PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kilo Macarenco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kilo Macarenco has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Macarenco
vs
Sakuraba

200 cm
25
285 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
275 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kilo Macarenco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba looks to throw the jab but Macarenco is out of range.
Sakuraba will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Sakuraba falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Macarenco counter with a right hand.
Sakuraba changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Macarenco tries to avoid it but Sakuraba manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Macarenco to the ground. Macarenco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Macarenco pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sakuraba catches Macarenco with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sakuraba misses the jab.
Sakuraba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Macarenco's waist but Macarenco gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakuraba off to one side.
Kilo Macarenco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws an off balance right hand
and Macarenco counters with a stiff right hand.
Sakuraba looks to land a right hand but Macarenco moved out of range.
Macarenco connects with a jab.
Sakuraba misses with a combination
and Macarenco counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Macarenco slips under a jab from Sakuraba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Macarenco keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut
and Macarenco counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sakuraba lands a really nice looking cross but Macarenco seems unphased.
Sakuraba looks to land a left hand but Macarenco moved out of range nicely.
Sakuraba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Macarenco sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A punch combination from Sakuraba misses.
Macarenco fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sakuraba looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut. Macarenco saw that one coming.
Macarenco slips a straight right by Sakuraba.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Macarenco misses the shot to the body.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Macarenco avoids it easily.
Macarenco misses with a hook. Sakuraba ducked under it nicely.
Sakuraba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Macarenco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with a looping left.
Macarenco connects with a single shot there.
Sakuraba is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Macarenco with a jab.
Macarenco slips a jab from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sakuraba misses the jab.
Sakuraba tries to bum rush Macarenco with a series of wild strikes but Macarenco uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Macarenco keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from 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!
Sakuraba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Macarenco avoids it really well and circles away.
Macarenco scores with a nice right hand.
Macarenco is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sakuraba throws a right hand that misses
and Macarenco counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sakuraba misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands with a straight right. Macarenco didn't see that one coming.
Sakuraba tries for a takedown but Macarenco sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Macarenco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sakuraba manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba looks to land a right hand but Macarenco moved out of range.
Macarenco is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Sakuraba misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakuraba with a lazy takedown attempt
and Macarenco counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sakuraba misses with a combination
letting Macarenco counter with a right hand.
Sakuraba looks winded!
Sakuraba misses with a few strikes there.
Macarenco scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sakuraba in his tracks.
Macarenco digs a good body shot into Sakuraba's ribs.
Sakuraba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco dodges the punch combination from Sakuraba.
Some wild striking there from Sakuraba.
Macarenco lands a nice shot that snaps Sakuraba's head back.
Macarenco is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Sakuraba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Macarenco.
Sakuraba might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sakuraba falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Macarenco counter with a right hand.
Sakuraba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Macarenco avoids it really well and circles away.
Sakuraba misses with a two punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakuraba throws an off balance right hand
and Macarenco counters with a straight right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt
and Macarenco counters with a nice body shot.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sakuraba throws a shot from downtown. Macarenco moves away and avoids it.
Sakuraba looks to throw the jab but Macarenco is out of range.
Sakuraba throws an overhand right that lands on Macarenco's shoulder, as Macarenco tries to avoid the shot.
Macarenco uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sakuraba has time to react.
Sakuraba takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Macarenco scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Macarenco thuds a left hand into Sakuraba's body.
Sakuraba misses with a straight right.
Macarenco defending well as Sakuraba loads up on a big left hand.
Macarenco lands a glancing blow to the side of Sakuraba's head.
Macarenco swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sakuraba fails with a takedown attempt.
Kilo Macarenco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Macarenco throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Macarenco connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sakuraba. Sakuraba circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Macarenco defending well as Sakuraba loads up on a big left hand.
Sakuraba throws a lazy uppercut
and Macarenco counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sakuraba falls off balance throwing a combination
and Macarenco connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kazushi Sakuraba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Macarenco ducks right into an uppercut from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands with a hook. Macarenco tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.
Sakuraba lands with an uppercut that bounces Macarenco off the cage and back into range.
A big left from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the side of Macarenco's head but Macarenco sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sakuraba has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Macarenco avoids it easily.
Macarenco with a jab.
Macarenco takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Sakuraba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Macarenco moves away from the strike by 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!
Sakuraba misses with a double jab
and Macarenco counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Sakuraba loads up on a big right hand but Macarenco slips the punch.
Sakuraba throws a jab when Macarenco was well out of range.
Sakuraba has his takedown stuffed
and Macarenco connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sakuraba misses with a straight right.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.
Macarenco tests Sakuraba's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco throws a hook to the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sakuraba throws a jab but it's blocked by Macarenco.
Sakuraba takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Sakuraba fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Macarenco avoids it really well and circles away.
Sakuraba misses with a looping right.
Macarenco ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Macarenco stuffs the takedown.
Macarenco avoids a punch combination nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Macarenco.
Macarenco lands a slapping body shot.
Macarenco swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sakuraba throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Macarenco counters with a straight right hand.
Macarenco lands with a right hand.
Sakuraba shoots in but Macarenco avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice defenses there by Sakuraba.
Macarenco misses with an uppercut. Sakuraba saw that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sakuraba walks into a straight right hand from Macarenco.
Sakuraba takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sakuraba throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Macarenco counters with a left to the body.
Sakuraba throws a shot from downtown. Macarenco moves away and avoids it.
Sakuraba throws a right and a left that Macarenco avoids nicely.
Sakuraba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A slow jab from Sakuraba misses its intended target.
Sakuraba missing with a left hand there. Macarenco was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sakuraba rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Macarenco counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sakuraba throws an overhand right that lands on Macarenco's shoulder, as Macarenco tries to avoid the shot.
Sakuraba throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Macarenco smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Sakuraba lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Macarenco ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Macarenco.
Sakuraba takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Macarenco lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Macarenco to counter with a crisp jab.
Sakuraba slips under a jab from Macarenco.
Macarenco throws a hook to the side of Sakuraba's head but Sakuraba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sakuraba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Macarenco.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.
Macarenco's corner calls for a 1-2. Macarenco obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kilo Macarenco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba misses with a hook
and Sakuraba takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Macarenco jabs Sakuraba right on the nose. Sakuraba blinks but takes it well.
The fighters circling - Sakuraba throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.
Kilo Macarenco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macarenco bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sakuraba keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Macarenco ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Macarenco.
Macarenco slips under a jab.
Sakuraba misses with a left hand
and Macarenco counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sakuraba gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Macarenco counters with a nice body shot.
Kilo Macarenco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazushi Sakuraba.
Macarenco lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sakuraba at a distance.
Macarenco ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba dips to his left and cracks Macarenco with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Macarenco bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Macarenco blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba scores with a nice head shot.
Macarenco lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sakuraba misses with a hook
and Macarenco counters with a left to the body.
Macarenco slaps away a takedown attempt from Sakuraba, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Macarenco scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Macarenco uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Macarenco throws out the jab.
Sakuraba jabbing away but nothing is landing.
No joy there for Sakuraba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sakuraba is trying hard to land a takedown here. Macarenco sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Macarenco.
Sakuraba tries to move into range but Macarenco moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba misses with an uppercut. Macarenco saw that one coming.
Macarenco misses the jab.
Sakuraba misses with a straight left.
Sakuraba throws a right hand that misses
and Macarenco counters with a straight right hand.
A combination from Sakuraba does no damage.
Macarenco connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice uppercut lands for Macarenco. That snapped Sakuraba's head back.
Macarenco dips to his left and cracks Sakuraba with an uppercut!
Sakuraba looks to throw the jab but Macarenco is out of range.
Macarenco tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sakuraba was well out of range. Poor timing from Macarenco.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Macarenco swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sakuraba.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sakuraba throws a poor cross that misses
and Macarenco counters with a stiff right hand.
Macarenco slips under a jab from Sakuraba.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazushi Sakuraba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sakuraba 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
During a confident post fight interview, Kazushi Sakuraba thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.