PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Karl Hungus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hungus comes to the cage accompanied by Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Hungus
vs
Sakuraba

186 cm
29
183 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

183 cm
28
175 lbs
18 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Karl Hungus!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hungus moves into the clinch successfully.
Sakuraba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hungus just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hungus taking a breather.
Hungus lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hungus stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hungus'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.

Hungus gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Sakuraba avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hungus.
Sakuraba avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hungus.
Hungus working Sakuraba over with strikes.
Sakuraba is looking to improve his position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hungus throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Hungus seems to be working for a kimura but Sakuraba defends the submission attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hungus seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hungus missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hungus is keen to just control but Sakuraba is a slippery customer.
Sakuraba tries to get to full guard but Hungus has control of the leg.
Hungus wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sakuraba keeps working.
Sakuraba wants to get back to full guard.
Sakuraba pushes Hungus off looking to stand but Hungus dives back in and keeps control.
Hungus lands with a punch from half guard.
Sakuraba wants to control but Hungus is keeping busy.
Sakuraba slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Hungus got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sakuraba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hungus has managed to get both his arms back between Sakuraba's legs - danger averted.
Sakuraba keeping moving, preventing Hungus from controlling successfully.

Sakuraba escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hungus gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Hungus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hungus chips away with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hungus landing some decent shots from guard.
Sakuraba 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.
Hungus wants to pass the guard but Sakuraba is keeping the position.
Hungus slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hungus has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Sakuraba had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hungus defends it easily.
Hungus with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hungus lands a couple of digs.
Hungus trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakuraba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hungus is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hungus's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Sakuraba utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hungus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Sakuraba working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hungus has passed into half guard!
Hungus is nestled in close to Sakuraba, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hungus working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hungus thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sakuraba's head.

Sakuraba actively working from the bottom here.
Sakuraba avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hungus.
Hungus landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sakuraba gets back to full guard.
Hungus throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakuraba works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hungus lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hungus is in close to Sakuraba's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Hungus got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sakuraba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hungus has managed to get both his arms back between Sakuraba's legs - danger averted.
Hungus with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hungus postures up in Sakuraba's guard and throws a big left but Sakuraba blocks it.

Sakuraba has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hungus can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hungus throws a strike but Sakuraba rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hungus looking for a sweep. Not yet Hungus, not yet.

Hungus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sakuraba can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hungus striking off his back but it's not causing Sakuraba any problems.
Sakuraba throwing strikes but missing.

Hungus looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Hungus dominated that round.
That's time! Hungus's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hungus lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Hungus closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sakuraba quickly recovers to half guard.
Hungus prevents Sakuraba from improving his position.
Hungus scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Sakuraba on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sakuraba is staying active underneath Hungus, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sakuraba tries to roll over but Hungus keeps him under control.
Hungus scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hungus moves nicely into side control.
Sakuraba manages to get back to half guard.
Karl Hungus overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sakuraba blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hungus.
Sakuraba wants to control but Hungus is keeping busy.

Hungus seems to be working for a kimura but Sakuraba defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba gets back to full guard.
Sakuraba looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sakuraba wants to hit a switch here but Hungus passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sakuraba there!
Hungus cracks Sakuraba with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Hungus lands a nice shot to the head.
BOOM! Hungus connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Sakuraba is rocked!
Hungus lands a big shot to the head and Sakuraba winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Karl Hungus!
Karl Hungus retains his welterweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Karl Hungus waved his t-shirt featuring iFight Fight Gear - Steel Penn - Syracuse's logo in front of the cameras.