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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Suporn Red Gym (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuraba comes to the cage accompanied by Lose yourself. Red Gym comes into a darkened arena with his song building. It's a long road kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!
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| 185 cm
25
201 lbs
12 - 0 - 1 |
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178 cm
30
189 lbs
23 - 16 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
12 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Suporn Red Gym!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Damien Edna and Winston Howard.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba lands the left hand.
Red Gym fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sakuraba tries a head kick but it misses.
Sakuraba does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Red Gym feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Sakuraba not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sakuraba wants to stand but Red Gym is controlling the position.
Red Gym loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Red Gym throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Red Gym throwing strikes from guard but Sakuraba blocks nicely.
Red Gym in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Red Gym tries to free his leg and advance position but Sakuraba is retaining full guard.
Red Gym working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sakuraba's head.
Red Gym throws a big elbow that misses.
Red Gym throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sakuraba wants to stand and escape but Red Gym is having none of it.
Red Gym loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Red Gym throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakuraba works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Red Gym tries to pass.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Red Gym loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Red Gym throws a big right hand that misses.
Sakuraba is pulling down on Red Gym's head. It's preventing any offense from Red Gym, at least for the moment.
Sakuraba preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sakuraba seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Kazushi Sakuraba wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Red Gym shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sakuraba as he jumps to the side.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut. Red Gym saw that one coming.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuraba leaves Red Gym with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Suporn Red Gym.
Red Gym slips under a jab from Sakuraba.
Red Gym uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Red Gym's head backwards.
Sakuraba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Red Gym shoots in looking for a takedown. Sakuraba tries to sprawl out of it but Red Gym keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sakuraba manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sakuraba explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba loads up on a big right hand but Red Gym slips the punch.
Sakuraba tries a head kick but it misses.
Red Gym shoots in for a double leg but Sakuraba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A punch combination from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A jab from Sakuraba misses.
Red Gym fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Red Gym avoids the body shot from Sakuraba.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Suporn Red Gym 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 throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Red Gym avoids it easily.
Red Gym gets a double leg takedown into Sakuraba's guard.
Red Gym trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sakuraba is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Red Gym tries to get to full guard but Sakuraba has control of the leg.
Sakuraba wants to pass to mount but Red Gym is defending the position.
Red Gym tries to roll over but Sakuraba keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Red Gym gets back to full guard.
Suporn Red Gym has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sakuraba content to stall in guard here.
Sakuraba wants to control from the top but Red Gym keeps moving.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Red Gym is looking to sweep but instead, Sakuraba has passed into half guard.
Red Gym is trying to get back to full guard.
Red Gym is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Red Gym wants to get back to full guard but Sakuraba has mounted him!
Red Gym tries to reverse the position but Sakuraba maintains control.
Sakuraba tries to control but Red Gym wriggling away.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym is trying to escape the mount.
Red Gym regains half guard.
Sakuraba prevents Red Gym from improving his position.
Sakuraba looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym wants to get back to full guard but Sakuraba has passed into side control.
Red Gym is trying to improve his position.
Sakuraba tries to stand but Red Gym is controlling his head.
Red Gym tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Suporn Red Gym showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Sakuraba fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Red Gym.
That kick from Sakuraba tenderised Red Gym's leg. Red Gym is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sakuraba scores with a jab. Red Gym acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Red Gym takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Red Gym shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Sakuraba defends it nicely.
Red Gym checks the leg kick.
Red Gym shoots in and drives through. Sakuraba sprawls well.
A big left from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Red Gym tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakuraba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Red Gym somewhat.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Suporn Red Gym.
Sakuraba misses the shot to the body.
Red Gym shoots in and bounces Sakuraba off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Red Gym postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Red Gym looking to pass the guard.
Red Gym scoring with some ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Red Gym tries to pass.
Red Gym stands up over Sakuraba, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Red Gym content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sakuraba manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Red Gym manages to get himself to full guard.
Sakuraba looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym keeping moving, preventing Sakuraba from controlling successfully.
Red Gym wants to hit a switch here but Sakuraba passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Red Gym there!
Sakuraba controlling his opponent.
Red Gym tries to get back to half guard but can't.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym keeps trying to improve his position.
Sakuraba takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Red Gym is trying desperately to improve position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Suporn Red Gym just about did enough to take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Sakuraba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Red Gym.
Sakuraba lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sakuraba misses with a wild combination.
Red Gym shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sakuraba as he avoids it easily.
Sakuraba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Sakuraba throws an overhand right that lands on Red Gym's shoulder, as Red Gym tries to avoid the shot.
Red Gym slips a jab from Sakuraba.
Red Gym shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba shows good takedown defense.
Red Gym displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakuraba throws out the jab.
Red Gym fails with the takedown.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Suporn Red Gym.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a jab when Red Gym was well out of range.
Sakuraba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sakuraba lands a really nice looking cross but Red Gym seems unphased.
Kazushi Sakuraba is winning the standup battle so far.
Jab, jab by Sakuraba - just one landing.
Sakuraba scores with a push kick.
Red Gym slips a straight right by Sakuraba.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Red Gym is defended easily by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands a nice leg kick that just misses Red Gym's sensitive parts.
A bone on bone clash there as Red Gym blocks the leg kick.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that Red Gym semi-blocks.
Sakuraba misses the shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sakuraba.
Red Gym fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sakuraba avoids it really well and circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba fails to land with a series of punches.
Sakuraba fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sakuraba gets caught flat footed, as Red Gym shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakuraba wants to stand and escape but Red Gym is having none of it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Red Gym accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Red Gym cracks Sakuraba with a solid left hand.
Sakuraba is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Red Gym scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Sakuraba not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba pulls Red Gym in close to prevent any damage.
Kazushi Sakuraba has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Red Gym dives in and grabs Sakuraba's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes down on Red Gym's head and hops out.
Good leg kick by Sakuraba there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sakuraba misses with a left hand
and Red Gym counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakuraba is looking for a sweep. Red Gym is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba won't allow Red Gym to pass to mount.
Sakuraba is pressing down on Red Gym's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Kazushi Sakuraba had his way with Suporn Red Gym in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!
Sakuraba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Red Gym.
That kick from Sakuraba tenderised Red Gym's leg. Red Gym is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sakuraba misses with a low kick.
Sakuraba throws a front kick that sends Red Gym stumbling back into the cage.
Red Gym tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakuraba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Red Gym somewhat.
Sakuraba connects with a high kick.
Sakuraba looks to score with a jab to the body but Red Gym is just out of range.
Sakuraba scores with a head kick. Red Gym tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Sakuraba misses with a hook. Red Gym ducked under it nicely.
Sakuraba throws a quick inside leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sakuraba.
Red Gym dives in and grabs Sakuraba's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes down on Red Gym's head and hops out.
Red Gym fails with the takedown.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Suporn Red Gym.
Red Gym changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Sakuraba tries to avoid it but Red Gym manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Sakuraba to the ground. Sakuraba escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sakuraba cracks the inside of Red Gym's front leg.
Red Gym is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Sakuraba thows a body shot but no joy.
Sakuraba is looking to slow Red Gym down with leg kicks.
Red Gym dives in and grabs Sakuraba's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sakuraba pushes down on Red Gym's head and hops out.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Sakuraba throws a lazy right hand but Red Gym sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sakuraba pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sakuraba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Red Gym was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses the jab.
Red Gym throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sakuraba's waist but Sakuraba gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Red Gym off to one side.
Red Gym shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Sakuraba as he jumps to the side.
Red Gym avoids the body shot from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba digs a good hook to Red Gym's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice takedown defense from Sakuraba. No joy for Red Gym on that attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym tries for a takedown but Sakuraba sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Red Gym closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sakuraba quickly recovers to half guard.
Sakuraba is trying to stand up here but Red Gym is controlling him well.
Sakuraba wants to control but Red Gym is keeping busy.
Red Gym misses with a head shot. Sakuraba uses the momentum to regain guard.
Sakuraba trying to keep a closed guard but Red Gym is proving a slippery customer.
Kazushi Sakuraba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Red Gym stopping the sweep attempt from Sakuraba.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sakuraba keeping full guard, as Red Gym tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Red Gym postures up in Sakuraba's guard and throws a big left but Sakuraba blocks it.
And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Sakuraba showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Red Gym 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 48:48
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 48:47
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 47:48
The fight is ruled a draw!
Kazushi Sakuraba 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!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
81% |
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