has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Browne.
Sakuraba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Browne.
Browne scores with a sloppy right hand. Sakuraba should have avoided that one.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Sakuraba.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Browne tries to improve position but can't.
Browne is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Sakuraba off and has taken his back!
Browne loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Sakuraba hold on?

Browne working for a choke but Sakuraba is defending well.
Sakuraba manages to reverse the position and now he's in Browne's guard. Nice work there by Sakuraba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Browne looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sakuraba passes into side control.
Sakuraba scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Browne to see if he's OK.
Browne is looking to reverse the position.
Browne takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakuraba gets to mount! Browne was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Browne is looking to improve his position but Sakuraba isn't that keen on the idea.
Browne is working hard here to advance position.
Sakuraba trying to control but Browne is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakuraba tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Browne is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba landing punches.
A nice elbow there by Sakuraba.
Browne taking shots to the head.
Browne sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Browne tries to get to full guard but Sakuraba has control of the leg.

Browne looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Browne wants to get back to full guard.
Browne manages to get to full guard.
Sakuraba distracts Browne with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Browne had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sakuraba defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba is in close to Browne's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sakuraba trying to control but Browne is working from the bottom.
Sakuraba passes Browne's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sakuraba perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Sakuraba is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Sakuraba looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The fighters are battling for position here. Browne manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kazushi Sakuraba 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 has a takedown stuffed.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Browne stalks Sakuraba and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sakuraba's face. Sakuraba staggers backwards, shaken.
Browne throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Browne lands with a nice combination. Sakuraba backs away looking to recover.
Browne throws an overhand right that lands on Sakuraba's shoulder, as Sakuraba tries to avoid the shot.
Browne staying out of range there.
Browne misses with an uppercut.
Browne looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Browne misses with the combination.
Browne connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sakuraba. Sakuraba circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Browne changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sakuraba looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sakuraba is looking to reverse the position.
Sakuraba gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Sakuraba wants to get back to full guard.

Browne wants to work for an arm triangle but Sakuraba is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Sakuraba looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Browne scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sakuraba manages to get to full guard.
Kazushi Sakuraba has got the better of the ground game so far.
Browne works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Browne trying to control from half guard but Sakuraba is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Browne trying to control but Sakuraba is working from the bottom.
Sakuraba working a defensive guard here.

Sakuraba is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Browne slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sakuraba being controlled for a moment.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba parries the strikes from Browne easily there. Browne is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Sakuraba to escape.
Browne trying to control the position but Sakuraba is working away.

Browne is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sakuraba has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sakuraba is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Sakuraba is not content to let Browne control the position.
Sakuraba regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sakuraba has momentary wrist control but Browne slips an elbow through the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba looking for a sweep. Not yet Sakuraba, not yet.
Browne with a flurry of punches that miss.
Browne slips nicely into half guard.
Sakuraba wants to control but Browne is keeping busy.
Sakuraba makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sakuraba.
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!
Browne tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Browne wants to control from the top but Sakuraba keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sakuraba is on top in guard.
Sakuraba postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Browne keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Browne controls Sakuraba momentarily but Sakuraba frees himself.
Sakuraba looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raider Browne dominated that second round.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Sakuraba defending well as Browne loads up on a big left hand.
Browne's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Browne duly obliges.
Sakuraba tries to land a leg kick but Browne saw it coming and moves away.
Nice sprawl there from Browne as Sakuraba shoots in.
Browne connects with a nice looking jab.
Browne connects with a jab.
Sakuraba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sakuraba looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Browne darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Browne throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Browne misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sloppy strikes from Browne. Those never looked like landing.
Sakuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Browne throws out the jab.
Browne is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Browne fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Browne throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sakuraba sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Browne misses.
Sakuraba defending well as Browne loads up on a big left hand.
Browne rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sakuraba counters with a stiff right hand.
A telegraphed right hand from Browne misses the target.
Browne lands with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Browne misses with an uppercut. Sakuraba saw that one coming.
A jab from Browne misses.
Sakuraba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Browne.
Browne misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sakuraba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Browne was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakuraba.
Browne misses with the combination.
A combination from Browne does no damage.
Browne defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Raider Browne has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
A big right from Browne misses.
Browne swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Browne coming out on top.
Browne missing with a left hand there. Sakuraba was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Browne tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakuraba was well out of range. Poor timing from Browne.
No joy there for Sakuraba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Browne throws a hook to the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Browne fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba shoots in looking for a takedown. Browne tries to sprawl out of it but Sakuraba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Browne manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Browne sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Browne with a hook.
Browne works Sakuraba's body with a nice hook.
Browne throws a leg kick that misses.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Browne thuds his shin into the meat of Sakuraba's side.
Sakuraba looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Browne is fending him off so far but Sakuraba persists. Nope, Browne circles away and we're back to standing.
Browne throws a hook to the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Raider Browne is winning the standup battle so far.
Browne throws a lazy right hand but Sakuraba sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A jab lands there for Browne.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuraba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Browne pinned against the cage. Browne gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Browne misses the jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raider Browne showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Browne 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Raider Browne!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Raider Browne!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Raider Browne!

Raider Browne wins by unanimous decision!
During a confident post fight interview, Raider Browne thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.