PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between John Trane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazushi Sakuraba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sakuraba has chosen Lose yourself as his entrance music. John Trane has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Trane
vs
Sakuraba

192 cm
27
195 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

185 cm
27
199 lbs
14 - 1 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Trane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 1 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Kazushi Sakuraba!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Damien Edna and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sakuraba slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sakuraba.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Trane crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sakuraba - the referee stops the clock and Trane gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sakuraba. Trane manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Trane on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sakuraba lands a nice hook to Trane's body. Trane takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Sakuraba has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Trane.
Trane takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Sakuraba goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
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!
Trane takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A combination from Sakuraba does no damage.
Sakuraba misses with a head kick.
Sakuraba lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Sakuraba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Trane closes the distance but Sakuraba moves to the side
and Sakuraba counters with a series of strikes. Trane will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Sakuraba misses.
Sakuraba misses with a wild body shot.
Trane moves out of range of the body kick.
Trane lands a nice looking kick to the body. Sakuraba takes a step back to recover.
Trane keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba throws a poor cross that misses
and Trane counters with a head kick. That will keep Sakuraba thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Trane tries to land a front kick but Sakuraba steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sakuraba fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Trane.
Sakuraba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Trane.
Sakuraba works Trane's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Trane.
Sakuraba throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sakuraba lands a right hook to the body.
Sakuraba thows a body kick. Trane tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Sakuraba scores with a shot to the body.
Sakuraba connects with an inside leg kick.
Sakuraba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sakuraba lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Sakuraba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A lazy left from Sakuraba finds it's target.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Trane moves out of range.
Trane fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trane closes the distance but Sakuraba moves to the side
and Sakuraba counters with a right hand to the body.
Trane walks forward, straight into a front kick from Sakuraba.
A big left from Trane misses.
Sakuraba missing with a left hand there. Trane was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Trane needs to keep his hands up - Sakuraba had a free shot at his head there.
Trane throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sakuraba throws a hook but Trane blocks it.
Sakuraba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Trane showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sakuraba.
Trane moves in looking to clinch but Sakuraba pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Trane connects with a crisp jab.
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 ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sakuraba ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sakuraba lands with a right hand.
Sakuraba misses with a leg kick

and Trane counters by moving into the clinch.
Trane lands a nice uppercut.
Trane is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sakuraba is keeping busy.
Trane scores a nice knee to the body.
Sakuraba struggles to land a body shot inside as Trane controls his hands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Trane's elbow.
Sakuraba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Trane tries to stall but Sakuraba uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Trane scores with a hook to the body.
Sakuraba avoiding damage as Trane throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kazushi Sakuraba dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Trane lands with a straight right. Sakuraba didn't see that one coming.
Sakuraba lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sakuraba throws the kick towards the body but Trane avoids it.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sakuraba throws out a loose jab but Trane uses good head movement to avoid it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sakuraba.
Trane tries to clinch but Sakuraba is having none of it.
Sakuraba scores with a hook to the body. Trane takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Sakuraba on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Sakuraba fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Trane manages to avoid it.
Sakuraba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Trane tries to work over Sakuraba's front leg with a kick but Sakuraba checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Trane will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Sakuraba misses with a kick to the body.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Trane.
A telegraphed right hand from Sakuraba misses the target.
Sakuraba moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Sakuraba throws the kick towards the body but Trane avoids it.
Sakuraba lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Sakuraba looks for the body kick but Trane saw that one coming.
Trane doesn't manage to clinch there - Sakuraba circles away.
Trane bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Trane tries to close the distance and clinch but Sakuraba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Trane looks to score with a jab to the body but Sakuraba is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trane smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Trane tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sakuraba swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sakuraba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sakuraba throws out a leg kick but Trane moves out of range and Sakuraba only half commits.
Sakuraba misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sakuraba throws a half hearted mid kick.
Trane fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sakuraba.
Trane jabs Sakuraba right on the nose. Sakuraba blinks but takes it well.
Sakuraba scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Trane lands a jab to the head.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sakuraba.

Trane forces Sakuraba back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trane tries a body shot but Sakuraba blocks it.
Trane is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakuraba is defending well for now.
Trane tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Trane lands a left hand.
Sakuraba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Sakuraba fails to land.
Trane gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Trane misses with a knee strike.
Sakuraba lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Trane backwards.
Sakuraba lands with a short shot to the head.
Trane misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands a body shot.
Trane blocks a body shot from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba pushes Trane back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Trane.
Sakuraba lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sakuraba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Trane misses with a knee to the head.
Trane utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba lands a nice shot to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba pushes Trane back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Sakuraba lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like John Trane has been cut.
Sakuraba works on Trane's body with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sakuraba lands a shoulder strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Sakuraba.
Still in the clinch, Sakuraba scores with a nice short uppercut.
Sakuraba managing to block the knees to the body from Trane.
Sakuraba lands with a left to the head.
Sakuraba lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Trane's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Trane tries to work over Sakuraba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A short uppercut from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba lands with a left to the head.
Sakuraba lands a shoulder strike.
Sakuraba lands with a short shot to the head.
Sakuraba lands a body punch.
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.
The cut man is working on John Trane's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A nice inside leg kick there by Sakuraba. That's going to slow Trane down.
A solid body kick from Sakuraba.
Crunch! Sakuraba slams his shin into Trane's torso.
Trane takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Sakuraba thumps Trane with a low kick.
Sakuraba lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
That kick from Sakuraba tenderised Trane's leg. Trane is trying to keep his angry face on.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Trane takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Trane takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Trane takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Trane is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakuraba with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Sakuraba lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakuraba looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sakuraba lands a nice leg kick that just misses Trane's sensitive parts.
A punch lands to the side of Trane 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Sakuraba throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Trane is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sakuraba.
Trane throws a lazy uppercut
and Sakuraba counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Trane tries to clinch there but Sakuraba circles away.
Kazushi Sakuraba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sakuraba looks to land a body kick but Trane moved away.
Sakuraba ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Sakuraba lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Sakuraba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trane lands a front kick.
Sakuraba loads up on a big right hand but Trane slips the punch.
That kick from Trane tenderised Sakuraba's leg. Sakuraba is trying to keep his angry face on.
Trane ducks under a wild hook from Sakuraba.
Sakuraba fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Trane on the side of the head.
Sakuraba lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sakuraba with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Trane looks to land a combination. Sakuraba sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Sakuraba looks to land a combination but Trane avoids it well.
Sakuraba lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakuraba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Trane ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trane misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Trane moves out of range of the body kick.
Sakuraba throws a good cross that connects.
Trane tries to land a body kick
and Sakuraba counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sakuraba throws a push kick but Trane slaps the foot to one side.
Sakuraba works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sakuraba connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Sakuraba throws a body kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Trane looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Trane tries to clinch
and Sakuraba connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kazushi Sakuraba is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Trane looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sakuraba throws a front kick that sends Trane stumbling back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakuraba looks to land a left hand but Trane moved out of range nicely.
Trane sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Sakuraba lands a nice shot to the body.
Sakuraba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A lazy body kick from Trane
and Sakuraba counters with a stiff right hand.
Trane tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sakuraba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sakuraba looks to score with a jab to the body but Trane is just out of range.
Sakuraba throws a head kick but Trane moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sakuraba takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakuraba fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Trane has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sakuraba blocks a leg kick.
John Trane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big right from Sakuraba misses.

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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazushi Sakuraba!
Kazushi Sakuraba decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.