PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Stifler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steven Stifler will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Sakuraba
vs
Stifler

185 cm
23
275 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

225 cm
29
300 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kazushi Sakuraba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steven Stifler!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stifler uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sakuraba has time to react.

It looks like Kazushi Sakuraba has been cut.
A big left from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sakuraba misses with a takedown attempt - Stifler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stifler looks to land a combination. Sakuraba sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Stifler moves away.
Jab by Stifler.
Stifler slips a straight right by Sakuraba.
Sakuraba takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Horrible takedown by Sakuraba or perhaps it was just good defense by Stifler which made him look bad.
Stifler lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Horrible takedown by Sakuraba or perhaps it was just good defense by Stifler which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kazushi Sakuraba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sakuraba throws a big shot that misses.
Sakuraba chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stifler can pounce on him.
A left lands for Stifler.
The fighters circle momentarily. Stifler darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Stifler scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sakuraba slips a jab and a cross from Stifler.
Sakuraba takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Stifler.
Sakuraba tries to bum rush Stifler with a series of wild strikes but Stifler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sakuraba takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Kazushi Sakuraba's cut is getting worse.
Sakuraba shoots in but no luck this time.
Stifler is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Sakuraba had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Sakuraba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stifler was well out of range. Poor timing from Sakuraba.
Stifler cracks Sakuraba with a right hand to the side of the head.
Stifler digs a good hook to Sakuraba's body.
Stifler throws a right hand that Sakuraba ducks under and follows up with a left that Sakuraba also avoids with ease.
Stifler takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Stifler avoids the body shot 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!
Some wild striking there from Stifler.
Stifler lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Steven Stifler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the side of Stifler's head but Stifler sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stifler scores with the left hand. Sakuraba knows he should have avoided that one.
Sakuraba is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stifler.
Sakuraba throws the left hand but Stifler avoids the punch easily.
Sakuraba is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Stifler.

Kazushi Sakuraba's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Sakuraba connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stifler getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Stifler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sakuraba.
Stifler lands with a nice combination. Sakuraba backs away looking to recover.
Stifler throws a front kick that sends Sakuraba stumbling back into the cage.
Stifler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Sakuraba.
Stifler has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Sakuraba takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Stifler is working the combinations to good effect here.
Sakuraba takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Jeez, Kazushi Sakuraba's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Stifler cracks a nice hook into Sakuraba's ribs.
Stifler bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stifler digs a good body shot into Sakuraba's ribs.
Stifler throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Stifler scoring well with a low kick there.
A slow jab from Sakuraba misses its intended target.
Sakuraba shoots in for a takedown but Stifler shows good takedown defense.
Sakuraba is breathing heavily.
Sakuraba looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Kazushi Sakuraba's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Steven Stifler!